From Paddling to Reform: Why This Asst. Principle Changed Everything

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Assistant Principal and advocate Jeffrey Burton, who once served as the designated paddler at his rural Arkansas school. What began as a role he thought would bring order quickly turned into a moral and cultural reckoning.We discuss:His personal journey from administering corporal punishment to challenging itThe deep cultural roots of paddling in conservative, rural Southern communitiesHow race, religion, and tradition influence school discipline in AmericaWhy “quick fixes” like swats fail students long-termWhat schools can learn from empathy-based approachesAs part of my research comparing corporal punishment in Texas and Indigenous Taiwanese communities, we explore how culture shapes what’s considered acceptable discipline—and what it takes to break cycles that no longer serve students.🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on education reform, youth mental health, and cross-cultural research.#CorporalPunishment #EducationReform #JeffreyBurton #SchoolDiscipline #Paddling #ChildAdvocacy #RestorativeJustice #SouthernSchools #TaiwanResearch #PodcastInterview