I am a seventh grade math teacher this year (I tend to bounce between math and science) and I usually don't post things about my students, but this was one of those cases where the story is worth telling in order to get it off my chest.

I had a kid shine a laser pointer in my eye twice on Thursday. He has been suspended, but I find it difficult to be okay with just that. I had a headache all night and into the next morning with various other vision symptoms (dizziness, blurred vision, eye pain, etc.). I had to go to the Ophthalmologist to get my eyes dilated properly and examined. Turns out that I was very lucky to not have permanent damage and that the outer layer of my eye was burned. The doctor said it is similar to looking at the sun for too long. I was given some special eye drops to help the healing process along and it will take up to a week.

/rant

Sorry to hear Talae. Hope it heals up soon. ... omg did I just use that word?! Sorry!

Ouch that sounds painful.

I hate to be a jerk about it, but if it keeps up, and they do any sort of major damage. I would consider talking to a lawyer to go after the parents for medical expenses.

Ungh... I love people....
Some apple sauce, maybe some pineapple...

The worst part is that sometimes it is the smartest kids that are the stupidest.

When referencing this kid with the word "smart," you almost have to add another word immediately after.

This same kid spent 2 1/2 months at the alternative school in the district this year and wore an ankle tracker for six weeks after returning due to his legal run-ins.

I tend to be a very optimistic person, especially when it comes to my students, but this is one 13 year old that tries that personal value.

Middle school, generally the worst years of a child's life. Big enough to be an adult in some cases, brain developed enough to actually be smart, with the wisdom of a child, and pushing the envelope trying to define the edge. Sorry to hear it resulted in damage to your eyesight. Guard it well says a man with two artificial lenses.

A teacher friend of mine has a similar behavior problem with a student.
Like you he wanted to teach the child, so he put the problem to his classroom of 12 years old's.
They all voted to have him removed from the class, the child was shocked that the teacher was chosen over him. He left the school in shame, not from adults but his own peers.

His next school could not believe he had a bad report from the previous school. We all say the child changed after the shocking vote.

I taught the child, school gymnastics, in both schools (part time) and I was surprised with his change, for the better.

So Obi-Wan is not our only hope. Good luck Talae..
and Grump, you forgot the brown sugar - yum yum!

Hey Talae. Very sorry to hear that - and very glad the damage is only temporary.
All the best finding a constructive way to sort the kid out.

That could have been really serious Talae! Hope everything is ok with you.

Just found out my 14 year old son has been playing truant off school. Going to a Parent / Teacher night tonight to see about it.

Something about 11-15 year olds....

Sorry to hear about your peepers Talae. Lasers and eyeballs definitely don't mix. Hopefully they give this young lad a nice long break from school (maybe a classroom transfer as well?).

The one thing I'd say (and I'm sure you've all thought this one through) is that 90% of the time, children with behavioral problems are having problems at home. Its either domestic or its psychological. Though that doesn't excuse bad behavior, sometimes you've got to be careful in terms of how discipline is dealt with. Especially if the parents are abusive.

Then again, some kids just make bad choices to be cool or prove a point (re: insecurity).

I feel your pain Talae, Im a school bus driver, and I had a similar incident happen on my bus. 5th grader brought one of those things on the bus and started zapping it around in the dark. Very distracting, luckily it didn't hit my mirror and deliver a similar shot to me. Her and her brother daily bring contraband electronic devices, gum, metal files, you name it... I've bout gotten tired of writing them up. Today they discovered the "finger"... Joy!

I hope a solution is found, a smart ass is not something that anyone wants to lose their sight over. At that age, they probably just think it's funny to make you squirm and don't realize that it could cause permanent damage (and sometimes in the worst case, don't care).

The student has been suspended and will not be returning to our school this or next year. After that, he will be the problem of the high school system.

Also, his Mom has opted to send him to live a few hours away at Grandpa's house in a smaller, more isolated town. Maybe the father-figure will help. Either way, I won't have the pleasure of seeing him in my classroom (or attending my school) ever again.