As a child, did you experience a teacher whose psychological stability was doubtful?

Question

Did you observe questionable behaviors in the classroom, and if so, how did they affect you?

Answer 1

Well, Lane, as you know, I went to a private Catholic school run by menopausal nuns, so most of my grade school teachers were quite frightful. And it is definitely a safe bet that many were psychologically unstable in extremis -- no doubt about it! I think the absolute worst of these was undoubtedly Sister Antonia. She was alternately sweet and sadistic (more commonly the latter), which for a 3rd grader is extremely confusing, to say nothing of deeply disturbing.

On the sweet side of the ledger, she would make a big show of commending you when you did something right. I recall her singling me out on several such occasions, dramatically reaching into her desk drawer to jot down an A+ in her little black book. Most terrifying of all, however (and yes, this is still the "sweet" side of the equation), was when she would isolate one student, who'd done particularly well on a test or something, for special attention. The scenario I am about to recount to you actually happened to me and, I hasten to add, traumatizes me to this day.

Sister Antonia would make her announcement as to which child had scored highest and had thus earned this very special "honour" -- and then the horror would begin... (I am NOT making this up, trust me; I couldn't even DREAM this **** up!)

She would dim the lights (or lower the shades) in the classroom and begin singing the old Frankie Valli hit "You're Just Too Good to Be True." Remember that one, kids? It was later featured in 'The Deer Hunter' and the chorus went like this:

"I love you, baby,
And if it's quite alright,
I need you, baby,
To warm a lonely night.
I love you, baby.
Trust in me when I say:
Oh, pretty baby,
Don't bring me down, I pray.
Oh, pretty baby, now that I found you, stay
And let me love you, baby.
Let me love you."

Okay, so you're thinking this is a terrible song and, more importantly, an entirely inappropriate number for a nun to be serenading an impressionable 8-year-old boy with, right? Oh, but I haven't even started yet... As she sang this nasty little ballad, she very slowly rose up from behind her desk and began sauntering over to me as I sat trembling at my desk, trying very hard to hide in plain sight. Then, as she continued singing (she sang the entire bloody song, unaccompanied, btw) she began running her fingers through my hair and otherwise carrying on like a saloon girl -- she was at least 50 years old and a flipping NUN, okay?!

Having already succeeded in embarrassing and otherwise tormenting me, she kind of sashayed her way back to her own desk again, and it was hoped that my personal nightmare had come to an end. Guess again! As she reached the "I love you, baby" chorus yet again, she motioned to me in a very, erm, seductive (?!) fashion and said in her dementedly dulcet tones -- I kid you not -- "Come, sit on my lap!" Okay, although I haven't yet alluded to any specific examples, her sadistic streak was a mile wide and well known to the whole sorry lot of us. It therefore goes without saying that when she said, "come," you came as fast as your hind legs could carry you.

So off I trudged, head hanging, quaking in my shoes, feeling the eyes of my mortified classmates burning into the back of my head (sympathetically, as others had faced this grim doom before). She patted her lap to signal it was showtime and I dutifully, if extremely reluctantly, complied. I shall say no more about it now. The horror... The horror...

Well, now that I've safely traumatized you as well as myself, I should just close by pointing out that Sister Antonia's sadistic side (what? that wasn't sadistic enough?!) was very cruel indeed. She simply delighted in tugging and twisting upon your ear until it quite literally felt it was going to be pulled clean off your head. She also went in big for the old yardstick (not a mere ruler for our Sister A.) rapping-of-the-hands routine, which she very clearly relished. I know this because she laughed like a hyena whenever she inflicted such damage on one of her long-suffering pupils. Oh yeah, she was DERANGED. Mercifully, I avoided this particular punishment more than most, but I think the "I love you, baby" thing more than compensated for that. *shudders*

So, yes, I both observed and experienced firsthand some very questionable behaviours in the classroom from a teacher (teachers, actually) whose psychological stability was exceedingly doubtful. And while it doubtless affected me, it thankfully did not scar me for life. In truth, it made me value and appreciate all the wonderful teachers out there (like yourself) who really make a difference in a person's education and development as a person. God bless our (psychologically stable) teachers! :)

Answer 2

Yes, two of them. One was the other kindergarten teacher- she looked the epitome of a wicked witch, and she constantly screamed at the kids in her class- we could hear her across the hall. I was supposed to be in her class at first, but after the first day, I refused to go back. Mind you, this was in 1970, so some behaviors were overlooked.

The other was the same year and the next year - the male gym teacher. He'd only swing with the girls, and only if they sat on his lap facing him- you've seen kids do this I'm sure. It may have been innocent, but I only swung with him once, and some instinctual thing kicked in that this was wrong, so I never did it again. He suddenly disappeared mid year - draw your own conclusions - we kids were never told.

How did it affect me? Well, it was surely memorable, since I remember it after all these years.

I saw more - or should say realized more - borderlining teachers who needed a break when I was a teacher. And no, I didn't leave teaching because I was unstable. I left to go into museum work. Hmmm, noting the pay difference, maybe that was a bit unstable - but I am happier!

Answer 3

I had a few teachers who were absolute witches when i was in school. I worked with a teacher last year who had taken a year off and was hospitalized . . . u know where! she had all these ticks and odd mannerisms from taking too much medication. I myself have most likely exhibited some disturbing behaviors, but they were ALL brought on by my pschologically messed up students :)

Answer 4

I don't remember anything questionable as a kid, although there were always rumors in high school that the English teacher was gay, and that he sipped alcohol in his "coffee" cup. He was a da*n good teacher, though.

It is now as a teacher that I truly see how psychologically unstable teachers really are. We are petty, gossippy, needy, delusional, self-righteous... human.

Answer 5

Yes he was a coach, we all thought he smoked pot. He drove a bus, and on two occasions he circled around the school twice before he let the kids off. One time he left the room and we hid his briefcase and he spent the whole time we were in class looking for it. He thought he had left it somewhere. He also picked up one of the kids one time, chair and all. He also was known to hang from the beam in the ceiling.

Answer 6

I had a Jr. High teacher who was placed on psychiatric leave. After being harassed by a couple of belligerent students all year, one day he responded by pummeling them. There were no serious injuries, but he was removed. Personally I thought the students had it coming and wished their parents had disciplined them at a younger age so they were not so disruptive and disrespectful at that age.

Answer 7

Yes. In fourth grade, we had two teachers sharing the duties. Even then, I knew they disliked me and obviously had discussed it. One of the teachers was always criticizing me, and finding fault. The other accused me of crank-calling her house! When that happened, I lost all respect for her.

Answer 8

As I reflect back it seems the teachers were okay., It was a lot of the kids that were in need of psychotherapy.

And judgeing by what I read and see - that might not have changed a hell of a lot.