To think it is wrong for teachers to scream and shout at students

[Scotlandma]

i was thinking today about the behavior of teachers when I was in school (10 years ago) and how some teachers would scream and shout sometimes in students faces.

it never happened to me but I was definitely scared of becoming the target.

does that still happen today? I have a young DC and can’t imagine a teacher screaming or shouting at him I think I’d have the police, ofstead and the department for education on the line!

YANBU teachers used shame and bullying as a form of control in my school.

I was subjected to a lot of shouting and shame. It makes me so angry when children are so disrespected

There's a TA in my sons class who does exactly this. It's awful. I've complained but she said 'what else am i meant to do?' Etc. The school don't seem to care.
Another parent said 'she's just old school'. When will people learn that screaming and shouting at anybody is not the way to communicate?

Yes. It just shows weakness to me, as they have lost control. Bit pathetic really.

YANBU! Some teachers at my schools were outright bullies
i remember years ago saying to a colleague at work if someone at work yelled at me like them teachers did they would be in a lot of trouble
I was petrified of some of the adults at school I never understand why I was in trouble ☹️

Can remember being shouted at. Can't remember a teacher screaming though. Do you mean shrieking? Can't say it bothered me.

Because I’m sure those students were just completely innocent and respectful and it wasn’t called for at all 🙄

You would phone the police if a teacher shouted at your precious darling? Jesus no wonder behaviour is getting worse.

As a five year old picked up yet another chair to throw it randomly at anyone in his way, yes I did shout. “ Oh do put that down darling and let’s talk about your feelings” just wasn’t working.

If I found out a teacher had shouted at my kids I would want to know exactly what they had done so that we could reinforce the consequences at home.

Seriously, imagine what they've had to put up with to get to that point.

I also agree that I don’t think it bothered me enough to say anything I’m sure had it happened to me my parents would’ve marched up to the school however it doesn’t make it right.

and personally I’ll be teaching my children to give and expect mutual respect other than the occasional “stop” I don’t shout and my child and wouldn’t expect anyone else to.

@WeetabixTowels regardless what anyone has done screaming or shouting in someone’s face is unacceptable but the times I remember it was for being late into school in the mornings and shouted at if you weren’t running.

and at @Seashor a 5 year old picking up a chair seems very abnormal and potentially (I obviously don’t know the situation) could be a SEN child other than shouting stop or no I don’t think shouting is necessary especially when surely you should be able to take the chair before it’s lifted high enough to throw.

This is heartbreaking honestly I’d be requesting a meeting with the head teacher.

I don’t know how old your son is but I’d be asking him everyday how the TA acted towards him and others.

children are supposed to learn to be kind to each other and not bully but somehow it’s okay for teachers to behave that way??

If it hasn't happened to your child then I wouldn't worry about it .

@FrodisCapering sad for your children that your first priority wouldn’t be getting their point of view.

I personally remember a teacher who would constantly focus non me nit picking when confronted by an adult in a meeting (my mum) she broke down said it was stress due to personal problems.

teachers are not perfect and your children deserve the opportunity to present their point of view

When you’re a teacher OP come back and tell us how easy it is to let an aggressive 15yo a foot taller and wider than you ‘have his point of view’ when he’s threatening to attack you.

Honestly the whole ‘not my darling, I would believe them first and foremost’ causes so many problems for teachers. So many parents genuinely think their children don’t lie or wouldn’t ever put a foot wrong.

Calling the police? Lol. “Hello police a teacher told my child off” 😂😂

The only one of mine (1970s) who had full-on screaming tantrums, complete with board-rubber throwing at heads, went off with a nervous breakdown shortly afterwards. I'm not surprised, to be fair. Teenage girls are not exactly kind to teachers who are easily provoked.

My First year teaching over 20 years ago a principal came in while I was shouting. He called me out and said once you scream you have lost it becomes about you and your reaction and not the behaviour. He never raised his voice once while I worked with him.
To this day I never raise my voice . They go louder I go quieter and it works. Call and response and silent hands work so well.
Screaming in a child's face is abuse.

I’m an ex teacher and I’ve worked with teachers like this, they’re usually out of control. They have a very outdated view of how children should be treated and expect all children to be obedient at all times (note: I’m not talking about respect but actual unquestioning obedience).

Saying that most teachers I’ve worked with don’t actually ‘scream’ at their pupils but can be quite shouty.
It’s a strange power dynamic the teacher-pupil relationship.

Also can I point out that your child is 2 OP. It’s easy to get upset about the thought of a nasty teacher shouting at your darling toddler - but wait until your child grows up and displays a shitty attitude to you (because they will) you may not be as horrified at them being called out on it when they try it on with someone else.

This is laughable. You've clearly not seen what children can get up to in school OP. I pretend shout - I'm not actually cross, but children need to be told off sometimes. I can tell you they don't care one bit about being nicely told to stop, but do actually listen when you use a louder, deeper, firmer voice. Y6 boys particarly. I don't shout as a matter of course in the classroom.

Have you ever heard a child's point of view? I had to break a fight up last week. I shouted because they were both being stupid! When asked they both blamed each other.

I've read your post and your reaction tells me the type of parent you are going to be. I've seen the parent backlash to a strict but amazing teacher. It was embarrassing for all those parents!

@Peacoffee I had a male teacher scream in my face when I was 7. My crime was picking up the pencil of the girl next to me as it dropped on the floor. I wet myself in front of the entire class, I was innocent.

The OP’s child is barely even 2 and won’t be talking back to her yet - let’s see in 6 years how the ‘stop’ thing with no shouting worked out 🤣 it’s easy to ‘not shout’ when you only have a baby

I don’t think shouting is necessary especially when surely you should be able to take the chair before it’s lifted high enough to throw.

Trust me, if a child gets to a point where they start to pick up a chair to throw, your first instinct is to move away and get any other pupils away. NOT to go towards them "just in case" you can get the chair off them!

But yes, shouting is an unacceptable and usually ineffectual thing to do. I only shout if there is danger (eg. kid running with outstretched scissors in busy classroom). I have come across teachers who shout (not in any of my schools since I started teaching 15 years ago but prior) and would be shocked if my child had a teacher who thought shouting was an okay form of discipline.

Fortunately, I believe it's less prevalent than it used to be and hopefully any teachers who still do so are asking the growing number who are leaving.

Op, are you in Scotland? Your name suggests so. If so, what do you think Ofstead are going to do?