If students are drug tested the parents definitely should be!

parentzkare-the parent is at fault. If that incident actually happened-the parent should have immediately notified the police and filed charges. Police involvement would have provided documentation of suspected drug use. By taking no action-the parent was condoning the behavior and placing his/her child in jepordy. Now that it's over- it's just one word against another...and no one will beleive the parent over the teacher.

Back-round checks is a YES it should be as a FBI check and nothing less. My daughter had to wait months for a back-round check plus drug tests just to volunteer at a county animal shelter. That is where I would not mind if the Federal Gov't mandated that.

Credit check, no it really has no influence on the teachers interaction with children or their ability to teach. Drug testing and background checks, I vote yes.
I think ALL schools public and private should do background checks and random drug testing for teachers and volunteers. I volunteer twice a week at a private school and have to have a background check every two years but no drug test. I would not mind a drug test at all, even if I had to chip in on the cost. If it keeps kids safe and helps give adults another reason not to do drugs or whatever, it may help all concerned.

drug testing yes as most all our schools has a drug free club, no smoking ect. I do not believe a credit check is anyone's business unless running for public office of some kind. Psych. eval's once every three years or unless needed.
Otherwise the cost would take away from the students as well as the teachers.

parentzkare, if the principal is part of the problem/not addressing the issue, then you go to the "principal's boss" who would be the School District Superintendent. You could also copy your elected School Board members, who, in essence, are the "superintendent's boss." If all of those avenues fail, you can bring your case to the attention of local media, because the last thing any district or elected officials want is negative publicity. (But follow the "chain of command" first, and give them an opportunity to resolve the matter.)

Well, I am shocked that school faculty, teachers and volunteers are not under any state law to undergo random drug testing and/or psych evaluations because it is imperative that our children are guided, mentored and taught by individuals who do not suffer from said diseases! Last year a teacher at our elementary school became violent and assaulted a parent in front of students and during school hours, and although the school principal and faculty had knowledge of this teacher under the influence of acid and also suffering from some mental depression or some sort, it was never reported and not one teacher, administrator or principal took the responsibility to remove this individual from the classroom resulting in a moderate incident which could have been fatal! Parents asked questions directly to the school and district however the teachers were under strict orders from principal not to speak of said incident and all our attempts to communicate and get some answers went ignored. Now, issues of this sort... PTO does not want to be involved, principal is part of the problem, teachers fear the principal and when complaints go to the teacher's union, the teachers do not unite and support one another because of retaliation and parents do not know who to turn to where they can unite and discuss the school procedures, policies and legal rights of our children as well as us parents.
Any advice?

yes , it is important the we the kids are safe.

MsEddyCurrant -
I can appreciate your not wanting to submit to a drug or psych testing. I don't really have an opinion either way, but I can clearly see that you have strong views.

I think there are always two sides to every story. Perhaps you have encountered volunteer, parents, staff and children who were as you characterized in your post. If that is the case, I am truly sorry for you. If that is how you really view your environment, I hope one day you are able to find a position where you are more appreciated and are able to rediscover why you got into the profession of teaching in the first place. There are good parents and student in schools. There are parents and schools that do appreciate teachers. There are classes that do not behave in the manner you describe.

I can only speak from my experience. I have many teachers who have appreciate having my child in their class. I have appreciated teacher's whose assistance is broadening our daughter's horizons and teaching her an appreciation and love for learning. At times, we have expressed this appreciation with a thank you note to the teacher, an email to the principal expressing appreciation for his staff -- specifically mentioning the particular teacher and how much we appreciated his/her efforts, and yes at times we have even given a little token gift. (No we don't buy mugs, or stuff to stick their desk -- we try to make it something that the teacher would like, appreciate and or use.) In fact some of these teacher's still will occasionally send off an email to us, even years after my daughter had them in school.

If you'd prefer not to receive any such token gifts, you could always inform students of your preferences at the beginning of the year.

MsEddyCurrant, I am grateful when teachers are willing to share their views on this Greatschools forum, but I'm insulted when you say " All the neurotic volunteers who send in cup cakes, thank you cards and stupid "change a life/favorite teacher/I heart school" coffee mugs and think they are making a difference are only there to make sure their kids teachers aren't stoned."

I've had many teachers tell me that they really appreciate parents who volunteer, and I can assure you I did NOT do it with any underlying motive of "checking up on whether my child's teacher was under the influence." I volunteered in large part because I felt I OWED it to the schools, to give back part of my time and energy, since teachers can't do it all singlehandedly. My son is NOT a perfect child, but I never pretended he was. NONE of us is perfect, not parents, teachers, or anyone else.

I seldom gave teachers gifts of "I heart school," but I did give gifts like "favorite teacher" and a special dog bowl and chew toys to a teacher whom I learned fostered dogs in her "out of school life," and I gave a pair of pink earrings to a teacher who mentioned it was her favorite color and always wore pink outfits, etc. I have gotten thank you notes BACK from teachers for my gifts, and for considering them as "individuals." It would be appreciated if you considered parents who volunteer as individuals, too.

Many corporations have taken on the added risk prevention of not only drug testing and performing criminal background checks but also crossing over into credit checks of potential employees. I have no problem with the first two, however, a credit check may often turn up some raised eyebrows. The potential employer only sees one side of the coin. Many people today have poor credit for a host of different reasons whether medical bills or other tragedies may have placed them in their current financial situation it should not prohibit them from employment. As for psyche evaluations, I find that a bit over the top unless the teacher exhibited some form of unusual behavior or was accused of wrong-doing. I can't imagine that our tax-paying dollars should be used to counsel teachers just as a measure of our peace of mind. I want my child in the best care possible but not at the expense of another persons rights are concerned. If I am that worried I would bring it to the attention of administration or even think about a new school that you may feel more comfortable having your child attend.

Ms Eddy Currant
While as citizen, I understand you wanting to cling to your rights, but you need to recognize something...The world we live in has changed. Often times, in the PRIVATE SECTOR, if you want a job, you are subject to drug screening. This means that in order for me to enjoy the luxury of my job, I have be able to prove to my employer that I am clean. I know this going in and it does not offend me in the least. My highschool student, who participates in athletics, is subject to random drug testing. This is fine. He wants the priveledge, he has to meet the requirements. PERIOD. Background checks?? In my job, I have to submit to background check because I handle peoples money. My children are more precious than money, so if my school is requiring a background check for its teachers, then so be it. It can only weed out those teachers who are questionable, and that is fine with me. Now, on credit checks (not okay) and psych evals, you have a point, because it is no ones business unless there is a problem brought to light that would question a teachers Mental stability. I will back you on that. but it is irritating that some teachers think that they should be coddled and cared for more than anyone else because they went to college to earn less than what they feel is acceptable for what they do. Let me tell you...Those of us in the private sector get paid less than we are worth everyday and we don't have unions fighting for our rights. Teachers need to move past this.

And for the record, it is not the teachers that I worry about in general, and I do question the abilities and judgement of the administration regularly, because anyone who has dealt with any school district in the last 10 years knows that administration is all about covering their rear ends and nothing about caring for children.

So in conclusion, we don't live in a bubble and everyone is not what they seem, so we do need to show reasonable care in screening applicants that will deal with our most precious resources. And until parents quit blaming teachers AND teachers quit blaming parents, nothing will get better.

I’m sorry, I must have missed something. At what point did becoming a licensed educator mean surrendering rights as a private citizen? While I don’t drink or use drugs, I think it’s a personal choice. What could possibly be gained from drug testing and psyche evals other than wasting funds? Instead of asking teachers to submit to tests and exams, perhaps parents need to first scrutinize their own lives. It's usually home where problems start. We inherit the parents poor examples and by making tests and checks mandatory it's just another way to teach children they aren't responsible for their low achievement. It’s reefer madness, the teachers are on drugs. Tests like these have no actual value other than to discredit teachers and exonerate parents for their abysmal failures. Most teachers have engaged in years of study and instruction before they are licensed yet parents having no experience before becoming a parent still readily offer uneducated opinions on issues that they obviously don’t fully comprehend. This is one of them. I would suggest if a parent is unable to trust a state license, school board, principal or superintendent’s judgment of our ability to instruct students, perhaps that parent would feel more comfortable home schooling.

I agree that teachers should be subject to drug testing. It could explain some of their behavior in the classroom. Absolutely they should have a mental evaluation. I sure would hurt. Although I dont agree with the credit check. Teachers should not be an exception to rules. Everyone tends to think all teachers are good and have the best at heart for your child, but that is not true.

I concur with adean05. Unless there is some type of behavior exhibited by the teacher that warrants a psych eval, leave them alone. They have enough trouble dealing with behavior problems from children who can't seem to keep it together long enough to make it through the day without being sent to the principal's office.

To truckeemom
In regard to your comment, it is obvious you have no idea of the oversight that now takes place in Catholic schools for everyone involved. I am teaching in the CCD program as an after school program and a very thorough check is done on everyone involved in the program. This oversight has been in effect for at least ten years. The priest has no input in the classroom, He is our Pastor. He may make an appearance and give a talk as a group but there is no one on one dealing with the children. It would be close to impossible to provide any more oversight to our program. Obviously many people are unaware of what we have done since the scandals of the past. I only wish my public school relatives had the same ability to feel secure in the oversight of their kids as we do in Catholic School.

I agree. Also, there are other staff in the schools who should be subject to background checks, i.e. maintenance people, civil service people, etc. I believe that anyone who works in close proximity to the children in a school should have background checks. It might be a bit uncomfortable for some to deal with this, but it's the world we live in that makes it a must.

What about priests? Seriously, shouldn't private school students be protected too? At present there are no checks at all on private school teachers, and private schools have no accountablity. Public school teachers are already fully accountable, held to the highest standard. I feel my children are very safe in public school, but private is another story.

I think background checks are a must. Drug testing... why not? I think that credit checks are a total invasion of privacy though. It is not anyones business what is on someones credit report. Psych evals are only usefull when a teacher exhibits behavior that warrants this type of testing.

metdad and prayingmom are missing my point.

I don't claim that teachers are "better" than people who are required to take drug tests in order to be hired, or too "special" to be held to high standards. Teachers are already held to high standards--we are fingerprinted and undergo criminal background checks in order to be hired. We are required to complete a graduate program in order to be certified, and we are required to take continuing education classes (at our own expense) in order to remain certified. We are legally responsible for the safety and well-being of 20-40 children at a time, for as much as 7 hours at a stretch.

And so forgive me if I sound a bit "touchy" when reading the chorus of parental approval for the idea that I should have to submit to a series of privacy-violating tests in order to be hired for this job.

The pool of qualified teachers is small, not because we're so "special," but because there are so many teachers reaching retirement age, and there isn't a long line of young people waiting to take their places. College students tend to graduate with large amounts of debt, and a beginning teacher's salary won't begin to cover it, especially since these young people would have to spend even more money on graduate school in order to even be certified. Add to this the fact that nationwide, 20 percent of people who do decide to become teachers leave the profession within their first five years (National Center for Education Statistics), so they also need to be replaced.

If you really think this kind of testing shouldn't be a big deal, then on Monday, go talk face-to-face to the best teacher your child has ever had. Tell that teacher you believe that, in order to keep his/her job, he/she should be required to take an annual drug test and submit to a yearly credit check and psychological evaluation. Don't ask whether or not they'd mind. Come right out and tell him/her you believe it should be required. Report back on that teacher's reaction, please.

Thanks metdad for the support. I became involved with this site hoping I would find some solutions or ideas to help me get involved and make a difference in my childs' school. It seems like a lot of people are simply defending or promoting their position here!
It seems obvious that whatever we can do to make a safe environment for our kids should be done. We have some very strange personalities in our world
and many of these are in the field of education. Do you talk to your children? Ask them about their teachers! Its pretty scary and the children are very aware of what is going on. My goal is to know, as well, what is going on!

immrsp:
No need to get touchy or insulting to other posters. I agree with the post. I would ask why not? Many professions require this type of thing. No one is asking for an ounce of blood or a pound of flesh. No one is talking about going through your credit history year by year and no one cares if your late on your car payment. Usually though if there's extreme difficulties and you can't manage to balance your check book-that's indicative of another problem. Why not take every opportunity to ensure the people who are with our kids the most are of the highest moral fiber? I would go a few steps farther-I would say they needed to be tested yearly on their grade levels and the public be made aware of their student pass/fail ratio as well as how many times teachers have had disciplinary actions/investigations and complaints filed against them. Why not? It's my taxes that are paying your salary and for the insurance that covers the district if there's ever an incident in which the teacher can be held liable. Teachers should not be exempt from examination merely because they are teachers. If anything they need to be held to higher standards. Do you realize the average bus drivers have to meet these criteria while a teacher doesn't? All that's different is a teacher spends more time with the kids than the driver. What's the big deal?

Okay, "Drug Testing" - Absolutely - they test student athletes, they should test the people responsible for those students - "Credit Check" - No, total privacy violation - noone's business but your own and your private financial considerations. - "Background Check" - Absolute Must - "yearly psyche eval" - nope, I don't think it is necessary unless teacher is under some disciplin that would question psyche. Not too mention, I am crazy after about an hour at a kid's birthday party. I don't know how anyone stays in a classroom with them for an entire day. EEK. Glad its not my job and so thankful for the CRAZIES that do it.

i think they should be. But more importantly school districts should also provide psych support for teachers. They do have a lot to deal with and I think they deserve all the support they need.

Hi Everyone,

I am a long-term sub. teacher (lang. Arts 7-12) and I have had the opportunity to go in and out of a fair share of schools within the Cleveland, Ohio area for the past 5-6 years, both suburban and inner-city school districts. I feel like I could write a book!!! (LOLLOOLOLO)

At the start of this school year (08-09), there was an added requirement of having the FBI check done in Ohio. Finger printing and drug testing procedures on the state level, where already in place. I don't find this to be a problem, as I truly believe it should be done as a futher precaution for the students. However, because of the position I am in, I am able to observe, compare and contrast, the operations and formalities of the buildings, districts, and teachers, and I hate to say it, but many teachers are seriously under alot of stress, therefor, the Psyche evaluation wouldn't be a bad idea.

Do you guys realize what goes on during the course of a teachers day?

Just briefly: in both jr. high and high schools you are dealing with approximately 100-130 students per day, 1st through 7 or 9 class periods. ALL WITH ATTITUDES ALL DAY LONG!; coming into class late, loud and usually unprepared. It is easier to ask them for their cell phones than it is to ask them to come to class with paper and pen. I am in no way saying ALL students are like this because they are not, but if you have a roster of 27 students, dealing with the few that are not on task is very trying and takes away from actual teaching time, and for elementary teachers, their days are just as taxing.

I don't care how many 'time management' exercises you try to utilize, or how well a teachers pedigogy (teaching style) might be, they are still people, who experience a consistant, ever changing dose of daily stress.

So should teachers get psyche evaluations? Yeah, you would need one to after dealing with a year of kids!

Think about when your kid(s) is at home, and you are trying to manage the house, tend to their needs and yours to....and then lets just add the mystery mind of a teenager, YOUR kid by the way, that YOU YOURSELF don't understand sometimes....now times that by the 100-130 students, plus the technical and professional aspects of teaching, (parent conferences, lesson plans, grading, disipline, etc.) and thats a small example of what teachers go through.

On another note, I do feel that there is a new challenge that we all will face very soon, that being the amount of people applying for 'substitute' positions that have lost their jobs, and that are simply looking for an income. Even if they pass the drug test, background check, FBI check, etc., we must still be mindful of the fact that there maybe people dealing with our kids that are not experienced in 'teaching' at all. How them will they deal with our kids and an unfamilar stress level?

I have a great respect for teachers, (who by the way, have our children more time during the day than we do) and what they actually experience; and I look forward to finishing my Master's program to help them out.

KUDO's to teachers!!!

immrsp:
I never stated that my opinion about the many challenges in our society was the solution. I, as you, as well as the others in these communities - can VOICE their opinion. I didn't state nor have I read - yet - where anyone feels they have THE solution on anything. That is why we are all sharing information, ideas, opinions and feelings. You are right - some of the things that I cited did not have anything to do with teachers. They were my opinon/feelings that are some contributing factors in response to one of your comments.

Your statement:
"Despite the horror stories that many people are so quick to trot out to justify this kind of thing, the vast majority of us do not spend our days abusing children, drinking, taking drugs, having psychotic episodes, defaulting on our loan obligations, or planning/committing/concealing criminal activities. ."

I can't voice my opinion/feelings in my response?
I can't have a thought/idea/suggestion provoked from your response and respond/voice it?
And yes....I do remember the good old days very fondly - because I don't feel we have it now. If we did - I don't think we would have all these communities with so many parents expressing their frustration on so many different aspects - including the educational system. Yes...we had problems in the good old days too - but, definitely not by comparison. The elderly will even admit that.
You hold your profession to a high esteem - as you should - as we all should - it contributes to keeping a "balance" in society. But, don't act as if the rest of our professions don't matter so therefore we can be subjected to background checks.

Your statement:
"Yes, there are industries that require drug and other testing. These are generally industries that have large applicant pools, in many cases because the qualifications for those jobs are minimal. The pool of qualified teachers is not large, and the number of really good qualified teachers is even smaller."

My profession does not require that I comply with a background check yearly - only upon hiring and it did not include a drug test. However, due to the way our society is changing - if that becomes a requirement - then I have a choice - comply or leave. If the background checks were implemented for teachers to include drug testing, then that means a teacher would have to be able to pass it. There is always someone else waiting to take my place, your place and others place on a job. The company/educational school system will continue with or without us. We can be replaced and may be replace with better. So just as I wouldn't like it - I understand why you don't either. But that's life!

prayingmom:

Advertising, billboards, TV, bad parenting--what do those things you cite as bad influences on children have to do with teachers? Many people find themselves dismayed by society in general--people complained that society was going to hell in a handbasket even in the "good old days" you remember so fondly and so selectively. And since making an entire society behave the way we think it should is a task that most of us find a wee bit daunting, we focus on something we think we can control, like our kids' teachers. Just weed out all those deviants who fill the public schools, using their fat schoolteacher paychecks to support their drug habits, and the world will be safe for our children once again!

It's an overly simplistic solution to a complex problem, and one that's guaranteed to drive away anyone with a brain who might have been thinking about becoming a teacher. Why in the world would an intelligent college student, especially one with massive student loans to pay off, choose a profession in which the hiring process sends the message that they're assumed to be deviants unless they're able to prove otherwise?

If you truly believe the primary qualification for a teaching job should be willingness to submit to an intrusive background check, then you'll definitely get the teachers you deserve.

immrsp:
When I was in school/college - respected my teachers and teach my son to do so now. We all remember the good old days when teachers were highly respected. In the old days our society was not such as it is now. In the good old days - the teaching methods were logical, moral values were greater and there was more parent involvement and more teachers that genuinely cared. Now this is only my opinion....... The educational system is broken down in sooooo many ways from the government involvement federal and state the type of requirements/standards; the quality of some teachers; the quality of some parents thus the type of children produced from the influence by parents, teachers and students. The children spend more time in school than at home.
There is so much negative influence - TV, radio, billboards, watching people - just out in public. Even parents trying to control time on TV/what is watched on TV; heard on the radio - negativity in the world is overwhelming. Most of the parents in these communities do in FACT have their horrow stories about schools. The reason for their horror stories is founded on one very key point that you stated -

"The pool of qualified teachers is not large, and the number of really good qualified teachers is even smaller."

So....yes...this is exactly why teachers need to be subject to testing. Since the pool of qualified teachers is small - you - will understand why - we - the parents - want background checks by those caring for our children. In understanding this - you have the choice to stay in the profession you so love and teach the children because you are dedicated to the cause or leave. That is your choice. However, teachers would still be hired and those teacher would be the ones complying with the requirements of a background check. That is the real world we live in - yesterday is gone!!

No way. Absolutely not. I'm a teacher, and I would never, ever considering working for a district that required me to submit to those tests. I was fingerprinted and subject to a criminal background check when I was hired, which I believe was reasonable considering the nature of my job.

I'm as clean as they come, by the way. Those intrusive tests would reveal absolutely nothing negative about me. But I'd never agree to take them as a condition of employment as a teacher.

Despite the horror stories that many people are so quick to trot out to justify this kind of thing, the vast majority of us do not spend our days abusing children, drinking, taking drugs, having psychotic episodes, defaulting on our loan obligations, or planning/committing/concealing criminal activities. .

Yes, there are industries that require drug and other testing. These are generally industries that have large applicant pools, in many cases because the qualifications for those jobs are minimal. The pool of qualified teachers is not large, and the number of really good qualified teachers is even smaller.

The kids are the reason I stay in this profession, despite the fact that I made a lot more money in my previous line of work. But the lack of respect for the teaching profession, as pointed out by whoami and evidenced by some of the comments posted in this thread, wears me and my colleagues down, every day, every year. The day our school district tells us that we're assumed to be drug-addicted, alcoholic, deadbeat, mentally ill child abusers unless we prove otherwise is the day I and many of my colleagues leave teaching. Good luck replacing all of us.

I totally agree with you! I work with staffing companies and the first thing one must do when applying is TAKE A DRUG TEST. I don't feel there is enough oversight given to the teachers I see in our system and especially in the substitutes. All you hear is We need more teachers.

Yes, completely, all that, I definitely agree.

I definately think there should be drug testing, psyche evals for people taking care of our children!!!

oneprayingmom- I think your idea of changing schools is excellent. From the many comments below it is obvious that many of us are not happy with today's schools. All too often people get comfortable and ultimately find it hard to change. Change is difficult but a necessary part of life. Changing schools would force teachers to do some things differently and change in environment might become inspiring to a teacher's approach to instruction.

I completely agree with you. However, I also believe that our nations teachers are under-paid, under-valued and disrespected by many of the children they teach and parents. I think we need to visit valuing the people we leave in charge of our children while we consider diving into their personal lives. Let's not forget that we trust doctors and nurses (who make much more than teachers) with not only our care, but the care of our children, and not all of them are tested (drugs, psyche evals, etc.) on an on-going basis. In a nut shell, I agree, but I also think more has to be done for our nations teachers as well.

for it

I think it would be a great idea. The background, drug testing and psyche evaluations would be a great way to monitor who's teaching our children. People change all the time and you see it everyday, people who have suddenly fallen into a very unsteady life of drugs and crime. Someone said its not necessary but I can't see how it would not be. I seen on a tv show interventions a former teacher who was shooting herione. It could so easily happen that someone who has no control of their own life is controling our childs classroom.

oneprayingmom-
excellent idea about changing grades and even schools! I know of only a few professions that do that and for the very reason you explained. I think you are right, it would be very helpful.
odachimaster- BRILLIANT!
I was certain that teachers took some sort of oath and signed a decency clause before becoming teachers. Then I read an article in the journal about a teacher who had an affair with a 17 yr old student. There was no clause in place and since he didn't break any laws, he's free to teach anywhere he likes.
It's not just the teachers we need to hold to moral standards-Kendall Francois worked for the Arlington school system.

Yes....upon hiring and yearly thereafter.
I also believe they need to change grade levels they teach and possibly schools within a certain mile radius of their home - every 5 years. The only reason why I say this is - because I have met some that have taught at the same school/same grade for 20 years. Her ideas are stagnant and her attitude towards the children is de-motivating and inappropriate. I feel she is burnt out and needs a change. Not necessarily terminated, but, a new envirnoment/age group - currently teaching 5th graders. However, with this scenario - the teacher suffering from depression - yes....she needs to be given time off under FMLA and provided counseling or work in a different capacity while receiving counseling, but, not as a teacher w/an assigned class.

I would like to think the school districts already do an FBI background check as a standard.I agree on a Psych
evaluation pre-job but not necessarily every year amy be every 3 years. Yes to the drug testing pre-job and once a year unannounced.
No to credit check I believe there has beenadequatee checks done and feel that is over the top.
I would like to see a decency clause in their hiring packet that they have to sign.

mom2mom, I know the world isn't a perfect place, but I've actually written the letter to the principal, similar to what I suggested to you.
I thought long and hard about whether to do it, but in addition to my own son's learning being impacted by a teacher with personal problems, I figured a lot of other kids were affected, too. Ignoring it wouldn't make the problem go away.

As it happens, I found out I was NOT the only parent to express concerns. The teacher at my son's school was let go about 3 months later, and I'm guessing it was after they tried to work with her, to no avail. (These were junior high students, and if she told the kids to take naps, it would have been a GOOD day.)

Healthy-in a perfect world-I might have done just that. But it's not and reporting a teacher is not simple. You will immediately become the enemy of every teacher in the school. Only positive and subjects of the utmost importance should be written and documented so that one does not seem adversarial. This particular teacher suffers from depression. While she should not be fired, she should be granted an aide (which she now has) and given the opportunity to have ample sick leave. Same as she would if she had aides or cancer. It's important that we, as parents familiarize ourselves with teachers health care packages. These are the people who are influencing and protecting our children. We have an interested in their emotional and mental well being. I don't believe it should be brought up at every PTA meeting but there is a need for supervision of this. I can name two well known incidents in Poughkeepsie alone where yearly evaluations may have averted tragedy. You can find them by googling Crimes committed by Poughkeepsie, NY Teachers.

mom2mom, unfortunately, the situation you describe still might not be caught through annual psych screenings, and even if the teacher were identified, most companies (and presumably teacher unions) would offer counseling or other measures before immediatedly firing someone.
In your situation, I would have written a factual letter documenting exactly what happened, and submitted it to the principal, with a copy to the superintendent. It could have been written in a way that doesn't "blame" the teacher, but still formally documents the situation, expresses concern, and makes it clear that it's unacceptable....
For example:

Dear Principal, My child is a student in (Mrs. Teacher's) first grade class at (ABC School.) Yesterday (date), I went to the classroom to volunteer (with a project) and (Mrs. Teacher) expressed gratitude for my showing up. She mentioned that she is experiencing a great deal of stress in her personal life, and she had told the children to take four different nap periods already that day.

I am concerned about (Mrs. Teacher's) health and I am concerned about the children's valuable instructional time that is being lost during these multiple nap periods. What is the district's policy regarding these matters? Thank you in advance for your prompt response. Sincerely, Mrs. Mom2Mom

Healthy, the reason I like the idea of annual is people's lives, situations perspectives change. Ultimately people change as well. I'm not the same person I was at 20-25 or even 40. I walked into my son's first grade class once and his teacher told me the kids had 4 naps that day explaining she just couldn't handle them due to personal issues. There is obviously no one watching the teachers for signs of stress or if there is-they might be afraid to report a co worker. Many teachers will go out of their way to protect other teachers and since teachers are unionized it's hard to get rid of a bad teacher or give aid to a good teacher who needs assistance.

I don't know that ANNUAL psych evals and background checks are necessary, but I support them being a part of the hiring process. Drug testing could be done initially, and then on a random basis...

My son's high school instituted a mandatory drug testing program two years ago, for students, and there were parent concerns about "why not test the teachers, too?" Apparently, the teacher's contracts would have to be written in such a way as to indicate that's a requirement for employment, and so they couldn't do it the first year (teacher contracts were already signed) but it is a consideration going forward.

(I should point out that the reason drug testing was implemented across the school was because they didn't want individual students "singled out." The state athletic association was concerned about high school football players using steroids, etc., but the football parents said "why should our kids be the only ones tested...why not the soccer team, the math team, the band, etc." So the school decided everyone will be tested annually, with random re-tests every few months...)

Absolutely. I have know problem with teachers having drug tests, credit/background/ and yearly psyche evals.