Abstract

This article reports on findings from a qualitative social media study on internet commenters’ understanding of the consequences of teacher-targeted bullying and possible solutions for the problem. Comments on an article posted by Sarah Sorge (2013) on “The Educator’s Room” were used as data. Deductive, qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. Guided by a three-level ecological model, the study found that teacher-targeted bullying has negative consequences on victims’ mental and physical well-being, and their professional lives. The study highlights the breakdown of teaching and learning as a result of teacher-targeted bullying. This study found that assertiveness, the creation of a safe, supportive school environment, helpful trade unions, and a judiciary that is unwavering in its pursuit to stop all forms of bullying in schools may curb teacher-targeted bullying. It is recommended that schools adopt a research-based, comprehensive anti-bullying program.