Teacher Issue :(

jamie124

Hi There,
So there is this teacher that I have for both English And Irish (Ordinary Level) - She is a substitute and is constantly making remarks on everyone in the classroom.
I will begin by saying that she has a severe problem regarding "gay" people and has no problem sharing her opinions on the gay community.
Before the Christmas Holidays , She asked a Student to read out loud in the class and he was reading relatively in a low key so she said "RAISE YOUR VOICE A LITTLE I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" and so the Student did and she said "OH IT'S OKAY *(Student's Name) YOU DON'T NEED TO SOUND LIKE A CROSSDRESSER!!!" and the WHOLE CLASS broke their hearts laughing and then she continues to say "ARE YOU GAY OR SOMETHING *(Student's Name)?"
"I'M NOT REALLY UP FOR ALL THIS GAY THING , IT'S QUITE DISTURBING!"
and so the Student said "no i'm not , that's a bit harsh miss" and again the whole class is having great craic and sharing their opinions on gay people and a whole conversation starts about how BAD gay people are.... (Which they are not!)

Another one in English Class was when we somehow brought up the topic "Fashion" and the teacher brought up Paul Galvin (A famous Rugby Player I think?? and he is also a fashion designer) and she said "IT'S NOT REALLY RIGHT TO SEE MALES DESIGNING CLOTHES I MEAN THEY MUST BE GAY IN FAIRNESS!" and a Student shouts out "Oh Yeah what a F****t he is , he has to be gay that fella , the dirty q***r!" and the teacher starts laughing and agrees with the Student and says "YES IT'S VERY BIZARRE!"


So - I go to a country school that is basically in the middle of nowhere!, I am from Dublin originally but have lived here for 9 years now....:(

Anyways , point is - Does she have a right to be sharing her opinions on gay people?? , Who does she think she is? , This is HOMOPHOBIC BULLYING for goodness sake!!! , She has NO IDEA who she could be offending in the classroom because I know I felt really offended by her awful remarks , I have NEVER come across any Teacher like that EVER , It distracts everyone who wants to actually learn - Like the mocks are in 3 weeks and she goes off topic and encourages Bullying and seems to think it's acceptable to slag off the LGBT community or anything to do with gays - I felt like reporting her but what's the point? The Student usually gets blamed anyways plus it's probably too late now since this was before Christmas but she still has her little remarks to give out at random times in class.

I feel really upset and annoyed about this , Does anyone have or had any similar situations like this?
Thanks.

Water John

I am a lot older than you, but you are quite correct.
Wholly inappropriate.

As a start Paul Galvin played GAA, both football and hurling in Kerry.
I suspect he is actually on his honeymoon as he got married two weeks ago, ( minor info, his SO is a woman).
Interesting fact for you if it comes up again.
Donal Og Cusack Cork (Hurling) and Gareth Thomas Wales (Rugby) are both openly gay. So is Nigel Owens who refereed the world rugby cup final, recently.
What attributes or interests are particularly gay??

Not sure how to deal with it, but I believe you probably have a teacher assigned to your year, to which you can bring issues. Confidentiality, would have to be assured for you.
Alternatively, a parent or significant adult could approach the principal on the issue.

It really is not an expectation nor probably advisable, that you should in some way, directly challenge this person.
If you have to grin and bear it, however unfair, till the end of your year.
Don't let it get you down.

Peregrine

Talk to your form teacher/head teacher/tutor and the principal. Get your parents to also talk to the principal.

Ask others to do the same.

That's not acceptable.

spurious

Absolutely not acceptable. She should be sacked and not let near a school again. Seriously.

Report her to your Principal. The Principal has a LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY to provide a healthy and safe environment for those in the school. Even if there was not one gay person in your school (which I very much doubt), it is not healthy for anyone to listen to a person like that.

TSMGUY

Also went to a school in a ruralish area in the middle of nowhere. I find the people here are very lax about political correctness to the point of being bigoted. Was surprised by how many racist and homophobic comments teachers let slide in my old school to be honest. It'd be brave of you to say something but in my experience dissent is treated very harshly in situations where a lot of small-minded individuals are involved. It might be in your best interest to say nothing. Cynical perspective, I know, but maybe I'm just not as courageous as you. Good luck bro.

connected1

Yousre right to be upset and angry. I can't believe that this person is teaching you. Nobody should be making those remarks on a classroom. Bear in mind that very recently a Principal was found to have harassed another teacher when she made derogatory remarks about her gay son.

If you don't feel comfortable raising the issue at school, please find an adult who will do so for you. This is completely not on, makes my blood boil.

jca

Could you record some of these exchanges on your phone?

Water John

Sorry JCA, recording is not a good idea.
I would not reflect well on your case, even though the evidence would be audible. You would be seen to have broken a trust.

jca

Water John wrote: »

Sorry JCA, recording is not a good idea.
I would not reflect well on your case, even though the evidence would be audible. You would be seen to have broken a trust.

Trust? What trust? The teacher is there to teach, not shove her homophobic views down her pupils necks especially when she tries to cover it up by making a joke of it. It wouldn't be tolerated in any other work place but of course this is Ireland where teachers are portrayed as some kind of unquestionable gods.

Water John

My knowledge comes from business and workplace situations.
You record incidents in a diary or notebook. What took place, time and location.
Its the recording audio that would be frowned on. The issue could become, rightly or wrongly, about the audio recording in secret.

I totally agree what is being done is grossly wrong.
What other posters said about using a parent or significant adult or form teacher would be the way to go.

jamie124

Hello All,
First of all I just want to say thank you all so much for helping me and giving me advice , You really have pointed me in the right direction.
I have decided to take it to the Vice Principal ( who is also my year head ) - I am going to do this on Monday.

Had another incident with my teacher today in Irish class when some of the class was absent she decided half way through the class "OKAY PUT YOUR BOOKS AWAY" and someone said "Let's play Shirades miss!" And she actually agreed like wtf! And so some sarcastic brat decides to intimidate ME in front of the whole class by impersonating me and my name in Shirades (the game) and of course the teacher starts BREAKING HER HEART LAUGHING!! And then just proceeds to say "Oh no it wasn't supposed to be about people in the class..." That's still not enough then more people have the cheek to make fun of other people in the school and of course the teacher gets great pleasure out of it! It's a bit of a mess at this stage and I really felt like giving her a good box!!! (Yes I was that mad) and almost started crying but I laughed it off (for the class) ..
Well all I can say is I won't be stepping a FOOT inside her classroom again I don't care what anyone says until this smart b***h is sorted some way or even fired if that's what it means - how she is a teacher is beyond me!

Thanks again I will let you all know how I get on.

rainbowtrout

Jamie,

when you are reporting this to the VP on monday, have it all written down going in, so you are not confused, you have it all very clearly laid out and can explain clearly what happened. If you can also do this for past incidents it would also help.

Don't go in going, 'I think my Irish teacher is a bitch, do something about it' as you'll start off on the wrong foot and it could be mistakenly thought that you have a different agenda.

Based on your latest post I would say something like:

I'm in Ms X's English and Irish class and there are a couple of incidents that have happened over the last two months that I'm not happy about. They make me feel uncomfortable in class, I feel that they encourage bullying, and also they are taking away from the work we should be doing.

One incident occurred yesterday, where we were told to put our books away 20 minutes into class, one student suggested charades. Ms. X agreed. Y student imitated me for the charade, it was not pleasant or appropriate, I felt intimidated by the way they imitated me, but Ms. X was laughing along with the students rather than stopping it. This continued as other students in the school were also made fun of.

On top of the bullying behaviour, I am concerned that we are not preparing for our mocks.


You could also outline some of the incidents before christmas where she was calling a student a crossdresser/gay/other homophobic comments in the same way.


As a teacher I am appalled at your description of her behaviour. It wouldn't be tolerated in my school and she would be out the door before she knew what was happening.

EDIT: Also, do heed what WaterJohn said above. Do not under any circumstances record her on your phone or any other device, it will just lead to trouble. Write everything down instead. With the date, time, place and details of incident where possible

jamie124

rainbowtrout wrote: »

Jamie,

when you are reporting this to the VP on monday, have it all written down going in, so you are not confused, you have it all very clearly laid out and can explain clearly what happened. If you can also do this for past incidents it would also help.

Don't go in going, 'I think my Irish teacher is a bitch, do something about it' as you'll start off on the wrong foot and it could be mistakenly thought that you have a different agenda.

Based on your latest post I would say something like:

I'm in Ms X's English and Irish class and there are a couple of incidents that have happened over the last two months that I'm not happy about. They make me feel uncomfortable in class, I feel that they encourage bullying, and also they are taking away from the work we should be doing.

One incident occurred yesterday, where we were told to put our books away 20 minutes into class, one student suggested charades. Ms. X agreed. Y student imitated me for the charade, it was not pleasant or appropriate, I felt intimidated by the way they imitated me, but Ms. X was laughing along with the students rather than stopping it. This continued as other students in the school were also made fun of.

On top of the bullying behaviour, I am concerned that we are not preparing for our mocks.


You could also outline some of the incidents before christmas where she was calling a student a crossdresser/gay/other homophobic comments in the same way.


As a teacher I am appalled at your description of her behaviour. It wouldn't be tolerated in my school and she would be out the door before she knew what was happening.

EDIT: Also, do heed what WaterJohn said above. Do not under any circumstances record her on your phone or any other device, it will just lead to trouble. Write everything down instead. With the date, time, place and details of incident where possible

Thank you very much! I have done that BUT I can't remember the EXACT dates before Christmas but have made note of it anyway.

rainbowtrout

jamie124 wrote: »

Thank you very much! I have done that BUT I can't remember the EXACT dates before Christmas but have made note of it anyway.

ya, it doesn't matter too much at this stage. You can just say, you didn't write down all of the details at the time because you hoped it would be a once off and not a regular thing in class as you kinda said in your first post.

If you have any detail you can add it in, while being truthful, e.g. 'I don't remember the exact date it happened, but I know it was a Wednesday because it was the class before lunch', etc.

Shadow1983

I just have to commend you OP for not going with the crowd and joining in with the sniggering when she makes those comments, it shows your level of maturity. What she's doing / saying is appalling behaviour for a supposed role model and she deserves to be disciplined harshly.

jimmycrackcorm

I think the OP should recall be very specific if possible about dates and what was actually said. I also suggest starting the conversation with the VP asking if you can confidentially make a report. As the whole class was present the VP should be able to verify the remarks, but the OP should make sure that the VP does understand the need for confidentiality. It might be very obvious but to some but not to others.

jamie124

Also , I have a little bit of worry because I don't think the class took an offence to any of this , only I did so if anyone was called as a witness they might have taken it as a joke if you know what I mean....

Water John

It isn't a collective decision of the class to decide what is correct or incorrect.
There may have been others uncomfortable but group think would hold sway.

You are uncomfortable and are perfectly correct to approach the VP, who is your class tutor, confidentially. Best of Luck.

rainbowtrout

Water John wrote: »

It isn't a collective decision of the class to decide what is correct or incorrect.
There may have been others uncomfortable but group think would hold sway.

You are uncomfortable and are perfectly correct to approach the VP, who is your class tutor, confidentially. Best of Luck.

Very true. Plenty of students will just go with the flow because it's easier and they want to fit in. They may not necessarily agree with it and they will not voice their opinion in case the crowd turn on them.

Added to that you had your teacher lending her approval to this sort of behaviour which would not be tolerated in any school I know of or in any other type of workplace.

evolving_doors

its true students mightnt want to go along with the OP.. however I think its another matter for them to lie/ deny 'individually' what took place as theyd have to fabricate counter stories on the spot and that wouldnt corroborate what each student says took place.

who knows OP maybe the teacher has track record for doing this in other classes. It might be worth asking anyone else (you trust!) if they have her.

It is bullying in every sense of the word.

Water John

Just take your issue, as you have stated, in private to the VP. Let that person investigate and act.
Don't get yourself isolated.

jamie124

Hello Again,
So I reported everything to the VP this morning and he reassured me that it will be sorted and investigated first thing tomorrow morning and that I shouldn't worry because it's not acceptable and he is aware of this.
He also said how would I feel if my teacher wanted to speak to me about it and I said "well I'm not sure how that would work out but if I have to I will"
I also informed him that I am gay myself and that this issue was really getting at me and I'm not happy about it and he was most helpful and supportive which was great.
I also told him that I don't want to attend any of her classes until this is sorted out in case of another incident and I'm also not comfortable going into her class anymore, I can't face it.
Again he was most supportive and let me into a free classroom to do my own thing for when I had English And Irish which was very nice of him so I am really lucky in that regard!.

Let's hope for the best and also hope that my teacher admits to everything!.

Thanks so much again for the help guys

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Sounds like a very fair and professional guy, hope it gets sorted soon OP.

jamie124

Hello Again Guys,
So it was investigated , my VP took me in on my own first and went through the it all with me and said my teacher seemed "upset" for me and that she was sorry...
He then asked for my permission if she could come in to the office and speak to me and so I agreed, he also informed me that she read over all my notes I kept on her too....

Anyways in she comes and sits down , so my VP talked us through it all and informed her that I was Gay myself (with my permission beforehand) and that it is not a nice environment for me in her classes and certain people in it are very homophobic (I was thinking - sure so was the bloody teacher!!!) I didn't say this of course anyways she then began to say "Jamie, first of all, my heart goes out to you, it really does and I'm sorry you feel this way but unfortunately I can't change the way the lads in the class think and yes unfortunately they all have their different beliefs and are homophobic and I suppose Friday's class wasn't exactly that pleasant and whatever way (students name) was impersonating you was absolutely wrong and I don't even think he even knew how to play the game (Shirades) either.... I also want you to know that i actually have a gay brother myself (WTF!!!) and life wasn't exactly a walk in the park for him either and I want you to know that I am always here for you and I will always have your back on this and it's fine to be gay"

She then stops and I said "Thank You I appreciate that"
My VP then says "now wasn't that a very good thing of miss to tell you something personal like that"
I replied "yes , thank you , I appreciate that"
He then says "now Jamie, are you happy with all of this I need you to be honest with me please"
I said "actually, no I'm not"
I then turned to miss and said "look miss, I'm not trying to offend you here but do you have any recollection of calling a certain student a crossdresser during English when he wasn't reading loud enough for you?" She replied "no , that's not something I would say" (I am absolutely raging!-she lied!!!)
I said "Right......"
My VP let her go out and kept me back...
Long story but there is a lot more to it so basically she has won I think - I wouldn't make up something like this for the craic like! And my VP knows this and he also told me that the Principal is absolutely raging over this and that it will be sorted...

I'm still waiting on some result..... My mother is getting updates regularly too...


Thanks guys.

dalta5billion

jamie124 wrote: »

Hello Again Guys,
So it was investigated , my VP took me in on my own first and went through the it all with me and said my teacher seemed "upset" for me and that she was sorry...
He then asked for my permission if she could come in to the office and speak to me and so I agreed, he also informed me that she read over all my notes I kept on her too....

Anyways in she comes and sits down , so my VP talked us through it all and informed her that I was Gay myself (with my permission beforehand) and that it is not a nice environment for me in her classes and certain people in it are very homophobic (I was thinking - sure so was the bloody teacher!!!) I didn't say this of course anyways she then began to say "Jamie, first of all, my heart goes out to you, it really does and I'm sorry you feel this way but unfortunately I can't change the way the lads in the class think and yes unfortunately they all have their different beliefs and are homophobic and I suppose Friday's class wasn't exactly that pleasant and whatever way (students name) was impersonating you was absolutely wrong and I don't even think he even knew how to play the game (Shirades) either.... I also want you to know that i actually have a gay brother myself (WTF!!!) and life wasn't exactly a walk in the park for him either and I want you to know that I am always here for you and I will always have your back on this and it's fine to be gay"

She then stops and I said "Thank You I appreciate that"
My VP then says "now wasn't that a very good thing of miss to tell you something personal like that"
I replied "yes , thank you , I appreciate that"
He then says "now Jamie, are you happy with all of this I need you to be honest with me please"
I said "actually, no I'm not"
I then turned to miss and said "look miss, I'm not trying to offend you here but do you have any recollection of calling a certain student a crossdresser during English when he wasn't reading loud enough for you?" She replied "no , that's not something I would say" (I am absolutely raging!-she lied!!!)
I said "Right......"
My VP let her go out and kept me back...
Long story but there is a lot more to it so basically she has won I think - I wouldn't make up something like this for the craic like! And my VP knows this and he also told me that the Principal is absolutely raging over this and that it will be sorted...

I'm still waiting on some result..... My mother is getting updates regularly too...


Thanks guys.

This makes me livid. Be careful you don't get played here. This will very easily get spun by the VP and the teacher as the students being these out-of-control bigots instead of the teacher actually being the bigot egging them on!

Start making a written record of your interactions with all school staff in relation to this issue. You may think the VP is nice and sympathetic now, but ultimately he is a colleague of this woman. I would be very suspicious of him saying it was somehow "nice" of her to share a personal anecdote on her gay brother.

You may never get an admission from her that she used homophobic or transphobic insults, because doing so would probably cost her her job. Hopefully she will stop using such terms now that she has been warned, however.

spurious

You're being bullied by two of them now.

Do not engage in any more meetings with this woman. You set out the facts (some of which, it seems, are agreed now - cue the 'I have gay friends/relatives' attempt at a defence) and you let another person, be it parent, solicitor, student rep., whoever, deal with it on your behalf.

If you were my child you would be out of that place. I sincerely hope your parents are not paying money for you to go there.

Bypass these two and ask for the Principal - staff discipline is the Principal's job, not the VP's. Following that you go to the Board of Management. If I were your parent, I would be a hair's breadth from the media. It is disgusting.

rainbowtrout

jamie124 wrote: »

Hello Again Guys,
So it was investigated , my VP took me in on my own first and went through the it all with me and said my teacher seemed "upset" for me and that she was sorry...
He then asked for my permission if she could come in to the office and speak to me and so I agreed, he also informed me that she read over all my notes I kept on her too....

Anyways in she comes and sits down , so my VP talked us through it all and informed her that I was Gay myself (with my permission beforehand) and that it is not a nice environment for me in her classes and certain people in it are very homophobic (I was thinking - sure so was the bloody teacher!!!) I didn't say this of course anyways she then began to say "Jamie, first of all, my heart goes out to you, it really does and I'm sorry you feel this way but unfortunately I can't change the way the lads in the class think and yes unfortunately they all have their different beliefs and are homophobic and I suppose Friday's class wasn't exactly that pleasant and whatever way (students name) was impersonating you was absolutely wrong and I don't even think he even knew how to play the game (Shirades) either.... I also want you to know that i actually have a gay brother myself (WTF!!!) and life wasn't exactly a walk in the park for him either and I want you to know that I am always here for you and I will always have your back on this and it's fine to be gay"

She then stops and I said "Thank You I appreciate that"
My VP then says "now wasn't that a very good thing of miss to tell you something personal like that"
I replied "yes , thank you , I appreciate that"
He then says "now Jamie, are you happy with all of this I need you to be honest with me please"
I said "actually, no I'm not"
I then turned to miss and said "look miss, I'm not trying to offend you here but do you have any recollection of calling a certain student a crossdresser during English when he wasn't reading loud enough for you?" She replied "no , that's not something I would say" (I am absolutely raging!-she lied!!!)
I said "Right......"
My VP let her go out and kept me back...
Long story but there is a lot more to it so basically she has won I think - I wouldn't make up something like this for the craic like! And my VP knows this and he also told me that the Principal is absolutely raging over this and that it will be sorted...

I'm still waiting on some result..... My mother is getting updates regularly too...


Thanks guys.

This is absolute bullshit of the highest order. She can't change the way the guys in your class think, BUT she can challenge them and reprimand them every time someone says something inappropriate. She can have sanctions within her own class or take it further to their year head if they continue to behave in this way. She is responsible for what goes on her in classroom. She can't control what comes out of people's mouths, but she has complete control over how she deals with it. She is more than capable of saying 'Homophobic comments are not tolerated in this classroom or school and any student that doesn't comply will undergo disciplinary action'. I have zero tolerance for this in my classroom.

She let all of that go ahead, encouraged it and took part in it. What a wagon basically.

I'd agree with spurious. Do not agree to anymore meetings with her. Request a meeting with the principal, and ensure that one of your parents is present at the meeting. When you are in there on your own, like I assume you were for the previous meeting, you have no independent support and if it comes back to what was said in that meeting, who do you have as a witness. I'd also agree with following it up to the BOM if you get nowhere with the principal.

Sunny Disposition

Amazing this is still happening nowadays, fair play to you for not letting her get away with it. Your parents probably need to become involved now. What are their feelings on it?

ChippingSodbury

Jamie,
I wouldn't be so fast to reject the VP meetings/ process. Don't have any more meetings on your own. If at all possible, bring your mother with you. If that means arranging the meetings outside school hours, then so be it. At least you'll be sure to have someone on your side if you have a parent with you.

jamie124

Sunny Disposition wrote: »

Amazing this is still happening nowadays, fair play to you for not letting her get away with it. Your parents probably need to become involved now. What are their feelings on it?

I know it's really not acceptable or good enough.
I'm absolutely raging and upset!
They think that maybe we should let it lie in the land for now on the basis that this doesn't happen again and that my teachers cards are marked for future reference and that she's aware that this is unacceptable.
Basically, we are leaving it - what's the point? She's gone in April anyways for when my real teacher who is maternity leave is coming back so 3 months away!.

jamie124

Hi Again,

So I haven't heard anything from the office since not even once , nor has my Mother so I'm expecting something by the end of tomorrow...

However, I was English today and my VP called out two of the people who were at the homophobic comments and decided to tell them that it was the teacher that reported them and not me. (Which is good)

Then the bell rang for my next class and on the way up to it the guy that was impersonating me said "Jamie, Did you find it offensive on Friday when we were in Irish because MR (vp) said that you did and that miss reported it on us!" I simply said "No" and walked on as it was a group of them when I really wanted to say "yes , you really annoyed me you annoying little s""t!!!" But anyways...

I'm stuck in a sticky situation now I suppose... My Parents and I have decided to leave it on the basis that this doesn't happen again and that the teachers card is marked.
What's the point anyways when she's leaving in April as my real teacher is coming back from Maternity leave.

Thanks Guys.

Sunny Disposition

jamie124 wrote: »

I know it's really not acceptable or good enough.
I'm absolutely raging and upset!
They think that maybe we should let it lie in the land for now on the basis that this doesn't happen again and that my teachers cards are marked for future reference and that she's aware that this is unacceptable.
Basically, we are leaving it - what's the point? She's gone in April anyways for when my real teacher who is maternity leave is coming back so 3 months away!.

Fair enough, well done on not just accepting it. It might be a good idea for your parents to write to the school summarising what has happened and saying they are not pleased with it. It's often important to put things in writing, people can't claim they weren't aware or don't recollect or whatever then. Again, fair play to you!

TSMGUY

This is why I said it might be in your best interest to say nothing. Believe me when I say I empathise with your situation. I'm black and I went to an incredibly bigoted school where explicitly racist insults were hurled at me and other minority students on a near-daily basis. Any time you tried to report it to the administration they either casually dismissed it as schoolboy banter or used that insidious brand of passive-aggressive doublespeak where they kind of acknowledge everyone's failings but their own and try to guilt you into accepting their half-assed form of reparations.
I know it sounds extremely cynical and defeatist but you're never going to change their attitudes. Their ignorance/hatred is deeply entrenched and institutional. The only thing you can really do is graduate and get away from that kind of environment. I'm rooting for you and I really hope your teacher suffers some kind of disciplinary action but, as I say, it's unlikely.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

legocrazy505

TSMGUY wrote: »

This is why I said it might be in your best interest to say nothing. Believe me when I say I empathise with your situation. I'm black and I went to an incredibly bigoted school where explicitly racist insults were hurled at me and other minority students on a near-daily basis. Any time you tried to report it to the administration they either casually dismissed it as schoolboy banter or used that insidious brand of passive-aggressive doublespeak where they kind of acknowledge everyone's failings but their own and try to guilt you into accepting their half-assed form of reparations.
I know it sounds extremely cynical and defeatist but you're never going to change their attitudes. Their ignorance/hatred is deeply entrenched and institutional. The only thing you can really do is graduate and get away from that kind of environment. I'm rooting for you and I really hope your teacher suffers some kind of disciplinary action but, as I say, it's unlikely.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

Yeah I think this is an issue that is a cultural problem more than anything else. In my school pretty much any opinion that isn't the "norm" is slandered by students and some members of staff. The problem is in my school anyway the anti-bullying policy is extremely vague.

It basically claims that every issue is taken seriously but then goes on to contradict it's self and claim that most cases are just that the victim needs to "tell the difference between the kind of treatment almost everyone is subjected to from time to time (e.g. slagging in fun) and behaviour where there is a deliberate intention to hurt". My problem with this is it means that pretty much any form of bullying can be written off as the person just either not being "tough" enough or having "low self-esteem".

jamie124

UPDATE FROM TODAY:

Hello Again,
So my VP asked to speak with me at lunchtime in the office,
He said "So I was chatting to your mother on the phone and we had a good chat about the situation" then proceeds to say "how are things now in Miss () class?" I replied "okay I think , nothing has happened and nothing has been said since" and he asked "how is the discipline in that class?" I said "okay ,I suppose it has improved slightly as she is correcting people more if they come out with some sort of inappropriate comment.
He said "so I got the impression from Tuesday that you left the situation annoyed" I said "Yes I was actually quite annoyed" and he said well again "I want you to know that I believe you I need you to know that" I said "Thank You because I really wouldn't make something up like that for the craic, it actually happened and I am so annoyed that my teacher didn't admit to those awful comments she made, I understand that it would have probably cost her her job had she admitted but I didn't want to see her fired I just thought she could have at least admitted to what she had done and for that I'm really annoyed now I had a chat my with my Mum and we agreed to let this rest on the basis that this doesn't happen again and that miss () card is marked".
He said "yes I absolutely agree with you, it's not acceptable" then he moved on to the lads in the class and how they came up to me and he was furious becaus it was actually the Principal that (Mistakenly) mentioned my name to them!!.
Anyways I think it's settled now...

Thank you all so much for supporting me on this , you have all been great

rainbowtrout

Fair play to you Jamie. I suspect her card has been marked and obviously that wasn't going to happen in front of you, but when they are asking about discipline in her class you can be sure they believe you and not her. Most principals and VPs have a fair idea of what goes on in classes even if it appears that they don't. I'm sure they will be keeping a close eye on her. You are clearly a reasonable person, and have been very fair in how you have dealt with it. Another student (and parent) would have gone all legal on them at this stage.

They know they will have to be careful with this teacher and monitor her in case anything else happens. She is on their radar now. I honestly don't think you'll have another issue with her for the rest of her time in the school as she knows you'll report it. Good luck!

jamie124

QUICK UPDATE!:
Hello all again!,
So this teacher is now gone from the school as it was her last week before Easter! , coincidentally my parent-teacher meeting was on the day she was leaving and she didnt attend to it! My Mother questioned this to the VP and he said that she left "sooner than expected" and said that "her job was done and she's never coming back!"
Unbelievable?? Anways I'm just glad that she's gone and my actual teacher will be back after the Easter

X6.430macman

Just read the start, it can't just be left there, that is very very very bad and never even though a teacher could be that bad. That student will never hear the end of that.

Redser87

Delighted you are getting your teacher back after Easter Jamie. You have clearly been very mature and have probably come out of it looking much better than she did. Hope you are enjoying the break!

TSMGUY

I guess the world is a little bit less Kafkaesque than I thought! Good to see the underdog win. Happy Easter everybody. Nicely handled Jamie.