I can't say that it doesn't happen, but it is not usual. Ted Feinberg, assistant executive director of the Maryland-based National Association of School Psychologists, said he has been contacted frequently about school bullying, but not about incidents in which teachers were the alleged intimidators. However, some might think those words are humorous, or it is the lingo of kids and that they will relate to it. His advice was to first go to the teacher. Perhaps the teacher did not realize the words were so hurtful and he or she will stop, he said.
Many kids let it roll off their backs, but some are more sensitive.
It generally is not a good practice. In a related matter, an anti-bullying bill is winding its way through the legislative process in Sacramento. AB79, sponsored by Assemblywoman Sally Havice, D-Bellflower, would require that school safety plans include a policy for the prevention of bullying and a conflict resolution program for kindergarten through 12th grade. With two of the latest high-profile school shootings happening in his state, Gov. Gray Davis may be more apt to support this bill than a similar one Havice introduced last year. That bill would have established the Bullying Prevention Grant Program for grades 5 and 6.