nlfj Wed 02-Oct-19 23:12:06

I am a trainee teacher and about to start a placement in a school. After reading the school website, I have found out there is a music teacher working there who used to make me feel really uncomfortable during my time in school and made some inappropriate comments. I am really nervous about seeing him again in case he recognises me and I don’t know what to do.



From ages 14-16, I played an instrument and this teacher would give me one-to-one lessons and also conducted a local orchestra I played in. On several occasions he would comment on me being a ‘natural beauty’ and express distaste for any piercings/heavy makeup/nail varnish I had on. He also hugged me several times, would comment on my weight and ask about my eating habits and gave me his mobile number as well. On several occasions I asked about changing to another instructor for lessons but was always told no and he would edit his timetable or mine to ensure we would still work together.



Once, he gestured towards my chest and made a move like he was going to touch me there. He then laughed and told me not to tell anyone as he would be in trouble. Nothing physical ever happened but the comments made me feel uncomfortable and I started skipping lessons. I’ve never told anyone until today when I told my partner and parents as I feel really overwhelmed and sick thinking about seeing him and potentially working alongside him as a colleague.



I don’t know what to do with this, has anyone experience this? I don’t know if I’m overreacting as nothing actually happened as such and he has a wife and children and I never wanted to get into trouble. I’m now worried that it would cause hassle for myself as a trainee teacher as he works within the authority area I would also like to work in. Should I tell my university? The school? No one? I don’t want him to know but am really scared about seeing him again