Supply Teacher Admits to Bullying Behavior in Classroom

In September 2021, Michael Good was teaching at St Anne's Roman Catholic Voluntary Academy in Stockport when he lost control and verbally lashed out at a disruptive pupil. He referred to the student as a 'pathetic loser', which was observed by witnesses who described his tone as condescending and aggressive. Although he was found guilty of serious misconduct during a Teacher Regulation Agency tribunal, allegations of physical assault were not proven. Good acknowledged his error in judgment and expressed remorse, stating this incident was due to a combination of stress and persistent classroom disruption. Despite his serious misconduct, the tribunal opted not to suspend him or strike him off due to Good’s previously unblemished record as a teacher and strong character references. They concluded that keeping him in the profession was in the public interest, especially given that his teaching abilities were intact. Following the incident, Good undertook a course on effective classroom behavior management in efforts to address his shortcomings and prevent future occurrences. The tribunal considered the broader context of the incident, noting the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic on classroom dynamics. Good maintained that his reaction was contextually understandable but acknowledged the need for better emotional control in his role. Ultimately, the panel felt that the publication of the findings would serve to reinforce the standards of behavior expected from educators. As a result of the tribunal’s findings, Good is expected to reflect on this incident and improve his classroom management skills to uphold the integrity of his teaching profession.