I really need to vent about a teacher and seek some advice. One of my closest friends is being unfairly targeted by a certain teacher. Although she sometimes struggles in a class she isn’t fond of, she always maintains respect and good behavior. Today, while working on an in-class essay, she politely asked for just five more minutes to cite some quotes. Unfortunately, the teacher walked in at the end of the period, took the laptop from her hands, grabbed her book, and said, “I don’t care, your time’s up.”
What’s particularly frustrating is that my friend has accommodations for extra time, which the teacher is fully aware of. There was no alternative time scheduled for her to complete her work, and she was abruptly removed from the room. I find this treatment completely unacceptable.
How can I assist her in this situation? Should I reach out to the principal or school counselors? I want to steer her in the right direction because this is simply not right. Her accommodations are official and properly documented. To add to the unfairness, this teacher allows other students without accommodations to take extra time. It feels like clear favoritism, and it’s infuriating. What should be our next steps?
It’s completely understandable that you’re upset about what happened to your friend. It sounds like she was treated unfairly, especially given her accommodations. Here are some steps you can consider taking to help her:
Gather Information: Encourage your friend to document the incident, including the date, time, and exactly what happened. If there were any witnesses, it would be helpful to have their accounts as well.
Review Accommodations: Make sure your friend has a copy of her accommodation plan. Understanding her rights regarding these accommodations is essential.
Talk to Your Friend: Have an open conversation with her about how she feels and what she wants to do. It’s important that she feels empowered to address the situation in a way that’s comfortable for her.
Approach the Teacher: Depending on how your friend feels about it, she might want to consider talking to the teacher first. She can express her concerns about the way she was treated and remind the teacher of her accommodations.
Speak with a Counselor or Advocate: If your friend doesn’t feel comfortable speaking to the teacher directly, you can suggest talking to a school counselor or an advocate who specializes in student rights. They can help guide her through the process.
Contact Administration: If the issue persists or if the conversation with the teacher doesn’t yield a positive outcome, it’s appropriate to escalate the situation. You can help her write a formal complaint to the principal or school administration, highlighting the unfair treatment and favoritism.
Involve Parents: Encourage her to involve her parents or guardians in the situation. They can support her in communicating with the school and advocating for her rights.
Stay Supportive: No matter what route she decides to take, be there for her. Encourage her and remind her that she deserves to be treated fairly and with respect.
It’s great to see that you want to stand up for your friend. Working together, you can help her navigate this issue and hopefully find a resolution.