It’s not easy to face up to a bully, particularly if you’re just eleven-years-old and that bully is your teacher.
But that’s the situation Florida fifth-grader Briana Cooper found herself in this week… but her bravery landed her in even bigger trouble.
Briana, from Fort Pierce, was growing increasingly uncomfortable with her science teacher’s constant berating of students in the classroom. In order to help defend her friend, she used a mobile phone to record the teacher in class and play the audio to her mum.
The girl’s mother, Cassie, said she was shocked at what she heard. Among the nasty comments dished out by the teacher was this one:
“Biggest kid in fifth grade and you’re acting like the smallest one,”
The appalling torrent of abuse continued, with the woman asking the child: “I wonder what your mom looks like.”
Soon the verbal attack became even more threatening: “Don’t let the size fool you. I will drop you.” she said.
You can listen to the audio here.
Explaining the story to WPTV NewsChannel 5, Briana said she thought she was doing the right thing. When she turned the video in to anothermember of the school staff, the abusive teacher was immediately fired, however, the school said the 11-year-old’s video was illegal and suspended the student for five days.
The school argues that teachers are entitled to their privacy inside the classroom, meaning recording devices of any kind are against the rules.
Cassie says her daughter is being unfairly punished for attempting to right a wrong: “What this is saying to students is, if you think something is wrong, don’t try and do anything about it.” she told local news.
What do you think, should a child be punished for standing up to a teacher? Join the conversation on Twitter @HerFamilydotie.
