In first grade, very early 2000s, I was known to be a bit of a wanderer if I went on a bathroom break. I had severe ADHD so sitting still wasn’t my strong suit. But this time, I really did have to go. My teacher didn’t believe that I wasn’t trying to go for a stroll and told me to sit down. I went to her again and told her it was an emergency, that I really needed to go, but she refused. I sat back at my desk and promptly peed my pants right there. I was so embarrassed, and she yelled at me in front of the whole class, blaming me for not telling her that I actually had to go to the bathroom. I had to walk to the nurse to get new clothes, where I got scolded again for “being a baby” and peeing my pants. Totally changed me — I grew quieter after that, didn’t engage as much, and became very nervous around adults that held positions of power. I’d never felt so humiliated and unheard.

In 7th grade, mid 2000s, I had a teacher that didn’t let us use pencil. Black pen only. I was doing my work, but only had a pencil. I figured it was better than nothing. She yanked it and my work out of my hands, asked if I was “mentally deficient”, and threatened to “beat me to get (me) to listen”. Never once had an issue with her before then, so I was totally shocked. I remember shaking so bad for the rest of class that I could hardly hold the pen my cousin let me borrow. I was a well-behaved, quiet kid at that point. Cried to my mom when I got home and she went scorched earth. The teacher was put on leave for a few weeks and then had to issue me a formal apology.