PHIL WIELAND: Unless you are Teddy Roosevelt, knock off the bullying

As someone once voted by classmates as "Most Likely to Die of Terminal Wedgies," I have a definite empathy for kids who are the victims of bullies, whether the bullies are other kids or teachers.

I never had problems with teachers, with the exception of one gym teacher who took great delight in mispronouncing my last name. Since his arms were bigger than my thighs — and I'm referring to his wrists — I didn't really feel secure with the notion of correcting him.

Otherwise, I was pretty much a nerdish, teacher's pet kind of kid who got good grades and often preferred the company of teachers to that of my classmates. A few of my classmates were not impressed by my scholarly talents and took it as a solemn duty to make sure I knew the high value they placed on underachieving.

To me, bullies were other kids who inflicted whatever form of intimidation they thought properly demonstrated their physical, if not mental, superiority. While my gym teacher liked to have fun with my name, I never considered him as doing so maliciously. It never occurred to me a teacher would insult a student in a classroom or belittle them in front of their peers.

Until it happened to my son.

Bullying is a much bigger issue these days. I don't know if it's because we have more bullying or, like so many other issues, it just is more likely to be reported as an actual problem rather than passed off as "kids being kids." It certainly shouldn't be explained away as "educators being educators."

Several parents complained this week to the East Porter County School Corp. board of an administrator and a coach allegedly intimidating their kids. If true, it's hard to understand why anyone would get involved in education if they consider bullying to be educating.

Most kids are fairly fragile at any age when faced with criticism by adults, especially those they might look up to, such as teachers and administrators. I know some people, parents and teachers think insulting a child is a way to inspire them to do better, and, with some children, that might actually work.

In too many cases, it only serves to destroy self-esteem and convince kids they are failures who shouldn't bother trying. I'm not a psychologist, nor do I play one here at The Times. But I know from experience the insecurity that dwells so close to the surface when your brain is being assaulted by pubescent hormones.

Any school employee who uses intimidation on and insults students should be pointed toward the door and a new career as Donald Trump. And then given a terminal wedgie.

The opinions are those of the writer. He can be reached at phil.wieland@nwi.com or (219) 548-4352.