Is it me?

Hi All,
I've just read an article on the BBC website entitled Sir Alex Ferguson keeps belt teacher used to beat him . The article continues to desribe how the person that did this was an inspiration to Sir Alex. Later in the article it mentions that Sir Alex is the patron of a charity called SHINE - I visited their site and chose to contact them as follows:

Hi There,
I have just read the Alex Ferguson story on the BBC website describing how much he admired a teacher that regularly beat him with a belt - this was sent to him on her death and he apparently has it in his study - unsurprisingly his grandchildren are terrified of it!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-26369797

I'm now struggling to reconcile how this fits with his role as patron of Shine? I'm also wondering if perhaps this might be what SHINE is looking for as an 'innovative way to boost attainment in literacy, numeracy and science' as requested in the SHINE and the TES search for innovation in teaching in their annual Let Teachers SHINE competition highlighted on the Home page of the website?

Please can you help me to understand how bullying and physical abuse can ever be condoned? Surely there are far better ways of helping people to be the best that they can be without having to resort to and role-model violent behaviour.

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Sally Ann Hart (BEd Honours and accredited Protective Behaviours Trainer)


So my question is, 'is it me' or do other people also wonder what such articles do to promote and validate violent behaviour?

I'm really hoping someone from SHINE will respond to my mail and perhaps even visit PBPeople to see how someone knowing what feeling safe feels like can 'learn to be the best that they could be'.

Looking forward to hearing your comments.
SA :ohmy:

I didn't see the article you cite but fully applaud your response to the article as you describe it. I sincerely hope you do get a response to your beautifully written contact

Ann

Hi Sally Ann,
I didn't see the article either. Like Ann I think it is great you have written as you have and hope it will cause SHINE to reflect on the incompatibility of the message in the AF article and their aims. Even better if they engage with you.
Lucy

Hi All,
A quick update to my original post regarding contacting SHINE and the response I got. Paul Carbury the CEO of the charity promptly replied to my first mail to reassure me that SHINE and Sir Alex no way condone the use of corporal punishment, or ever have done and that the interview with the TES was a look back at a teacher that, in Sir Alex's view, had inspired him in her aspiration for students beyond the walls of the classroom.
Whilst Paul would rather I didn't reproduce his full response here he did provide the link below to illustrate the work that SHINE does support in schools that allows teachers an opportunity to access funds if they have an idea to raise attainment in literacy, numeracy or science:
www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6408629

I have thanked Paul for taking the time to respond and also highlighted how I believe it is people in roles such as ours to challenge the "didn't do me any 'arm" mindset especially when reinforced by someone who could be seen as a role-model.

Perhaps there are teachers out there currently working in schools who could apply for some funding from SHINE based on their work using PBs with children? I believe the closing date for applications is 27 April 2014.