In a recent incident at a Brooklyn charter school, a teacher named Jenna Mills was filmed reprimanding a first grader for struggling with a math problem. The footage, recorded in 2014 by a teaching assistant, has resurfaced and gained attention for its alarming display of classroom discipline.
In the video, students are seated in a circle when Mills, expressing visible frustration, instructs one child to “Count it again, making sure you’re counting correctly.” As the child begins to count, Mills suddenly snatches her paper, tears it in half, and shouts, “GO TO THE CALM DOWN CHAIR AND SIT! THERE’S NOTHING THAT INFURIATES ME MORE THAN WHEN YOU DON’T DO WHAT’S ON YOUR PAPER.” Her tone is harsh as she continues to demand a demonstration from the class on how the student should have counted, making it clear that she is dissatisfied with their understanding.
This incident is reflective of a broader culture within Success Academy, which has recently faced scrutiny for maintaining a list of students they planned to push out of the school. After leaving the institution, the filming assistant shared the video with the New York Times, recognizing the inappropriate nature of Mills’ behavior.
A spokesperson for the school emphasized that teachers should never yell at students or use tones intended to shame them, indicating a disconnect between the school’s stated policies and the actions observed in the classroom. A former educator stated that such belittling behavior was common, especially as children approached standardized testing in later grades. “It’s this culture of, ‘If you’ve made them cry, you’ve succeeded in getting your point across,’” she noted.
While some parents came to Mills’ defense, arguing that her outburst was atypical and not representative of the school’s overall environment, this defense raises questions about accountability. One parent argued that the school’s emphasis on excellence is beneficial, stating, “They demand excellence. That’s a great thing.” However, this perspective seems to overlook the negative impact such aggressive teaching methods can have on young children.
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Conclusion
In summary, the video of Mills’ outburst highlights a troubling trend in educational settings where emotional distress is used as a teaching tactic. While some defend her approach, the potential harm to young learners cannot be overlooked.