We’ve heard about students bullying other students, but how about teachers bullying students? Important to note that bullying isn’t just physical, but it can also be verbal or emotional in nature. Many who suffer from being bullied can develop low self-esteem and they’ll turn their anger inward. Others, though, can also become violent and lash out at others. The goal of every teacher should be is to create a strong student - teacher relationship and help foster creating a positive peer group for students.
Kandy Escotto noticed last year that her five-year-old son Aaron was struggling with his grades and self-esteem, and he said his teacher had called him a bad boy. Escotto wanted to know what was going on in class, so she put a recorder in his backpack for four days in October, gathering 32 hours of audio from his time at Banyan Elementary School. The tape captured Rosalba Suarez - who has taught for 33 years and was named the Westchester school's teacher of the year in 2017 - calling Aaron and another boy "loser," CBS Miami reports. Aron started to behave weird and he didn’t want to go to school. He would cry when it was time waking up and he knew he needed to go to school. With the help of the recorder, the mom claimed that the teacher called Aron offending words and that she was belittling him in front of the class. Though you have to listen very very closely to make sense of the recording, it is clear that Aron’s teacher not only didn’t choose her words wisely but she also caused an emotional pain to this child. No child deserves to be bullied and no teacher has to use obscene language in class because she is frustrated, unsatisfied or even jealous of some students. Teachers should be the pillars in society, they must be role models for their student.
The tapes also featured Suarez telling Aaron his mother was "a little lost" and was "driving me crazy." And she criticized Aaron's work habits and participation. When the boy at one point said he didn't want to participate in class, Suarez asked him if his mother wanted to see "a nice job" or "a loser's job," according to the Miami Herald. One particularly distasteful exchange involved Suarez chastising little Aaron over him using an incorrect technique to bubble in answers on a pre-filled test sheet. “Raise your hand if you know how to bubble,” the recording caught Suarez saying. Aaron doesn’t know. … I still don’t know what to say to your mom. She’s driving me crazy.”
All parents must have a discussion with their children about bullying and the impact it has on individuals. Encourage your children to be the one that stands up to those bullying others and the one that extends their hand to lift up those who feel down. Part of winning at life is accomplished by helping others. Be that family. Open up your doors to those who need a family who has strong values. Strong, united families, together can help bring the “bullying society” to an end.
