Teacher Trouble-boundaries

[Jen93]

Dang it. I'm so mad and annoyed right now. I know they're "trying to keep me safe" or whatever, but I'm seriously annoyed.

So, I have had flashbacks in school- not a huge surprise; but this year one of the teachers emailed the disability services office, noticed I was in her class, and said that there's a disturbing video or something about sexual abuse. The disability services office suggested I drop the course- they say it's my decision, but they're really pushing for it.

My trauma has nothing to do with sexual abuse. Yes I've had flashbacks around this teacher; but I've never told her anything other than whatever she's picked up as my triggers from pre-flashbacks. (and I'm sure she's got a few wrong...)

Is she overstepping her boundaries by making assumptions? If she needed to know, she could just ask. Should I tell her to back off? What would be a nicer way to tell her to back off?

 

[Tanishq]

they're really pushing for it.

You mean, they are taking decision on behalf of you?

Is this the point where you feel violated that they are crossing your boundaries?

I can see other points, sounds she makes you feel uncomfortable with this all.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I think we need a bit more background info. Are you registered with the disabilities office? Did you disclose your PTSD to her?

 

[Jen93]

Yup I'm registered with the disabilities services office, and I did disclose the PTSD but gave her no history.

 

[Abstract]

It seems to me that they have assumed you have sexual truama. I can see how unhelpful that is for you. I guess in some respects if they don't know what your trauma is it isn't unreasonable to make that asumption.

What occurs to me is for you to firmly say that your trauma has nothing to do with abuse. And to then firmly say that the video therfore has no relevance and you do want to do the course.

What your trauma is your boundary to keep or not.

 

[Jen93]

Okay, so I think I've got it! I think she's worried about me taking the course and getting triggered. Why? Because the Academic Advisor said today "We think you should drop the course. The prof has expressed concerned. She says the content is horrific and you might get triggered every class." So I thought I'd go to her on Monday, and talk to her- alone! :nailbiting: Yeah, I'm a little scared already, but if I send it in an email it's going to sound really harsh.

I'm going to tell her that it's my trauma, my past, and she shouldn't be worried about it. I'll also tell her that I can gauge for myself when I'll get triggered, and she doesn't need to be worried about triggering me. It's my problem, not hers. And if I do end up getting emotionally distressed, I can drop the class.

How does that sound? Less ummm rude?

 

[Abstract]

That sounds good to me Jen. Not rude at all and nice and assertive.

Does saying "that type of trauma is unlikely to be relevant" seem too personal for you? Like a boundary issue? If it isn't then it may work as a backup if she still seems unconvinced.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Well my thought is to not disclose your diagnosis in the future. My disabilities office knows my diagnosis (they have to), but my accommodation plan simply says "anxiety". That way my instructors know the bare minimum of what I'm dealing with and I can avoid intrusive questions. I think the instructor jumped the gun and overstepped her bounds of "accommodation".

 

[rightkindofme]

As a former teacher if I had a student with PTSD and I didn't know what it was from I would definitely tell them I didn't think that ____ was a good class for them. I wouldn't try to force the issue but I would state my opinion in that way.

A teacher is not an appropriate person to deal with things if you have a major issue in class. If your flashbacks have the potential to impact other students then a teacher has an obligation to those students to make sure that the class can move along according to the curriculum and the teacher can't stop for you. It is really hard to be the person being pushed out of the class. I have been that person. It sucks and it hurts and it feels bad.

Talking to the teacher is a good idea. You can state, "I am not interested in going into details but my trauma was not related to sex and I believe I could handle the course material."

If you believe you can handle it then you should be allowed to sign up for the class even if the teacher is feeling weird. But you need to handle your stuff and not ask for anything extra from this teacher because this person is *clearly* not an ally. It's hard moving through the world and having to deal with these chess pieces who obstruct our life. But they are there and we have to deal with them. School administrators are on the worst power trips. Ugh.

In short: the teacher is allowed to express concern but not block you, in my opinion. You are allowed to assert yourself and take the class.

Good luck.

 

[TwoDee2ThreeDee]

I know this thread is a few weeks old and I might be a tad sensitive but since when does having PTSD mean you can't make your own decisions about what classes you take, and furthermore, if we have had some sort of trauma, how do we suddenly turn from capable adults (albeit a bit flawed) to children who are directed to avoid looking at the bad things.

I've been in education for almost 12 years, and the best teachers are the ones who support their students rather than putting them in a stereotype.

And as someone who works with students who have varied abilities and obstacles, how dare that resource staff member discriminate. It is bad enough when a teacher does it, but when someone who is supposed to be helping students reach their goals is perpetuating it. I mean, really.

Sorry...had to add on

If the teacher is concerned about the content of the class, then a general description should be given to all students outlining the types of material that will be shown and through what medium. This description should be given to all students. Not just the ones they "think" may be affected.

:mad:

 

[TwoDee2ThreeDee]

Used this search term in Google:

discrimination in canadian education system against students with disabilities, post secondary

and found this - Not sure where you're from but I'm sure you can find docs directly from your region.

This is from the Ontario Human Rights Commission @ http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/opportunit...tudents-disabilities/post-secondary-education:

"The Commission’s Disability Policy reaffirms the right of persons with disabilities to full participation and integration. An accessible educational system is one in which persons with disabilities can “access their environment and face the same duties and responsibilities as everyone else, with dignity and without impediment”