High School Lessons #4

Lesson #4: Teaching makes you impervious to insults

There are many things about teenagers that, although fairly obvious, jump out at you after spending much of your day with them. The main thing that I've noticed this year is that these kids are completely mercurial. Hot one minute, cold the next, my students never fail to surprise me with their reactions to in-class situations or the logic behind their actions and behaviors.

For example, my students strongly believe that, if they are upset about something in my classroom (be it the way I am running things, an assignment, or a test), it will upset me, as well.

Imagine, if you will, the following being said in a whiny voice:

"This test is stupid!"

"I've never seen a test more pointless than this one!"

"You are such a hater!"

"I like [insert other teacher's name here] so much better than you!"

"This is the most boring class I've ever been in!"

Yeah, yeah ... Keep the insults coming ...

The test probably is stupid and pointless (When, after Ohio Graduation Tests are over, are any of these kids going to need to know the three types of rocks?). I most certainly do hate your bad behavior. That other teacher can "borrow" you from my classroom anytime! Classes where no one participates are boring for me, too ...

It's just so amusing that they don't realize the ineffectiveness of their approach. Maybe, last year as a new teacher, I would have spent a moment or two thinking about their complaints. I might have stressed over whether or not I, or my class, was well liked. That's not to say that I don't care about these things now, I just see how fleeting these teenage feelings are ... A student that is "mad at me" one afternoon, will be smiling and waving to me the next morning.

Besides, I'm not looking to be liked ... I'm looking to be respected.