Can teachers be bullies?

[Tamara-B]

As a 21-year-old senior in college, it is pretty obvious that I've been in school for a while and have come to learn a lot about school bullies. I've seen peers get bullied, saw news stories of bullied students shooting up their schools in retaliation, seen bullying in movies such as the 2004 smash hit Mean Girls, and have been a victim of bullying myself.

As I looked back on my days back in elementary, middle, and high school I thought about certain teachers who turned the other cheek to bullying or became bullies themselves.

5th grade: My teacher, Ms Fernandez held up an assignment and asked me if I'd completed it because the due date had passed. I stared blankly at the paper. She looked back at me with a smirk and said "want to have a staring contest?" The entire class eruped in laughter. I was mortified

7th grade: My health teacher (don't remember her name) had asked a student to retrieve something for her from another teacher's classroom. When he returned perhaps he'd gotten the wrong thing. She asked him about it and his answer seemed to enrage her. She got in his face and screamed "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" I shook my head and wondered how this lady's husband dealt with her.

9th grade: My teacher Ms Gunn was a wise-cracking woman. She shamelessly hurled insults at students all the time

10th grade: There was a kid in my french class who thrived on drawing attention to himself. He always cracked idiotic jokes and the class always laughed, though I found him to be an obnoxious fool. One day he made rude comments about me and I was disgusted to see my teacher laughing right along with the class. When I asked her about my discomfort about being picked on she seemed to shrug it off and basically gave me a "get over it" response.

Ever heard the term "if you're not a part of the solution you're part of the problem?" I believe a teacher laughing along while a student is being verbally attacked makes him or her a co-bully. Screaming at students or insulting them makes them bullies.

Teachers are not just there to teach, but to protect students. They are supposed to discourage bullying, not co-sign it no matter how old their students are.

Looking back, I should have expressed my frustrations about my french teacher to the administrators because I feel she wasn't protecting me and aligned herself with the bullies.

What are your thoughts?

[Jaxson]

Students have every right to redress their grievances against bullying in any form.  Students, especially with the help of parents, have the power to work through the chain of command to solve this issue.  Students, if they are uncomfortable with addressing their bully (teacher, classmate, etc.) directly, they can go to a guidance counselor.  The guidance office is equipped to answer any questions that the student has regarding bullying.  Bullying is something that the state is now taking seriously now that an anti-bullying statute has been passed.  Furthermore, it violates the teachers' Code of Ethics to single out a student for humiliation.  If the situation is not solved on the classroom or guidance level, the student and parent have every right to ask administration (principal or assistant principal) for relief.  If the school does not properly address the matter, the district is available for a student and parent to seek help on the next level.  It is not advisable, however, to skip any step of this process as the first question asked is, "Did you ask for help from [Fill in the blank]."  It is especially useful for the student and parent to document these instances to ensure accuracy in their reporting of bullying.

[Adam W]

One of my College Profs, Dr Prousis, was a total bully. I attempted to complain to the Chairman of the English Department and was told there was nothing I could do because he was tenured. So I dropped his class.

I had a few HS teachers that were bullies, too. That was back in the 80s and we didn't really stand a chance if we said anything. Of course, I was more than a handful for many of my teachers, too.

[Jaxson]

One of my College Profs, Dr Prousis, was a total bully. I attempted to complain to the Chairman of the English Department and was told there was nothing I could do because he was tenured. So I dropped his class.

I had a few HS teachers that were bullies, too. That was back in the 80s and we didn't really stand a chance if we said anything. Of course, I was more than a handful for many of my teachers, too.

I had a similar experience with Dr. Prousis.  I am glad that I am not the only one who found this person to be a very rude person.

[Adam W]

One of my College Profs, Dr Prousis, was a total bully. I attempted to complain to the Chairman of the English Department and was told there was nothing I could do because he was tenured. So I dropped his class.

I had a few HS teachers that were bullies, too. That was back in the 80s and we didn't really stand a chance if we said anything. Of course, I was more than a handful for many of my teachers, too.

I had a similar experience with Dr. Prousis.  I am glad that I am not the only one who found this person to be a very rude person.

I skipped his class one day because I was running late and he would routinely stop class and berate people who came in late. So he saw me later that day when I was talking to some friends and came over and yelled at me for not coming to class. That was nothing compared to how he treated me when I pointed out that he had gotten the answer wrong to one of the questions on the quiz he gave us one day.

[If_I_Loved_you]

Just wait until you get into your Career and the real bullies come out of the woodwork? I once worked for a 100% Narcissist who truly felt "it" was a God. Here is a Great Quote see if anybody you know fits this to a tee?


"The narcissist inflicts pain and abuse on others. "It" devalues sources of supply, callously and offhandedly abandons them, and discards people, places, partnerships, and friendships unhesitatingly. Some narcissists - though by no means the majority - actually ENJOY abusing, taunting, tormenting, and freakishly controlling others ("gaslighting"). But most of them do these things absentmindedly, automatically, and, often, even without good reason." ~ Sam Vaknin

[Tamara-B]

That sounds about right. I've always thought bullies only bully because they are allowed to do it. However, it's never, always, easy to stand up to someone when you're a young kid, especially if they are physically bigger than you or have some sort of power over you (boss or a teacher)

Eleanor Roosevelt said "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"

[If_I_Loved_you]

That sounds about right. I've always thought bullies only bully because they are allowed to do it. However, it's never, always, easy to stand up to someone when you're a young kid, especially if they are physically bigger than you or have some sort of power over you (boss or a teacher)

Eleanor Roosevelt said "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"

This is true what Eleanor said, but since each and everyone of us are made up different? An old Boss or Teacher who is a True Narcissistic knows how to play to your weakness.

[Tamara-B]

This is true, which is why I handled bullies by fighting back. I usually just ignored them, which antagonized them and provoked them to act even more foolish or I'd allow my anger to get the best of me. I'd hurl insults back or fly into a rage, which shocked them. However, as far as teachers go, I feel they should be punished if they are bullying students. It's no different than those who work in law enforcement or the medical field. When they use their positions to harm others, they face consequences. Teachers are not there to abuse their power.

[If_I_Loved_you]

This is true, which is why I handled bullies by fighting back. I usually just ignored them, which antagonized them and provoked them to act even more foolish or I'd allow my anger to get the best of me. I'd hurl insults back or fly into a rage, which shocked them. However, as far as teachers go, I feel they should be punished if they are bullying students. It's no different than those who work in law enforcement or the medical field. When they use their positions to harm others, they face consequences. Teachers are not there to abuse their power.

Teachers, Managers, Employees, and everyone else shouldn't think they have the Right to bully anyone! Now if you have your ducks in a row and your employer/owner is the bully you should find a "Board Certified Labor & Employment Law Specialist" before things get worst! This is your life don't just listen to your friends advice? Document all your troubles and spend the money on that Lawyer. Let him/her tell you what they think or just move on.

[Adam W]

I used to work for Network Rail (they're responsible for the rail stations, lines and infrastructure in the UK). There is a tradition in the UK of the railway being staffed by ex-military guys (and ex-army in particular). I used to get shouted at - and when something 'bad' would happen, everyone would start pointing fingers and trying to lay the blame - especially on more junior members of staff. I remember being screamed at in an attempt to get me to write a report, taking the blame for an incident. I refused and called the union, but it made me realise there are way better places to work.

Here in the UK, bullying is a hot-button issue. My wife's company sent all of their staff on anti-bullying training. People oftentimes misuse the word, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

[If_I_Loved_you]

I used to work for Network Rail (they're responsible for the rail stations, lines and infrastructure in the UK). There is a tradition in the UK of the railway being staffed by ex-military guys (and ex-army in particular). I used to get shouted at - and when something 'bad' would happen, everyone would start pointing fingers and trying to lay the blame - especially on more junior members of staff. I remember being screamed at in an attempt to get me to write a report, taking the blame for an incident. I refused and called the union, but it made me realise there are way better places to work.

Here in the UK, bullying is a hot-button issue. My wife's company sent all of their staff on anti-bullying training. People oftentimes misuse the word, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

It's a "hot-button issue" here in the States but only if you're a Student from grade school to college? People are being bullied as Adults at work so I wish 20/20 on ABC would come out with a show about Workplace bullies?

[Tamara-B]

This is true, which is why I handled bullies by fighting back. I usually just ignored them, which antagonized them and provoked them to act even more foolish or I'd allow my anger to get the best of me. I'd hurl insults back or fly into a rage, which shocked them. However, as far as teachers go, I feel they should be punished if they are bullying students. It's no different than those who work in law enforcement or the medical field. When they use their positions to harm others, they face consequences. Teachers are not there to abuse their power.

Teachers, Managers, Employees, and everyone else shouldn't think they have the Right to bully anyone! Now if you have your ducks in a row and your employer/owner is the bully you should find a "Board Certified Labor & Employment Law Specialist" before things get worst! This is your life don't just listen to your friends advice? Document all your troubles and spend the money on that Lawyer. Let him/her tell you what they think or just move on.

I agree. The bullying pretty much stopped once I started high school and began standing up for myself. As far as college, I don't see bullying at all nor do I see it at my part-time job. I haven't been thrust into the real world and experienced a career just yet, so it is heart-breaking to hear there is bullying going on in the workplace where everyone is supposed to be an adult....

In the workplace, when is it tough love and assertiveness rather than bullying?

[If_I_Loved_you]

That sounds about right. I've always thought bullies only bully because they are allowed to do it. However, it's never, always, easy to stand up to someone when you're a young kid, especially if they are physically bigger than you or have some sort of power over you (boss or a teacher)

Eleanor Roosevelt said "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"

(Eleanor Roosevelt said "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent) This is a good quote but if you have a "low self esteem" the bully knows how to pump you up and pull your plug. A lot like a narcissist?

Here are a few pointers that may help you identify one:
Their lack of empathy colors everything they do. They may say, "How are you?" when you meet, but they are working from memory. They are not interested in how you are.
Virtually all of their ideas or ways of behaving in a given situation are taken from others, people they know and perhaps think of as an authority (mirroring).
Their sense of self-importance and lack of empathy means that they will often interrupt the conversations of others.
They expect others to do the day-to-day chores as they feel too important to waste their time on common things.
Listen for the constant use of "I", "me" and "my" when they talk.
They very rarely talk about their inner life, for example their memories and dreams.
They feel that the rules at work don't apply to them.
They will always cheat whenever they think they can get away with it.
If you share workload with them expect to do the lion's share yourself.
They love to delegate work or projects, then interfere by micro-managing it. If it goes well, they take the credit, if it goes badly they blame the person they delegated it to.
There tends to be higher levels of stress with people who work with or interact with a narcissist, which in turn increases absenteeism and staff turnover.
They get impatient and restless when the topic of discussion is about someone else, and not about them.