25 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make and How to Avoid Them

240 25 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make and How to Avoid Them
Teacher # 44
A Scenario of a Teacher’s Worst Treatment of a Student
I was working with girls in a residential treatment unit who had previously been
abused and neglected by their families or legal guardians. One girl was upset and I
put my arms around her to comfort her and she got even more upset.
Motive Probe
44.1. Describe the problem and your specific role in it.
The problem was there was a child/student that was upset and I tried giving
comfort with a hug.
44.2. Why did you do what you did?
I was comfortable with hugs, touches, etc., and I assumed that the other
individual was too.
44.3. What emotions or feelings were you experiencing at the time?
I felt angry with myself for being too touchy feely with a population that
had been abused physically and sexually.
44.4. Was your behavior justified? If so, why?
No.
44.5. Do you regret your action(s)?
Yes.
44.6. Do you ever think about this incident? If yes, approximately how
often since the occurrence(s)?
No.
44.7. If faced with the same or a similar situation, what would you do?
Commentary
I would wait for a child/student to ask me for a hug rather than giving one
without asking.
The teacher may have had good intentions, but she could have avoided this
situation by making it a practice to first ask anyone that she is not close to for
permission to give them a hug. Most teachers avoid making any unnecessary
physical contact with student, to avoid giving others the wrong impression,
possibly embarrassing the child and possibly endangering their teaching
careers. “Hands off” is an appropriate mantra for teachers.