OK, WHAT THE HELL? I didn't read the entire post yet because I'm angry! WHY would your friend think that is anything even close to OK? It's not. It never will be. It's WRONG. And anyone who thinks such a thing is even half an infinity close to OK need to be reprimanded for being so damn WRONG it's probably a danger to society. I'll tell her what's in the children's best interests, it's her GETTING HER OPINIONS FIXED and realizing how cancerous her attitudes towards troubled children are. She should not be a teacher.

Sorry if I offended you with my angry words, but your friend here indirectly offended me. A lot.

Edit: "Who cares what other people think" Oh my God... Maybe, perhaps, just possibly children who are bullied care? And maybe they can't just decide to be unaffected by other people? At least us bipolar people have a response to this, right? Normal people barfing out "who cares what other people think" OBVIOUSLY care so much more than I ever do when I'm hypomanic. They have no idea what they're talking about. They were just dealt an easy hand in life and take pride in that because they lack depth of emotion and are unaware of their ignorance. They mistake luck for true achievement, and they think their silly cliches are hard-earned experience and showing of their depth of character. In other words, the flat, stagnated character probably thinks he is round and sees his lack of development in all areas as a sign that change is not needed. Not in him, at any rate. This is not me trying to analyze the mind of your friend, by the way. This is just a general rant, although I do think it is relevant to how your son's gym teacher behaved. I do not understand how anyone could ever think that it's OK to make snide remarks about kids. It tells of serious flaws in their personality and attitudes.

Also, this is me overreacting. You're a concerned parent, so strong reactions on your part are perhaps not overreactions.