So I, M14 started high school a few months ago and is currently on winter break but an incident that accrued mid way through the semester has been brought back to discussion after another incident with the same teacher. This incident happened around 6 weeks into school, I was in last period which was algebra, the teacher who we will call Ms. D was writing stuff on the board, for some background at the beginning of the year she had stated we would NOT need a notebook for her class and my family is broke so I thought it was good, she then asks to pull out our notebooks which semi threw me off due to her saying not to bring one a few weeks prior. I raise my hand and tell her I didn’t have a notebook and she went off on me, making it a big deal infront of the WHOLE class, i start tearing up cause this 50-70 year old women is stating my personal business to the whole class while making fun of my financial situation, i eventually told her that just cause she’s sad and alone doesn’t give her the reason take it out on me and to watch who’s she’s talking to. I got my first detention that day so AITA?
Not needing a notebook for a class sounds weird, and I don’t know where you live but around here you can get a few for a euro…
ESH
Did she mean for the entire course or just that day? Because going through an entire math course without ever writing anything down doesn’t seem possible.
Calling her sad and alone was low. When she “went off on you” was she getting personal? It seems like a minor misunderstanding…. That you both blew up.
Apologize for the misunderstanding and for the comment you made. Learn from it and move on.
An 87 word run-on sentence is a feat to behold.
I think this is an ESH moment. If she specifically said you would not need a notebook, then she shouldn’t expect you to have one and she definitely shouldn’t be talking down to you about your financial situation in front of the whole class (or at all). There might be some resources at your school to help you get any supplies you’re not able to purchase right now. Or ask at a library or other community resource.
But you also didn’t need to talk back to her like that. I would give you a pass because you’re a kid and you were put on the defensive, but you need to at least *try* to keep your inside thoughts in your head.
Teachers don’t get paid enough.
Were you serially absent and missed the instruction to get a notebook which was likely repeated and posted several times?
Eehhh as a former teacher NTA. You as a teacher can’t berate a student publicly and expect them not to be upset and retaliate.
Did you handle the situation in the best way? No but most teens wouldn’t.
But we’re also getting this from a 14yo and most teens think anyone talking above a whisper to them is screaming at them or blowing up on them. I highly doubt there was any screaming or belittling
ESH, her more so than you. You couldn’t have just pulled a piece of paper form another notebook? BTW I almost never took notes in school or college, and I have an EE degree.
I feel like there is way more back story to this. In my experience as a parent, teachers just don’t blow up like that for no reason.
ESH — two wrongs don’t make a right. She is at fault and then you’re at fault for doing the same wrong thing back.
OP, if you really can’t afford school supplies, make an Amazon wishlist of supplies you need and send me the link. I’ll buy you some supplies. Notebooks, pens, highlighters, whatever you need. I’m not rich, but I can afford to send you school supplies. No child should go without.
NTA