Hi everyone, I'm a teacher. I'm a perfectionist. I don't like criticism. Today my principal's intern addressed a parent concern and told me I am not gentle enough with a gifted third grader because she is "sensitive." I asked her how she knows this. She said because the kid is telling her mother and does not want to come to school. She also mentioned another lie the kid is telling his mother-that he is forced to complete class work in GT class. That's not true because the GT teacher has her own curriculum and doesn't allow that. The intern went on to say that one of my comments on the child's graded papers was insensitive. I wrote, "(name), in your rush to finish, you did not choose A, B, C, or D. Any machine would count this answer wrong (even though the correct answer was written down on the page). Slow down and check your work." The intern read it back to me and said, "Can't you see how that would upset an 8 year old." I said, "No, I can't." I don't see how writing comments to help a child earn a higher grade cold be considered hurtful. In addition, I counted the answer right. The intern said we'd have to meet again with the parent. I said, Fine, I don't have a problem with that." Then she said our meeting was over. I said, "When do I get to defend myself?" She let me tell my side of the story-that I have never humiliated a child in front of the class. I have spoken to the child about my expectations for quality work. I told the intern the child is upset with herself for her own bad grades. I have sent the child to visit her GT teacher with graded papers. I said if that's causing the child anxiety, I won't do it anymore. I will refrain from writing comments on her work and just put check or x if that's what the mother wants. The intern went on to say what a great teacher I am. I told her, "You don't know that. You've never seen me teach." She said she'd been in my room. I told her that was before announcements and she has no idea what kind of teacher I am. That made her mad! I don't care-it's true. She said, "This meeting is over." I was a little teary eyed (my typical bipolar response to duress). I left. Upon returning to my classroom, my hands were shaking violently, my heart was racing, I was sweating, and sobbing. I took Xanax and called my friend and colleague. She offered to pick up my class from PE and take them to lunch. I told her I had to leave. She said she'd split up my class-no problem. I called the principal and told her I was leaving. She said OK. I went straight home and printed out the papers for a leave of absence. I got an appt today with my psychiatrist. He agreed I need a leave of absence. He put me on Lamaxil?? He enrolled me in intensive out-patient therapy. Luckily, I have disability insurance. I can get by financially. I'm just in a really bad place right now because I can't retire for another 1,610 days. I have to work. Does anyone else experience crying out-of-the blue for stressful situations. It happens to me ALL the time. Am I depressed? I don't even know. Thank you for reading this.