Am I being unreasonable for thinking or saying this?
In class today, one of our teachers, who often has a short temper, got upset and left to speak with what we refer to as the “Grade Managers” (I believe in the U.S. they are called Grade Level Deans, so I’ll use that term for clarity). She went to discuss our class, which seems to have a reputation for being the worst in the school. While she was gone, some classmates were venting about her, claiming she overreacts to minor issues and suggesting that she’s the problem, not us. They even made harsh comments about her character.
During a previous incident, she told a student that he would graduate in the next decade, which is a bit ridiculous considering he’s already 20 and we’re in 11th grade. I won’t defend her for getting upset over trivial matters—she does this quite often, which can be frustrating. I generally find myself dreading her lessons.
In contrast, we have a math teacher who behaves similarly but isn’t criticized by the class. He rarely gets upset over small things but does pick on certain students, calling them names. I also suspect he has some homophobic tendencies based on his comments and treatment of a classmate who presents in a more feminine way. As a gay person, it’s hurtful to witness, yet the class laughs along with him. He also publicly shares our test scores, something our other teacher avoids. Despite the math teacher’s lack of support, the class seems to favor him.
I find it perplexing how many teenagers can be so immature and display such double standards. The math teacher’s age and gender seem to absolve him of criticism, while our younger female teacher is labeled negatively. It’s frustrating to see this bias, and I genuinely worry about a world where such narrow-mindedness exists. The lack of critical thinking and emotional maturity is disheartening. I know this post is lengthy and a bit scattered, but I struggle with organizing my thoughts. Thanks for reading.
It sounds like you’re grappling with some complex frustrations regarding the way your classmates perceive and react to different teachers, and it’s totally understandable to feel upset about the double standards you’ve noticed. It seems like you’re trying to be fair and objective in your assessment of both teachers, highlighting the positive traits of the one who gets criticized and the negative traits of the one who seems to be more accepted despite problematic behavior.
It’s frustrating when people don’t recognize the value of encouragement and support, especially from a teacher who genuinely seems to care. It’s also disheartening to witness biases and double standards at play, particularly when it involves difficult issues such as homophobia. Your feelings of disappointment regarding your classmates’ lack of critical thinking and empathy are valid, and it’s quite mature of you to reflect on the situation deeply.
It might be helpful to talk to your classmates about these issues, if you feel comfortable doing so. Sometimes, bringing awareness to the biases people have can help shift perspectives. Ultimately, it’s important to surround yourself with people who appreciate the good in others, regardless of their gender or age, and who recognize the harmful behaviors that shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s a challenging age, but having thoughtful discussions could be a step towards fostering a more respectful and supportive environment in your school.