Reporting teachers

[Dapuccino]

Have you guys ever hated a teacher so much (with reason) that you thought about reporting them? If so who would you have reported and why?
For the people that have reported a teacher, what was your experience and the outcome?

I am reporting one of my teachers that is considered a perve. I don't want to go in details but he has done many inappropriate things. I feel like I should have reported him earlier but I thought it didn't really matter...but it does.

[Calebark]

I've been fortunate enough to have never had to report a teacher, so I can't offer any experience. However, I can tell you that if you're feeling uncomfortable with their behaviour, you should go see your year level coordinator. They'll keep it anonymous, and handle it as best they can No one should have to put up with feeling uncomfortable at school

[beatroot]

[this will be quite a long post]

I have reported a teacher last year for not doing her job properly. Didn't give enough feedback and got mad at people for not submitting homework (we didn't know how to do it because she didn't teach the class properly). Had a meeting with her and the head of department. They kept blaming me for being a lazy student, for being negative all the time and not participating in class discussions. I knew I couldn't argue with them (because I was scared of the HOD), so I had to play along. My teacher said that she'll try her best to improve. For the next two weeks, she kept encouraging me to participate in class, even did a seating plan and put me in the front row.

After that, it just went downhill. She just kept talking about her love life, her favourite tv show and just complained about the school. I wouldn't mind this if it happened one time. Nope, this went on for every lesson. Every lesson, we would get an update on how she and the guy (i'm assuming) she used to date, don't talk anymore. Of course, the class felt bad and comforted her. Me, I felt like I wasn't learning anything. I had a meeting with the Director of Studies because I wanted him to get us a different teacher for the class. He told me that my opinion wasn't enough, so I had to get more people to report our teacher. Sent out a survey. Majority said that they wanted a new teacher because our current teacher was terrible. But when I told them I needed them to tell the Director of Studies, everyone immediately shut down. They were scared of getting into trouble. It was bad enough that our teacher already got a warning from her HOD ... to bring in the director of studies? Forget it. Since there were no reports (besides mine), nothing happened. I had to listen more of her personal life and her complains during class time, instead of doing precious work. At this point, my average for the subject was around 70%. I was not having it.

In my class of 20, I managed to get three girls to come support me at a meeting with the principal. Yes the principal. The HOD and DOS did nothing, refused to do an investigation. In my meeting with the principal, SHE blamed us for being pessimistic students. She told us to try and keep a positive mind during class and that we should be mindful that her personal life is affecting her teaching, so we shouldn't report her because that'll just add more fuel to the fire. She even told us that it seems like that we were secretly out to get her. To an extent, that was true. Yes we wanted to get a new teacher, but we didn't wanted her fired. We weren't the only ones who reported her. The two years below us have reported her too. But the principal managed to make this whole thing our fault. The principal made us promise to keep an open mind in class. She also said that she'll talk to our teacher about this matter. She already had two warnings at this point.

Fast forward to the outcome. In the end, we still had the same teacher. The principal had a word with her and since then she's improved her behaviour. I still have her  for Year 12. Sure, she still complains about her life, but not to the same extent anymore. She now knows when to stop talking about her personal life. She knows when the class is going off topic. She gives us good feedback for our practice essays. Life would have been different if I didn't report our teacher. She probably would be still complaining about her ex if I didn't say anything.

If you can, you can try talking to your house deans, the guidance counsellor or any teacher in general. They will take time to listen to your concerns (hopefully they don't start questioning you and blaming you like my teachers did). What you're doing is good and it's better to take the initiative than doing nothing at all

[Aaron]

A few things..

1. I am a current teacher, so my response considers teachers (and potential innocence of said teacher)
2. "that is considered a perve.". Considered a perve by who? You are using very loose language. If you're going to accuse a teacher of being a perve, you need to have something solid.

If you feel like they have acted inappropriately, definitely raise it with someone that can assist you (e.g. a school chaplain/counsellor, a head of department/school etc). When/if you do this, make sure you have something to support what you are saying. Making a baseless accusation could be interpreted as personal spite which can turn into a very nasty situation quickly.

I think it's important to note that teachers are humans too, and they attend school daily to receive an income and support themselves, their families etc. You need to be absolutely certain that this teacher is acting inappropriately (or has acted inappropriately), rather than grape vine or rumour chatter that you have heard. This is somebody's life we are talking about and a false report can be detrimental.

Have you guys ever hated a teacher so much (with reason) that you thought about reporting them?

Ask yourself why you 'hate' them. Is it due to a personal dislike or due to the reasons for the report (e.g. the 'perve' claim)? If it's for the personal dislike, I would definitely reconsider or report them for the actual reason you dislike them (e.g. teaching quality).

Just make sure you are reporting them for the right reason, not due to your personal conflict with them... that's probably the best advice I can give you.

[elysepopplewell]

A teacher once made a non-advancing, but sexually degrading in nature, comment to me in a way that was very embarrassing because it was in front of younger students (I was in year 12) and caught me every off guard. The teacher was not a "perve" so to say. I reported it to the next nearest teacher I saw because I was so panicked and just needed to pass it on that this happened, and then it was taken to the AP and the principal. They apologised on behalf of the teacher, but said the teacher will not be apologising to me because they cannot make that happen, and no further action will be taken.

The reason I'm telling you this is because despite having multiple witnesses, a teacher I'd told pretty well two minutes after it happened, and then writing a very shaken letter to my AP, I think that sometimes teachers struggle to deal with issues like this with their own colleagues and sometimes it's very difficult to get the kind of result you are after.

The point of this story is, I was very shaken, upset, offended, cheapened, etc. This teacher was not "coming" onto me or anything, it was certainly no hidden compliment, it was an attack. So I suppose my situation is different. But nonetheless, the teacher acted inappropriately and perhaps it was just a really big slip of judgement, but when I did pass it on I realised just what a grid lock the higher up teachers would find themselves in when I'm saying this happened, and the teacher is saying "so what, you're not going to get me to apologise." Since then I've heard of a few other incidents with this teacher (since I've left the school) and I hope that although I was unsatisfied with the outcome of my incident, that maybe the evidence amounts over time if this is a recurring issue and not just a big slip of judgement.

I agree with Aaron that a false accusation can be very harmful, so having facts ready is imperative. I also completely maintain that if you feel uncomfortable, or your learning is compromised, you should take this forward because you deserve to learn in a safe and comfortable environment.

[Russ]

I don't see a problem with speaking to whoever your contact point is, based on second hand information or rumour.
The culpability of the teacher isn't for the student to determine, if you have a genuine concern due to something that doesn't seem right then considerations of livelihood are for the school and system. You should be aware that it's unlikely to progress, but I find it hard to advise students to only complain if they're absolutely sure of an offense.

[EEEEEEP]

I am reporting one of my teachers that is considered a perve. I don't want to go in details but he has done many inappropriate things. I feel like I should have reported him earlier but I thought it didn't really matter...but it does.

I highly advise you not to act on second hand information.  I have an anecdote here.

There was once a teacher at my old HS, and people "thought" he was a perve or something. It was based on one rumour, which became bigger and bigger (because some people disliked the guy).  It became routine for people to refer to him as "the perve".

Turns out he was not a perve and fortunately enough, the guy kept his job.

[Dapuccino]

There was once a teacher at my old HS, and people "thought" he was a perve or something. It was based on one rumour, which became bigger and bigger (because some people disliked the guy).  It became routine for people to refer to him as "the perve".

I understand what you mean. I have not witnessed the inappropriate acts myself, but I go to a girl's school and because of that, the girls are more conscious and sensitive around male teachers. Students have seen him clicking out of xxx sites and seen it on his tabs. Of course I do not trust these rumours completely but the fact that they existed in the first place means something happened. This was not why I wanted to report him in the first place. He generally does not teach the class. All he tells us is to copy notes, read them ourselves, complete worksheets (without teaching us the content first) and go on Education Perfect. Most of my classmates learn mostly from education perfect then the teacher himself. Education Perfect is meant to be a tool used to ASSIT with understanding and consuming the information not replacing the teacher.
Just recently, he uploaded worksheets online (like always) and told us to complete it. He did not teach us this content beforehand, we basically guessed 'fill in the banks'. The worksheets are never printed out for us so I asked him:
'Could you print this out for us? Because I prefer to handwrite'
Him: 'No, you complete it on the doc'
My friend: 'it costs money for us'
Him: 'same for me'
Me: 'is that why you won't print it for us?'
Him: 'you print it out yourself.'
So. I had to print it out myself. 
This really pissed off me off, I have never had a teacher be so rude. He did not give a reason why he would not print it off, apart from it 'costs money'–it does not cost money for teachers and even if it does, it's cheaper. Teachers are meant to print for students when requested or give a reason, like 'sorry I'm busy right now.'

I think it's important to note that teachers are humans too, and they attend school daily to receive an income and support themselves, their families etc. You need to be absolutely certain that this teacher is acting inappropriately (or has acted inappropriately), rather than grape vine or rumour chatter that you have heard. This is somebody's life we are talking about and a false report can be detrimental.

Thank you for sharing your perspective as a teacher. Many teachers that are old are only doing it purely for money. It is hard to find a job especially when your old. He will also get more pay after he retires. I'm not entirely sure how the system works. My teacher is very old and he puts very little effort in teaching us, as I mentioned above, all we do in class is copy notes and read off the board. Our average test marks as a class is also very low, under 50%. This goes to show how much we're understanding from he's method of teaching.

If you can, you can try talking to your house deans, the guidance counsellor or any teacher in general. They will take time to listen to your concerns (hopefully they don't start questioning you and blaming you like my teachers did). What you're doing is good and it's better to take the initiative than doing nothing at all

Thank you for sharing your story! It's inconsiderate how they always blame the students, that's why many don't report. Seeing as though that's the case, then they should know when a student reports it is a serious problem and it matters to them. Students actually have a higher ranking status than the teachers but they manipulate you to feel as though your the problem. That's why I really look up to the MacRob student that left poop in the girl's bathroom to protest about this crap teacher😂

Here is the link to the article:
http://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/students-at-prestigious-melbourne-school-posts-note-explaining-why-she-defecated-on-bathroom-floor/news-story/80f5ed140d105d685e1f167a494af6ae

I hope this makes more students stand up to themselves.

[jamonwindeyer]

I'd be very cautious about using any anecdotal evidence based on things that may or may not have been on this teachers computer screen, purely to avoid a fiasco for you trying to argue a point on hearsay. If someone directly saw something that made them uncomfortable (EG, the tabs were open when giving a class presentation) I'd encourage you to encourage them to step forward. That will always be more effective than a "He said, she said," scenario - The procedures are in place to ensure that these things are handled seriously

The issue of their lack of effort in the classroom is a different story however, and I think it is definitely worth a friendly chat with your coordinator! It doesn't have to be confrontational, "I don't feel Mr _______ is teaching in a way that I can learn effectively from, and this is why." Better yet if you can get a few friends to also make separate complaints, because multiple complaints substantiate something like that a little more. Shows that it isn't an issue of one student not clicking with the teaching style.

I think the big mistake people make with situations like this is assuming the teacher is purposefully out to be lazy. They might be unaware their style isn't working, they might be misinterpreting other feedback, etc. Or, they could be lazy too, who knows. But they deserve the benefit of the doubt in the first instance, and if raised sensibly, logically and maturely there is no reason for the coordinator/principal/whoever not to investigate it. It sounds like you've taken the step of talking to the teacher, so I think you are justified in knocking on your coordinators door and having a bit of a chat about your scenario - I'm sure (I hope!) they'll handle it in a way you are happy with

Fingers crossed for you - I get what it's like to have a teacher that just doesn't seem engaged. The first step is to raise the issue!

[appleandbee]

Just be clear about what what you are complaining about, when reporting I feel it's good to focus on one issue at a time. If you feel that the fact that he is doing inappropriate things is more important,  focus on that issue, otherwise it would come across like 'I hate this teacher and there happens to be rumours that he is a perve', especially if you haven't witness this yourself, the sexual stuff may be seen as an excuse or mudslinging against the teacher. If someone witnessed it as Jamon said, it's probably best to tell them to report it to the coordinator.  You should probably talk to the coordinaters about the fact that he is not paying attention in class. I just think you should be careful not to conflate those two issues together as you run the risk of the inappropriate stuff affecting your credibility or being taken less seriously as it's seen as a side issue or a rumour used as mudslinging.