My high school bully became my daughter’s science teacher — at her project night, she humiliated my child in front of everyone, so I finally put her in place. Recently, my 14-year-old daughter Lizzie came home and told me they had a new science teacher. “She’s really hard on me,” she said. Not strict — personal. Comments about her clothes. Her hair.
Little digs loud enough for others to hear. No one else was treated that way. Soon other kids started copying it. I went to the school. The principal assured me Ms. Lawrence had glowing reviews and there was “no evidence” of anything inappropriate. They’d speak with her. Ms. Lawrence. The name stirred something old. It was the same last name as the girl who bullied me relentlessly in high school. I convinced myself it had to be a coincidence. After my complaint, the remarks about Lizzie’s appearance stopped. Instead, her grades began slipping. “She asks me questions we haven’t even learned yet,” Lizzie told me. “Even when I answer everything else right.” When the class announced a mid-year Climate Change presentation, I helped Lizzie prepare. We researched, rehearsed, practiced possible questions. I wasn’t going to let anyone trip her up. Parents were invited to attend. The second I walked into the classroom, I knew. It wasn’t a coincidence. Standing by the board with that same polished, sugary smile was Ms. Lawrence. She recognized me immediately and walked over, acting pleasantly surprised. Lizzie presented beautifully. Clear. Confident. Every question answered. Ms. Lawrence gave her a B. Students who stumbled through their slides received A’s. Then, smiling at the room, she said, “Overall, everyone did well. Though Lizzie is clearly a bit behind. I gave her a B — generously.” She paused, glancing at me. “Perhaps she takes after her mother.” My heart started pounding so hard I thought everyone could hear it. But this time, I wasn’t a scared teenager. That was when I finally stood up.
