Sexual Misconduct Plagues Schools

It is common knowledge that the media extrapolates everything negative in society and, of course, education is no exception. I recently came across an article from the Associated Press about sexual misconduct in schools. The article says the number of teacher-related sexual abuse cases with students has increased and is more or less ignored by all levels of the educational system. Teachers who are accused of sexual misconduct are either dismissed of charges because of lack of evidence or quietly “fired” by their school system while still maintaining their teacher license, and therefore, still eligible to get another teaching job in an other school systems. While the article does cite viable cases of “mobile molesters” proving this is a real problem in our schools, I am honestly just tired of hearing about it. I don’t mean to sound like a heartless “B”. I am not trying to side with the teacher child molesters, and in no way do I think its right that these acts are able to slide by unnoticed only to ensure more innocent victims. The article, in all its facts and points, is the most likely the awful truth and inarguably discomforting; however, my problem lies in the fact that this is the type of information we are hearing over and over again in the media. These “teachers” make up such a small percentage compared to the overwhelming number of REAL teachers who do have a positive impact on students, yet media stories such as these seem to group teachers together in one huge category, which cast shadows on the teaching profession as a whole. I remember, not too long ago, when I told people I was going to be a teacher and they would tell me how honorable they thought it was. Now when I tell people I plan to teach high school, their demeanor suddenly changes to a disconcerting look followed by “ohhhhh….well you need to watch out for those boys, you know how that is nowadays”. No more, I’m so proud of you…now its negative warning, as if I just told them I was going to be a pole-dancer. I know some of their concerns are legit. I know I’m young. I know how teenage boys can be. But seriously, it’s not that bad. All teachers aren’t vultures waiting for fresh meat and all teenagers aren’t looking to score with their teachers. The media has stretched this  to the point that I feel the respect for all teachers is slowly and unfairly dwindling. I want to reiterate the fact that I am not saying sexual misconduct by teachers is not a problem in schools (I even know of some teachers from my high school)….I guess I’m just tried of the way the media portrays the issue…