Teachers often encounter students with diverse personalities and behaviours in the classroom, but one Malaysian teacher’s experience has left her deeply scarred.
A teacher’s viral social media post revealed how a Year 1 student’s tantrum got out of hand and completely changed how she views teaching.
According to Mstar, the teacher shared that she was once a cheerful and friendly educator who loved building rapport with her students by engaging in casual conversations about their hobbies and school holidays.
However, a shocking encounter with a misbehaving student a year ago completely changed her approach.
The student, known for being difficult, had a meltdown during class.
Despite her training in child psychology, the teacher’s efforts to calm him – which included making eye contact and using comforting words – were futile.
The situation escalated when the boy spat directly on her face.
I tried to keep my cool, but my hands were trembling with anger. I had to step out, wash my face, and recite prayers just to calm down,” she said, recalling the incident.
What made matters worse was that the student’s tantrum didn’t stop there. He became increasingly disruptive, eventually taking off his clothes in the middle of the classroom.
Despite the teacher and her colleagues’ best efforts, they couldn’t control him. The only solution was to advise his parents to seek professional or spiritual help for their child.
Adding to the teacher’s distress was the fact that the incident happened in front of other teachers and students.
It felt like my dignity was trampled on. Being spat on in front of others was humiliating,” she admitted.
This traumatic experience forced the teacher to prioritise her mental health. She no longer engages with her students in the same friendly manner as before and avoids activities that require her to build close relationships with them.
She explained that these changes were necessary to protect her emotional well-being, especially since her patience is now easily tested when students misbehave.
“I miss the person I used to be, but I’ve realised how much sacrifice comes with being a teacher,” she said.
While the teacher continues to love teaching, she acknowledged that dealing with disrespectful or unruly students is a challenge that tests even the most dedicated educators.
What do you think about this? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section.
READ ALSO:
