Smith under fire again at JV

[d6footballfan]

It will be on the news this evening. Smith is a teacher at JV and supposedly conducted over the top corrective behavior on an unruly student. The student is a known "problem kid" in the district and Smith lost his cool with him when the kid was doing his normal disrespectful antics in his class room.

Hopefully this kid gets tossed from the district as well. I would not lose any sleep that my kids would not have to be around this kid at all. He is A plus as many D's and H's that one can strong together.

This same kinda scenario is what got him in hot water with the board this past season and he was put on notice.

So it appears JV is headed for a new coach.

[guru1]

I assume you must be from down in the Valley if you know the kid.....whats the story.... Did he really assault the kid or was it blown out of proportion?

[d6footballfan]

guru1 - yea I am from JV and my kids go there and my 3rd of 5 boys played for Smith in football. SO the story they are all telling me is consistent with what is being told on the news. The kid passed gas in class, was laughing and pretty much telling Smith whats the big deal, its a free country, blah blah blah. Smith responded by telling him it wasn't appropriate in his classroom or for that matter anywhere else, and the "shove" that occurred was more incidental than a direct push. This kid is a big kid, not a little teeny. Basically this is another one of those incidents where those who want Smith out at JV will take this issue to the highest levels to force him out . The family of this kid are close friends and relatives of those who went after him last fall when he got pulled in before the board. These same people are pissed because their kids aren't being pandered to like they have gotten away with in the youth leagues in JV. I personally can tell you I coached this kid in little league, and the kid was very difficult. He kept leaving the dugout during games, buying 50-50 tickets or buying hoards of food and bringing food into the dugout which was against league rules that I repeatedly told this kid and his dad about; but yet it still happened all of the time. Ironically, when I approached his dad about these kinds of issues, he told me to give him a swift kick in the arse or a slap in the head. Glad I didn't listen to his dad then....

I cant imagine how difficult it is to be a teacher and a coach these days.... Smith and all teachers in this situation need some protection from the vultures out there.

[Manfred]

Smith seems to be an advocate of the Ernie Fetzer School of Discipline. He was "really well-liked", as well. Except by that one or two "special kids" who either thought they knew more than the Coach/ teacher, or the parents of those 1 or 2 "special" kids who felt their little gifts to the world were being short-changed by Smith. BTW, I agree fully with the previous poster. If the kid has an ADHD problem, get him some help, and the parents need effective counciling as well. There's that ever-present 800 lb. gorilla in the room: the word SUE! Everyone cringes at the word. Backbones and rights disappear at its mention. My 2 c, fwiw.

[guru1]

guru1 - yea I am from JV and my kids go there and my 3rd of 5 boys played for Smith in football. SO the story they are all telling me is consistent with what is being told on the news. The kid passed gas in class, was laughing and pretty much telling Smith whats the big deal, its a free country, blah blah blah. Smith responded by telling him it wasn't appropriate in his classroom or for that matter anywhere else, and the "shove" that occurred was more incidental than a direct push. This kid is a big kid, not a little teeny. Basically this is another one of those incidents where those who want Smith out at JV will take this issue to the highest levels to force him out . The family of this kid are close friends and relatives of those who went after him last fall when he got pulled in before the board. These same people are pissed because their kids aren't being pandered to like they have gotten away with in the youth leagues in JV. I personally can tell you I coached this kid in little league, and the kid was very difficult. He kept leaving the dugout during games, buying 50-50 tickets or buying hoards of food and bringing food into the dugout which was against league rules that I repeatedly told this kid and his dad about; but yet it still happened all of the time. Ironically, when I approached his dad about these kinds of issues, he told me to give him a swift kick in the arse or a slap in the head. Glad I didn't listen to his dad then....

I cant imagine how difficult it is to be a teacher and a coach these days.... Smith and all teachers in this situation need some protection from the vultures out there.

Kids this day and age just get handed everything and have no respect....Hopefully whoever is making decisions sees this for what it is. Smith seems like a good coach.

[Eaglealum]

I can't/won't speak about this because it would be conjecture. But to the points some of you are referring. You are all correct but there's no way of fixing these situations with "problem" kids. I can relate to the situation . In my days wearing a whistle, I had an instance(one and only) where I completely snapped on one of these "blessings to our society". After throwing this punk out of practice, his mouth continued disrupting and long story short , I chased the kid through & out the school and down clay ave. I thank God to this day I didn't catch him or I'd be posting this from a taxpayer funded connection from a SCI. His father came to the school within minutes and after I told him what happened... All I got was excuses how his meds weren't working and it's the doctors fault.... The same kid is currently in prison for a violent crime against a female.... Hmmm maybe they just need their butts whooped instead of medication.

[Bedrock]

These kids aren't new. They've been around forever. I hate seeing our young people drug through the mud, because by and large they are good kids, doing what we ask them. For the NipNops that are out there, where did they learn their behaviors? Nine times out of ten their home is a mess. The one out of ten was the same Jerkwad that has been around since you, your father, and your grandfather were a kid.
I'm thankful I live in a community where 9 out of 10 kids still greet me at the door, hold the door for strangers, and say "I'm sorry."
I've met with Mr. Smith on two occasions and he seemed like a good guy. Can't agree with his supposed actions, but can't say I've never lost my gourd for a few moments and but for the grace of God, like Eagle, I didn't choke someone. I hope he is able to move forward and make a positive impact on those around him.

[boxer156]

I don't know the whole situation (other that what I've read on here), but I know Mike personally, and you won't find a nicer guy or a more dedicated coach. I remember Mike going over plays in mid-January while his son was at wrestling practices--which just gives you an idea of the dedication he has toward the game.

I think there are several kids that we all know of, that are fully aware they are pushing an adults buttons----then they are quick to use the 'I'm just a kid' excuse when said adult finally reached their limits. I'm sorry, but an **** is an ****---regardless if they are 17 or 52. Parents need to stop enabling problem kids.

[d6footballfan]

Nice article in the local Daily News reveals a large community support and following for Coach Smith. Also a large attendance at the school board meeting in support of him. Still I think in this age of being PC, he will get sacked. The board wouldn't even talk about yet with the folks at the board meeting because it is still ab active investigation. They even went as far as getting an outside the area firm to conduct the investigation.

Regardless of the outcome for Mike, after going through something like this, it has to weigh heavily on he and his family. Even if exonerated, I would be shocked if he returned as coach or perhaps even as a teacher next year. I personally will always support him and his family, regardless of this outcome.

[BoStillKnows]

Any word on the JV Mike Smith situation??? I haven't heard anything in quite awhile