The math teacher's behavior is causing genuine distress and exacerbating a documented mental health condition. The student's intention was not malicious; it was to gather evidence of the teacher's conduct, which the school administration seemed unwilling to acknowledge. Given the circumstances and the impact on the student's well-being, the recording was a necessary measure for self-advocacy.
Filming someone without their knowledge, especially in a location the school deems private, is a breach of trust and potentially violates school policy. The student's actions, while perhaps driven by anxiety, set a concerning precedent. It would be far more appropriate to address the concerns through proper channels, like directly communicating with the teacher or involving school administration, rather than resorting to secret recordings.
While the teacher's yelling is clearly problematic and negatively affecting the student, secretly recording someone without their consent raises serious ethical and legal questions. The student's history of PTSD does provide some context for their actions, but it doesn't automatically justify them. The school's policy regarding classrooms as private spaces must also be considered. The student should have explored other avenues for resolving the issue before resorting to recording.