25 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make and How to Avoid Them

Teacher Confessions of Worst Treatment of a Child
25.4. Was your behavior justified? If so, why?
No.
25.5. Do you regret your action(s)?
Yes, from the very instant I said it to this day, 15 years later.
25.6. Do you ever think about this incident? If yes, approximately how
often since the occurrence(s)?
Yes, often.
25.7. If faced with the same or a similar situation, what would you do?
I would quietly tell him to leave it blank and look up his address for him.
Commentary
There is a fine line between humor and humiliation, particularly from the
perspective of the person who is the butt of the joke. To avoid crossing this
line, teachers should craft their humor in such a way that it does not
involve personal attributes of their students or their family members.
Some people think that wisecracking makes them seem witty. When wisecracking
is at the expense of someone else, it may make the person appear
witless rather than witty. Sensitivity could have spared this teacher 15
years of regret.
Mistake 12: Inappropriate Classroom Policies
Teacher # 26
A Scenario of a Teacher’s Worst Treatment of a Student
In an attempt to train students to use bathroom break time, I singled out a child for
requesting to use the restroom during nonbreak time. I did not let her go. I reviewed
the class routine and appropriate rules for using the restroom during scheduled
breaks and at the end of class. I ended up having to speak with the child’s mother and
apologizing to Mom and daughter. Each time I see her and our eyes meet, I send an
empathetic, unspoken apology to her.
Motive Probe
26.1. Describe the problem and your specific role in it.
I did not let a child go to the restroom.
26.2. Why did you do what you did?
Teaching students a routine and using a schedule break time for restroom use.
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