Schiffner: Teachers Can Bully Too - It's Not Just a Kid Thing!
You've probably heard the phrase "kids will be kids" before, right? We all have. It's used to excuse all kinds of rough behavior, from playground squabbles to mean girl drama. But what about when the bullies aren't kids? What about when the adults are the ones dishing out the verbal blows?
It's a reality that some folks might find hard to swallow, but teachers can be bullies too. It's not a new problem, and it's definitely not something that gets talked about enough. It's easy to picture some kid picking on another kid, but it's a lot harder to imagine a grown-up, supposed to be an authority figure, doing the same thing.
But it happens. We're not talking about a teacher giving a student a hard time for not doing their homework. That's discipline, not bullying. We're talking about repeated, intentional, and hurtful behavior meant to make a student feel bad about themselves, isolated, or even scared.
Think about it: A teacher might constantly pick on a student in front of the class, making fun of their appearance or intelligence. They might spread rumors about them or even give them unfair grades. And all this while acting like they're just trying to "help" the student! It's messed up, and it's wrong.
It's important to remember that not all teachers are bullies, and the vast majority are actually good people. But for the ones who are, it's crucial to recognize what they're doing and speak up. Bullying is bullying, no matter who's doing it, and it's something that we all have a responsibility to stop.
If you see a teacher bullying a student, don't be afraid to say something. It could be a simple "hey, that's not cool" to a trusted adult. Remember, kids deserve to feel safe and respected in school, just like everyone else. And that means calling out bullying, even when it's coming from an unexpected source.