to think this teachers like this should not be teaching

[shebird]

My younger sister arrived home from college today in tears.

One of her teachers criticized her work in a horrible way during a business studies lesson and in front of her classmates. Then to further embarrass her asked if she had learning difficulties. Whether she has or has not got learning difficulties I have no issue with (she does not for the record) but the fact that a teacher would say this to humiliate a student in front of her friends is surely wrong?

My DSis is hard working but lacks confidence and was totally humiliated and heartbroken by these comments. She refuses to confront the teacher for fear of further humiliation and will not let my DPs get involved.

Surely teachers like this should not be allowed to get away with this sort of behavior - even in college?

If this is true, then it's atrocious.

However, I don't think your sis will get far in business if she breaks into tears over a woman like that.

I would advise her to write a letter, even if she never sends it. It was totally out of order.

My tutor at Uni asked why I'd let myself get so fat over 3 years (I'd actually been far too thin when I started and had intended to gain the weight!) and it destroyed my enjoyment of my studies completely.

I would be tempted to discuss this with your DP's too, with your DSis, so that she knows that she has your support. She can have a confidential chat with student services. She needs to know that the comments were way out of order AND untrue.

Hard to not wade in, but I think that would be counter productive, any action has to be her call.

personally I would be asking the 'business studies' teacher to outline all of her previous successful investments that give her the inspiration to impart her knowledge to others.

never tried actually being an entreprenuer then? better at bullying others?

The more I think about it the more I get!

I sympathise. It's horrible. Similar thing happened to my daughter at school. The teacher barked an unreasonable command her at her. She didn't respond because she was confused. The teacher shouted 'Are you retarded?' at her. She is autistic.

aldiwhore what a horrible thing your tutor said. Does teaching older students give teachers licence to be extra horrible?!

klad, that is beyond outrageous - your poor dd.

Shebird, so sorry to hear of your sister's experience - I think the suggestion of talking to student support services is excellent.

I would urge your sister to complain/allow your parents to complain. The comments are not only intimidating/offensive to your sister but incredibly offensive to anyone in the class who does have learning difficulties. How are they suppose to approach this "teacher" for any additional help now?

It might have been a genuine question but put in a rather insensitive way. College isn't all sunshine and bunnies, and work will be critisised.

If i spoke to a colleague or client at work like that I would be sacked in an instant but it is ok for some teachers and they seem to get away with it too.

kladdkaka how awful for your DD - makes me so cross!

I really don't understand why such people go into teaching.

OleaAndMarge It is not about the work being critisised but how it was done in a deliberate way to humiliate.

I agree fluffy bunnies and sunshine don't wash in the real world but treating people respect does.

At the time my daughter thought it was quite funny. It was me that was livid.

Totally agree with blueemerald as someone in this line of work myself. Criticism should be given, yes, but it's questionable if it was done in the right way here. No teacher should ever ask if someone has learning difficulties in front of the rest of the class - assuming they're serious and not being sarcastic, it should always be raised as part of a private discussion.

OP, really do encourage your sister to go and speak to a senior member of staff about this. To do so will actually make it less likely that this happens again, either to her or someone else.

YANBU. Report it to the teacher's boss/head of department.

EightiesChick I am trying to encourage my DSis to complain but she lacks confidence and thinks the teacher will pick on her more if she does. I would love if she did as i think it would be a valuable life lesson not to be intimidated by bullies and those in 'authority' who should be more professional.

I would be saying to her that she is less likely to be picked on again if the teacher knows she won't keep quiet about it. Is she under 18?

Perhaps she could speak to her friends in that class and go as a group? I'm sure she won't be the only one who thought it was inappropriate. She may feel less vulnerable as part of a group.

I've been spoken to like that in the past and a big red light goes on and my nostrils flare like a bull getting ready to stampede (I probably looked like that too)

I take huge offence if someone belittles me in public and I have flown off the handle at both a manager and a college tutor for public humiliation.

I think it's completely uncalled for and although I agree it might not be the last time someone is a jerk like that, your sister needs to know that it's not something she has to put up with. If she doesn't have the strength to tackle it there and then (possibly making the teacher regret it) then I'd encourage her to report it. If she DID get a comeback from the teacher she should report it again. It's unacceptable.