Was teacher wrong to say this?

[Whyamisopathetic]

Sitting in the staff room today, when one of the teachers came in. I had just opened a Christmas cake and pointed it out to her,
offering her some. Her response was “Urgh no thank you it’s disgusting. Anyway, everyone knows that only old people eat Christmas cake”

I’m the third eldest, out of a staff of thirty. I worked in her class last year, and she was always making digs at my age. She once told the children I’d reached the end of my lifecycle and made reference to me being around when dinosaurs roamed the earth. She’s also made fun of me being small and laughed when she found out the 4x4 was mine. I don’t know why she does this. AIBU to feel upset and embarrassed.

She's very rude. YANBU.

This is totally unacceptable! Imagine if it was digs about race or religion! I would definitely ask to speak to her privately if she makes another comment and say that you find the comments offensive and ageist, especially as it is inviting the pupils to join in with mocking someone for their age or appearance.
You have said she is adored by the kids and staff, but I have worked with several teachers who are loved but are unbelievably silly and immature - the kids love them because they tell them stuff about their private lives and come down to their level which is unprofessional and can be damaging and SLT love them because they keep the kids and parents happy! This is a toxic workplace and bullying so needs to be addressed. They should. be worried, not you! Good luck.

I wouldn't recommend this approach. She may burst into tears/get everyone on her side and say the OP is bullying her! Don't stoop to her level. Just report her behaviour to SLT/union.

I feel very sad and worried this awful bully will continue to teach impressionable young minds 😪😪

Wow she sounds delightful! But so do many others there, I think I would be looking for a new job, sounds a bit of a toxic environment. I would do as suggested by MumsGoneToIceland initially I think and start to pull her up on it or she will keep doing it forever. You need to stand up for yourself, as hard as it maybe and not accept her "joke" comments any more. Good luck, keep us posted.

She’s rude!

Made constant references to me being rich, regularly telling the children “Mrs X is rich you know”

The green eyed monster.

Call her out every time she makes a comment. Every single time. Make her squirm.

As others have said, agism is no longer tolerated in the workplace. Your school should take this very seriously because it is discrimination and needs to stop. Please ask her to stop, point out that agism is now a protected characteristic and against the law. Point her to some reading about it. If it doesn't stop, report it in writing to the head and governors. They will be obliged to address it. When people make ageist comments to me, this is my reply to them.."Listen, each age is precious and needs to be celebrated. First you have to get to my age, which you may not do, then if you're lucky enough to live to my age, you have to be relatively healthy and relatively happy. I've got here, I wonder if you will?" Shuts them up every time!

She is being extremely rude, I am surprised you have bitten your tongue this long. I would ask her to keep her ageish opinions to herself or if you don't feel you can do that, go to your HR department or equivalent and say she is being ageish and it isn't on.

I would send her an email. Cc your personal email in too.
Verbal confrontation not only puts you in a position of having to muster up the courage but also sometimes you forget everything you need to say.
Email will create a paper trail- you probably won’t need it but knowing there is evidence against her might shit her up enough to grow the fuck up. Also it would take a really poor SLT to ignore this if it doesn’t stop. Try this:

‘Dear Shit Face,

I have chosen to send an email to bring to your attention a concern which has been escalating in recent weeks. despite me previously verbally bringing this grievance to your attention, sadly an initial halt in the issue began to become insidious again and therefore I have no choice to bring it to you attention once more so you are aware of my stance on the matter.
On several occasions I have been met with remarks which I deem to be either a poor attempt at humour or frankly ageist, mocking, and inappropriate for the workplace. These remarks have left me feeling victimised and quite frankly attacked as I previously mentioned to you in person on (said date). If you wish for me to remind you of the remarks which were particularly upsetting and inappropriate I will happily do so.
I truly hope you can now appreciate my stance towards this matter and going forward begin to treat me with more respect and consideration as a valued member of the school faculty. However if I feel I still am exposed to the same attitudes and treatment from yourself, please be aware that, if needed, I will be escalating this matter this to SLT or Human Resources.

See you Monday.’

That’s not just rudeness or bullying, that’s harassment. Age is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. Don’t minimise this, report it. It’s not acceptable.

So there was a comment from another colleague today, about my house this time. They imagine I live down a long drive behind huge gates. Really getting so sick of these jibes and literally no idea why they say these things.

edited for spelling error

It doesn't matter why they say them, but if you don't address the situation they'll keep doing it.

They are going to keep making them if you don't stand up to them.

Does this colleague have 'form'?

Hi OP. This colleague sounds unbelievably annoying. I had a similar colleague. She probably is not as popular really amongst all the other staff as you think. I'm sure lots of people secretly think she's a right pain but just smile along with her nonsense.
I know you really care about the kids. This could be an opportunity to model to the children how to respond when someone is mean .. you could say in a loud voice ' that's not very nice Ms X' the next time she says something hurtful or if it's in the staff room find the courage to just look her dead in the eyes and say ' I really getting sick of your shit/ hurtful comments / ageism X'....or 'you're boring me now' while looking very unimpressed.
I wouldn't say anything ageist back because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
The rich comments wouldn't bother me as much as the others id snap back after something quite significant in case it triggers a wider discussion with management or something because then it will be clear it was a justified response. Good luck. I am rooting for you.
On another note I bet the kids love you because you seem a lovely, respectful person.

This is brilliant. Do it!

Yes, this was very rude. But what is worse is her ridiculing you to the children. That is totally unacceptable.

Ageism is disgusting; and ridiculing you about your glasses borders on disability discrimination. I hope she wouldn't ridicule a child for wearing glasses.

Does she have a drink problem perhaps? In any case, you should report her.

Why are you allowing this to continue ? She's not someone id want teaching my children!
She continues because you let her get away with it like all bully's

On the contrary, I think her being a teacher IS relevant. Sounds like she is teaching younger kids (this is my presumption) but I wouldn't want a rude, ageist, snide woman teaching my kids. God knows what other nasty little traits she is displaying.