Narcissism among teachers: How can students protect themselves?

Imagine your math teacher ridiculing a student in front of the whole class – not because the student did something wrong, but because the teacher enjoys the spectacle. That sounds like an isolated incident, but it's much more common than we think. Most people believe that teachers are neutral and treat everyone fairly. But the truth is different when narcissism comes into play. Then there are the class favorites, who are allowed to do anything, and others who are systematically humiliated – all out of the teacher's pure self-centeredness. Narcissistic teachers are not just strict or demanding. They use students to make themselves feel better. One student is praised for being well-behaved – another is held up as an example to give the teacher a sense of superiority. One student recounts how, for years, she suffered from the taunts of a teacher who kept making it clear to her: You're not good enough. Her grades suffered, but more importantly, her self-esteem suffered. There are few figures available, but surveys show that one in five students has felt treated unfairly at some point – and often, there is more to it than just the teacher having a bad day. Many keep such experiences to themselves because they think: That's just the way it is, or it's my own fault. That is precisely the mistake. Because narcissists need an audience and victims – and they deliberately select both. Protection begins with recognizing the pattern: Who is regularly favored? Who is repeatedly humiliated? This is no coincidence. Experts advise taking one's own perceptions seriously and seeking allies—classmates, parents, and sometimes even guidance counselors. The key is not to allow yourself to be isolated. Those who see through the pattern can distance themselves internally and seek support. And no, you don't have to put up with everything – not even from a teacher. Something that is rarely discussed: School is not only a place of learning, but also a power laboratory. Narcissistic teachers deliberately exploit this power imbalance, and the system often protects them because allegations are difficult to substantiate. However, the more this issue is discussed, the stronger students become. Sometimes the best protection is to break the silence. Anyone who has ever witnessed a teacher systematically building up certain students while belittling others will see the classroom with new eyes. Narcissism among teachers destroys fairness – and students are allowed to call it out. If this perspective has helped you, on Lara Notes, you can use I'm In to show that you are familiar with such an experience or that the topic affects you. And if you talk to someone about it—maybe at the dinner table or on the schoolyard—Lara Notes offers Shared Offline to capture those conversations. That was a stern story, and you saved about three minutes.