Am I wrong for feeling this way?
In class today, one of our teachers got upset (which seems to happen a lot) and left to talk to our “Grade Managers” (or “Grade Level Deans,” as I learned are the American equivalent). She went to discuss our class’s reputation, which she claims is the worst in the school. While she was gone, students voiced their frustrations, saying that she overreacts to minor issues and that the problem lies with her, not us. Someone even mentioned how she told a student, who is already 20 and in 11th grade, that he wouldn’t graduate for another decade.
I won’t defend her temper, as it’s definitely a common source of frustration and makes me dread her classes. However, we have a math teacher who acts similarly, yet nobody complains about him. In fact, the class seems to enjoy his lessons. He may not get angry over small things, but he does pick on certain students and makes inappropriate jokes that feel homophobic, targeting a student who expresses himself in a way that deviates from traditional norms. As a gay person, this behavior bothers me, yet others laugh it off. Plus, our math teacher often reads our test scores aloud, while our other teacher makes a point to support us, giving treats and celebrating even mediocre grades.
Honestly, I struggle to understand the immaturity and double standards among my peers. It seems that because our math teacher is older and male, his behavior is overlooked, whereas our young female teacher is criticized harshly. It’s frustrating to witness this bias and lack of appreciation for what each teacher brings to the classroom.
I realize this post is a bit lengthy and could use better structure, but I felt the need to express my thoughts.
I think you bring up some really important points about the double standards that can exist in how we perceive different teachers and authority figures. It’s frustrating to see how behavior is excused or overlooked based on gender, age, or other factors, rather than on the actual impact of their actions.
Your math teacher’s behavior, especially if it crosses boundaries or makes students uncomfortable, should definitely be called out, regardless of how the class feels about it at the moment. On the other hand, it’s understandable that your class feels frustrated with the other teacher’s quick temper. It sounds like she genuinely cares about your success and goes out of her way to support students, which is commendable.
It’s easy for students to voice their opinions in a group setting, and sometimes those opinions can be swayed by peers, leading to a culture of negativity toward certain teachers without fully considering their merits. It can be tough to be in the middle of those dynamics, especially when you recognize both the strengths and weaknesses of each teacher.
Your perspective as a gay student adds another layer to the conversation; it’s important for educational environments to be inclusive and respectful. If certain behaviors are making you or others uncomfortable, that’s worth addressing.
Overall, it’s valuable to advocate for fairness and to encourage your classmates to think critically about their opinions. Dialectical thinking—considering multiple perspectives—can really help in these situations. Hang in there, and keep sharing your thoughts; they’re valid and worth discussing!