A letter to:
Sen. Jane English, Chair, Arkansas State Senate Education Committee
Sen. Joyce Elliot, Vice-Chair, Arkansas State Senate Education Committee
Arkansas Department of Education
My name is Jessica Imel and I am a resident of Arkansas. Among other roles, I am a teacher for a large school district. I am writing to you as a concerned citizen to ask that you and the other members of the Education Committee work to eliminate the use of corporal punishment in all schools in the state of Arkansas.
My district does not use corporal punishment. As a teacher of 8 years with a rating of “Distinguished” for the last 5 years, I have obviously had to implement a variety of effective classroom management and disciplinary techniques. In my naivety, I was actually not aware any school in the state was using corporal punishment as a disciplinary tool until we met a child who attends a rural school district in Arkansas. In order to protect his privacy, I will call him KR.
My family and I met KR at a family/friends gathering several years ago. He is a kind and humorous teen who loves the outdoors, hands-on activities, and video games. Sadly, KR has experienced several adverse childhood experiences. Since meeting KR, he has been a pseudo nephew to my husband and I, despite not being related to him. KR and my son have formed a friendship over the last few years that we encourage and support. KR has stayed with us during holidays and traveled with us on occasion. Although he is in another town, we regularly see him through various family/friend gatherings.
Over the Christmas break, KR told me that he got in trouble at school for talking and because it was not his first offense was given “swats” by his Assistant Principal. I was stunned. I was thankful KR confided in me, but was saddened and angry hearing his story. He admitted he was in fact doing something wrong in class, but as he described it, going to the Assistant Principal’s office and being swatted by the administrator was humiliating.
Arkansas Law and School leadership allowed its representative to hit a child who is already struggling to build relationships within the school and stay engaged in his classes. From my conversations with KR, I glean that he is desperate for teachers, mentors and coaches to invest in him, but now the school administration has humiliated and embarrassed him.
I could cite numerous research sources that indicate positive relationships are a foundation to student success. I can also attest to this personally as I work to build a culture of high expectations and caring relationships in my classroom.
The fear and humiliation brought by corporal punishment is not acceptable in our schools. This event has further disintegrated KR’s engagement in school and if other school districts are utilizing corporal punishment as a disciplinary tool, they are likely working against the success and achievement of Arkansas students.
I feel compelled to advocate on KR’s behalf because I believe every child should experience a joy for learning. Positive learning experiences in our Arkansas schools have a direct, positive impact on Arkansas’ education outcomes, public safety, health and wellness, and economic strength.
I urge you to discontinue the use of corporal punishment for every school district in the state of Arkansas. Thank you for your time. If I can be of any assistance or answer further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Jessica Imel
Imel Learning 