My English Teacher Embarrassed Me in Front of My Classmates
Right now, my English class is working on a group project with random partners, and we made a lot of progress today, so we decided to take a break. That’s when my teacher came over to check on us. When she saw me resting, she sat down next to me and whispered, “Hey, I know you haven’t been turning in your work lately. Is everything okay?” I told her I was fine and that I had missed a whole week of school because I recently had COVID. I thought she would drop it then, but then she unexpectedly asked, “Are you suicidal? Is something going on at home?” I was taken aback by that. I assured her that I was completely fine and that there were no issues related to those topics. I explained that I was just feeling unmotivated and had been really sick recently, but she seemed to doubt me and assumed there was more to it.
She then said, “Well, you’re failing the class. I doubt you want to retake it. Your failing grades should motivate you to do better.” And with that, she walked away. It’s true that I currently have an F, but that’s mainly because we haven’t had much work this semester yet, and I just missed a test. It doesn’t mean I’m going to fail the class. I’m often really tired during English because I come straight from gym class on the other side of the school, which makes everything harder. Her comment about my failing grades being motivation completely blows my mind because it’s actually the reason I have no motivation at all. I feel discouraged, so I struggle to do better.
I felt so embarrassed when she said all of that in front of my classmates; it made me look foolish. I usually get A’s and B’s in my other classes. She frustrates me so much! It’s her first year here, and she’s already trying to change the curriculum because she doesn’t approve of us learning about different cultures and connecting them to our community. She even uses an online spinner wheel with our names on it, and whatever name it lands on, she calls that student’s parents during class to talk about their performance. I’ve never heard so many complaints about a teacher from my classmates and peers. It’s honestly insane. Others in my class have had similar experiences, but today I felt like the target. I went home wanting to cry; I feel ashamed and embarrassed, and this is only going to set me back further.
Sorry for any grammar errors; I’m just so frustrated right now that I barely even care.
I’m really sorry to hear that you had such a difficult experience with your teacher. It sounds incredibly frustrating and humiliating to be put on the spot like that, especially in front of your classmates. It’s understandable that you feel embarrassed, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone in this — it seems like many of your peers are feeling similarly about her approach.
It’s concerning that the teacher made assumptions about your mental health without really knowing what you were going through. Missing a week of school due to COVID is a significant setback, and your grades don’t define your worth or potential. Many students experience ups and downs in their academic journey, and it sounds like you’re facing some challenges right now that are not reflective of your overall ability.
If you feel comfortable, it might be worth discussing this situation with someone you trust, like a school counselor or another teacher. They could help you address this further and might be able to support you in working through these feelings and your current challenges in English. You deserve to feel supported and understood, not embarrassed or ashamed.
Remember, one difficult moment doesn’t define you or your future. Keep pushing forward, and take care of yourself!