I want to start by saying, I am currently a nurse but changing my career to teaching. Presently in the middle of my access course.
I know teachers are under a lot of stress and pressure. I completely understand mistakes are made, I don't want to go in all guns blazing, because I also accept children fabricate the truth. Although there is also some truthfulness mostly in what young children say.
Today my 9 year came home from school completely deflated and looked depressed. I proceeded to ask what was bothering him and this is what he said.
Today in P.E he was playing hockey and stopped the ball from going in the net. His teacher told him unfortunately it had crossed the line so it was a goal. He said he stopped it just on the line. She then stated in a joking matter, "Well I think you are in need of glasses!" His fellow classmate proceeded to prod jokes and make glasses with their hands at his expense. He got very upset and told them to stop. Two of them did but the others didn't so he lost it a through his hockey stick on the floor. The teacher then told him to go sit out and think about his actions.
He cried in the toilet and was very down when I picked him up.
He told me he doesn't think he fits in and doesn't want to go back to school.
Now I know his reaction was not acceptable and I have told him, he needs to refrain from acting out in the heat of the moment because that doesn't reflect well on him. He accepts this and we will work on this.
But the rest has got me stumped. He is a sensitive kid, but is very competitive. However, he is very good at sport and is in all the school athletics teams.
The ball may very well have gone over the line. I don't know, I wasn't there. But I think it's inappropriate to be mocked over it.
How would I broach this. I know we are human and people like to joke. But I don't think it should be done like this.
Opinions?