By MATTHEW DICKS, BRANDON HERSEY, and KATIE HOLBROOK

FEB 20, 20205:55 AM

I’m a ninth grade world history teacher. I love my job, and I work in a wonderful place and get a lot of really good support. But I’m struggling with one issue, and I’m not sure where to turn.

This year I have multiple ninth grade boys who know a lot about history, particularly about the two world wars, which we are studying now. This happens every year, and generally I allow those boys a moment to flex their knowledge and help other kids. This year is different.

These boys are pompous and dismissive of me—they apparently know everything. I’ve had students like this before, and redirecting when they go off topic or too far or having a private conversation used to work. It’s not. These boys talk over me and tell me I’m wrong. (I have no problem admitting I don’t know things, but I’m not wrong here.) Other kids are getting uncomfortable. Private conversations and emails home are responded to with an “OK.” Sometimes they stop talking over me for a couple of days. But they do go back to it.

Most of my history colleagues are men—I am a woman—and, while somewhat sympathetic, offer no solutions. One told me this couldn’t be real because it doesn’t happen to him. I understand a lot of my students’ actions and colleagues’ response is sexist. I can outright say this to my male co-workers and have done so, but with students it’s different.

I feel like we’re reaching a point of no return in the classroom where our previously positive culture is beginning to deteriorate. What is my next step? Parents have already been contacted. The assistant principal has enough on his plate. Do I let it go?

—Trying to Lay Down the Law

Dear Trying,

Do not let this go. You should inform both the parents and the students that you are done with this behavior and the next infraction will lead to whatever consequence your school uses (e.g., detention). It’s time for actual consequences: write discipline referrals. Talk to your assistant principal—he should be willing to help you, even if he’s busy. You don’t need to put up with this any longer. I also think it’s worth it to tell the students (and their parents) outright that this behavior is sexist. You are a professional with expertise in this field, and they need to learn their behavior is out of line.

“There’s something I’d like all parents and male educators to hear: What this teacher describes is real. I have experienced this sort of sexism firsthand.”

— Ms. Holbrook

A couple of other ideas that avoid discipline referrals: Divide and conquer—talk to the counselor about changing the boys’ schedules so they are no longer in the same sections. I’m guessing they feed off one another; separating them will likely take the wind out of their sails and drastically reduce their assholery. I realize this may not be possible, but it’s worth asking. I’ve asked counselors to separate problematic students before and experienced improvements.

You say that your school is supportive, so I hope your administration comes through for you. But if you cannot get assistance from the parents or the administration, kick these jerks out of the room. You can give one warning, then boot them. They can teach themselves in the hallway since they’re so smart.

There’s something I’d like all parents and male educators to hear: What this teacher describes is real. I have experienced this sort of sexism firsthand. Many students bring sexist attitudes to school with them and treat their female teachers differently. Sometimes it’s an unconscious bias; other times it’s outright disrespect or even harassment. These are societal issues, to be sure, and some students may be encouraged by their home environment to behave this way in school. But it’s something schools must address regardless.

Letter writer, I hope you feel empowered to bring the hammer down. You are the teacher in this classroom. You deserve to be treated with common courtesy and respect, and the rest of your students deserve a positive, orderly learning environment. Solidarity.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39626792)

She needs a thrashing and we'll leave it at that

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39626892)

I remember one time in 4th grade we were all getting ready for vacation and one of these stupid cunts made a huge packet of work for me to do over the vacation (no other kid had one) because my handwriting wasn't up the her standards.

Sorry I can't write cursive, you dumb bitch, how ever will I make my way in this world?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39628734)

*sploosh*

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39626895)

libs, re students who studied up on some history and challenge the teacher's opinions: "Do not let this go. You should inform both the parents and the students that you are done with this behavior and the next infraction will lead to whatever consequence your school uses (e.g., detention). It’s time for actual consequences: write discipline referrals."

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39626909)

Jayden S.

9th Grade History

Final Term Paper

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39626944)

"Most of my history colleagues are men—I am a woman—and, while somewhat sympathetic, offer no solutions. One told me this couldn’t be real because it doesn’t happen to him. I understand a lot of my students’ actions and colleagues’ response is sexist. I can outright say this to my male co-workers and have done so, but with students it’s different. "

slate really is on the forefront of intellectual thought.

there is no way that most of xher's colleagues are men, most teachers are women for fuark's sake.

"i understand that because men don't offer to help me they are sexist, despite the fact that i'm certainly a strong, independent woman with agency"

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39628079)

After age 7 a boy has no need for any woman who is not his mom.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39628466)

lol elementary ed is absolutely the blind leading the black. the teacher makes elementary orthography mistakes that drive my wife up the wall. my kid showed up comfortable with arithmetic and spent his first few weeks getting hit on grades because he couldn't understand what the retarded common core math problems wanted. "how much is 9+7?" "16" "INCORRECT first you have to regroup it into 10+6".

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39628922)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39628605)

lol. I'll bet the problem is some of the boys are really into WWII history and do indeed know more than her.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39628621)

the advice column response -- DISCIPLINE! -- is insanity.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39631150)

People also do this with “woman” vs “female.”

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39631134)

May be related to their horror at anyone using "female" as a noun for a person (even though there is no word meaning "human female of non-specific age")

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39641570)

Shut it down

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39641563)

you cannot allow women agency to act-out all of their schizophrenic emotions on vulnerable young boys. not flame. they must be completely disempowered again. they are a lethal menace.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4449679&forum_id=2#39646254)