Children have been bullied by other children for thousands of years. Our website has a page dedicated to to dealing with bullies, "Bullies" - How To Stop Them!. But, children are not the only bullies at school. The topic on this page deals with a different type of bully. Sometimes, a very small percentage of the time, a teacher may carry their role too far and intimidate a child by over exerting their power over that child. They may say or do something that makes the child afraid of the teacher, or the child may become embarrased by something the teacher said in front of the entire class. Do you know if your child is being bullied by a teacher?

I want to begin by saying that the large majority of teachers do an excellent job when they teach and this topic does not apply to them.

This can be a controversial topic because some may feel a teacher is being a bully, while others may say the teacher is using tough love in their teaching methods. I hope the information here will help you understand the difference in a teacher being a bully verses a teacher using proper teaching skills to help students learn and at the same maintain class control. Many times school systems let there teachers down by not teaching them how to discipline students without bulling a student, or an entire class, into doing what is needed by the teacher. Some teachers seem to have a natural talent in teaching and keeping control of a class. Our school systems take a teacher right out of school and throw them into a classroom and expect them to do a good job.

Some teachers have changed careers to become teachers. The careers they came from may have nothing to do with teaching, yet school systems expect them to be good teachers without training them how to teach or how to interact with students. Our school systems need to be held accountable for insuring that teachers continue their training.

The information below may not apply to every situation, but hopefully it will open your eyes. Whether you are a parent, grand parent, teacher or even principal, I encourage you to take your time and investigate this information. Even if this does not apply to you, you may know someone that may need this information.

Is Your Child's Teacher a Bully?

Mary M. Alward | Nov 2006

We’ve all heard about kids being bullied by peers. Kids taunt, tease, pull hair, shove and push each other on a daily basis. In recent years, schools have taken steps to stop bullying and many have a zero tolerance level for any type of peer harassment. But what if your child’s teacher is the bully? New research shows that 2% of children are bullied by a teacher sometime in their elementary or middle school years.

Most teachers are caring and compassionate. They became teachers in order to make a difference in the lives of their pupils. However, some teachers, for one reason or another, take a dislike to a child in their class and pick on them on a daily basis. Such an occurrence can have a long-lasting effect on your child’s academic experience and turn his school year into a nightmare. The effects of teacher bullying doesn’t usually end when your child leaves the teacher’s class. It’s something that can stay with him his entire life.

Student Abuse

Teachers who are bullies treat their victims much the same as a schoolyard bully. They humiliate the child in front of his classmates, abuse him verbally and make threats of physical harm or of giving low academic grades. The teacher may center your child out by “making an example” of him and insisting he stand in a corner. Possibly the teacher heaps homework on your child for “punishment” of some minor infraction. There are many different ways that a teacher can bully students.

Suffering in Silence

Chances are if your child is being bullied by a teacher he won’t say anything. Boys are more apt to suffer in silence than girls. Boys feel they should be able to “take it” and fear being teased by their peers if they tell. Your child may also fear retaliation by the teacher if he says anything about what is happening. Remember, a teacher is a figure of authority and kids think that there’s nothing that can be done if their teacher acts inappropriately.

Signs of Teacher Bullying

When a teacher bullies kids, it is a very traumatic experience for them to go through. They are embarrassed and humiliated and have no idea what steps they can or should take to stop it. They often say nothing, but there are signs that you can watch for:

· Headaches, stomachaches and nightmares that occur frequently.

· Loss of interest in school.

· Negative behavior.

· A resistance to attending school.

· Self-Deprecating remarks.

· Complaints of being picked on by the teacher.

· Complains of being constantly yelled at.

· Complaints of being humiliated by the teacher.

· Complaints of a teacher being rude, making sarcastic remarks or being disrespectful.

Solutions

If you feel your child’s teacher may be bullying him, don’t stoop to that level. Stay calm and keep an open mind. Approach the situation in a manner that will result in a peaceful but appropriate solution.

· Call a meeting between the teacher, the principal and yourself.

· State the problem in a calm and courteous voice.

· Listen to the teacher’s side of the story. Possibly your child has misinterpreted the teacher’s actions. Give him/her the benefit of the doubt and keep a sharp eye to see if the problem reoccurs.

· Leave a paper trail. Record the dates of all meetings and the results. Write out your concerns and make copies for the teacher and principal. This lets all parties know that you are serious about resolving the issue. Keep all correspondence in a file that is easily accessible.

· Go higher. If the situation isn’t resolved after the meeting, take it a step higher. At this point a copy of all meetings and correspondence should be sent to the school board of the Superintendent of Schools. Call in advance to find out his/her name and address the issue directly to them. Contacting the school board or the Superintendent of Schools is well within the rights of both you and your child.

· Never ignore an instance of teacher bullying. It won’t stop unless you make the teacher aware that you know what is happening and make a commitment to ascertain that it stops. Ignoring a teacher who bullies students allows the practice to continue, which places your child under a great deal of stress. This can inadvertently cause your child to become a bully on the playground or in the community. It is his way of releasing some of the stress that he’s under.

· Show your child that bullying of any kind, even if by a teacher, is wrong. This lets your child know that you listen to his concerns and take his well-being seriously. Giving your child the support that he needs, will have enormous benefits to both you and your child.

Prevent Teacher Bullying

One way to prevent teacher bullying is to visit your child’s school often and start a relationship with your child’s teacher early in the school year. Volunteer in your child’s classroom. If you notice that your child’s teacher has a tendency to bully students, meet the challenge head-on and report the incident to the principal. Remember, a teacher’s rights end when your child’s rights, or any other child’s rights, are being infringed upon.

If you suspect a teacher at your child’s school is bullying students, step up to the plate and put an end to it immediately. You can make a difference in yours or another child’s life by teaching them that bullying of any kind or by any one is an act of cowardice and is not to be tolerated.

The article above was used by permission of the author, Mary M. Alward.

Being Bullied by a Teacher

In a perfect world, all teachers would be interesting, fun, devoted to educating students and dedicated to encouraging them down their chosen paths. In reality, some teachers just enjoy the shortened hours, holidays and power that comes with their positions.

If you are under the supervision of this type of teacher and feel that his or her behaviour has crossed the line into bullying, there are things you can do to stop it. Discussing your concerns with the teacher in question and the head of his/her department, filing a formal complaint with your school and in the most extreme case, asking to be transferred to another class are just a few of your options.

Many students think that they will never be believed if they bring a complaint against a teacher, but don't let these unfounded fears stop you. Bullying by a teacher is unacceptable behaviour, and no student should be subjected to it.

What Is Teacher Bullying?

It's easy to get on a teacher's bad side, or for a teacher to get on your own, but this does not mean that the teacher is a bully. Bullying behaviour by a teacher includes behaviours such as:

• Degrading comments about a student.
• Unwanted or hostile physical contact with a student.
• Unwanted or suggestive physical contact with a student.
• Inappropriate or lewd remarks made to a student.
• Suggesting to a student that his/her grade depends on something other than his/her studies.

What Is the First Step to Stopping Teacher Bullying?

If you feel that your teacher is a bully, the first step is to ask for a meeting between the two of you as well as your teacher's department head. You may want to confront your teacher alone, however it is always advisable to have a third party present. During this meeting, be prepared to state your concerns and give examples of your teacher's bullying behaviour. Having evidence, such as a diary of when the events occurred and the names of witnesses, will help your case. Consider asking a parent to attend this meeting with you so that you do not feel outnumbered or intimidated.

File a Formal Complaint

Meeting with a head of department - someone your teacher must report to- may be enough to stop his or her bullying behaviour. If it is not, the next step is to file a formal complaint with your school. Your school handbook may provide information on complaint procedures, but if it does not, ask for a meeting with a member of your school's administration such as a vice principal, principal or the equivalent. Continue keeping a record of your teacher's bullying behaviour throughout this time.

Ask for a Transfer

While it is not fair that you should disrupt your studies due to a teacher's bullying, if it gets no better after filing a formal complain this may be your last resort. But do not feel as though your teacher has "won" if you request a transfer, you may still wish to push forward with your complaints or even retain legal counsel at this time. If this is the case, then asking for a transfer is just another piece of evidence for your argument. Do not, however, ask for a transfer first thing without reporting your teacher's bullying. This will only serve to make you look fickle and might even discredit your case.

Teacher bullying is unacceptable and must not be tolerated. If you feel that you are being treated poorly, but are uncertain if you are being bullied by your teacher, confide in a trusted adult.

Remember, bullying often comes down to "he said, she said" so a clear record of incidences is the best evidence you can provide. Good luck!

The article above was borrowed from: http://www.teenissues.co.uk/BeingBulliedByATeacher.html

Are You a Bully?

A Connecticut school administrator, commenting on his district’s decision to include teacher behavior in its anti-bullying policy, complained that it would be difficult to distinguish between bullying behavior and classroom management strategies. What about you? Can you tell the difference between behavior management and bullying?

Are you a bully? Two school districts in Connecticut think you could be. Avon and Hartford, Connecticut, are believed to be the first districts in the nation to include teacher behavior in their anti-bullying policies. One Hartford administrator, however, expressed doubt about that inclusion, claiming it would be hard to distinguish between bullying behavior and classroom management strategies. I beg to differ!

Classroom management, according to education expert Harry Wong (See Speaking of Classroom Management: An Interview with Harry K. Wong), is the “practices and procedures that allow teachers to teach and students to learn.”

Bullying, according to Dictionary.com is the practice of being “habitually cruel or overbearing, especially to smaller or weaker people.”

In other words, those who can, manage their classrooms. Those who can’t, manage their students. The former are educators; the latter are bullies. And, believe me, you can tell the difference!

Educators let students know they care.
Bullies let students know who's boss.

Educators teach self-control.
Bullies exert their own control.

Educators set ironclad expectations.
Bullies rule with whims of steel.

Educators diffuse minor disruptions with humor.
Bullies use sarcasm to turn disruptions into confrontations.

Educators privately counsel chronic discipline problems.
Bullies publicly humiliate chronic misbehavers.

Educators are judicious
Bullies are judgmental.

Educators, aware of the power they wield over their students, choose their words and actions carefully.
Bullies wield their power recklessly, frequently resorting to anger and intimidation.

Educators help all students feel successful.
Bullies punish students for being unsuccessful.

Educators address misbehavior.
Bullies attack the character of the misbehavers.

Educators see each student's uniqueness.
Bullies compare children to one another.

Educators treat all students with respect.
Bullies make it clear that not all students deserve respect.

Educators highlight good behavior.
Bullies make examples of poor behavior.

Educators are proactive; they create classroom environments that minimize student misbehavior.
Bullies are reactive; they blame students for the lack of order in their classrooms.

Educators educate.
Bullies humiliate.

Educators exude confidence in their ability to maintain order in their classrooms.
Bullies barely conceal their terror of losing control.

Are you a bully?

Article by Linda Starr
Education World®
Copyright © 2006 Education World

Originally published 02/04/2003; updated 08/28/2006

The opinions expressed in StarrPoints are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Education World.

The article above was borrowed from: http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/starr/starr056.shtml

For more information, take a look at the websites below.

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