25 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make and How to Avoid Them

216 25 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make and How to Avoid Them
22.6. Do you ever think about this incident? If yes, approximately how
often since the occurrence(s)?
Yes, three to four times a year.
22.7. If faced with the same or a similar situation, what would you do?
Commentary
Tell him that he had a choice: He could either participate appropriately or
go to the office and do the work with the vice-principal.
Stereotypes and low expectations are common bedfellows. This teacher just
used her anger as an excuse to say what she really felt. To avoid making generalizations
about at-risk children, teachers should examine the research on
resilient children and the ability of those children to rise above their circumstances,
particularly when they have supportive adults in their lives. She had
a choice; she could remain punitive, knowing the child’s circumstances, or
she could choose to be a supportive adult fostering his resiliency.
Mistake 11: Humiliation
Teacher # 23
A Scenario of a Teacher’s Worst Treatment of a Student
A student was humiliated in front of the whole dance team because she was performing
like she was not in the mood, at least that is the way it seemed to me. I
shouted at her for doing so and after a few more classes, I found out that she is just
very shy.
Motive Probe
23.1. Describe the problem and your specific role in it.
My student was not performing well and I embarrassed her for it.
23.2. Why did you do what you did?
I didn’t understand why she performed like that. I didn’t know the child
well enough.
23.3. What emotions or feelings were you experiencing at the time?
I felt rage and anger because she was performing the dance poorly.
23.4. Was your behavior justified? If so, why?
No, it did not help her to do better; I think I actually made it worse.