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Minimum- discuss and document this with your principal/school counselor. Even if you decide to ignore, you want a record of the issue in the event the student decides to escalate or claim you were behaving inappropriately. Trying to defend yourself after the fact would be an up hill battle.
I don’t give comments like those a second thought or any of my attention and they cease to exist. The ones making those comments want attention and/or to know they are getting a rise out of you. Once they know that’s not happening, it’s no longer fun.
That’s was the other option.
I’m an older teacher. That no longer happens to me. Once upon a time when it did happen, I would say, “Thank you, but do you realize that most people view that as harassment. You could suffer uncomfortable effects due to your words.” I would then move on to something else. The “good ole boys” of administration didn’t care, so I handled it myself.
I'm fortunate that I did not really start teaching until I had teenagers of my own, so this was not really a problem for me, either. (Frankly, I'm clueless and hyper focused enough that if students did do this, I was probably oblivious.) On the other hand, I have had to take students aside sometimes for behavior toward each other that was bordering on harassment. Usually, an explanation of the possible serious consequences if they continue is enough.
I’d address it privately if it’s bothering you. Maybe you could do that with the student’s counselor so that there’s a witness to the conversation + someone who is trained to help mediate.
Hard to say. If they are looking at your chest, call them out on it. A good ol’ “my eyes are up here.” “Looking good today” could be met with “don’t make comments about my appearance.”
I usually respond with some smarta$$ comment like "I used soap today."
Personally I’ve never had to deal with this in school (thank god because I teach elementary), but in my daily life out in public? All the freaking time. I do not stand for it there and I wouldn’t stand for it anywhere else. I would call the student out immediately and loudly. I’m NEVER one for doing that but no man, boy, or person has the right to make you feel like that. Call them out, document the situation, and if it happens again go to admin or your union if you’re lucky enough to have one. It only takes one student twisting the truth or noticing you aren’t doing anything for the entire situation to be turned against you. Be the role model for the girls in your class and show them that this type of behavior is unacceptable and we don’t need to sit pretty and quiet and wait for it to be over.
First, call them out for their behavior. Be a bitch about it, too. "Eyes up here!" Discipline them publicly, and document what happened.
Next, on the second offense, CALL. THEIR. PARENTS. "Hello mom (or dad or granny) I just wanted to let you know that Chad keeps gawking at my breasts and making comments about my appearance. I would like you to address this behavior with him at home because my next step is to file a sexual harassment claim with our title IX specialist." Do not stay on the phone for a nice chat, end the call professionally but curtly.
Finally, follow through. Empty threats are rewarded with more undesirable behaviors.
I would be concerned that a call to a parent could be met with defensiveness and blow it way out of proportion. The kid will deny and the parent may defend their child over you, and say you imagined it or your crazy. I would simply say thank you but as your teacher I don’t find it necessary for you to comment on my appearance. And if not making eye contact say ok if we’re done talking you may take your seat. Mention to the guidance counselor (send an email that states you need to discuss inappropriate behaviors you’d like addressed from male students in your class so you have a short statement in writing in case you need it later, but discuss details in person)
You need to become assertive and let these male students know their place with you. Stop them right away by asking why are you looking at my chest?? Let them know asap, this is an unacceptable behavior that will not be tolerated in any form. And say it with a straight and mean face.
Our school has deans come in 2x per year and goes over a whole slew of discipline points in a way the kids understand (including this stuff). At the end, they sign that they heard and comply. If your school doesn't do that, ask about it for your classes. The point is not to tell them how to act (its just a plus), it's to document and start a paper trail as well as include upper level in the school. If you have issues, email parents and bcc admin. If you have a mtg, include admin. Behavior like this has 0 tolerance and this is your livelihood. If it's not ok in corporate work place, it's not ok in yours.
I would respond the same way as I would to an adult male in the general public. If you want to speak with me, you need to look me in my eyes for me to take you serious. To the “looking good” - thanks for the compliment but I’m uncomfortable with you commenting on my appearance.
I tried to ignore these comments from a group of ninth grade boys one year until it got too frequent. I tried to tell them it was inappropriate and that they needed to stop. It didn’t. I reported it to my admin and they did nothing. It got to be a daily disruption so I got the Union involved and threatened a lawsuit. Admin finally talked to the boys and it stopped.
I don’t see this as harassment.
Kids are awkward, eye contact is not guaranteed.
Compliments aren’t always sexual if it’s about appearance.
That may be true—maybe that’s not the student’s intent, but if it’s a repeated thing or just simply makes her feel uncomfortable, then it should be addressed either way.
I am found that loose fitting garments that don’t define body contours worked for me. I worked with middle and high school students. Leave nothing to their imagination.
Keep your distance so there’s no accidental touching or bumping. Keep your phone on record. If you complain about what a student is saying without proof the student may lie or you or administration mat take the student’s side.