One of my teachers last year keeps trying to get close to me and I don’t like it, one reason being that it makes me feel uncomfortable. This teacher seems to like busting students, and says problems should be “dealt with”.
I was in a small history class with this teacher, and I was an active participant who got straight As. My classmates slackers who didn’t care about school so he did view me favorably because I met those typical requirements of a “good student”. On the last day of school, he told us to just socialize (do nothing), so I asked if I could leave and work on a project for one of my classes this year. Just as I was about to leave, he was saying things like,“You’re such a good student, you’re so smart…etc.” I wrote an essay for his class that prompted him to verify I was taking AP for social studies, but he rarely, if never says these kinds of things to students. During lunch, I unexpectedly saw him, and he was giving me advice, even though I didn’t explicitly nor implicitly indicate I needed, nor wanted it. Whatever this teacher says students would agree to because he would throw a fit or bother them more.
I saw him in the early days of this school year, and he would constantly ask “How’s your AP going?”, “Did you have your AP class yet?”, “Are you doing well in your AP class?” I confided to him I didn’t think I was competent enough, and he came searching for me to give me advice (I pretended it was helpful). He also said he was like a “doctor” of mine, because to him, only he can diagnose and mend the problems in my life. I more than completely disagree. He also said I can contact him anytime.
Whenever he sees me around school, he screams “HI!” and my name out loud and he never does that with other students. He repeats this until I am out of his presence or reply.
His behaviors make me uncomfortable, should I report it? If so, to whom?
Regardless of your gender, I’d go talk to your guidence counselor who probably knows the teacher and his/her history. It may be perfectly benign. So I’d not report so much as just discuss the issue with your GC.
Well…I would avoid being alone with him. If he is calling or texting, I’d report that. What you have described so far is maybe overly friendly, but not sure it is reportable. You could tell him directly next time he says something like that (“You miss me, right?”) that it makes you uncomfortable. Odds are that he would back off pretty quickly.
Agreed ^ The way it sounds he’s just being a little overly friendly. Perhaps though it’s because, like you mentioned, you’re one of his only good students? Maybe he’s just happy to talk with a student that actually cares for once. Like intparent said however, if you really do feel uncomfortable you should directly tell him.
I mean, I would think nothing of it because I would have a reason for why he is acting like that, but I can see where you’re coming from. My fourth period teacher of this past semester only liked a few of us and he would just give off a creepy, friendly vibe, but some people are just like that, I guess.
I would think this is a teacher who saw that you stood out and is making sure you’re doing okay and not becoming like one of the slackers because you stuck in his mind compared to the majority of slackers. That’s called “showing interest” and is supposed to be good for teenagers, like getting a compliment is good for children.
I’m not sure why you’re uncomfortable, but since it is the case, answer politely but do not meet privately with him/her.
None of us on college confidential actually know what you’re feeling. Since you’re in this situation, if this makes you uncomfortable it is your human right to do something about it. As someone who is in high school, sometimes I don’t feel like discussing how my classes are going. And, sometimes people come off a little strong.
However, I would just stay polite and answer with short responses, keep it short and formal if talking with him makes you uncomfortable. I do have to be honest with you, the doctor thing is a tab bit weird. I would stick with getting advice from a counselor or a friend.
I think it’s hard for us to understand, since we can’t see what’s truly happening.
I don’t know why, I feel like this doesn’t sound like the average “overly friendly” person. Maybe it’s because I’m from New Jersey, where most people are rude, or because one of my previous teachers was fired for what began as similar behavior. The teacher acted the same way with multiple girls. Five years later, he “accidentally” began walking into the girls’ locker room multiple times a day, but of course that’s a rare experience.
The “doctor” thing really doesn’t sit right with me. I don’t know the teacher, so I could be wrong, but this just doesn’t seem like something a regular teacher would say…
I know it may be too difficult to tell him that you feel uncomfortable, so I would discuss the issue with your GC.
As a teacher, something about your post has my radar on.
I suggest you make an appointment with your guidance counselor. Not to “report” the teacher, but to make your counselor aware of the behavior. Consider bringing along your post, so you don’t forget exactly what it is about this behavior you want to discuss.
I guess my concern is that it might be part of a bigger pattern. Not simply just this man’s way of encouraging a smart student, but that other kids may have experienced similar discomfort in the past. Simply letting someone know is the first step in the event that this is part of a larger problem.
You’re a smart kid. Your instincts are telling you that something is not right. Trust your instincts.
@sarangooL There was a boy in that class, and he was also a good student, but the teacher didn’t really take an interest in him. I totally see where you’re coming from though.