Bullying of student teachers

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Bullying of student teachers

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Kryss
Member since 17-4-2007

I have witnessed so many student teachers being bullied and talked down to by 'existing staff' and the mentors from the Universities. So many student teachers have been given the wrong impression about teaching and its a tough enough job without the added stress.

Has any other student teacher tried to complain without success and how many have withdrawn from the course because of the treatment?

It appears that even when a student teacher tries to complain they are 'shot down' and their lives are made very difficult. I am doing research on the subject and was wondering if anyone else has experienced such a situation?

Cheers

Posted 17-4-2007 19:44

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2Bteacher
Member since 8-1-2007

I have been in a school where the teachers (and office staff!!!) made it very clear that they didnt like student teachers and didnt want them in their class.

Then, I was left in their classes on my own to do full lessons while the teachers disappeared. When I ordered equipment from technicians I didnt get what I needed. When I tried to use the photocopier the office staff were very rude to me.

The whole experience had me in tears and questioning teaching as a career.

Then the school had to grade me and write a report on me. I would like to know how they could comment on my teaching skills when noone saw me teaching a class!

Posted 17-4-2007 20:41

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mossop
Member since 29-1-2004

I had the exact same experience as you, 2Bteacher, it was horrible. I was regularly in tears during the placement, the more senior members of my department were constantly putting me down, saying I wasn't putting enough effort in and that my work wasn't of a high enough standard. I persevered though, got through the placement and I'm now working in a brilliant department in a school where I really enjoy working, and they are very very positive about my work. It makes me wonder what the teachers and other staff were talking about on that placement.

FWIW, I think their teaching methods were/are terrible and I think that they just didn't like me trying to do my own thing, which of course, I do now and the kids enjoy my lessons. I did it their way whilst on that placement basically so that they didn't fail me, which was what got me down the most.

Posted 17-4-2007 21:45

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kenl
Member since 21-7-2005

I know it is tough in these situations, but this can part of any job - things don't always go your way. There are also people who are so miserable in themselves the only pleasure in life is seeing others suffer!

Try to thicken your skin and prove the doubters wrong :-)

Posted 18-4-2007 18:31

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2Bteacher
Member since 8-1-2007

Well I didnt gget any comments - positive or negative. I just wish someone acknowledged the fact that I was there and doing more than was expected of a student at that stage.

Lets hope for probation I land lucky!

Posted 18-4-2007 20:07

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CeeCee1610
Member since 22-11-2006

Hi there everyone, I am sorry to hear of your troubles with small-minded and arrogant staff in your placements. I have just been awarded a place at Glasgow for secondary History and I was quite concerned when reading your thread. I am a fairly attractive blonde who had struggled and battled since high school for people to take me seriously. Without blowing my own trumpet, I believe I have proved myself to be intelligent and capable therefore news like this is making me very apprehensive.
When tackling this did any of you confront either the university or the Head of school? Were you taken seriously?

Posted 18-4-2007 21:06

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2Bteacher
Member since 8-1-2007

My friends and I only moaned to each other.

I think that at this stage, its best to appear eager and pleased at all times. We should just be so greatful that we are being allowed to do these teachers jobs for them - unpaid!

Seriously though, I am at Glasgow too and I love it! Staff are great and made some fab friends.

My first placement was a dream - its all down to luck

You will be fine x

Posted 18-4-2007 21:30

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adsa
Member since 20-7-2004

I experienced bullying from a class teacher whilst on placement.

Prior to THAT placement I had 3 fantastic placements with teachers who were very supportive. I received all grade A's from both my class teachers and Uni tutors.

From day one the class teacher was unsupportive and gave me hugely critical lesson observations - on one there was 34 "shared ideas" lol! I can laugh now but at the time I lost over a stone in weight, cried most days, felt like quitting my course... She finally notified my Uni that I was a 'cause for concern' and I found notes she had made about me to give to him - each began 'The student...'and were not very complimentary! When my Uni tutor came out I genuinely thought I was going to fail but he saw straight through her and gave me 6 A's - lol - egg on her face then. However she promptly told me "you're not that ...is he on drugs! Yep she actually said that!

After this she couldn't really attack my folder, lesson plans etc so she began to attack my personality - typical bully eh? She said things like other students took over on the first day, they had more confident voices, showed more emotion?! She even said to the class 'just because .... isn't as tall as me doesn't mean she can't see you misbehaving, indicating that my height was an issue. I was terrified to say anything in her presence and was once told I was smug!! I felt absolutely powerless and was basically told by my Uni to grin and bear it - even though they knew all that had happened (I kept my Uni tutor up to date by e-mail and phonecalls ).

I am shaking even now at the thought of this teacher. If it wasn't for my parents encouragement I would have left the course - my dad still wants me to report her - to where I don't know lol.

Anyway, if you are going through something similar keep a diary of exactly what has been said/done etc -I didn't do this but was told afterwards that this is what I should have done.

I am now completing my probation at an excellent school with a fab mentor. I'm still shocked that such blatant bullies can be teachers though!

Posted 18-4-2007 23:30

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CeeCee1610
Member since 22-11-2006

I agree, how can the governmnet and society tackle childhood bullying if the pupils witness it by their own teachers? Children as young as six feeling suicidal over bullying yet the teachers and people of authority who are supposed to lead by example and eradicate this social menace are able to treat other people this way, even their peers.

I admire your courage for grinning and bearing it, I could not have kept my mouth shut, I would have gave the person in question a piece of my mind. Although this would be playing into their hands.

Well Done for getting through it and I am sure it has made you a stronger and better teacher for it.

Posted 19-4-2007 16:40

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spanishfi
Member since 28-2-2007

I also have experienced some limited bullying and a lot of putting me down during my final pgce placement. The way I look at it guys is simple- they are just small minded individuals who like to pick on the trainee. As long as I remain strong and calm I can get through anything. It is a learning curve at the end of the day and we now know how to not teach student teachers!! Chin up it will be ok!

Posted 19-4-2007 17:22

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han3
Member since 14-12-2005

How did you all get through those days/weeks at the school having a mentor like that?

What you're describing there is just like my experience of placement at the moment - I've had 2 great placements and my mentors never flagged up concerns. Yet this year from week one the mentor felt the need to mention to me (by sitting me down like a naughty kid) my apparent 'nervous laugh' and unenthusiastic demeanour. Other comments have encluded 'the kids learnt nothing and pissed around for an hour' and repeatedly telling me I'm not good enough, especially my planning...'no matter how much experience you have as a teacher, you can never BLAG through lessons'.
I just go home every night and feel like crying, the mentor has destroyed all my self confidence.

Any ideas appreciated!

Posted 20-4-2007 16:49

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mossop
Member since 29-1-2004

han3 - that sounds EXACTLY like my horrible placement. I got through it by counting down the days and telling myself that it was only temporary.

Posted 20-4-2007 18:47

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han3
Member since 14-12-2005

its so rubbish that i've got 7 more weeks to go and then they decide whether i achieved my standards or not :(

Posted 20-4-2007 18:56

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2Bteacher
Member since 8-1-2007

Im about to start back at placement for 5 weeks and im starting to count down the days already! Dreading it. Not the kids - the useless teachers!

Posted 21-4-2007 21:25

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jlisa
Member since 13-6-2004

I'm in my 2nd year of teaching and have a student arriving tomorrow for 5 weeks. I'm disappointed and apappalled to hear of these experiences:( but as in any area of work, know it happens. I intend to be as positive as I can. Given that we should be using next step evaluations in a positive manner e.g. 2 *'s and a wish, etc with children, I would have thought that should equally apply to those working in our profession. You've worked hard to get where you are, stick in there and remember the next placement is just around the corner. Good luck.

Posted 22-4-2007 11:47

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nonnymous
Member since 2-9-2004

I've experienced it too. 2 years ago I was subject to bullying on the grounds of disability, both on campus and placement, and eventually self harmed. No support from either the course director met with comments such as the concerned indiviual is my friend so Im not taking you seriously. I eventually changed institutions. Afraid the profession is full of this. Hope it works out OK for you!

Posted 23-4-2007 19:52

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gruffaloschild
Member since 10-2-2007

Yes Kryss. This is exactly what has happened to me. I don't really want to talk about it here but you are welcome to email me (I would like to speak to you anyway if you are willing to do this). My email is silverslippers07@hotmail.co.uk
I would be willing to answer any questions you have.

Posted 1-5-2007 14:40

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stevie123
Member since 9-2-2007

As a PGCE I heard of several students being bullied and/or being generally put down by regular staff.
One quit the placement after only two weeks - and subsequently the PGCE course because of a tyrannical PT
As an NQT at Knox Academy in Haddington I was the victim of bullying by my PT and a tyrranical Head there and left just before the end of the Summer Term.
I'm now out of teaching - thank god.

Posted 19-5-2007 22:05

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kenl
Member since 21-7-2005

What subject please stevie?

Posted 20-5-2007 19:00

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WonkoTheSane
Member since 28-8-2005

I haven't been bullied on the job, although I have been terrified of my PT while on placement. That was just her demeanor though, and she gave very constructive advice. The PT at my probation school and I get on perfectly well - I have heard stories about previous probationers though, and I've witnessed her behaving badly to a student.

Posted 21-5-2007 14:39

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