The 10 Worst Things a Teacher Can Do

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By
Melissa Kelly
Melissa Kelly
Education Expert
  • M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Florida
  • B.A., History, University of Florida
Melissa Kelly, M.Ed., is a secondary school teacher, instructional designer, and the author of "The Everything New Teacher Book: A Survival Guide for the First Year and Beyond."
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Updated on June 30, 2019

Learn what you should avoid as a new or veteran teacher. Any of these can create problems for you as a teacher and if you combine two or more, you can expect to have a hard time gaining student respect and finding your profession enjoyable.

01
of 10

Avoid Being Overly Stern

While you should start each year with a tough stance and the idea that it is easier to let up than to get harder, this does not mean that you should let students believe you are unhappy to be there. Keep a classroom balance that is both exacting and positive.

02
of 10

Don't Become Friends With Your Students

You should be friendly, but not become friends, with students. Friendship implies give and take. This can put you in a tough situation with all the students in the class. Teaching is not a popularity contest and you are not just one of the guys or girls. Always remember that.

03
of 10

Don't Stop Lessons Over Minor infractions

When you confront students over minor infractions in class, there is no possible way to create a win-win situation. The offending student will have no way out and this can lead to even greater problems. It is much better to pull them aside and talk to them one-on-one.

04
of 10

Don't Humiliate Your Students

Humiliation is a terrible technique to use as a teacher. Students will either be so cowed that they will never feel confident in your classroom, so hurt that they will not trust you ever again, or so upset that they can turn to disruptive methods of retaliation.

05
of 10

Never Yell

Once you've yelled, you've lost the battle. This doesn't mean you won't have to raise your voice every once in a while, but teachers who yell all the time are often those with the worst classes.

06
of 10

Never Give up Control

Any decisions that are made in class should be made by you for good reasons. Just because students are trying to get out of a quiz or test does not mean that you should allow that to happen unless there is a good and viable reason. You can easily become a doormat if you give in to all demands.

07
of 10

Don't Show Favoritism

Face it. You are human, and there will be kids you will like more than others. However, you must try your hardest never to let this show in class. Call on all students equally. Do not lessen punishments for students you really like.

08
of 10

Don't Create Rules That Are Unfair

Sometimes the rules themselves can put you in bad situations. For example, if a teacher has a rule that allows for no work to be turned in after the bell rings this could set up a difficult situation. What if a student has a valid excuse? What makes a valid excuse? These are situations it would be best to avoid.

09
of 10

Don't Gossip or Complain About Other Teachers

There will be days when you hear things from students about other teachers that you think are terrible. However, you should be noncommittal to the students and take your concerns to the teacher themselves or to the administration. What you say to your students is not private and will be shared.

10
of 10

Be Consistent With Grading or Accepting Late Work

Make sure that you have consistent rules on this. Do not allow students to turn in late work for full points at any time because this takes away the incentive to turn in work on time. Further, use rubrics when you are grading assignments that require subjectivity. This helps protect you and explains the reason for the students' grades.

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Your Citation
Kelly, Melissa. "The 10 Worst Things a Teacher Can Do." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/worst-things-teacher-can-do-8423. Kelly, Melissa. (2021, February 16). The 10 Worst Things a Teacher Can Do. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/worst-things-teacher-can-do-8423 Kelly, Melissa. "The 10 Worst Things a Teacher Can Do." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/worst-things-teacher-can-do-8423 (accessed March 24, 2023).

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