I agree with what all of you have said. While I do believe a parent should support a teacher in dealing with the child's misbehavior, as well as take responsibility for teaching the child self-discipline, I don't believe in physical punishment. If a teacher is being threatened at knifepoint or with fists, then she should defend herself. But hitting a defenseless child for misbehaving is cruel and unnecessary (in my opinion).
_________________________
Sandy Nachlinger, author of BLUEBONNETS FOR ELLY; co-author with Sandra Allen of I.O.U. SEX
http://sandranachlinger.blogspot.com