25 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make and How to Avoid Them

Teacher Confessions of Worst Treatment of a Child
scenario. Make special arrangements such as personal tutoring after class if
the questions seem to impede the progress of the rest of the class.
Mistake 16: Teacher Insensitivity
Teacher # 29
A Scenario of a Teacher’s Worst Treatment of a Student
I had sent a child to another room and he ended up elsewhere. He was lost so he went
to the office. I went to the office and got the child. I laid into him and made him cry.
Motive Probe
29.1. Describe the problem and your specific role in it.
I gave the child too much freedom and he could not handle it.
29.2. Why did you do what you did?
I was frustrated.
29.3. What emotions or feelings were you experiencing at the time?
I was angry and embarrassed because this child did not follow instructions.
29.4. Was your behavior justified? If so, why?
No.
29.5. Do you regret your action(s)?
Yes.
29.6. Do you ever think about this incident? If yes, approximately how
often since the occurrence(s)?
Yes, about four times per year, since that time.
29.7. If faced with the same or a similar situation, what would you do?
(No response.)
Commentary
In this scenario, the teacher is Anglo and the student is a Hispanic kindergartner.
Although an experienced teacher, the teacher may have missed the
significance of possible language barriers, particularly at this age. The child
apparently did not understand the instructions and, feeling lost, he went
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