Most Alberta educators report increase in hateful, demeaning remarks by students: survey

Teachers in Alberta are dealing with an increase in aggressive behaviour in their classrooms, according to new survey data from the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA).

The ATA conducted a survey of more than 2,100 teachers and school leaders across the province back in December, 75 per cent of which reported hearing demeaning or hateful remarks among kids this year.

Students aren’t sticking to trivial topics in their harassment, according to teachers, with 69 per cent saying they have heard negative comments about sexual orientation and gender identity from students and parents and 62 per cent having noticed racially prejudiced remarks from parents and students.

“Our district has issued a moratorium on anything related to sexual orientation and gender identity,” one teacher said. “We are walking on crushed glass to avoid angering the bullies.”

Half of respondents reported “persistent tensions” on COVID-19 policies like masks and vaccines, and 31 per cent say they’ve seen negative views on climate change science among their students.

A teacher who shared their perspective in the ATA research said they haven’t felt their district is supportive in addressing their concerns of increased aggression.

“I am repeatedly hit, yelled at, and threatened by students,” they said. “When asked for support from the school district, they did nothing to improve the situation.”

While educators report students as the main aggressors in most situations, they say parents, community members, and other staff also contribute to rising temperatures.

There are a few factors to blame, according to the ATA — growing societal divisions and culture wars, loss of social-emotional skills during the pandemic, declining empathy and compassion, and the increased use of social media and its harmful effects.

“Social media, intolerance, and smartphone use has escalated, and socialization has suffered,” one teacher said. “Students don’t know how to navigate conflict anymore.”

Alberta teachers have expressed possible solutions to these problems, according to the association.

These include prioritizing staff safety and well-being by developing strategies to protect the physical and mental health of staff to ensure a safe working environment for all, and implementing comprehensive training programs for all staff on non-violent crisis intervention and dealing with aggressive behaviours, the ATA says.

It is also asking for the creation of specialized programs and initiatives to accommodate students with severe behavioural issues to ensure they get an appropriate education without compromising the safety and learning of others, and for the province to address systemic issues like underfunding and understaffing.

Staff want to feel supported and encouraged to report incidents where a student or parent is aggressive, the ATA adds.

“Instead of facing scrutiny over these reports, they should be met with understanding from senior and system leadership,” the union says.

It is also asking for the clear and consistent disciplinary protocols to be created and executed fairly across all students populations.

Additionally, the ATA says parents need to be held accountable for their aggressive actions and administrative processes need to be improved to support teachers and school leaders better.