I 14M take an art class for public high school. I love art it is one of my passions, and in the beginning this teacher was very kind and helpful. However there were a group of kids in my class who would bully another kid.
They would spray stuff in his face stick plungers on the walls and throw rulers sometimes. I didn’t do any of that and the teacher did not care at all and found it funny and actually laughed at the stuff they did to that kid.
So after this kept happening I start to really not like this teacher because of his lack of empathy.
So basically a few days ago he got in trouble with the deans for not punishing anyone or
Doing anything and egging it on.
So now he’s acting all serious and apparently if you get 1 breach (that’s what it’s called at our school) in his class it translates to 5 breaches or something.
And when I tell you he is abusing this power, omg he is. So the first part of the slip-up was my fault. I was doing a bit of homework in his class because he usually doesn’t care. And also this is before I knew about the whole breach thing.
So he came over and he asked what I was doing and I said homework, and he was like “so you are doing nothing?” I put it away and he was like “you know I could give you a detention right now if I wanted to.” I was really pissed thst he spoke to me like that so I apologized and moved on (I didn’t get the detention). I was mostly upset that I would be getting a detention for doing homework while he never gave detention to the kids who were harassing a kid.
Fast forward to the next day, I’m working on my art like normal. He comes over gives my friend a detention for doing art that was for another class. Just to be clear, the day before my art teacher told him that he was fine to be doing it.
He gave our whole table a lecture on how he’s not being rude and that he’s inforcing justice. And then he looked at me and was like “I know I hurt your feelings yesterday calling you out.” I was shocked and I guess I made a face or something at that rude comment. He then said “I see you mocking and smirking at me over there, don’t think I won’t give you a detention.”
I kinda just looked at him confused because I didn’t know what he was talking about. I was really feeling disrespected. And this is the same teacher who laughed at a kid getting cleaning supplies sprayed in his face, drinking water with paint and other stuff.
I want to report him but I don’t know if I’m overreacting, What would y’all say?
WIBTA
NTA – report him for being a jerk.
NTA, tell your parents exactly what he’s doing and how he’s treating you, and go from there. I don’t know how much could really be done—I doubt he’ll get sacked, but maybe you can switch classes if you push hard enough, and your parents are on your side.
#report the teacher
ESH
If what’s actually occurring in your post is happening to this poor peer of yours that is awful. School is *supposed* to be a safe place, particularly in the class room. Teachers are there to enforce and promote that. If this teacher is doing what you are alleging then please tell the principal.
The reason I say ESH is because I wish you would have had the courage and initiative to report this teacher’s behaviour *before* it became personal and his behaviour negatively impacted you when he called you out.
Regardless of the reason, this teacher needs to be held accountable for his actions. They are inexcusable.
It’s an unfortunate truth that adults can be just as difficult as one’s peers. It’s also unfortunate that they can have power over you at school and later in work life. Going purely off of what you’ve written, it sounds like this teacher was reprimanded and is over correcting, or is creating a toxic environment because he thinks a student reported him.
So, you approach this much like an adult would if in a toxic job. 1) Work by the book. Follow rules even if they were not previously enforced. Be above board and polite. Assume you’re always being watched, but not just by your teacher- others see you too. And if you are acting in good faith, chances are others will see it too. 2) Create a record. Write down the things that concern you, much as you write them here. If you’re 14, I’m already impressed by how you express yourself. Be honest about what happened, and you can note how it has made you feel. 3) Engage higher ups. Tell your parents and work with them to get a meeting with the Principal to talk about your concerns about the bullying and how you feel your classroom environment is problematic. 4) Prepare an exit strategy. If this doesn’t help change things (and it may not), have a plan to go elsewhere (transferring to another class, for example).
No easy answers, but this is a rule book that you’ll probably need to use at least a couple of times in your life. Best of luck to you. And keep making art!! Never let anyone keep you from it.
Thank you so much!
NTA. Report him for harassing and punishing innocent students.
Definitely report this teacher. Please make sure you have everything written down as well and if you have dates that’s great too. Try to give as much evidence against him as possible. I’m sorry you feel unsafe/unhappy in a class you’re passionate about. That’s such a destroying feeling.
NTA. Ignoring bullying but punishing homework isn’t justice.
nta. you’re not overreacting. this teacher ignored actual bullying and laughed at it, then suddenly started power tripping once he got in trouble. that’s not enforcing rules, that’s covering his ass.
you didn’t disrespect him, and threatening detention over facial expressions is wild. if anything, this is a pattern and reporting it is reasonable, especially since there were witnesses and prior issues.
you’re not wrong for wanting accountability.
NTA
Jesus I feel so bad for you, this is messed up. Report the teacher. Maybe talk to your parents first so you can have some kind of responsible adult keeping an eye out for you, cause this is a LOT for a 14 year old to be dealing with.
Thank you, from all the comments I’m going to keep track of stuff he does
As a high school teacher, NTA
This dude sucks. Allowing a kid to be abused and bullied is BS. He has no guidelines, it seems like everyday is some new rule and new policy that he is making up as he goes along.
Basically what happened was he was embarrassed by people who have more power over him, and is now punishing you. It is like that cartoon of the boss yelling at a man, then the man yelling at his wife, then the wife yelling at the son, and the son yelling at his dog. Abuse rolls downhill.
Talk to your parents. Have them raise a complaint. I don’t think it will go far if you do it yourself.
Talk to your parents so they can back you up. Hopefully they will. Good luck.