Armstrong

My experience as a student teacher at this school was one of the most difficult and disheartening of my professional journey. Rather than being welcomed, supported, or mentored, I was subjected to persistent bullying and exclusion by individuals in positions of authority. As a young educator entering the field, I expected guidance and collaboration. Instead, I was met with blatant disrespect, dismissiveness, and a toxic power dynamic that left me isolated and demoralized.The environment was emotionally exhausting—marked by passive-aggressive remarks, public belittling, and a lack of professionalism. I was often left out of essential communication, spoken about negatively in front of others, and made to feel like an outsider in a space where I should have been learning and growing. There was no real effort to include or support me, and it often felt as though I was being intentionally set up to fail.In addition to the persistent targeting and unprofessional behavior, I also witnessed and experienced comments that were culturally insensitive and deeply inappropriate—remarks related to race, background, and neurodiversity that have no place in any educational setting. These moments revealed a troubling lack of awareness and empathy, and only further underscored the toxic culture present in the classroom.This is not an environment that supports children, let alone fosters the development of future educators. Individuals who demean others, especially those early in their careers, should not be in positions of influence over students or teacher candidates. I share this with the hope that it brings awareness to a culture that needs to change—and prevents future residents from having to endure what I did.