Legal Question in Education Law in Georgia

teacher mental abuse

My child has been under undue pressure from his 5th grade teacher. He has sufferered abuse from his teacher throughout the school year. For instance, she started taking him out in the hall to punish him for not responding to her when she has asked him a question and scolding him for putting his books in his lap. The rule is that if you get caught cheating its your fault, so not only will the person cheating get a 0 but the person you cheated from will get a 0 too. This is why my son feels he needs to be safe than sorry.


Asked on 4/09/03, 5:11 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony DeWitt Bartimus, Frickleton Robertson & Gorny, PC

Re: teacher mental abuse

Most issues with teachers can be resolved by talking to the teacher. I would urge you to do that. My wife is a teacher and she routinely talks with parents about the issues that arise in class. You'd be amazed at how many times the students tell only 1/2 of the tale.

If you talk to the teacher and do not get anywhere, make a record of your conversation, and go see the principal. Explain the issue to the principal and ask him to intercede on your child's behalf.

If the principal is not effective, you may then want to consider employing an attorney if the "abuse" rises to a level of severity that would make that appropriate. For example, if your child starts having medical or emotional issues requiring medication or counseling, that would be a situation where legal assistance might be appropriate.

You may also consider asking your teacher to have your son moved somewhere in the class where other children cannot see his paper, and thus he would not feel he needed to protect himself so much.

Good luck with this and I hope your son has an enjoyable remainder of the school year.

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Answered on 4/11/03, 12:03 pm


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