Student Abuse
TEACHER: "If
any of you have any questions or problems, just raise your hand and I'll
come to your desk. No talking please. Work alone. I got shit to do. Grades
are due today."
(The teacher sits down and
immediately starts working on something. He becomes immersed in his work.)
(A student is working on
the schoolwork. He appears to be frustrated, working hard but not succeeding.
The student finally gives up on the problem. He drops his pencil and raises
his hand.)
(The teacher doesn't look
up to scan for raised hands.)
(The student raises his
hand higher, becomes uncomfortable and loses confidence, and lowers his
hand.)
(Students around him begin
to notice, and look at him.)
(The teacher looks up and
sees everyone looking around. He stands up quickly, knocking over the
chair he was just sitting on.)
TEACHER: "Eyes on your
own paper. Do I have to beat you guys again. . . with my belt?"
STUDENT: "No!"
TEACHER: "No talking!
Apparently you guys don't get rhetorical questions. I do have to whip
you guys again. . . don't I?"
(No one speaks up.)
TEACHER: "Why don't
you guys answer me? I'm asking you a question."
(The teacher goes to his
desk, puts his elbows on the desk and his face in his hands, and starts
crying. A minute later, he snaps up again, grabs the long pointing stick
thingy, and walks around the classroom, intimidating the learning population
by hitting his hand hard with the long pointing stick thingy.)