Pink Poogle Toy Forum

Let me just say that I have always had a wrathful temper as far as bullying is concerned. I snap when I see somebody being picked on, or somebody whose responsibility it is to stop it just stand by and do nothing.

On the first day of gym class, my teacher claimed that anybody who made fun of someone else's athletic abilities would be thrown out of class. Today, we started playing baseball. A group of guys in my class (you know the type, they think they're good at everything and don't hesitate to point out that you're not), were being merciless to people who weren't good at sports. This one idiot was yelling at people who struck out and laughing at them, despite the fact that he didn't hit the ball ONCE. When one guy finally stood up for himself and said, 'Well you didn't hit the ball either!", the teacher threw him out of class!

We have an exchange student who can't speak English very well. The ball rolled towards her and she fumbled picking it up. Some jerk yelled, "Way to go after the ball." (As you may have guessed, I flipped on him and replied, "Who the hell do you think you are, yelling at her like that because she's not a star athlete? Get over yourself!") Gym teacher did nothing.

Today, I participated to the best of my ability. I batted when I needed to and went after the ball when it came to me. I made it to first and second base a number of times. When I went to bat after I'd already gone, the gym teacher snapped, "Don't be sitting in the grass. Play the game. Go up to bat." I did not sit down ONCE during the entire class, and I had already been up to bat. Needless to say, my teacher and a few of my classmates became quite more appealing as targets than the baseball.

At the end of class, the teacher called everyone in for a "talk". I thought, 'Finally, he'll do something!'. He proceeded to give a lecture about how people were "going to get hurt" if we didn't participate more. The only people who didn't try were people who had doctor's notes not to play. Understandably, I was furious.

I've talked to teachers before and told them to shoulder some responsibility and get the class in line (in politer words, of course), and tomorrow I plan to do so again. I do this by myself in private with the teacher, and I don't ask anybody to back me. But today, he was being so selective and biased that I was enraged. I didn't type everything that happened here, but if you can imagine it, I was so angry and trying so hard not to lose it that I bit my tongue so hard it bled. Watching people pick on others and get away with it makes me positively incensed.

I need advice on exactly how I could word my request. I'm usually very eloquent, but I fear that in this case, my speech might be limited to, "Stop urinating your hypocrisy on my shoe." Help?

Ouch. First off, let me say I feel sorry for you. I myself was a victim of bullying and I find it very annoying when others are being picked on. Well, I would personally say something along the lines of "Excuse me sir, I was wondering if you could have a talk with you. You see, I don't think you are being very fair to the people in our class. There are numerous people who are calling others names just because they aren't that good at sports and you did nothing about it. I was just hoping you could keep an eye out for this in the next lesson. Thank you very much."

I don't put up with people picking on me now (VERY bad experiences in 7th and 8th grade that I do not want to delve in to), but I can't stick up for everyone at once, and it's not like I can hand out detentions. I'll incorporate your speech in to my speech. Lol, should I bring notecards?

At least not officially... And yea, take notecards with you. Just to see his reaction

Ugh...teachers. They're never fair, never. If you're already planning to talk to the teacher, I have no more advice...sorry

Talking to the teacher in private is a good idea. Obviously, don't outright accuse the guy of being a hypocrite. For some reason, that never really goes over like it should. And, of course, accusing him of hypocrisy in front of a class isn't that smooth either.

You might just say, "Hey, it didn't seem to me like you were being all that fair in class the other day. Am I wrong?" Offer the guy the opportunity to put his foot in his own mouth.

And, of course, be prepared to take heat for the rest of the year. If this guy is like any other high school gym teacher I've ever met, with the exception of one I had my senior year, then he's going to be a moody pig about the whole thing. But at least you'll have tried.

Besides, it's good training in standing up to "authority figures." Helps at things like protests and military tribunals. If you're in to that sort of thing.

P.E. ... Ugh. Rip, tear, stab, bite and twist. But never mind that. Generally when I'm not practically breaking down and sobbing, I stand up for people too. When I'm talking to my classmates it tends to be somewhat derogatory. I've never taken it to the teacher myself because
A) We have nice P.E. staff
B) I can stop most of it myself (Thankfully I'm tall and have long histories with big, "cool" people)
C) It would seem like I was the one being bullied
So, if you want help with wording (Don't say the bits in double brackets):

Something like that may be good. Alternatively knocking out the teacher and then dressing up as him and handing out detentions is good. it's very rarely a good idea to go over his head, but if your conversation doesn't work, then maybe, I suppose.

Tell me about it. There's this new kid in the class that's REALLY anoying (I'm not joking about this, but he could drive someone even MENTAL as in mental hospital. As I speak this I would like you to know that I am not mental.) and WE get told off for telling on him cause he's the new kid. She's on his side cause he's new! HE DOESN'T KNOW THE REAL HIM!

Anyway, do you know kung-fu/karate/the arts? The back kick is the deadliest.....pwn them and get on helping the others from being bullied. Well I know karate and now the bullies at school ph34r me (where's the ninja smiley when you want it?).

I'm so glad I don't have to do P.E. anymore n_n.

Ok well anyways Fidds I would go about it by saying how you feel about the class teasing and how you think something should be done about it. Also I would say very politely how you feel about being yelled at for doing absolutely nothing wrong.

I would suggest making sure that you write down the date and time of your conversation and a little bit of what was said. Being that the gym teacher is participating in the harassment to a certain degree it is essential that you have documentation if you have to go over his head. If you have a teacher/counselor that you can trust I would tell them what you're going to talk about and why you're doing it as well. You don't want to have it be your word against his with no proof of your intentions and conversation if you have to go up the ladder.

I can relate to that, as one of our PE teachers is sexist and thinks girls don't know how to play football by default. Well, I don't, but a lot of girls in my grade do, and they find his assumptions offensive.

I don't really have much advice to offer, only to make sure you don't mention names unless he asks (in case he favours one of the bullies, so he won't turn against you), but definitely give specific examples of things that were said. Also, ask if you've done anything that bothers him. It might sound like sucking up, but if he says no, he doesn't have a leg to stand on when he picks on you. After all, he won't say to your face "I think you're a jerk and I have hated you ever since I first saw you!" or "I'm scared of you, that's why!"... lol.

Good luck getting this sorted out!

Edit- Post 322

That's not true. They've got to come up with lesson plans for everyday, deal with students who can't figure out why they can't hand in the homework four days late when you've already gone over the answers in class, grade papers, answer questions, and teach you.
It's not an easy job, and sometimes they just don't realize stuff. Yes, some teachers are unfair, but usually not on purpose, and not all teachers are unfair.

Talking to him is a good idea, because he really may not realize that he's not being a good teacher.

Always be polite to him, try not to blame him, because that'll put him on denfense mode. And don't name people unless he asks.

I couldn't agree more.

Fidds, I've been in your situation too many times to count. I've never been a very athletic person, and I was often one to be teased. But one thing I've learned is that a good majority of physical education teachers will not do anything against groups of people like these simply because they're stupid and rather be known as a "cool" teacher than be fair. Just my imput.

As for suggesting to the teacher to actually pay attention or stop pretending to not be paying attention, I would suggest saying something along the lines of what Tuna Consuma and Ixistant said. Never blame the teacher, even though they most likely are doing all of this on purpose.

I totally agree with wolftracker here.

First step is to record what happened and when it happened. It might also be benifical if you talk with classmates who witnessed it (either someone who was picked on or impartial because you know the bullies won't help you) and get them to sign your account or write their own or something. The point is that you weren't the only witness and it doesn't have to be your word against his.

Second step: If you are comfortable with talking with this teacher AND you think you can be rational AND you think the teacher can be rational too take the step to talk with them individually like you said. But I wouldn't go into it unless all three were in place. If you decide to take this step I'm sure you will know how best to handle it.

Third step: If #2 is not an option or it doesn't work out pull out your record of the event, your witnesses, and/or their statements and make an appointment with their superior. I went to a small high school so in my case it would have been the principal, but it may be someone else at your school. When asking to speak with them state very simply that you think you have a case of discrimination or harassment in your class on the part of the teacher and you would like to discuss it with the principal (or whoever it is). Bring your documentation and witnesses (if they want to personally accompany you) and sit down and show that you have dates, times, and statements that more than one person is willing to attest to. I promise that this will create waves, but it will get big results. I don't know what the principal's next course of action is, but I'm sure they will discuss it with you and want to check in to make sure that the changes are getting results.

Now in the very extreme case that the principal doesn't see why this is an issue (unlikely, but it happens) request the name of <i>their</i> supervisor and take it to them (you may be taking it to a superintendant or school board or something).

I just want to stress that such acts are illegal and if you make it clear that you know that, you'll get a lot of attention. I think what your teacher is doing falls under discrimination but it might also be a touch of harassment. I don't know the minute legality of that, either way it is illegal. Good luck with this.