Bullying in teaching

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School teachers are commonly the instigators of bullying within a school environment, and are often the subject of bullying themselves.

Contents

Incidence

While teacher bullying is recognized as serious and harmful, there are no statistics on either teachers bullying others or teachers being bullied. [1] [ unreliable source? ] However, according to an article, a high percentage of teachers admit that they bully their students. [2]

Comprehensive research carried out in the UK found that teaching was one of the occupations at highest risk from bullying: [3]

In another survey, the Economic and Social Research Institute found bullying to be more prevalent in schools (13.8%) than other workplaces (7.9%). [4]

Students with learning disabilities may be especially at risk for teacher bullying. [5]

Complex dynamics

There are complex issues with reporting bullying by teachers, not only for children, but also parents. By means of their position of power over the child, power that enables them to impact the child's present and future, [6] children and parents are reluctant to report. [7] There are specific signs that parents should watch for as their child is unlikely to disclose that the teacher is in fact the bully. [8]

Furthermore, a teacher who bullies may present as a Jekyll and Hyde figure: they are often celebrated and popular so their abuse can go on for long periods of time undetected. [9] Research on teachers in classrooms is lacking and it is unclear how much these activities go undetected or rewarded by teachers in the classroom. For coaches teaching a sport, it can be seen that adults are often rewarded for bullying conduct that would never be tolerated or condoned if done by a child. [10]

Parsons identifies teacher bullying as often being part of a wider bullying culture within a school, with a complex web of dynamics such as: [11]

Staffroom bullying

A common manifestation of teacher bullying is staffroom bullying where teachers are bullied by other teachers or school managers. [4] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]

Manifestations

In investigating teacher bullying, it is important to differentiate a teacher or coach who is demanding versus one who is demeaning. So "yelling" for instance can be highly productive and motivating, but if it involves belittling and is laced with putdowns, personal attacks, and insults, it becomes abusive. [20] Bullying by teachers can take many forms in order to harass and intimidate including: [21]

Bullying of teachers can take many forms in order to harass and intimidate including: [23]

Bullies often exploit positions of seniority over the colleagues they are intimidating (see rankism) by: [23]

In some cases, teachers are ignored and isolated by colleagues in the staffroom or turned down for promotion or training courses (see silent treatment). [23] Other times, teachers are ostracized as whistleblowers when they report to administrators on students' reports of bullying being done by their colleagues. [24]

Impacts

The power imbalance of teacher to student is greater than peer to peer and may well intensify the impact. The possible impacts on a child of bullying by teachers include:

"If bullying is performed by a person who is supposed to be a caregiver and a role model, it can be assumed that the consequences may be even more devastating for the exposed child" [26]

Notable incidents

In April 2012, Stuart Chaifetz, a father of an autistic boy, released a video on YouTube [27] providing evidence that his son was allegedly the subject of emotional abuse at the hands of his teacher and aide at Horace Mann Elementary School, in the Cherry Hill Public Schools district. [28] The evidence was secured when Chaifetz wired his son with a microphone before sending him to school. When he listened to the audio recording, according to one news report, "Chaifetz says he caught his son's teachers gossiping, talking about alcohol and violently yelling at students. He took the audio to the Cherry Hill School District, where officials fired one of the teachers involved after hearing the tape. Chaifetz's son was relocated to a new school, where Chaifetz says he is doing well." [29] [30] However, it appears that students with learning disabilities may be especially at risk for teacher bullying. [5]

In June 2014, Britain proposed the "Cinderella Law" which would put emotional abuse in the Criminal Code. [31]

Teachers being portrayed as bullies have made into popular culture, along with works with teachers being bullied by other teachers, students, and even the principal.

Films

Books

TV

Music

See also

Related Research Articles

A teaching method is a set of principles and methods used by teachers to enable student learning. These strategies are determined partly by the subject matter to be taught, partly by the relative expertise of the learners, and partly by constraints caused by the learning environment. For a particular teaching method to be appropriate and efficient it has to take into account the learner, the nature of the subject matter, and the type of learning it is supposed to bring about.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teacher</span> Person who helps others learn

A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching.

Abuse is the improper usage or treatment of a person or thing, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, assault, violation, rape, unjust practices, crimes, or other types of aggression. To these descriptions, one can also add the Kantian notion of the wrongness of using another human being as means to an end rather than as ends in themselves. Some sources describe abuse as "socially constructed", which means there may be more or less recognition of the suffering of a victim at different times and societies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bullying</span> Use of force or coercion to abuse or intimidate others

Bullying is the use of force, coercion, hurtful teasing, comments, or threats, in order to abuse, aggressively dominate, or intimidate one or more others. The behavior is often repeated and habitual. One essential prerequisite is the perception that an imbalance of physical or social power exists or is currently present. This perceived presence of physical or social imbalance is what distinguishes the behavior from being interpreted or perceived as bullying from instead being interpreted or perceived as conflict. Bullying is a subcategory of aggressive behavior characterized by hostile intent, the goal of addressing or attempting to "fix" the imbalance of power, as well as repetition over a period of time.

The buddy system is a procedure in which two individuals, the "buddies", operate together as a single unit so that they are able to monitor and help each other. As per Merriam-Webster, the first known use of the phrase "buddy system" goes back to 1942. Webster goes on to define the buddy system as "an arrangement in which two individuals are paired .”

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neurodiversity</span> Non-pathological explanation of variations in mental functions

The neurodiversity paradigm is a framework for understanding human brain function that recognizes the diversity within sensory processing, motor abilities, social comfort, cognition, and focus as neurobiological differences. This diversity falls on a spectrum of neurocognitive differences. The neurodiversity paradigm argues that diversity in neurocognition is part of humanity and that some neurodivergences generally classified as disorders, such as autism, are differences and disabilities that are not necessarily pathological. Neurotypical individuals are those who fall within the average range of functioning and thinking.

School violence includes violence between school students as well as attacks by students on school staff and attacks by school staff on students. It encompasses physical violence, including student-on-student fighting, corporal punishment; psychological violence such as verbal abuse, and sexual violence, including rape and sexual harassment. It includes many forms of bullying and carrying weapons to school. The one or more perpetrators typically have more physical, social, and/or psychological power than the victim. It is a widely accepted serious societal problem in recent decades in many countries, especially where weapons such as guns or knives are involved.

<i>Mr. Young</i> 2011 Canadian TV series or program

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Relational aggression, alternative aggression, or relational bullying is a type of aggression in which harm is caused by damaging someone's relationships or social status.

Verbal abuse is a type of psychological/mental abuse that involves the use of oral or written language directed to a victim. Verbal abuse can include the act of harassing, labeling, insulting, scolding, rebuking, or excessive yelling towards an individual. It can also include the use of derogatory terms, the delivery of statements intended to frighten, humiliate, denigrate, or belittle a person. These kinds of attacks may result in mental and/or emotional distress for the victim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mainstreaming (education)</span> Placing disabled students in regular classrooms

Mainstreaming, in the context of education, is the practice of placing students with special education needs in a general education classroom during specific time periods based on their skills. This means students who are a part of the special education classroom will join the regular education classroom at certain times which are fitting for the special education student. These students may attend art or physical education in the regular education classrooms. Sometimes these students will attend math and science in a separate classroom, but attend English in a general education classroom. Schools that practice mainstreaming believe that students with special needs who cannot function in a general education classroom to a certain extent belong in the special education environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inclusion (education)</span> Where disabled students spend most of their time with non-disabled students

Inclusion in education refers to including all students to equal access to equal opportunities of education and learning, and is distinct from educational equality or educational equity. It arose in the context of special education with an individualized education program or 504 plan, and is built on the notion that it is more effective for students with special needs to have the said mixed experience for them to be more successful in social interactions leading to further success in life. The philosophy behind the implementation of the inclusion model does not prioritize, but still provides for the utilization of special classrooms and special schools for the education of students with disabilities. Inclusive education models are brought into force by educational administrators with the intention of moving away from seclusion models of special education to the fullest extent practical, the idea being that it is to the social benefit of general education students and special education students alike, with the more able students serving as peer models and those less able serving as motivation for general education students to learn empathy.

Sexual harassment in education in the United States is an unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that interferes with an American student's ability to learn, study, work or participate in school activities. It is common in middle and high schools in the United States. Sexual or gender harassment is a form of discrimination under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Sexual harassment involves a range of behavior from mild annoyances to unwanted touching and, in extreme cases, rape or other sexual assault.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">School bullying</span> Type of bullying in an educational setting

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Disability abuse is when a person with a disability is abused physically, financially, sexually and/or psychologically due to the person having a disability. This type of abuse has also been considered a hate crime. The abuse is not limited to those who are visibly disabled or physically deformed, but also includes those with learning, intellectual and developmental disabilities or mental illnesses.

The Circle of Friends approach is a method designed to increase the socialization and inclusion of a disabled person with their peers. A Circle of Friends consists of a "focus" child, for whom the group was established, six to eight classroom peers, and an adult facilitator who meet once weekly to socialize and work on specific goals. Most available resources about the Circle of Friends approach are geared toward its use with school-aged children with various difficulties.

Cyberbullying is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means. Since the 2000s, it has become increasingly common, especially among teenagers and adolescents, due to young people's increased use of social media. Related issues include online harassment and trolling. In 2015, according to cyberbullying statistics from the i–Safe Foundation, over half of adolescents and teens had been bullied online, and about the same number had engaged in cyberbullying. Both the bully and the victim are negatively affected, and the intensity, duration, and frequency of bullying are three aspects that increase the negative effects on both of them.

Controlling behavior in relationships are behaviors exhibited by an individual who seeks to gain and maintain control over another person. Abusers may utilize tactics such as intimidation or coercion, and may seek personal gain, personal gratification, and the enjoyment of exercising power and control. The victims of this behavior are often subject to psychological, physical, sexual, or financial abuse.

Discrimination against autistic people involves any form of discrimination, persecution, or oppression against people who are autistic. Despite contention over its status as a disability, discrimination against autistic people is considered to be a form of ableism.

References

  1. ↑ "Bullying Teachers". www.bullyingstatistics.org. 2015-07-07. Retrieved 2015-11-28.
  2. ↑ "Teachers Bullying Students". No Bullying: Anti Bullying Help Center. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2015-11-28.
  3. ↑ Hoel, H. & Cooper, C.L. Destructive Conflict and Bullying at Work, Sponsored by the British Occupational Health Research Foundation, Manchester School of Management, UMIST (2000)
  4. 1 2 3 BULLYING in the staffroom is having a deeply traumatic effect on some teachers and their families, new research reveals. Irish Independent April 14, 2009
  5. 1 2 "Students with Learning Disabilities at Risk for Teacher Bullying". Kids in the House. 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  6. ↑ "Teaching Bullies". Ginger Kadlec: BeAKidsHero™. Archived from the original on 2015-11-13. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  7. ↑ "Why don't kids speak up about bullying?". The Edvocate. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  8. ↑ "10 Signs That Your Child's Teacher or Coach May Be a Bully". Healing Walls. 2015-10-26. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  9. ↑ PhD, Jennifer Fraser (2015-08-07). "Recognizing the Abusive Coach as Jekyll and Hyde". Teaching Bullies. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  10. ↑ "Rewarding Adults Who Bully". Kids in the House. 2015-07-14. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  11. 1 2 3 Parsons L Bullied Teacher, Bullied Student: How to Recognize the Bullying Culture in Your School and What to Do About It (2005)
  12. ↑ Terry, AA (1998). "Teachers as targets of bullying by their pupils : a study to investigate incidence". British Journal of Educational Psychology . 68 (2): 255–268. doi:10.1111/j.2044-8279.1998.tb01288.x.
  13. ↑ de Wet C The Reasons for and the Impact of Principal-on-Teacher Bullying on the Victims' Private and Professional Lives - Teaching and Teacher Education: An International Journal of Research and Studies, Vol 26 No 7 Pages 1450-1459 Oct 2010
  14. ↑ McEvoy A Teachers Who Bully Students: Patterns and Policy Implications - Hamilton Fish Institute’s Persistently Safe Schools Conference, Philadelphia, September 11-14, 2005 Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  15. 1 2 3 Field T Staffroom bullying The Times Educational Supplement (TES) Magazine 21 June 2002
  16. ↑ Strickland S Bullies in the staff room The Independent 23 November 1995
  17. ↑ Dean C Call to beat the staffroom bullies Archived 2012-10-03 at the Wayback Machine The Times Educational Supplement (TES) 16 April 2004
  18. ↑ Being bullied in the staffroom BBC News 20 November 2006
  19. ↑ McCall B Staffroom suffering Education Guardian, 20 November 2006
  20. ↑ "Abuse or motivation? I know it when I see it. Do you? By Matt Davidson, Ph.D., President, Institute for Excellence & Ethics (IEE)". Excellence and Ethics (Blog). Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  21. ↑ "Preventing Child Maltreatment: a guide to taking action and generating evidence" (PDF). World Health Organization / International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.
  22. ↑ "The use of homophobic slurs in sports: It's for the athletes' own good, right?". The Edvocate. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  23. 1 2 3 Lepkowska D The shocking stories of teacher-on-teacher bullying Archived 2017-06-19 at the Wayback Machine Secondary Education News (SecEd) 11 Nov 2010
  24. ↑ Cribb, Robert (2015-04-02). "Jennifer Fraser says she left because of a "hostile, humiliating, poisoned or intolerable work environment," created after she complained her son was being abused by teacher coaches. The school says allegations have no basis". The Toronto Star. ISSN   0319-0781 . Retrieved 2015-11-28.
  25. ↑ Munday K The Bullying of Teachers Through the Use of Formal Disciplinary Procedures 2003 Archived June 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  26. ↑ Gusfre, Kari Stamland; Støen, Janne; Fandrem, Hildegunn (2023-12-01). "Bullying by Teachers Towards Students—a Scoping Review". International Journal of Bullying Prevention. 5 (4): 331–347. doi: 10.1007/s42380-022-00131-z . ISSN   2523-3661.
  27. ↑ "Teacher/Bully: How My Son Was Humiliated and Tormented by his Teacher and Aide", Stuart Chaifetz, video at YouTube, posted April 20, 2012
  28. ↑ Horace Mann Elementary School website
  29. ↑ NJ Father Records Teachers Bullying His Autistic Child, MyFoxPhilly.com
  30. ↑ "Verbal abuse of autistic student sparks calls for reform", Jim Walsh and Phil Dunn, Cherry Hill Courier-Post, reprinted at USA Today website, 29 April 2012
  31. ↑ "Should Emotional Abuse Be Criminalized?". www.hautlife.com. Retrieved 2015-11-28.
  32. ↑ PhD, Jennifer Fraser (2015-08-26). "Whiplash: Drum Solo versus Suicide". Teaching Bullies. Retrieved 2015-11-29.

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