When I was in grade 1, my class was about to start arts and crafts, and we were asked to pull out our scissors from our desks. This one girl couldn’t find her scissors in her desk, so the teacher made all the kids look in their desks to try and find these scissors.

I looked in my desk and I didn’t have them (which I already knew I didn’t have them because I didn’t steal them). I then poked my head up and told my teacher that “they ain’t in my desk” as I’m climbing back up from the floor to take a seat at my desk. And my teacher yelled “CHECK AGAIN!”. She then proceeds to tilt my desk and dump all my stuff out and onto the floor! I was baffled and I was trying so hard not to cry (I was 6 mind you).

She then proceeds to tilt about 5 other boys desks, randomly around the room, sending all their stuff/belongings all over the floor as well.

During the chaos of it all, where the 6 of us boys are frantically putting our stuff back in our desk that is all over the floor now. The EA (support staff) who was working with the special needs student at the back table in the corner of the classroom pipes up and says, “Oh sorry, are these they scissors that you are looking for” as she is holding them up for all of us to see.

Apparently the EA “grabbed them off a students desk” and “didn’t think they belonged to anyone”.

I’m about to turn 27 now and for whatever reason that moment has always stuck with me and it pisses me off whenever I think about it.

So it's my 4th year teaching now but I've been subbing for the last 3 years because my first year was an actual nightmare. I somehow ended up with the most difficult class I've ever even encountered (admin of 35 years said this as well). EVERY single thing that would create a stressful environment just somehow happened.

Biggest problem was 2 extremely violent kids with 0 support workers allocated to them because there were higher needs than the violence (???) it was so bad that 3 staff members were hospitalized. No suspensions or consequences. These 2 would tell me they hated me all day long every day, which the rest of the class started thinking was normal because they idolized these 2 kids. CONSTANT intervention by teams of people analyzing how the class/my teaching was affecting the violent kids which was so stressful as a first year teacher and I was trying my absolute best but it was chaos, 0 support, shared a wall with the music room so there was noise BLARING in our class all day, other kids started copying the violence and throwing things at me while I was teaching. Even the nice ones. Parents of the violent kids were SO stressful and blaming me. I could go on and on and on but I try not to dwell too much.

I felt like everything was my fault and I felt the weight of all of the other kids and families who wanted a positive year but just did not get that at all. I felt so bad for the kids who were wanting to learn and were NOT, because I was dealing with the violence and behaviors 80% of the day.

I'm an extremely caring and loving person and I do feel like I'm good at teaching. My practicum experience with grade 8s was one of the happiest times of my life and I knew I did an amazing job and the kids were so happy that I was there. I care SO much about people and have so many amazing friendships and people in my life. I know I would LOVE to have a class of my own so that I could build a community and be someone important in kids lives, rather than a sub who they don't properly understand or know. I do have a lot of fun subbing and I know that kids love their days with me but it's just sad I'll never know them on a deeper level.

I'm just so traumatized. The possibility that that first year could repeat itself is horrifying to me. I wanted to ask if any vet teachers have had similar experiences and if they're happy they took a class again. I almost quit that year and I'm happy I didn't, but I'm not sure if I can sub forever. It doesn't feel sustainable with how often things change in the teaching world.

I just need advice from someone who's dealt with this. Idk

I have been teaching part-time both at a HS and a community College for 3 years. I had a brief relationship with a woman who does the same. She has chosen to share intimate details of our trist with colleagues and students. It has become a huge distraction. When I asked her about it she said that there are no rules against private conversations outside of the classroom, whatever those people do with it is their problem. It just seems callous and irresponsible. I have nothing to be embarrassed about, she was stating positive aspects of the trist. I just find it unprofessional and students and colleagues have commented on it. Any ideas for how to proceed?

I have the utmost respect for teachers because they are expected to serve as role models for the next generation of professionals and to uphold high standards of integrity and ethical conduct.

However, my personal experience with one particular elementary school teacher has been deeply disappointing. During our relationship, she told me that she was single, and I trusted her because I believed that, as an educator, she would uphold the values of honesty and integrity.

I later discovered through social media posts that she was involved with someone who was already married and had a daughter. When I confronted them, both denied the relationship despite the evidence I had seen.

I felt deceived and betrayed, particularly because I placed my trust in someone I believed would demonstrate the same ethical standards expected of a teacher. Eventually, she ended our relationship.

I continue to respect the teaching profession, but this experience reminded me that professional titles do not automatically reflect a person's character. Integrity is demonstrated through honesty, accountability, and the choices a person makes when no one is watching.