RETRACTION: Excessive Corporal Punishment in U.S.V.I

       So I sincerely feel the need to apologize to my readers as well as the educators at the Yvonne Bowsky Elementary School, located within our territory, with regards to a blog post published last Sunday due to reports received and read (from various publications based within the territory and teachers) about the use of corporal punishment by a principal on one of their students which is in fact, NOT TRUE. We were delighted to hear that while the video and comments attached to it and articles on the subject may depict a much more gruesome scene it was actually nothing like illustrated, but an actual crude offense made by another to seem so. While the screams and cries in the video were completely real they were the result of a tired student trying to pt his way out of the punishment received, which I am told was raising his arms above his head for long periods of time. I would like to also take this opportunity while acknowledging that my opinions were in fact biased because of my stance on corporal punishment to note that those were my only objections and I'm sure many would agree as we've seen in recent senate legislations world wide and at home that a change in our schools policies and procedures with respects to such is much needed.

The views expressed within this blog are solely those of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on any of her affiliations. For more on the U.S Virgin Islands read Too Much Violence And Abuse In Our Schools, Too Much Violence: Shootings Near USVI Preschools, andEducational Institutions Need New Blood.

Excessive Corporal Punishment In U.S.V.I

    (Picture below is of Yvonne Bowsky Elementary School, U.S.V.I)

      While doing my nightly reading (this time via the internet) I came across an article about one of our local elementary schools within the territory, Yvonne Bowsky Elementary School and couldn't resist reading about the latest news within the institution that inspires me so much. I always try to keep abreast of things happening within our territory's educational institutions, call it my way of staying informed. As I began to read this article I was confronted with many mixed emotions. First, I was happy to know that steps were finally being taken to rid our territory of such an unrealistic trait/ behavior for any educational professional since it was first off ridiculously bizarre ideal within educational guidelines and secondly we are in much more informed times, or at least I thought we were; after the article and attached video I wasn't to sure anymore. Next was fear to confront me, as I continued to read the article I realized that there had been an actual incident of this sort within the territory. In an effort not to become too overwhelmed I began to slightly rationalize the different situations in my head but everything I came up with was still bad. As the article came to a close I thought of two things; one I really do think that our new commissioner was much to light with the 'punishment' given for such an infraction especially since it was the vice principal of the school; a weeks suspension with pay and then a promotion to principal doesn't sent a good message. As noted within the same article featured within the St. Thomas Source and various others, such incidents do continue within the territory and abroad and reap the same horrid results. If the vice principal is allowed to get away with such behavior how do we really expect to deter others? Unfortunately it may actually be the only way for teachers to get a week off with pay. My second thought was about those present at the time of the incident; of everyone there including the person videotaping I wonder how many of them call themselves education professionals.

     Then I saw the video, and though it is merely 53 seconds long I found it chilling from beginning to end with terrifying screams. I figured the person videotaping either had my sentiments of not bearing to watch what they'd found after those horrid screams or they were too afraid of losing their job. Listening to that child scream and beg I wondered how I would feel know that was my child or even that my child could possibly be in such a situation, then my heart sunk and I felt ashamed for my territory; why would our lawmakers allow such an act to go seemingly unnoticed? I can appreciate the fact that since corporal punishment legally is still allowed within U.S.V.I schools that it was a large factor for consideration (with regards to those involved in the discussion making process). I'm also certain that tenure was also a matter of consideration since one does not become principal overnight; I'm sure the educator in question is no doubt an excellent one to be able to lead in such a capacity. But as someone held at such a high regard within the institution and society being idolized by students, parents and colleagues, one should continued to be held at such standards with regards to doing what is right and held accountable accordingly.

     According to the Global Initiative to End all Corporal Punishment Of Children and the overwhelming evidence that shows the harmful effects of corporal punishment show associations between corporal punishment and a wide range of negative outcomes, including; direct physical harm, negative impacts on mental and physical health, poor moral internalization, increased aggression in children, increased perpetration and experience of violence in adults, increased antisocial behavior, poor cognitive development, and damaged relationships.

     My thoughts then shifted back to the commissioners response to the video, a week off with pay and a promotion, and wondered if that had been her child in the video if she would've thought it appropriate.

The views expressed within the blog are solely those of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on any of her affiliations. For more on the U.S Virgin Islands read Too Much Violence And Abuse In Our Schools, Too Much Violence: Shootings Near USVI Preschools, and Educational Institutions Need New Blood.

Top Five Reasons Why I'd Choose An Educated Child Care Professional

Top Five Reasons Why I'd Choose An Educated Child Care Professional

Written By: Ms. Child Advocate

        I've recently been on the hunt for a preschool that would meet both my child's needs and my expectations and while I didn't expect to find many who'd fit the criteria I was expecting to find more than I actually found. First I found that many of the preschools that were within reach of the average parents working middle class either didn't offer progressive programs that are age appropriate and those that did were in high price ranges. Many of the learning environments in question were structured in environments themselves that were unprogressive and unwelcoming first leading many to question the safety of the environment. Secondly, as many of the individuals employed at these establishments aren't necessary professionals at their 'profession' concerns are again raised with the extent of progressive lessons and environments that can be constructed for individual children. While experience is a great teacher it does leave one lacking knowledge in areas and would need to be explored in order to be efficient at the profession. For instance, would you allow your child to be treated by a 'physician' with ten to fifteen years experience but no medical training? I'm sure the answer would be no (unless under dire circumstances) so why would these 'schools' be operating without at least a CDA present at each facility? Simply put, what I found was that there weren't many educated child care professionals within our territory and while I was shocked I as also stunned at the fact so many individuals believed in experience over education with all that has come to light about early childhood education. Too many of the preschools within our territory are welcoming individuals as teachers who have little experience in the field and no education and sadly it seems the only reason for so is to save these 'businesses' money; the lesser educated professional received a lesser pay grade. I has also come to my attention that the preschools within our territory were given a deadline of summer 2015 to either educate their staff on the profession or add members with the right credentials, which would be an associates in any field related to early childhood. It is for this reason I decided to write this post about my reasons for choosing a childcare provider who is educated within their profession.


1. Information- An educated child care provider would have common knowledge of different learning practices, techniques, policies, and procedures making learning more versatile with the individual children they encounter. They would also have common knowledge about the symptoms of diseases of various disorders, illnesses, and even common diseases making a diagnosis easier for those involved and hopefully any processes smoother. As we all different as individuals it should be equally important that a educational professional have different resources to ensure progressive developmental learning is taking place. While I wouldn't dare say that an educated professional would be open minded whereas an uneducated professional won't be I would say that with the wealth of knowledge they would've developed such a way of thinking, but people will be people and there is no way to determine such a thing. 


2. Quality- An educated professional would be quite aware of the need for stimulating experiences for early learners to thrive and progress; facilitating nurturing environments where all is concerned regardless of age or disability. They would provide an atmosphere that's inviting and loving while age appropriate, placing an importance on developmental aspects while making it engaging to learn. 

3. Respect- An educated professional is more cultured and would more easily accept and be open toward others cultures or those with special needs. Respect is this aspect is very important not only between teachers and students but between the school/ institution and parents/ family members as well for interaction between all parties concerned is necessary and anything hampering such could also hamper the child's views and development. 



4. Family & Community Ties- Many educated and uneducated professionals network alike ,but those who have attended educational institutions and others alike are included in larger networks based on those institutions and the professionals within these institutions. Networking and collaborating with after school programs, inter neighborhood programs, religious programs and family/community members helps to build solid relationships and a strong foundation for trust and engagement


5. Safety- As I mentioned before, safety can come in many different forms but the one topic that was repeated mentioned during interviews for this article was that of the safety of the environments of the early learners in question. Educated professionals have a wider network of resources to enable them to provide safe yet engaging programs in safe environments. 


 In closing I know that many parents choose their child care providers on a budget and have all rights to do so, I know I do, and by it's convenience but I implore many of you to actually consider the education levels of the 'professionals' working with your children and consider this, would you depend on your child's primary teacher or intermediate teacher if they were uneducated within the field? Cause it is basically the same thing.