Q&A for How to Deal With Annoying Teachers

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  • Question
    What should you do if a teacher screams at you?
    César de León, M.Ed.
    Educational Leadership Consultant
    César de León is an Educational Leadership Consultant and currently serves as an Assistant Principal for the Austin Independent School District in Austin, TX. César specializes in education program development, curriculum improvement, student mentorship, social justice, equity leadership, and family and community engagement. He is passionate about eradicating inequities in schools for all children, especially those who have been historically underserved and marginalized. César holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Biology from Texas State University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from The University of Texas at Austin.
    Educational Leadership Consultant
    Expert Answer
    First, try to figure out whether you or your classmates are doing anything that makes your teacher shout. If you cannot find any trigger, try to discuss the situation with your teacher: do not forget that your teacher is a human, and they may need help to understand your needs better (or to get you to understand theirs). If the conversation didn't help, better talk to your parents, your other teachers, or your counselor.
  • Question
    What do I do if my teacher always embarrasses and points me out in front of the whole class?
    Community Answer
    Approach them before or after class and tell them they're making you uncomfortable. Be specific about what they're doing that you don't like. If their behavior continues after that, talk to your parents about it or bring it up with the principal.
  • Question
    What to do if your teacher is always comparing himself/herself with the students?
    Community Answer
    If a teacher likes to brag about himself, there isn't much you can do. Some people have a very annoying tendency to do this. If he ever insults you or another student, report him to your parents or the principal. That's not acceptable behavior.
  • Question
    what if your teacher tells too many stories???????
    Community Answer
    This can be very annoying, but there's not much you can do about it. If these stories are completely unrelated to the class material, you can wait for a pause and then ask a question about your reading. This might get them back on track.
  • Question
    What if the teacher is a sexist?
    Community Answer
    Talk to them before or after class. Be polite and bring up what you've noticed about their behavior. Sometimes people don't even realize they're being sexist. If the sexist behavior continues after you've talked to them, complain to the principal or ask your parent to call the school.
  • Question
    What should I do if my teacher shows favoritism towards another student?
    Community Answer
    Record or get evidence and show it to your principal. If they ignore you, tell your parents.
  • Question
    One of my professors will say inaccurate things just before a quiz, then I mess up on the quiz. This irritates me. I told her, now she wants me to meet with the dean. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Meet with the dean and tell him or her about the problems your professor has created for you and your class. Just remember to bring evidence to back up your claims, so your dean will believe you.
  • Question
    What can I do if my teacher harasses me?
    Community Answer
    If it's sexual harassment, then tell your parents, director of the school, and a police officer. If your teacher is bullying you, then tell the same people.
  • Question
    What do I do when a teacher blames me for something I didn't do?
    Community Answer
    That can be very annoying. Instead of yelling back and saying, “It wasn’t me,” which he/she may consider embarrassing or disrespectful, you can kindly approach her after the lesson and talk about how it wasn’t you and hopefully start over.
  • Question
    My history teacher is a very kind person and isn't really that annoying, but she doesn't realize when in the comments part of a test she accidentally writes something that hurts my feelings. What should I do about this when I am too afraid to talk to her?
    Community Answer
    Try writing a note so you don't have to talk to her face to face, explain how you're feeling about what she writes. If this doesn't work or you can't, talk to another member of staff who will help you with handling this.
  • Question
    What if I constantly get in trouble and I feel like she is targeting me and my friends?
    Community Answer
    Approach her politely and ask her why she's doing this. Say something like, "I feel like we've somehow gotten off on the wrong foot and you may be upset with me." Talk it out and see if you can find some way to resolve the issue and start over together.
  • Question
    What can I do when my teacher blames me for something I didn't do?
    Community Answer
    That can be very annoying. Instead of yelling back and saying, “It wasn’t me,” which he/she may consider embarrassing or disrespectful, you can kindly approach her after the lesson and talk about how it wasn’t you and hopefully start over.
  • Question
    What if my teacher is just a mean person in general, doesn't know how to answer questions and is always picking on me?
    Community Answer
    Don't do anything specific about it. The best thing to do is prove them wrong by doing exactly what they ask of you.
  • Question
    How do I deal with a teacher who keeps nagging me about one mistake?
    Community Answer
    Have a talk with them before or after class. Let them know that you know you made a mistake, and it's not going to happen again, but that it upsets you when they're constantly bringing this up. Teachers are usually pretty willing to hear you out.
  • Question
    There's a teacher at school who wants to know everything. How can I tell her to leave me alone without actually saying it like that?
    Community Answer
    If you feel like she's prying into your personal business, it's perfectly fine to just say something like, "I'm sorry, that's personal, I'd rather keep it to myself." If you find yourself having to say this all the time, or they keep prying, bring it up to the principal or school counselor, or ask your parents to call the school.
  • Question
    What do I do about a teacher who always points out every mistake, and is always trying to fail me no matter what I do?
    Community Answer
    Do your best in their class. Turn in every assignment, pay attention and participate in class, and study hard for the tests. If you perform well in the class, he/she cannot fail you. If you think they're seriously discriminating against you, like scoring your tests and assignments unfairly, talk to the principal (bring proof) or ask your parent to call the school.
  • Question
    What can I do if I see the teacher being mean or unsympathetic to the slow or struggling children, making fun of them for their lack of ability?
    Community Answer
    Tell the principal. That is extremely disrespectful and unprofessional and they could get in a lot of trouble. Your fellow students deserve better.
  • Question
    What can I do if my teacher is violent and my principal and parents don't believe me?
    Community Answer
    Did anyone else witness them hurting you? If so, ask that person to corroborate your story. If not, there's probably nothing you can do about what's already happened, but you should avoid being alone with that teacher in the future. You could try to entrap them by secretly filming any future encounter with them, but that's risky. Best to just always have someone with you when you need to deal with that teacher.
  • Question
    What if my teacher always picks on me even if I'm behaving?
    Community Answer
    Next time he/she picks on you, ask them what you’re doing wrong. Say something like, “Excuse me, but what am I doing wrong?” If you feel like they're really biased against you and you have evidence that this is the case, go talk to the principal or ask your parent to call the school.
  • Question
    How can I feel more positive about my teachers?
    Community Answer
    Make a list of their good qualities. Maybe they've been nice to you, or they tell interesting stories, or they're very patient with the slow learners. Remember that (most likely) every single one of your teachers is there because they want to help you learn. Also, do your best in your classes. If your teachers see that you're trying and working hard, they will like you more, and if your teachers like you, your life will be a whole lot easier.
  • Question
    How do I deal with a teacher that's repetitive?
    Community Answer
    Listen, see this as a chance to memorize what you’re learning. The more frequently you hear something, the more likely it is to stick in your brain, and your teacher probably knows this.
  • Question
    Should I tell my teacher if someone is writing death threats against me?
    Community Answer
    Definitely, as well as your parents, who may wish to get the police involved. Death threats are taken very seriously by the authorities.
  • Question
    How do I get my teacher to give less work?
    Community Answer
    You can't, and if you complain about the work, they're only likely to give you more. Try to get some of your homework done in class so you don't have to do it that night.
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