HALIFAX, NS—After a lengthy parent-teacher meeting Thursday evening, local high school teacher Lily Zhang confirmed that reality has absolutely no bearing on Marsha Kowalski's seemingly endless belief in her 15-year-old son Daniel, adding that Kowalski's unwavering faith in her child could be compared to that of a brainwashed cultist or religious fanatic.

"It truly is a psychological phenomenon," Zhang explained, asserting that no amount of empirical evidence, including four suspensions for bullying, six failed assignments, and 18 absences, could alter Kowalski's fundamental belief that her son was a "sweet boy" with a "good little head on his shoulders."

"Every time I'd try to discuss Daniel's refusal to do any real work, or his wildly disrespectful attitude to me, she'd just say, 'That doesn't sound like my little Daniel,'" Zhang said, exasperated.

According to Zhang and several other teachers at the school, Kowalski is able to perpetuate her delusion by blaming all her son's failings on the school's teachers and administration.

"When Daniel was caught selling weed in the washroom, she blamed his business teacher for not properly nurturing his entrepreneurial spirit," Zhang said.

"When he bloodied another student's face after a soccer game, she blamed his gym teacher for teaching too much health and not letting boys be boys. When he showed up totally blitzed to the spring formal and started a fight with the bouncer, she blamed the principal for not providing an environment in which her son could feel safe," Zhang continued.

"I swear to god," Zhang said, shaking her head. "If that kid beat someone to death with a puberty pamphlet, she'd find a way to blame the victim."