Is it more hassle than it’s worth confronting bully?

[Ivelookedatlovefrombothsidesnow]

I had a TA who was very undermining of me, overly angry with the children and quite unkind when I look back.

She now supports another teacher but has lately not been asking before taking things from my classroom and often they’re things I’ve bought with my own money.

If I confront her, I know she’ll make it into a big deal and tell lots of our colleagues about how petty I am because it’s “just a sticker” or “just some hand soap”. I don’t know if I have the bandwidth to deal with a big tsunami of gossip and nonsense this close to the end of term, but I feel so disrespected by her and I think it’s triggering how she made me feel when we worked together.

What do you think? If I can’t handle the inevitable backlash maybe I shouldn't say anything. But then I’m just left feeling upset and angry and isn’t silence what keeps bullies powerful?

If I do say something it’s going to be lots of ongoing passive aggression and everyone devouring the gossip that my laying a boundary provides for everyone.

For context, everyone knows what she’s like.

Thank you.

She is stealing your stuff OP. Just because it's in a classroom at school doesn't mean you haven't bought it and therefore own it. You can continue allowing this rubbish or call her out on it. Yes you may get backlash but she sounds like a cowbag.

If you can't confront her could you keep your things secure so she can't just take them?

Thanks. I’ve not got the strength at the moment to deal with her nonsense I will just lock my things in my cupboard.
Shame I have to but for now it’s my only solution. Thank you.

Get some tiny dot stickers. Place them on your things and then take them back if she nicks them again.

Absolutely tell her not to take your stuff. Then decide very deliberately to just not give a shit about any gossip she tried to stir up and if you hear about it, just calmly state that it's inappropriate for anyone to be stealing someone else's belongings whether they are a child or an adult.