***disclaimer: This is a continuation from a conversation happening on Voxer. Not a post directed at my current staff! 🙂
Her name was Emily. I remember her sweet round face, her blonde hair, and her sparkling personality. I also remember that she started every single composition with, “Hi, my name is Emily and I’m going to tell you about…” I will also never forget the afternoon I made her get in her chair and announce to the class how sorry she was that she kept doing that and that she would never do it again.
I look back on that memory now and cringe. CRINGE. I am so thankful her mother didn’t come and just decimate me over that poor attempt of a strategy. That was my first year teaching, and thankfully, the only year that I remember having done that.
This is something I am extremely passionate about, probably because I remember sweet Emily. If you don’t like children…or interacting with people…I just don’t know that education is the job for you.
CONFESSION: I don’t think embarrassing students is ok.Â
CONFESSION: I also don’t think its ok to yell at students.Â
I’m not saying you have to be sun-shiney and roses all the time. I’m not saying that there aren’t realities that make teachers days a struggle. (or assistant principals!) Â I know this.Â
I am saying that you don’t have to be ugly. You don’t have to be sarcastic. You don’t have to yell.
Is this an unrealistic expectation in education?
Tone intolerant,
Amber
Anne Jenks says
February 14, 2014 at 12:53 pmI agree with you 100%. Yelling, embarrassing or demeaning anyone, child or adult is intolerable. It’s bullying at it’s worst when it’s adult to child. Yes, certain kids (and adults) can be very difficult. I have to take a deep breath and count to ten many times before I start speaking. However, it’s necessary, and as a principal, it’s a job requirement. We have to model the behavior we expect from others and treat others the way we want to be treated. No one wants to be humiliated.
adteaman says
February 15, 2014 at 8:15 pmGreat strategy, AJ! Thank you for reading and commenting!
Dave Mulder says
February 14, 2014 at 1:34 pmThanks for sharing this story so honestly. I think most of us have been there at some point, and regretted it deeply after the fact, so be encouraged! But I am grateful that you spoke the truth of this so clearly: humiliating kids is not okay. Sarcasm is not okay. Because teachers shouldn’t be bullies either.
adteaman says
February 15, 2014 at 8:15 pmLove that! I agree, DM! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Nina says
March 4, 2014 at 10:49 pmI’m right with you-I cannot STAND it when I hear teachers yelling or shaming kids. But how do you stand up against it? What is the role of the observing teacher or the AP or the teacher leader in this matter? How can you get people to change their personalities?