25 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make and How to Avoid Them

204 25 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make and How to Avoid Them
Motive Probe
12.1. Describe the problem and your specific role in it.
I made a student sit outside the class and I forgot about her.
12.2. Why did you do what you did?
For both of us to have a cooling-off period.
12.3. What emotions or feelings were you experiencing at the time?
I was so upset that I could not even look at her. I just wanted her out.
12.4. Was your behavior justified? If so, why?
Probably not.
12.5. Do you regret your action(s)?
Yes, I could have handled it differently.
12.6. Do you ever think about this incident? If yes, approximately how
often since the occurrence(s)?
No, I just remembered it once since it happened, now.
12.7. If faced with the same or a similar situation, what would you do?
Just give the student a referral and have the counselor talk to him or her.
Commentary
Discrimination manifests in a variety of way. In this scenario, it seems that the
teacher has a negative bias toward this student because of her size. She points
out that the girl is the biggest and the tallest student with a severe attitude, in
that order. The order suggests that the girl’s size is more important than her
attitude. Actually, size is irrelevant when considering a student’s behavior,
unless the student is using his or her size to intimidate others. Com ments the
teacher made such as not being able to look at the student, suggests further
evidence of bias. Teachers can avoid discrimination based on physical attributes
by setting personal standards that will not tolerate such bias. They can
limit their judgment and subsequent treatment of children to the quality of
children’s work, behavior, participation, and productivity in the classroom.
Teacher # 13
A Scenario of a Teacher’s Worst Treatment of a Student
I commented to a young girl about her weight. At that time I was working in a residential
treatment center/children’s home.