New York Teacher Traumatized

SO MANY TEACHERS VISIT OUR SITE FOR RELIEF AND SUPPORT BUT HESITATE TO JOIN DUE TO THE FEAR INDUCING ENVIRONMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS. HERE IS A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF HOW ONE OF THESE TEACHERS FEELS. OF COURSE WE CAN’T SHARE HER NAME. SHE IS TOO AFRAID. NAPTA

I am leery of giving too much info because I was traumatized so badly. I have been reading your site for a few years. I was dangerously depressed and researched to save my sanity and my life. The research led me to books such as: Mobbing, as well as, your site a few others. There is a site from the UK, as well, and it seems that teachers are a target in many countries.

The people that targeted me knew I had depression. I also was creative and progressive. I poured myself into the classroom and felt it was a calling. My nature is mild and I am quite but I did speak out when I saw verbal abuse of the children and a general disrespect for the community (where I grew up and taught).

I was targeted by the union rep AND her sister, both of whom controlled the principal and were feared by the teachers. They also had political ties in NYC. They were known for being bitter older women who loved to wield power.

You were "spot on" when you mention how our colleagues run in fear. I was so ill having a total mental breakdown that I did not trust all of what I was seeing and enduring. But as I researched ALL of what I suspected was “on the money". There were the bullies and the sycophants and then there were the "innocent" bystanders. I am one to come to the aide of people in need and could not understand why no one would help. I WAS told my a few parents that they too saw what was happening but they feared their child would be treated badly.

I came to understand and forgive the people who were afraid and would not help me. Mine was a harassment that included the district office (after I came to them for help). Because I admitted to having depression they tried to intimidate me.

I was alone... I had no help from family and I am not connected. Depression is debilitating and it was all I could do to keep the classroom afloat.

Part of the targeting consisted of undermining in front of staff, children and parents, being treated disrespectfully, and also having children with severe learning/behavior problems placed in my class and removing the well behaved children in exchange.

For a few months my bulletin boards were sliced with a razor or scissor and the principal would not announce this or try to find the person. This led me to believe he was responsible. I thought I was going crazy for thinking this. But his behavior was not normal. He ignored a severely disturbed child that would run out of my class (he was placed with me from a special Ed class).

This is just a sample of what I endured and I recall specific details. After 10 years I still have trouble putting it all into words.

Sincerely,

A teacher still nervous in New York Top

BACKGROUND