The Painful Experiences of Teachers: When Bullies Run Amok

Have you ever felt sorry for a teacher? This narrative will shed light on the raw emotions that teachers experience when administrators and bullies take control, often jeopardizing their ability to teach effectively.

A Gravely Disrespected Teacher

I once shared a story about an administrative assistant who lost all my respect during a substitute teaching stint. The school assembly saw this assistant principal laying into a teacher in front of everyone.

I can only feel sorry for that teacher. This administrator was a bully, exercising her influence to openly humiliate her colleague. By doing so, she severely undermined the teacher's authority and effectively paved the way for her failure for the rest of the semester. As the old saying goes, 'Praise in public but reprimand in private,' this situation exemplifies this toxic behavior.

Stress and Sorrow: An Eighth-Grade Math Teacher's Struggle

Looking back, my eighth-grade math teacher faced an immense struggle. The initials of his name (RAT) unfortunately led to merciless taunting from junior high students for years. These included setting up cheese rat traps, leaving unused rat poison (Decon), and drawing rats on desks and walls. One particularly cruel incident involved a student in my brother's class who went as far as bringing a duck call to school, playing it during class until kicked out. Another student in my class wore a T-shirt that celebrated the Rat Decathlon, complete with an imposing rat image.

Contrary to the laughter and chaos, a class two years behind mine experienced a masquerade of brute force. Two boys staged a fight in class, challenging the teacher to break it up, leading another student to get creative with a roll of Krazy Glue, securing the teacher's chair and causing him to tear his pants to free himself. This teacher retired abruptly at age 58, yet the stress and constant fear of such incidents took a life-altering toll. Incredibly, he died two years later at the age of 62, a tragic consequence of the traumatic experiences he faced.

The Headmistress's Bullying and Its Consequences

Another poignant memory comes from fifth grade. During an English class reading, the headmistress's unpredictable actions embarrassed my teacher in front of the students. As she made her rounds, she snatched the English teacher's bag, hurled it out of the class, and scolded her for not putting it away properly. The class was momentarily stunned, a palpable sense of awkwardness permeating the atmosphere. Despite the shocking incident, it was the affection and respect of the students that served as a supporting balm for the teacher, healing the hurt caused by the headmistress's inappropriate behavior.

Yet, it is crucial to acknowledge that this same headmistress was an excellent disciplinarian and supported children well. She maintained a high standard of discipline and care within the school, only losing her cool on rare occasions. This raises the question of how such incidents can be addressed to protect and support our teachers who do so much for our educational community.

In conclusion, the stories shared here depict the destructive impact that institutional bullies can have on teachers, their teaching, and ultimately, the students they serve. It is imperative to address and prevent such behavior to create a safer, more supportive educational environment for all.