As we begin a new school year, many parents think about ways to encourage and support students as they embark on their educational journey. This is a normal process because we hope teachers will create an inclusive environment that is nurturing and enriching. The thought of school being anything other than academically enriching should be preposterous.
However, how many of us can remember a teacher who we believed did not like us? The teacher may have verbally abused us, humiliated us or embarrassed us. Many students may not be able to express that they may be getting bullied by their teacher.
Teacher-bullying shares many of the same characteristics as peer-to-peer bullying. Teacher-bullying also shares the same attributes as workplace bullies. Researcher Alan E. McEvoy characterized teacher-bullying as a chronic abuse of power displayed publically by teachers to generate attention and degrade and humiliate students. Teacher-bullying may take place in a public area in the school or academic atmosphere, but can also occur in a closed classroom environment.
Research has shown teachers who bully students rarely receive retribution or consequences because administration is often unaware of teacher-bullying behaviors and it is hard for students to talk about their experience.
Teacher-bullying can be intentional or unintentional. Either way, teacher-bullying can have serious consequences for the students who are being bullied.
Some teachers may use bullying behaviors as classroom management techniques. Teachers may use negative tactics to maintain order in their classrooms. Negative techniques are sarcasm, yelling, ridicule, name-calling and taunting.
Teacher-bullying can cause extreme depression and other negative psychological affects for students. Teacher-bullying can cause dropout rates to increase, a decrease in self-esteem, a decrease in academic performance and an increase in violence.
What can we do to mitigate teacher-bullying? As a parent, it is imperative to be aware of the warning signs your child may be getting bullied by their teacher. Children are very smart and they know when they are being mistreated.
Does your child frequently believe the teacher embarrasses him/her? Belittles him/her? Degrades him/her? Is sarcastic with him/her? Abuses him/her? Agrees with the actions of peer bullies in school? Or does not like him/her?
It is imperative to recognize and document the negative behaviors displayed by teachers. It is crucial to hold the teacher and administration accountable for this negative behavior displayed by teachers.
It is true that social, emotional and academic consequences exist when teachers abuse their power and use control in a manner that serves no academic purpose. It is important for us to protect our children and hold teachers accountable for educating their students.
