#1
Edit to address some of the questions/comments that came up a lot:
* Yes, the authorities were called.
* I don't know what exactly happened with the student, but I do know he was back in school soon after.
* I don't know how he's doing today. When he reached middle school, he transferred to another school district.
* As a school employee, I am a mandated reporter. This happened before the law changed to include new guidelines; today I would be required to immediately call it in to the state hotline and then report it to my principal. At the time, the procedure for my role (not a teacher) was to notify either the school nurse or principal of suspected harm. Because the principal was on the scene, I didn't need to report it. The guidance counselor, social worker, and school resource office were all called in, and the police were on the scene by the time I left work a little bit later. If I wasn't sure whether they'd contacted authorities, I absolutely would have reported it, but I trusted my principal. She was a fierce advocate for every student, especially the ones in tough situations.
* If you want a happy ending on this story...unfortunately, I can't tie it up with a nice ribbon. I don't know how he's doing today. Better, I hope. What I do know is that I worked at a school with staff who care about their students and fight hard to get kids the help they need. They're able to help a lot of kids...but sometimes the system fails. It's a sad fact of life.
#2
#3
When we think about schools, most of the stories that reach us focus on the challenges students face — bullying, peer pressure, or the stress of exams. But there’s another side that doesn’t get as much attention: the experiences of teachers.
Every day, educators navigate classrooms filled with energy, curiosity, and sometimes frustration. Along with teaching, grading, and planning lessons, they also have to manage challenging behaviors, conflicts, and, in some cases, aggression from students. While research often highlights what students go through, teachers quietly face a unique set of pressures that can affect their safety, well-being, and job satisfaction.
#4
It was not uncommon for these kids to have a grandparent or relative pass away in the home country and they may be gone for a month.
Anyways after class I was down at the admin office and a secretary told me she would no longer be in my class. The Vice Principal was close by. She had an odd look on her face.
I figured family was moving back to Pakistan.
Later in the day I had the same class again for A substitution. I asked about ‘x’ and if her family moved back home. One of the girls told me, ‘She’s getting married.’ My eyes got big and I had to remain professional. I wanted to shout, ‘She’s only barely 13!’ but couldn’t. I just said, ‘Ohhhhh ummmm will miss her. She’s a good kid.’ And I left it at that.
You could see the look in the eyes of the Pakistani, Indian and even Nepalese girls. Like they were used to this happening even though they now lived in a very modern Chinese city and some where born were there.
After lunch at the Admin office again I spoke to the Vice Principal. She told me the school couldn’t do anything. There was no legal way to stop the father removing the daughter from the school.
To my American eyes that’s a messed up thing. And I noticed how the older girls acted different. The Chinese, Indian and Filipina girls were getting more focused on studies after secondary school and public exams were important. But the Pakistani and Nepalese girls were less interested. Over time I learned their lives were going to be dictated to them. Not all of them. But most of them. It was hard to see.
#5
Another kid came to school acting off. By lunchtime, he finally told someone that his dad got arrested the night before. The dad made him take off his clothes and beat the h**l out of him with an electrical cord. The kid ran outside into the streets of Detroit, naked. Thank God a nice older man found him, put him a blanket on him and took him to the police.
Dad got arrested and of course CPS got involved. CPS was looking for a placement, kid assumed he would stay with his aunt (dad's sister) but learned that wasn't possible because...that guy wasn't his dad. So within a day, kid got the h**l beaten out of him, found out his dad wasn't his real dad, put into foster care. Kid said something like, "My whole life is over." He was 10.
#6
The most disturbing was a kid we’ll call Tyler. He had severe social adjustment issues and tended to say things that creeped people out,
One day, he comes in wanting to talk to a counselor. I was playing receptionist that day and told him I’d let them know, and asked what was up. He very blankly says, “I tried to walk out into traffic yesterday.”
This was obviously alarming, so I brought him straight to one of their offices. He repeats what he told me, and This horrible counselor says, “you need to come back later, I’m working on college admissions stuff for other students.”
He just kind of sighed and left.
For example, a 2018 article from Deutsche Welle highlighted some shocking statistics from Germany. In the five years since 2013, around a quarter of schools reported incidents of physical violence against teachers. The study by the Forsa polling institute also found that teachers in half of all schools had been verbally threatened or insulted.
While the study didn’t dig into the reasons behind these incidents, it clearly showed that aggression against educators is a widespread problem. Teachers aren’t just dealing with lesson plans; they’re navigating a daily landscape where verbal and even physical threats are a real possibility.
#7
A second grader having a full meltdown about his low grade saying his dad was going to make him sleep outside again if he found out.
These are some of the things that keep us up at night. Heartbreaking.
#8
I gave the paper to my bosses, and he ultimately got deported for a bunch of violations and red flags.
#9
Similar patterns have been observed in other countries as well. A Finnish study surveying 215 school teachers found that 33% reported some form of verbal, nonverbal, or physical victimization by students. Meanwhile, a Swedish study of 1,230 teachers discovered that nearly one in three had experienced at least one incident of student-generated aggression within the previous 12 months. These numbers highlight a consistent trend: teacher victimization isn’t isolated to one country; it’s a global issue that spans classrooms and cultures.
#10
Girl one: do you know where your joints are?
Girl two: I don’t smoke.
Girl one: *confused af*
Girl three: well, there’s different kinds of joints.
#11
#12
Across the Atlantic, Canada offers another striking example. In a study involving 2,072 teachers from grades 7 to 11 across 77 schools, researchers found that 40.6% of teachers had experienced victimization, which included threats, verbal harassment, or physical attacks. Even more striking, 73.3% reported student-to-teacher aggression of some kind. These findings underline how widespread and normalized aggression toward educators can be, and how it directly impacts teachers’ mental health, classroom dynamics, and the overall learning environment.
In the United States, patterns of aggression against teachers changed during the pandemic. As schools shifted online or closed temporarily, threats and violence against pre-K to 12th-grade educators dropped. However, when in-person learning resumed, incidents quickly rebounded, reaching levels equal to or even exceeding those before the pandemic. Research published by the American Psychological Association (APA) confirms that these post-pandemic surges in student aggression have significant implications for teacher well-being and school climate. Teachers returned to classrooms not only with lessons to teach but with renewed exposure to potential aggression.
#13
I called CPS and was later told the school counselor that she was removed from the home because dad was physically and s******y hurting her.
#14
#15
The psychological impact of these trends is significant. The percentage of teachers reporting intentions to resign or transfer rose from 49% during the pandemic to 57% afterward. Susan Dvorak McMahon, PhD, of DePaul University and chair of the APA Task Force on Violence Against Educators and School Personnel, emphasizes: “Aggression and violence against educators and school personnel are major concerns that affect the well-being of school personnel and the students and families they serve. This study highlights a growing crisis in our schools that needs to be addressed nationally.” These numbers show that aggression isn’t just an isolated inconvenience; it’s driving educators out of the profession.
#16
#17
This kid is 8.
Edit: Thanks for all the upvotes! I work as a special education teacher, specifically with students who are emotionally disturbed or have other disorders that impact their behavior. This isn’t even the most messed up thing I’ve heard... just one of the most memorable!
Also for those of you wondering about the possibility of harmful behavior, I truly do not believe he is being hurt. He has been my student for several years and it’s not uncommon for him to make disturbing statements. In fact, if I had a dollar for every time he told me he was going to p****n or s**b someone, I would almost have enough money to fully fund my classroom!
#18
Often, teachers feel completely helpless in these situations. School policies prevent them from yelling at or physically restraining students, even when behaviors cross the line. They have to manage disruptive, aggressive, or threatening actions with words alone, often feeling frustrated and powerless. And when school authorities fail to take meaningful action, the situation becomes even more stressful. This lack of support can leave teachers feeling unsupported, undervalued, and at times, unsafe—making it harder to maintain order and provide quality education.
#19
#20
Once in the middle of a tour I was talking to a group of kids about a dead artist and this artwork. I ask the students a question and a little girl raises her hand at the front of the group. I say “yes?” And she says “my dad is dead.”
I feel the entire squad of teachers and parents facepalm in the background and I don’t break eye contact with the little girl. I smile gently at her, lean closer (in front of the entire group of kids) and say “I’m so sorry to hear that. Thank you for sharing, it was really brave.” Then moved on with my question.
Glad I thought quick on my feet, all the teachers/parents were very impressed with my response but I was sweating. Definitely a moment I won’t forget anytime soon. It’s a good reminder that kids have intense-emotional-worlds just like us and not to dismiss them.