<p>Well I think this is a very useful thread and I just finished reading all the posts, which I began last night. Since I have a quiet, serious student for a son, first off I greatly appreaciated ariesthena’s first post about the struggles of introverted personalities, which actually brought tears to my eyes.
Secondly, I have seen a trend toward “psychoanalyzing” in the classroom for years now. I feel this is very dangerous and that teachers should teach their academic subjects, period. If they suspect a problem, this should be referred to a counselor who should then speak with a parent. This teacher’s behavior was totally out-of-bounds, and I do not think the OP was/is overreacting in the least.<br>
Lastly, it does seem to me that this particular teacher has a grudge against this student, probably because he questioned her grading. It sounds to me that there is some insecurity there and that she did not take kindly to the student’s implied criticism of her. It also sounds as if she may have been threatened by his leadership in the classroom regarding grading.
As we’ve all heard from recent studies, boys seem to be falling behind academically. From personal experience I know it is not easy for these boys to continue their intrinsic motivation surrounded by the attitudes of other students and even teachers. The very people, teachers, who you would think would encourage a studious nature, often do not do so. There have been times when teachers have expressed outright hostility toward my son’s achievement.
There is nothing in this story that I find at all unusual. And on a side note, my son and I laugh most about English teachers. They tend to be the most “loopy,” as we have come to put it. It is important these kids learn to roll with the punches, as it appears jlauer’s son has done. I wish him all the best!</p>