A Texas teacher just filed a police report against one of her students after they allegedly stole a Hello Kitty Funk-pop. Many commenters wondered if it was “that serious” or worth filing, but others thought that the punishment fit the crime.
In a video series with over 3 million views, TikToker @_d3thateacher explained how a student snatched away one of her desk knick-knacks. It was a Hello Kitty Funko Pop. The first part of her series showed her speaking to her students. Other parts featured directly explaining the actions she would take to get her stuff back.
“Don’t come [into] my room violating my space,” she said to her freshman class. “Don’t go into my things without asking me. Now I feel violated that you guys are taking stuff from me, knowing that I spend my own money on my items.”
Later, she explained that she spent some time away from the class and took a leave of absence. She instructed the substitute teacher to tell the class once again to return her belongings to her desk. I was out for a few days last week. I had a sub and I let all my students know to, um, have integrity and just put my Hello Kitty back on my desk while I’m out and no one would know a thing,” @_d3thateacher said.
No one returned the item, making her realize she would have to file a police report to get it back.
Was the Hello Kitty Funko Pop worth something?
@_d3thateacher explained that her Hello Kitty Funko Pop, #10, with a pink bow and outfit, had intrinsic value. It made it easier for her to file a police report in the long run. According to one commenter, the item has a value of $300, making it a commodity in today’s Funko Pop market.
@_d3thateacher told her TikTok audience that while the item was a rare collectible that was apparently worth a lot of money, the sentimental value made the theft sting for her. It left her dismayed at her student’s behavior.
“A police report will be filed,” she clarified, saying that she “meant business” and wanted the item back.
Are students behaving worse than they used to?
Some people wondered whether teachers have the short end of the stick nowadays in comparison to previous years.
Reddit forums like r/teachers are chock full of professionals at their wits’ end with their students. Some teachers asked for advice on how to handle students stealing from them. This is because it’s been a “recurring” issue in their classrooms. Others asked if there are any actual, effective consequences for students who freely steal in classrooms.
While some people on the Reddit page argued that students are “better than they were” in years prior, others begged to differ. In one Reddit exchange, a user commented, “Students today are a lot more aggressive towards teachers than anyone I knew in high school 20 years ago when I attended. At my last school over the decade I worked there over a dozen teachers were assaulted.”
Another commenter added, “When I was in school NOBODY argued with a teacher. Most of the time you didn’t even speak to a teacher unless you had to. Now the nice kids treat their teachers like friends and the [expletive] kids just try to stamp on you.”
To some, teachers have gotten closer with students, but students have gotten more lax about consequences. To others, that emotional closeness allows students to actually get along with their teachers and creates a better learning environment.
@_d3thateacher I really thought that my Hello Kitty Funko pop was going to magically appear back on my desk while I was out.? #FYP #teacherlife #TeacherTok #hellokitty #hellokittyfunkopop #foryoupage #classroom ♬ original sound – _d3thateacher
Regardless, a Hello Kitty got snatched, and a police report may be the only way to get it back. On TikTok, commenters generally agreed with @_d3thateacher’s decision to file a police report. “You cannot steal from another person and have no consequences. That’s not how life works,” one wrote.
The Mary Sue has reached out to @_d3thateacher for comment.
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