The moment I realized we were in serious trouble.

I teach high school, for about 4 years. I have had my share of difficult classes, kids, parents ect. But we recently (GWSD 2022) started to see some new trends that are very disturbing. <br><br>I would first like to begin by saying that most of my classes were great, lots of kids who have had extremely hard lives and have been super resilient. Some of them have been through stuff that would give a lot of people PTSD. <br><br>There was one kid though. His group had some issues. None of them wanted to be there, and they found out how to give me a run for my money. If I tried to make them do something they didn't want to do, they would brake things or intentionally write the most offensive words they could (GWSD 2022) to me on assignments that I had to read. Some of them were not bad, but mostly it was about how they didn't want to be there, or how I had disappointed them by making them do an assignment, and how I was a bit*h and a whore for forcing them to do it. <br><br>One day though I realized that things were about to get much worse. I have had students swear at me before, or get angry. I have had parents call me screaming on the phone. But this was the moment I realized that it wasn't the students or the parents... the problem was much bigger. <br><br>I was giving directions to a group of kids. I use the smart board, which is nice because you can write on it. The kids that have a hard time paying attention can see the directions in case they miss them. I was giving each set of two kids the same scenario: imagining they own a small business at the time of the civil war. They had to decide weather they supported the north or south. I found this way of teaching more engaging then just having them sit and right a paper. <br><br>I had just finished giving directions and was about to hand out the scenario. But a kid next to me said "I'm going to write that supports the south because I hate blacks." I stopped in my tracks and just stared at him. I was trying to quickly come up with the best way to address this without escalating the situation. But before I could, another child chimed in: "Yeah! Fuck the blacks! They are so fucking dumb and lazy." I was in shock. <br><br>I tried to address it at the time. I also addressed it with the class at the end of the day. I spoke with the counselor. We had this kid come in and talk with me about it. I told him that his words were very hurtful and made me feel sad. I was able to use it as a learning experience. <br><br>I would have thought this was just one bad kid or one bad day until it started to happen more. Kids would just blurt out racist slurs, or sexist comments. Saying the most appalling things. <br><br>We have had to have multiple speakers come in to explain to the kids why their words are so hurtful. We as teachers have tried to also explain it. Kids just don't seem to care. <br><br>It has gotten worse since. Much worse. I can't seem to go a day with out at least one student saying something racist, sexist, ableist ect. These kids just don't care how hurtful their words are. <br><br>We are in trouble. We need to come up with a way to address this, because if we don't it's going to be bad.