How do we define Teacher targeted bullying and harsment?

We define TTBH as a communication process that involves a real or perceived power imbalance where “a teacher is subjected, by one or more students [or their parents], to interaction that he or she perceives as insulting, upsetting or intimidating” (Kauppi and Pörhölä 2012) this may be verbal, nonverbal or physical in nature, it may be premeditated or opportunistic, be a single instance or recurring and or of short or long duration.​

Bullying/harassment and perceived power differentials

Many people have trouble believing that teachers can be  bullied or harassed by students and their parents. This is because in the context of the school, teachers are thought to be in a position of power. However, this may not be so. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Teachers often feel powerless in the classroom and that Teacher bullying and harassment is a common occurrence in the day to day of a teacher's workplace.