As a first year teacher, today I witnessed one of my most unruly and disrespectful students be struck with a paddle by my principal 15 times because of his mocking and disruptive behavior in my class today and for the bad behavior he racked up all last week.  At first it was supposed to be *just* five, however, the student blocked the third paddle with his hands and the principal gave him an added 10 licks for defending his bottom.  These remaining 12 licks were as hard as my principal could swing a board.  My student cried out in pain and tears were jolted from his eyes each swing.  I merely witnessed this punishment, rather than administering it, as I have told my principal I refuse to paddle students for misbehavior.  Yet, even though I never touched and never will touch a paddle, I feel accomplice to the abuse of my student.  I never wanted my child to be hit for his actions, yet he needed a serious time out (in school suspension) for his behavior as my multiple calls home, multiple hall conferences, and multiple alternative assignments were obvious not working.  So even though I did not want it, it happened because my principal insists to raise the board.  I struggle with this culture, with this school, and with the idea that you can beat behavior into a child.  How do you deal with corporal punishment at your school?