Some say 'bullying' rules apply to teachers

The Hartford Courant
Rachel Gottlieb
February 1, 2003

In this article outlining a student's difficulties with her teacher, the reporter questions if the teacher is a bully. Ms. Gottlieb interviewed Nan Stein about this topic who "said she adamantly opposes labeling any adult behavior as "bullying" because bullying is not a criminal act and labeling behavior as such waters down the truth. If a teacher or administrator sexually harasses a student or another adult, she said, complaints about them should say so. If an adult threatens someone, then the complaint should say that." Nan Stein states, "We're using the word `bully' for words we used to use such as `sexist,' `racist,' `homophobic.' It's such an elastic word. I would never use the word `bullying' in reference to a teacher's actions toward a student...We need to be specific."

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