[sadteachermother]

It seems there is so much concern about students being bullied, but what about teachers? We get it from every direction. I have had students spit on me, hit me, curse me, damage my car engine. I have had administrators threaten my job. I have had parents demand (and be backed up by administrators) that I change their child's grade. I am a good and caring teacher. I have taught for seven years, and have a hundred former students trying to organize a reunion. My evaluations are positive, yet many days, I dread getting out of bed. Students are allowed to be rude and hateful by their parents and administrators.

[Fresia]

I do share your concerns and hear your frustration. When I taught, I experienced this too; I am sorry to hear you are going through this as well. There were more negatives to me than positives, so that eventually I switched to adult education, which was a better environment for me. It still bothers me and even now as I have returned to school as I watch even at the college level that I see students treating teachers with so little respect and harassing them, with no recourse and little to no back-up from what I can tell from administration. This has been at three schools now, in two different states. I'm hearing it from other friends who teach other places as well in different grades. It is a real concern as many are fearing for their safety and their health, as you mentioned.

There is no doubt bullying is going on in schools; it should never be allowed no matter whom it is toward. Several teachers got together at my last school to go to administration. This made more of an impact, than just coming forward one at a time. If there are others, who are experiencing it as well: together approach admin, document the incidents, and see about getting something put in place to support y'all for a zero tolerance policy for bullying of anyone, including the teachers.

I do hope you will be safe meanwhile and find something that will work to better help you in your position. Teachers are so valuable, I can't emphasize that enough. Hang in there.

[Travelinglady]

How time have changes since when I was in school. Parents told their kids if they got punished at school (such as a paddling), then they would get the same when they got home.

A general problem of a lack of respect for authority......

So sorry you're having to deal with this issue. And that we even have such wimpy administrators these days. I was scared to death of my principal--and the teachers were able to keep kids in line because they were given the authority to do so.