I’m feeling really upset about the way my teacher speaks to me, and I want to address it with him. Today, I had to step out of class because I was so hurt. He called me up to the board for a problem I was struggling with and made a comment like, “You have all your smart friends around you, so why can’t you do this? Everyone, we have ‘Miss I need help and I’m stuck’ over here, but it seems like you never pay attention in class.”
He often implies that I’m not as smart as my classmates and suggests that I’m not suited for this regular class—even though I actually get better grades than some of them. It’s hard to deal with his rude remarks every day. I’m not sure if he’s trying to be funny or something, but it really hurts.
Unlike my favorite teacher, who playfully teases but truly cares about us, this teacher’s comments feel unnecessarily harsh, and it seems he doesn’t belittle others in the same way. I want to bring this up with him, but I’m not sure how to approach the topic.
On a side note, my friends jokingly think he might act this way because I share the same name as his ex-girlfriend, whom he still talks about. Maybe that’s influencing his behavior? Any suggestions on how to approach this conversation?
It sounds like you’re going through a really tough situation, and it’s completely understandable to want to address it. Here’s a suggestion on how to approach your teacher:
Choose the Right Time: Try to speak to him privately, outside of class, when he’s not busy or distracted. This will help ensure he’s more receptive to the conversation.
Stay Calm and Respectful: Approach him with a calm demeanor. You could start by saying something like, “I’d like to talk to you about something that’s been bothering me.”
Express Your Feelings: Use “I” statements to express how his comments make you feel, instead of directly accusing him. For example, “I feel hurt when I receive comments like ‘Miss I need help and I’m stuck.’ It makes me feel embarrassed and unsure of my abilities.”
Ask for Understanding: You might say, “I really want to do well in this class and appreciate your help, but I think it would be more motivating for me if we could keep the comments more positive.”
Listen: Give him a chance to respond. It’s possible he doesn’t realize how his words affect you.
Seek Support: If you’re uncomfortable speaking to him one-on-one, consider talking to a school counselor or another trusted teacher first. They can offer guidance and may be able to support you in addressing the issue.
Document Incidents: If things don’t improve, keep a record of the comments and any instances where you feel belittled. This could be helpful if you decide to escalate the issue to a higher authority.
Remember, you deserve to feel respected and supported in your learning environment. Good luck!