Written by: K. Sasi Reka (Remedial Teacher, Helikx Open School)
‘X’ was feeling blue and irritated about a teacher who calls her as “fat pumpkin”. That wasn’t the first time but was the nth time she’s calling her so. Frustrated ‘X’ left the school at last. Regardless of how irritated a teacher gets, he/she must remain as a role model for students. It’s never appropriate for an adult to address misbehaviours publicly in ways that might embarrass students. It also is never appropriate for a teacher to use ‘sarcasm’ or ‘name calling’ when reprimanding students. When a teacher calls some one with names, it doesn’t end up with her instead the student picks up her ‘name calling’ trend and starts calling that particular student by names and others too.
We should be a role model. If students observe us gossiping or exhibiting other bullying behaviours toward students, their families or colleagues, they will interpret it as permission to behave similarly.
Name calling may seem funny but it’s an ironical situation to the child/ individual who experiences it. A teacher is not supposed to be insolent towards her students and it’s completely undesirable. Name calling is a type of verbal bullying which makes the child feel discomfited and in turn affects her academics. The name called child at most cases starts to score low in that particular teacher’s subject, subsequently hates that subject and hardly learns/ scores in that subject until the child gets an understanding teacher for it. In these cases, the child approaching the management/ principal regarding this is a black swan.
Calling names is never cool or funny. It might either be a teacher or a student; he/she is not supposed to call other by ‘names’. Every individual is uniquely designed both physically and mentally. Let’s try to accept them with the individuality they own and let’s not be the reason for any individual to pocket an insult. Let us all plead the cause of these children. Remember, the children learn things from us and let’s guide them in the right path.
We should be a role model. If students observe us gossiping or exhibiting other bullying behaviours toward students, their families or colleagues, they will interpret it as permission to behave similarly. Remember that everyone, including yourself, has biases that can influence behaviour, and that our words can have a strong impact. Do not belittle, tear down or publicly embarrass students. Although these strategies are common in competitive sports, they are ineffective in motivating students to do better. Let students know that you are available to talk to them. If possible, set aside ten minutes of class time each week to discuss issues that students want to bring up. Get to know students as individuals.
We should take time to listen. Don’t try to “fix” a situation before you have taken time to listen carefully. Avoid making the situation worse by blaming the targeted student. Make sure that our actions don’t discourage students’ honesty. Let’s be discreet and whenever possible, maintain confidentiality. Whenever possible, we should help each student privately and it’s high time for us to sleep over this issue and make the school going as a wonderful experience for the students.
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