Bad Apple Bullies

A La Trobe University research report has found evidence of the widespread abuse of Australian teachers.

"Lots of" the almost 600 teachers who were surveyed reported depression.

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/brisbane/programs/am/widespread-abuse-of-australian-teachers-report/11033114

Physical attacks on West Australian teachers by students have tripled since 2014 -

During 2014 there were 165 attacks on WA teachers by WA students.

During 2017 there were 595 attacks on WA teachers by WA students.

And when WA students begin fighting each other, WA teachers are unsure what the Department of.Education wants them to do about the situation.

Union president Pat Byrne said WA teachers wanted reassurance they would not be investigated after restraining students engaged in physical altercations.

"Part of the uncertainty is because of a lack of clarity from the department as to what levelcontact it views as acceptable and we would like that explained a lot better," she said.

School violence: WA teachers seek new powers to expel violent students, break up fights, Josh  Zimmerman, Perth Now, 29 July 2018

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/education/school-violence-wa-teachers-seek-new-powers-to-expel-violent-students-break-up-fights-ng-b88910184z

A Northern Territory man has been found guilty of raping a 26-year-old teacher in a remote community south of Katherine in 2016.

He was sentenced to eight years' jail.

Less than 24 hours later, a second Northern Territory man was convicted of indecent assault. 

A 61-year-old female principal had entered a school building, leaving it unlocked behind her.

The man had followed the principal into the building.

He stood naked in front of the principal, holding a machete, and behaved indecently.

This second NT man was sentenced to one year and 9 months in jail, suspended immediately, following six months time served.

The NT Department of Education has refused to confirm if Northern Territory teachers who are working in remote communities are warned not to go outside alone.

Department tight lipped on safety after second teacher assaulted, Jason Walls, NT News, 30 July 29018

https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/crime-court/department-tight-lipped-on-safety-after-second-teacher-assaulted/news-story/2895aac885fd82d90718ebeffe38c68c

When a teacher notices something inappropriate 'going on' at school, they might think that it is their professional responsibility to speak up about the situation.

Big mistake.

Teachers who 'blow the whistle' on incompetence, misconduct or corruption can find themselves being 'paid back' for their efforts.

"Gaslighting" is the term Kathy Ahern uses to describe what is done to these teachers.

Bogus complaints can be 'made' against these teachers - and then repeated over and over again.

A wedge can be carefully driven between the whistleblower teacher and thier friends and colleagues.

Multiple minor aggressions can be executed - and then easily explained away.

So when the whistleblower teacher finally reacts to this payback, they can be labelled 'mentally disturbed'.

Kathy Ahern's work is very important to teachers.

Kathy raises many issues that will help teachers understand their real working conditions - and the risks they take if they try to discuss professional concerns. 

Retraction Watch has published an interview with Kathy in which her findings are discussed in greater detail.

I urge teachers to read this article before raising any professional concerns-

https://retractionwatch.com/2018/07/30/how-institutions-gaslight-whistleblowers-and-what-can-be-done/#more-69267

I have been contacted by a person interested in researching discriminatory / negative scenarios in scripture / religion teaching.

Have you experienced or observed discrimination or any sort of negative scenario in relation to scripture / religion in a Public School?

Who was involved in the situation - a principal, a DoE teacher, a scripture or religion teacher, a Departmental officer? 

Teachers who would like to comment on this issue can contact -

robina@theteachersareblowingtheirwhistles.com

If you are teaching in New South Wales and you are feeling bullied and battered at work - this lively new facebook page may be of real interest to you -

https://www.facebook.com/Bullied-Teachers-Support-Network-1792597697659252/

The Bad Apple Bullies Editor has been contacted by a South Australian woman who has been teaching in China and is very keen to contact other teachers, especially older South Australian teachers, who might be interested in teaching in China.

For more information see https://www.badapplebullies.com/otheroptions.htm

I notice that ACTU Secretary Sally McManus is battling for Australian workers to be guaranteed 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave each year.

I would suggest that Australian teachers are in greater need of workplace bullying leave.

In 2007, research suggested that 99.6 per cent of Australian teachers had experienced workplace bullying.

And at the moment an Australian teacher who is dealing with workplace bullying has to use their sick leave, long service leave and unpaid leave to escape from the stress of the situation.

Australian teachers who are experiencing workplace bullying should be able to access workplace bullying leave.

The workplace bullying problem in Australian schools often seems to be caused by departmental negligence - undertraining principals, poorly selecting principals, failing to deal with problem principals, failing to investigate teachers' Grievances properly, failing to provide CCT cameras in school offices and classrooms, etc. etc.

All Australian Departments of Education need to guarantee their teachers 10 days' paid workplace bullying leave. 

Sally McManus : "The rules must be changed", p. 21, Queensland Teachers' Journal, Volume 123 Number 3, 13 April 2018