I am a teacher as well, and feel that if the student knows they can be spanked in school if being ugly then they are less likely to act out. The kids coming to school with the "note" and know what it says are usually the ones that are so disruptive in the class that there is no time to teach everyone else. It is allowed in my school and my state, but it is not something I use, but have found that if they think you will then they stop acting ugly.