However, the teacher is in charge. I’ve had my share of bad teachers before, but honestly, whatever they do is probably for the best to cause the least amount of disruption… by now, students should realize that phones are/can be a disruption and will the teacher may just take them first without a warning (especially in high school, where students should know better).

I don’t think you should have been written up for taking the phone off the desk afterwards (however, I would have asked to have it back). I pay my own cell phone bill, so I understand your sentiments. However, school is a learning environment and you should really just leave it off/silence it and keep it out of sight in a classroom. I personally don’t have a problem with people having their cells out in class, but some people do. It’s not just policy- it’s good manners. Some people are really annoyed at texting or game-playing while they are trying to finish a test, etc…

So no, I don’t think it’s fair you were written up for a first violation, but I also think that maybe next time you should be more careful and maybe just leave your cell out of the picture (yeah, it’s boring to just sit there… but you’re not going to die).

boo hoo

you should have waited until class was actually over to take out your phone.

Unfortunately since that is the teacher they will be considered in the right.