By Gabrielle Seunagal
Medically reviewed by Melinda Santa
In the educational system, teachers are tasked with the responsibility of helping their students learn and grow. The purpose of teaching is to ensure that students can adopt the necessary skills to move to the next level and ultimately succeed in the real world.
Of course, teaching inherently comes with some degree of power and authority over students. This is why it can be so shocking and devastating when teachers turn out to be perpetrators of bullying. As unbelievable as this may seem to uncertain individuals, teachers can be bullies. Knowing how to handle these types of situations properly is paramount.
When teachers bully students
The shock that often accompanies news of teachers bullying students is very understandable. However, the truth is that not all people who are given power know how to handle or manage it. Typically, when people think of bullies in the educational environment, they think of students bullying other students. No form or fashion of bullying is ever okay. However, the inherent power a teacher has over a student can make the impact or experience of facing bullying that much worse.
Teachers who bully students in school generally carry itout in meticulous ways. Teachers who abuse their power in this manner may choose to humiliate students in front of their peers, single out pupils who score poorly on a test, or otherwise exert their authority in order to make the students in their care feel uncomfortable. It’s inexcusable and unjustifiable when teachers bully their students, yet there are not many programs or campaigns to address this manner of abuse.
Abuse of power and feeling stuck
The bullying of students at the hands of teachers is quite insidious for a plethora of reasons. Aside from the inherent wrongness, students may have a more difficult time handling this than they would if the bully were one of their peers. Furthermore, many students rely on their teachers for grades and may not have the luxury of simply leaving the class. If the students are in college, their financial aid stipulations may depend upon them taking a certain class. To make matters worse, teachers who choose to bully their students are aware of the plight it causes and use itto their advantage.
Over the years, various studies have shown that individuals who live with sociopathy and psychopathy are attracted to positions of power in the workplace. Of course, this is not to say that every powerful person is a sociopath or a psychopath. However, individuals who fall into these categories are likelier to abuse the power they happen to come into contact with. Individuals of this nature may choose to go after people who they know are hard-pressed to fight back or defend themselves. This could help explain part of the mentality behind teachers who bully their students in school.
Dealing with a teacher who bullies students
Before we continue any further, it’s important to note that the vast majority of teachers are great people. Individuals who become teachers generally do so because they have a vested interest in educating the next generation and being there for young people. Still, as amazing as most teachers are, understanding how to deal with teachers who are bullies is imperative. Thankfully, by taking the proper course of action, you can ensure that teachers who are bullies receive the proper discipline.
Take written note of all incidents
It helps to have written documentation of any bullying event and the details that transpired. This means noting dates, times, witnesses, places, etc. Of course, you’ll need to keep these notes in a safe place and preferably in more than one location.
It never hurts to be too cautious in situations like this one. Notes of bullying should be reported to the principal, school administrator, and potentially law enforcement officers, depending on the nature of the bullying. Make sure that you make copies of your notes so that you always have them on record, even if you have to share copies with the aforementioned authority figures.
Do not remain silent
When bullying happens at the hands ofan authority figure, such as a teacher, sometimes people feel tempted to remain silent in the hopes that things blow over. This is not how matters work when bullies are involved, especially when those bullies are in positions of power. Coming to grips with the reality that a teacher is a bully is understandably upsetting and challenging. Sometimes a studentmay question whether they did something to “cause” the teacher to target them in an inappropriate manner. Ultimately, the teacher is responsible for their own actions, and if they’re bullying students, they need to be held accountable. Silence only enables bullying.
Be prepared to obtain legal counsel
In the worst-case scenario, there are times where principals and higher-ups within a school district neglect to take action after learning a teacher is bullying students. In cases such as this, securing the counsel of a lawyer may be the next best step. Granted, matters may not always come to this, but in the event that they do, it’s important to be prepared and in the position to act accordingly.
Why do some teachers bully students?
While teachers are not flawless human beings, this does not excuse bullying in any capacity. Still, understanding the reasons why certain teachers bully students is imperative. Even though these reasons don’t justify student bullying, they can provide insight for people who are at a loss.
Personal Issues outside of the classroom
Teachers are not exempt from having personal issues in their lives. These challenges could pertain to their marriage, family, etc. The problem arises when teachers begin to take out their personal issues on their students. Not only is this behavior unprofessional and abusive, but it also punishes students who look up to and trust their bully as an authority figure.
Frustration with the class
It’s no secret that students can sometimes behave poorly and lack manners, which can make it harder for teachers to do their jobs. As such, a teacher may lash out at students and become a bully in order to regain control and power. Although this does not excuse bullying, it may indicate that the teacher in this situation is unfit to manage a classroom. Students act rowdy and get out of control sometimes. If a teacher believes that bullying is the only way to get them in line, that’s problematic.
Negative reminder
When teachers single out specific students and bully them, that student may remind them of someone or something they dislike. Obviously, the student in this situation is not at fault and doesn’t deserve to be bullied simply because their teacher is reminded of something that makes them unhappy. Once again, bullying students indicates a serious character flaw and a lack of fitness to teach young people.
When asking for help makes a difference
Learning that a teacher is bullying students in school is never easy to realize. It conflicts with the notions society has of teachers being good people who honor a value-based system. Despite how difficult and upsetting this can be, it can be equally confusing knowing how to handle the situation.
Dealing with bullying at the hands of a teacher can be extremely traumatizing for a student. It’s important to ensure that the student is okay and gets the help they need. Furthermore, under no circumstances should a student remain in a classroom or setting where a teacher is bullying them. This is unhealthy on multiple levels and can create a multitude of problems down the line.
Seeking online therapy
Online therapy is a convenient alternative to traditional in-person counseling, and research shows it is equally effective. For example, one study found that online therapy was even more effective than traditional in-person sessions, with 100 percent of participants in the online group showing continued symptom reduction three months after treatment. On the other hand, individuals in the face-to-face group showed “significantly worsened depressive symptoms” over the same period. This study explores how internet-based treatment compares to regular face-to-face therapy.
If you or someone you know has dealt with bullying from a teacher or some other issue, you may find that signing up for online therapy with BetterHelp can truly make a meaningful difference. One of the greatest things in the world about online therapy is that anyone with access to it can work with a therapist, talk through the challenges they face and then get the proper guidance. Furthermore, online therapy does not come with the hassle of traveling or disrupting your schedule by setting up appointments to meet at an office. Consider these BetterHelp counselor reviews.
“Valerie had been a great therapist for me so far; I struggle with anxiety and depression, and her techniques/counseling have helped me a lot. She seems supportive and understanding, a lot more so than therapists I have had in the past. She gives me realistic solutions and coping strategies that I can incorporate into day-to-day life and makes herself available at times convenient for me.” **
