Teacher Bullies & Special Needs Children
I know that I have so many other things to write about right now, but this topic just won’t leave my mind and I need to put it out there. A couple days ago, I was on my way home from Chicago and I overheard a woman sitting near me in the terminal complaining about the children in her classroom.
“I tell ya, these kids are so stupid. They can’t even zip their zippers by themselves or tie their shoes. We have to do every single thing for them. This kid is asking me to tie his shoes and you know what I told him? No! I’m not tying your damn shoes! How about this? How about we send a note home with your mother telling her to buy you some damn velcro shoes. You know? I’m tired of this *hit. I’m tired of dumb kids and dumb parents.”
This really made my stomach turn. Why is this woman a teacher?
Later, she went on to explain to another passenger in the terminal that she taught special education to kindergartners in New Jersey.
Coming off hearing the recent news about the New Jersey dad who defended his son with Autism on YouTube, I’m just floored. Here is another apparent teacher bully…and she works in New Jersey.
I sat there in shock and disgust. Why are so many teachers working in this field when they don’t even understand what it means to be special needs. This teacher was so cold and dismissive…and even her friend who was travelling with her looked uncomfortable with the conversation.
Why are people like this working in our schools? Why are they working with children who have special needs if they don’t feel it’s their responsibility to be their care providers while they’re in school?
I agree that responding to children with special needs can take more patience and understanding. I agree that it can be one of the most difficult jobs if you’re not equipped and sometimes even when you are…but this has got to change. People cannot work in this field without understanding childrens’ limitations and acknowledging their gifts.
I want to know…how are public schools going to respond to this? How are they going to prepare for teachers like this and educate them or remove them when needed? Because this is NOT the FIRST time I’ve heard someone talk like this about their job as a special needs teacher…and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
© 2012, Chantilly Patiño. All rights reserved.
I clicked 5 stars and it didn’t register. I’m using Google chrome.
I agree that this woman is burned out and should probably find another career. On the other hand, too many parents rely on teachers to “raise” their children. Children have very few consequences these days and very little respect for adults in general. I work one on one with many parents who say things like, “I talked to my kid, but I just don’t know what else to do” (As if “talking” is the one and only answer – although it is a START), or “my child needs X, Y and Z from everyone around them in order to do any classwork/succeed/be interested in anything.” These parents are only teaching kids that the world will bend over backwards to accommodate them, which is not real-life.
Would I put my kid in this teacher’s class? Heck no. Do I think this teacher is a bad person? No – I think this teacher has dealt with far too many bad parents and is burned out, and needs to switch careers. Teaching is not what it used to be, and I would not recommend it as a career to anyone that I care about. Teachers are berated, verbally abused, disrespected, expected to be perfect (nobody is perfect), and expected to individually cater to every child which is completely impossible (children should be taught how to work within the boundaries they are given). This teacher has obviously been under-appreciated and abused and is now becoming an abuser herself, which is inexcusable – BUT society needs to take a long hard look at how teachers are being treated.
Thanks for the comment. I get where you’re going and I do understand that teachers have a very difficult job and that everyone has very high expectations and demands, which can lead to burnout. True. And that’s why we need better accommodations and training for teachers. BUT, I also am glad that teaching is not what it once was…back in the day, teachers used to be able to beat their students, they did abuse my husband and I know what teachers of the old were capable of that many times they are not today.Another thing I want to point out, is that this woman’s classroom and students does not fit the regular standard. These are children with special needs, not discipline issues. As someone who interacts with special needs children often, I know the difference well. I will agree with you though, teaching in these environments is difficult work and teachers are expected (rightly) to accommodate to each child. That’s why I feel it is a position that not just anyone can do. It takes a lot of patience and a lot of understanding.
Thank you for pointing out that this type of treatment toward children is inexcusable. I agree 100% and wish that it would never occur. I don’t expect teachers to be perfect, but I do with that more of them understood that parents and student aren’t either. And especially that special needs students can’t be compared to traditional students. It’s just not the same ballgame. ♥