Dear Abby, My bitter feelings about a mean teacher lasted decades.

Dear Abby: My elementary school teacher recently died. I haven’t seen her in over 20 years because of how she made me feel. I remember how manipulative and negative she was towards those less fortunate. Because I did not come from a rich or noble family, I was subjected to humiliation, fear and intimidation. I remember her as a money-driven person who was judgmental and favored the privileged whom she considered smarter.

Because I had dyslexia, I had difficulty reading and interpreting words, so she made me stand for hours and face shame. Now that she has died, I realize that I never had the opportunity to tell her how wrong she was, and that in high school my negative view of education changed for the better because I had great teachers and great classmates.

The people who are now praising her are the same people she promoted and endorsed. I would just like to voice my opinion because many of them were treated poorly. — SHRAMNED IN TEXAS

DEAR SHRAMRED: I think you expressed your feelings very well. This teacher may not have realized that she had a student with a learning disability and punished you when she should have realized instead that you needed extra help to succeed. Accept her inability to handle this properly, HER learning disability, and try to forgive her. Despite her, you’ve done very well, and it’s time to get her out of your head.

Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jean Phillips, and was founded by her mother Pauline Phillips. Contact dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.