I have read all of the entries thus far and have not felt a need to spill my guts about my experience until now. Many of us left THA for one reason, we were abused by Carolyn Rethwisch. We were not dismissed because we didn't do our jobs, we left because we were not allowed to do our jobs.
What many of the entries say about THA is true; it is a joke. Teachers were not backed up when dealing with student misbehavior (including mooning). These episodes were passed off as jokes, no big deal, or kids being kids. These are actual quotes responding to reports from teachers regarding drugs, sex on campus, alcohol, bullying, sexual harrassment to name just a few.
While many of the teachers did attempt to maintain some semblance of order, many others were either in the in crowd or so discouraged they didn't have the strength left to fight. Those of us who did try, were laughed at by students who told us nothing would be done about their behavior or their disrespect to adults and fellow students.
When in the classroom, we were told to ring upstairs if there was a problem, so we did. We were under the mistaken notion that when they said to ring, we would receive help. Little did we know that it was a very cheap "lab rat" study to see how long we would continue a behavior that brought no response. This included when a teacher rang because a gun was pulled out of a backpack as well as when a child needed medical attention.in the first instance, the police were called but nothing was done on the school side "because it wasn't a real gun, no one was going to get hurt." In the second instance, the child requiring medical attention was disabled and couldn't express his problems adequately. Again appropriate authorities were called, but not until long after they should have been.
The behavior of students in the hallways was appalling as well, especially at snack time. Elementary students were pushed around, knocked over and generally harrassed because they were attempting to get a snack. The teachers, secretaries and anyone else in the halls during the change between classes were taking their lives into their own hands. Students would run over a person, not apologize, swear, attack each other, hit others as they passed and many a hole mysteriously appeared once the students were back in the classrooms.
Certain students were privy to special treatment; did not have to attend class, could speak to teachers any way they wanted, wear whatever they wanted, miss numerous days and not have to catch up on work missed, treat others in any way they felt appropriate, never were given detention or a suspension regardless of their actions and some students were given As because this is what administration wanted.
Several teachers were dismissed, not because they did not do their jobs but because they called one of the "chosen few" students on inappropriate behavior or gave them less than A. I do not understand why the teacher had to be dismissed, they could have just not enforced the punishment for the bad behavior or change the grade of that student whenever they felt like it. This would have been a far greater insult to the teacher than being dismissed. Not to mention, I have discovered that some schools will hire those who were dismissed faster than those who chose to leave. Let's face it, those who chose to leave never crossed the line into dangerous waters. However, this might not have been a lack of effort on their part, it may have been because they were in the group of those outcast and ignored just like the students they taught were.
Unfortunately, parents sent their children to THA believing that it was the right place for their children, that it was a place for a "child's heart, mind, and soul, " and that they were receiving the best education for their and the government's money. Not only is this unchristian-like behavior it is down right disgusting. I thought I would be able to go back to this school, but not after what I saw. Not only for myself, but for the students. How could I smile when a new prospective student was brought by and introduced to me, and say, "you're going to love it here" when I did not love it. While administration seems to be just fine with lying and unchristian-like practices, by continuing to stay, I felt I would be endorsing those principles (or lack thereof) and could not in good conscience continue to do so.
I pray for those who stayed for the good of the children and the commitment they made. While I do not wish anyone harm, I felt it necessary that the truth be put out there, in part for my own cleansing but also for others to see that they were not alone in their thoughts/beliefs about THA, and that parents would think twice before exposing their child to THA and their "christian ways." At this time, THA is not "a safe place for a child's heart, mind and soul, " it is a place that evil has attached itself to and is now in its final deathroes.
Finally Unburdened,
Ex-employee FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY, I AM FREE AT LAST!!!
P.S. Disgruntled? Yes! Gone? Yes! Fired? No! Relieved? Absolutely!!! I hope this covers the responses I can already hear echoing in my head from those who refuse to face the truth when it stares them in the face, and who know what I say is true.
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