Published on 12, July, 2020
I saw something today, which prompted me to ask this question: Did any teachers single you out, or treat you badly at school? I was in school from the 1970’s, and things were different back then.
I recall being singled out at age 6, and forced to stand on the table during the lesson as an example of a stupid child. I was often ridiculed, and she said things like it’s typical for me to be stupid because ‘people like you’ are. (Because of my skin colour).
At 11 I was constantly picked on by my maths teacher. She would ask me questions when she knew I wouldn’t know the answer. She picked me despite others putting their hand up to answer. She tried to make me recite my times tables or give her answers to some when she called them out. She told me that I should be able to answer them, as all children my age can, and what was it that was wrong with me that I wasn’t able to learn them. And other things when I didn’t get all questions answered in the time frame, or got poor marks in a test. I wasn’t ever ‘stupid’. My auditory processing is slow, and I can’t work under pressure if I’m also anxious.
A teacher singled me out by asking 2 words which I couldn't say (crisp and potato); wrote this in my end of year report.
In history and geography had to sit in front of the class. Teacher had to help me whole duration. Only subject I was good at was ICT.
One student was allowed a learning support assistant.
Once the school bus failed to turn up, I had to get the normal bus to school and teachers didn't believe me. I got pinned against a wall by fellow students.
Training college afternoon session decided not to attend. My friend tried to persuade me. The tutor was taking it out on everyone because she had problems at home. Think I saw her on the local news.
Lucky I don't see those nasty people anymore. Only kept in touch with one.
I could write a book.