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Teacher Goes On A Power Trip On A Student, Gets Instantly Humbled By Child’s Mom
Interview With Expert
Teachers are generally considered to be a child’s second parents. Part of their duties, apart from educating young students, is to provide emotional support, discipline, and character formation, to the best of their abilities.
However, there are boundaries they must not cross, particularly regarding certain family matters. This band teacher overstepped those lines when she reprimanded a young girl in front of everyone, including her mother and grandmother.
The mom, rightfully upset, intervened and put the teacher in her place. However, the drama did not end there.
RELATED:
Teachers may be authority figures for a child, but there are boundaries they must not overstep
Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
This band teacher crossed the line when she reprimanded a young student in front of everyone
Image credits: DC Studio / freepik (not the actual photo)
Her actions urged the child’s mother to intervene
Image credits: SDM ProdStudio / freepik (not the actual photo)
The mom shared an update, adding more crucial details to her previous post
Image credits: wayhomestudio / freepik (not the actual photo)
She also defended her actions and provided reasons why she stepped in
Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
The mom had escalated the situation to the school’s administrator and principal
Image credits: Impressive_Guess_711
Teachers who overstep boundaries can also muddle a child’s perception of their parents as authority figures
While teachers have a “parental” role in school, overstepping those boundaries in a child’s personal affairs can disrupt family dynamics.
According to psychotherapist Claire Law, it specifically creates a power imbalance where the child begins to look at his or her family relations differently, which may lead to misunderstanding and anxiety.
“The child can end up identifying himself/herself with the teacher’s views instead of his/her parents’,” Law told Bored Panda.
But, when does a teacher begin crossing the line? According to parenting coach and former school principal Dr. Richard Horwitz, it’s when they make a suggestion with too much certainty.
An example he gave is when a teacher suspects a student has ADHD, then proceeds to tell the child’s parents that he or she may need medication. The story depicted a similar scenario in which the band teacher assumed the young girl was being blatantly rude without fully understanding what was happening at the moment.
Some teachers may find themselves in a situation where they think they should intervene out of genuine concern for the child’s well-being. In such cases, Dr. Horowitz has one piece of advice: do not put the parent on the defensive.
“Consult with the school guidance counselor, and if reaching out to a parent, make sure to describe the concern without making any judgments about the why,” he said.
In this case, the mom had every right to feel upset and intervene, especially after seeing the teacher embarrass her daughter in front of everyone. She also did the right thing by escalating the matter to school administrators instead of pushing a much heated discussion with the teacher.
Many people sided with the mom
Some thought everyone was in the wrong
While a few faulted the girl and the grandmother
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What do you think ?
Beef Brisket 2 days ago
"Teachers are generally considered to be a child’s second parents." NO, they're not! Teachers have a kid in their class (with 25 other kids) for about 30 hours a week for 9 months before they pass on to the next grade--about 1200 hours. Even less once kids see multiple teachers a day. Parents see their kid about 118 hours a week--about 110,448 until they turn 18. Parents, NOT teachers, are also responsible for the costs, food, housing, clothing, driving, appointments, care, etc of raising a child. To say teachers are second parents is ludicrous. They're teachers, nothing more and nothing less. I'm grateful if you teach my child well, but don't you dare even think you're their "second parent."
Beak Hookage 3 days ago
Unfortunately teaching, like any profession that involves having power over others, attracts bullies. And using exercise as a punishment is a TERRIBLE idea. You want a kid who associates running laps and such with humiliation and therefore hates doing it? Because that's how you do it.
That’s all I yam 2 days ago (edited)
My daughter had a concussion when a board she was cutting in wood shop kicked back. We took her to a neurologist, and he said it was serious enough that she had to take it easy for the next two weeks. He gave us a list of what was allowed and not allowed. I gave a copy to the school nurse. The next day the district nurse called and told me that the list might have to be modified because my daughter would have to participate in group activities. As a parent, a teacher myself, and former hospital corpsman, I wasn't going to let that happen. I first reminded her that the list was a set of doctor's orders. She insisted they still might have to modify it. During the whole conversation, she was condescending. Then I stated that I disagreed and would bring it up at the open forum of the next district school board meeting. Her whole attitude flipped to sickly sweet, and she was sure the list could be complied with. People change when they’re held accountable.
patricia patricia 2 days ago
Mother in law is a piece of s**t. The teacher is another one. If a teacher touched or grabbed my child, s/he would be in SERIOUS trouble. Really serious. A teacher cannot touch a student. It doesn't matter what the student did, do not touch them. The story about the push ups and laps! Incredible! Why patents allow teachers to get away with this kind of a***e is beyond my understanding. A band teacher can expel a student who is always late or is disruptive, but physical punishments are absolutely forbidden. OP has every right to "escalate" the situation. And even if MIL is helping them, OP is still the mother. If mom says something, granny should shut up.
Robin Roper 2 days ago
I got stuck at "bibber pocket." Seems its a pocket in bib overalls. Right or wrong?
SlightlyTarnished 2 days ago
More than one side to this one. My bet is OP is only giving part of the story. Likely a control freak parent, common ailment these days.
CaliPanda 2 days ago
I thought this as well, when OP wrote about having anger management issues. I think we’re not seeing all sides.
Load More Replies...
FluffyDreg 2 days ago
Despite what you seem to think. All children aren't evil.
Load More Replies...
Beef Brisket 2 days ago
"Teachers are generally considered to be a child’s second parents." NO, they're not! Teachers have a kid in their class (with 25 other kids) for about 30 hours a week for 9 months before they pass on to the next grade--about 1200 hours. Even less once kids see multiple teachers a day. Parents see their kid about 118 hours a week--about 110,448 until they turn 18. Parents, NOT teachers, are also responsible for the costs, food, housing, clothing, driving, appointments, care, etc of raising a child. To say teachers are second parents is ludicrous. They're teachers, nothing more and nothing less. I'm grateful if you teach my child well, but don't you dare even think you're their "second parent."
Beak Hookage 3 days ago
Unfortunately teaching, like any profession that involves having power over others, attracts bullies. And using exercise as a punishment is a TERRIBLE idea. You want a kid who associates running laps and such with humiliation and therefore hates doing it? Because that's how you do it.
That’s all I yam 2 days ago (edited)
My daughter had a concussion when a board she was cutting in wood shop kicked back. We took her to a neurologist, and he said it was serious enough that she had to take it easy for the next two weeks. He gave us a list of what was allowed and not allowed. I gave a copy to the school nurse. The next day the district nurse called and told me that the list might have to be modified because my daughter would have to participate in group activities. As a parent, a teacher myself, and former hospital corpsman, I wasn't going to let that happen. I first reminded her that the list was a set of doctor's orders. She insisted they still might have to modify it. During the whole conversation, she was condescending. Then I stated that I disagreed and would bring it up at the open forum of the next district school board meeting. Her whole attitude flipped to sickly sweet, and she was sure the list could be complied with. People change when they’re held accountable.
patricia patricia 2 days ago
Mother in law is a piece of s**t. The teacher is another one. If a teacher touched or grabbed my child, s/he would be in SERIOUS trouble. Really serious. A teacher cannot touch a student. It doesn't matter what the student did, do not touch them. The story about the push ups and laps! Incredible! Why patents allow teachers to get away with this kind of a***e is beyond my understanding. A band teacher can expel a student who is always late or is disruptive, but physical punishments are absolutely forbidden. OP has every right to "escalate" the situation. And even if MIL is helping them, OP is still the mother. If mom says something, granny should shut up.
Robin Roper 2 days ago
I got stuck at "bibber pocket." Seems its a pocket in bib overalls. Right or wrong?
SlightlyTarnished 2 days ago
More than one side to this one. My bet is OP is only giving part of the story. Likely a control freak parent, common ailment these days.
CaliPanda 2 days ago
I thought this as well, when OP wrote about having anger management issues. I think we’re not seeing all sides.
Load More Replies... FluffyDreg 2 days ago
Despite what you seem to think. All children aren't evil.
Load More Replies...
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