What to do when a teacher is a bully?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most likely your kid is wrong and was simply disciplined and became bitter about it. If it is truly bullying then it should be handled like every other bully, man up and don’t be a punk. Bullies look for the weakest of the herd, while it isn’t right one should ask themselves why they are the weakest target. Not like if the one bully stops another won’t quickly take their place until the person learns inner strength.

Yep, throat punch that MFer!

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t assume your child is wrong, but at this point I would suggest that your child start documenting the concerning behavior and perhaps talk to their friends about doing the same. That way, if it continues, the students can all report and have documentation.

[Anonymous]

If your child is afraid of being retaliated against, there are two options for reporting anonymously:

1) Call 833-MD-B-Safe or report online at http://www.safeschoolsmd.org

2) Complete the MCPS Bullying and Harassment form and mail it to the principal but do not put self identifying information (including your signature). This form can be submitted anonymously by mailing it to the principal and should trigger an investigation. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/detail.aspx?formID=40&formNumber=230-35&catID=1&subCatId=44

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd suggest a counselor.

At my office, one of the things we are constantly coached for any sort of harassment on is "go to the next person," which would be the department head. But I suspect your DC is more comfortable going to counselor. I would not take it up with the teacher who is giving off the bad vibe.

Also, as an FYI, it's common practice in MCPS to switch up teachers and schedules at 2nd semester in HS. I think it's a silly decision to do it, but that's how MCPS does it.

They do that in high school? Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd suggest a counselor.

At my office, one of the things we are constantly coached for any sort of harassment on is "go to the next person," which would be the department head. But I suspect your DC is more comfortable going to counselor. I would not take it up with the teacher who is giving off the bad vibe.

Also, as an FYI, it's common practice in MCPS to switch up teachers and schedules at 2nd semester in HS. I think it's a silly decision to do it, but that's how MCPS does it.

They do that in high school? Ridiculous.

All of the high schools in this area do this so your child needs to get used to it. They even did it when I was in MCPS 25 years ago. Occasionally, if your child goes to the counselor before the end of the semester and requests to keep a particular teacher for a specific reason they might make the change.

[Anonymous]

Keep a log and get other parents or kids testimony.

[Anonymous]

" Also, as an FYI, it's common practice in MCPS to switch up teachers and schedules at 2nd semester in HS. I think it's a silly decision to do it, but that's how MCPS does it.

They do that in high school? Ridiculous.

All of the high schools in this area do this so your child needs to get used to it. They even did it when I was in MCPS 25 years ago. Occasionally, if your child goes to the counselor before the end of the semester and requests to keep a particular teacher for a specific reason they might make the change. "

It's not ridiculous at all. They do it because of situations like the OP's DS. For half of the year DS had teachers he liked and others had the new teacher he dislikes.

It helps keep DS from deciding he doesn't like the subject, which he might if he has a teacher he doesn't like all year. DS learns that the subject is fine with teacher A and not so hot with teacher B.

By switching after one semester, more students have a chance to have half of any particular class with a teacher they like.

Similarly, more students have a chance of having half of any particular class with a teacher they don't like.

Together, this provides a more homogeneous educational experience across all students by making it harder for DCUM power parents to always be the squeaky wheels.

[Anonymous]

It's possible, as others have said, the poster's child is "too sensitive" or a snowflake or whatever.....

And it's also possible the child is 100% right and this teacher is a bully or worse.

MCPS has a documented history of leaving abusive teachers in the classroom for decades. Not one, not a few, but dozens. Google these names if you don't believe me: Lawyrence Joynes, Daniel Picca, John Vigna, Eric Walstein....... want more? Jose Pineda.....and there's more to add to the list.

It took the courage of one child / one set of parents and sometimes dozens of people to get teachers like that OUT of the classroom.

Don't be naive and instantly always attack people on this board for having "snowflakes" for kids......they just might be the ones to end years of abuse for other children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:" Also, as an FYI, it's common practice in MCPS to switch up teachers and schedules at 2nd semester in HS. I think it's a silly decision to do it, but that's how MCPS does it.

They do that in high school? Ridiculous.

All of the high schools in this area do this so your child needs to get used to it. They even did it when I was in MCPS 25 years ago. Occasionally, if your child goes to the counselor before the end of the semester and requests to keep a particular teacher for a specific reason they might make the change. "

It's not ridiculous at all. They do it because of situations like the OP's DS. For half of the year DS had teachers he liked and others had the new teacher he dislikes.

It helps keep DS from deciding he doesn't like the subject, which he might if he has a teacher he doesn't like all year. DS learns that the subject is fine with teacher A and not so hot with teacher B.

By switching after one semester, more students have a chance to have half of any particular class with a teacher they like.

Similarly, more students have a chance of having half of any particular class with a teacher they don't like.

Together, this provides a more homogeneous educational experience across all students by making it harder for DCUM power parents to always be the squeaky wheels.

I just wish MCPS and/or the schools themselves would be more up-front about this. Not only do the teachers change, the class periods and room assignments do too (not to mention your classmates), so you get a whole new schedule and flow to your day. For example, in Semester 1 you have Algebra II A with Ms. Jones, period 2, in room 301. In Semester 2 you have Algebra II B with Mr. Smith, period 4, in room 205. Not a huge problem, but it would have been nice to have this explained ahead of time.

[Anonymous]

Just throwing this idea out there, a child can witness a teacher being a bully without being the target of the bully.

[Anonymous]

If you think this is serious behavior, have dc go to the counselor right away. Bullying (even if the kid is a witness rather than target) can really affect some kids. I have one kid who was affected terribly by a teacher/bully and another kid who probably wouldn't have been affected at all by the same behavior.

If other sections are open, the counselor may well move him just to avoid headaches later on. But as you get farther in the semester, counselors will become more reluctant to move him.

[Anonymous]

OP, take your kid seriously. Teachers get tenure and then it's nearly impossible to do anything about their bad behavior. You can and should get your kid out of this teacher's classroom and into a new classroom. This is not a peer on peer situation, this is powerless kid vs. powerful adult in the system we are in, and it is not something your kid should have to deal with on his own.

This was a long time ago, but I had a 4th grade teacher who was manipulative, bullying, and entirely inappropriate physically to the point that these days she would be accused of inappropriate contact. She had her favorites massage her shoulders and rub cuticle cream into her fingers and otherwise touch her in ways that a teacher should never ask a student to touch her. The thing is, as far as I'm aware, during my year, none of the kids ever told their parents. I didn't tell my mom for years. I know I was afraid of retaliation because I was on the receiving end of her anger more than once, and I'm sure the kids who were on her good side didn't want to rock the boat either. My mom was horrified when she found out, and it messed me up in middle school until I found my feet and self-confidence again. Yes, there is a difference between what a 4th grader will accept as normal and what a 9th grader will accept as normal, but teachers who abuse their power and pick on kids count on the other kids being too afraid to say something. Not all teachers are good people.