When I was in second grade, I struggled with a stuttering issue, and my teacher frequently forced me to read aloud in front of the class. One day, when I stumbled on a word, she asked me if I was “retarded.” It was evident she didn’t care for me, and my entire year under her guidance was a nightmare. Eventually, I confided in my mother after an incident where my head was slammed down on a desk as a punishment—this was the ’80s, and such things were not uncommon. My teacher faced minimal consequences for her actions and continued to teach for another decade until she was finally dismissed for bullying another student.
Fast forward to my son’s 6th-grade teacher, who clearly had a bias against him. When he first expressed that he felt disliked because he wasn’t as athletic as some of his friends, I dismissed it as him being overly sensitive. However, I soon noticed the teacher frequently called me over trivial matters like him leaning back in his chair, chatting too much, or being overly enthusiastic the day before Christmas break.
Having three kids close in age means I’ve experienced multiple years where one child would have a teacher, and then another would have them the following year. Generally, I tend to support teachers, as I recognize my kids can be challenging at times. Yet, there have been instances where it was clear my children were not connecting with their educators. I understand that sometimes the chemistry just isn’t there.
As a parent, when you realize that a teacher is bullying or unfairly targeting your child, it’s a serious concern. We need to address the negative educators—the ones who create an unsafe environment, make our children feel inadequate, and fail to provide support when students are struggling. Recently, a Twitter thread highlighted this issue, and many parents shared their dismay over similar experiences.
This situation is every parent’s worst nightmare. We entrust our children to adults who are supposed to handle these situations with compassion and understanding. I would intervene if I heard such remarks made outside of a school context, so it’s unfathomable why a teacher would disregard a child’s plea for assistance.
Reflecting on my own experience, I wonder if my former teacher knows that I now work as a writer. It’s a stark reminder that even educators can exhibit unkind behavior. The responses to the Twitter thread ranged from stories of humiliation to instances of teachers physically confronting students. It’s alarming, isn’t it?
While there are countless dedicated teachers who pour their hearts into their work, we cannot ignore the existence of those who do harm. If our children remain silent, and we, as parents, do not advocate for them, who will? Even in 2021, these issues persist, which is a troubling thought. However, I have found that when I approached principals about my concerns regarding my children’s treatment, they were receptive and took action to address the situations. This is a far cry from the experiences my mother faced in 1982 when she raised concerns and nothing changed.
We owe it to our children to foster an environment where they feel heard and empowered to speak up against any mistreatment. Yes, there are ineffective teachers out there, and acknowledging this reality is essential in reminding our children that their voices matter.
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In summary, while many teachers go above and beyond for their students, it’s crucial to acknowledge that not all educators provide a nurturing environment. As parents, we must be vigilant and support our children to ensure that they feel safe and valued in their educational settings.
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