Q&A for How to Apologize to a Teacher

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  • Question
    When is the best time to apologize?
    Ashley Pritchard, MA
    School Counselor
    Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine.
    School Counselor
    Expert Answer
    Choose a time outside of class hours so that you don't disrupt the teacher's schedule. The best time would be before or after school, or during a break like lunch or a free period (if they have one).
  • Question
    Today I got angry at my teacher and threatened to hurt her. How should I apologize for this?
    Community Answer
    Find a time when your teacher is not busy and politely ask her for a minute. Apologize to her very sincerely. Include something such as "I did not mean what I said. I do not want to hurt you. I am very sorry for saying that, it was not okay for me to say."
  • Question
    What if they think you're lying and don't accept you apology?
    Community Answer
    Make sure you aren't making excuses when you apologize. Don't say you didn't do the homework because you were busy. Instead say you are sorry for not doing it and should have found time to do it. This is a more sincere apology and they won't think you are lying. If they don't accept your apology there is nothing you can do, but make sure to never do again what you are apologizing for.
  • Question
    What if your teacher does not like you?
    Community Answer
    You might think your teacher does not like you, but that is probably not true. If you apologize and take responsibily for you actions and change your behavior you will earn a lot of respect from your teacher and she will start to like you.
  • Question
    How can I make it up to my teacher?
    Community Answer
    After you apologize you can make it up to your teacher by making sure to correct your behavior and not doing whatever you did again. Respect them and be a good student. You can also get or make your teacher a gift when you apologize if you would like.
  • Question
    What if my teacher gets me in more trouble?
    Community Answer
    Be ready to accept you might get into more trouble by apologizing. Your teacher will respect that you had the courage to apologize. Accept any consequences and change your behavior.
  • Question
    Is it okay if I cry during my apology?
    Community Answer
    It is completely okay to cry during your apology. Just make sure you aren't faking it, that is not sincere and your teacher will probably notice.
  • Question
    What if your teacher is extremely angry at you?
    Community Answer
    Find a time to talk to them alone. Be respectful and sincere with your apology. If they get angrier at you, understand their reasons for being mad and accept any consequences. Don't expect forgiveness right away and make sure to promise to change your actions and follow through with that.
  • Question
    My teacher got mad at me for taking to loud, but I naturally have a very loud voice. How should I apologize?
    Community Answer
    It might be tempting to apologize by saying "I am sorry for talking loud, but I have a naturally loud voice," but don't do this. Even though a booming voice is your normal voice, don't use it as an excuse for disrupting your teacher. Instead say something like, "I am sorry for talking loud today and disrupting class. I will make sure to keep my voice down from now on." Then follow through with that promise and try to talk quieter in class.
  • Question
    How should I apologize to my teacher for walking out of class?
    Community Answer
    Explain to them how you are sorry and how it was disrecpectful and rude for you to walk out of class. Tell them how you will never do it again (and don't).
  • Question
    I forgot to get something for my art class. How should I tell my art teacher, as she was expecting this from all of us?
    Community Answer
    Approach your art teacher before school/after school/during lunch. Tell him/her you forgot you were going to be needing whatever it is you forgot, and that you don't have one. Apologize and promise to get it as soon as possible. Depending on what it is, he/she may even have extras in the classroom. Teachers know that students forget things and make mistakes, most likely they will not be too upset.
  • Question
    How should I apologize to my teacher for lying to him?
    Community Answer
    Say something along the lines of, "I'm sorry for lying, and I will try to tell the truth next time". Make sure the teacher knows that you are being sincere. Then be honest going forward.
  • Question
    How do I get my teacher to be kind to me again?
    Community Answer
    Offer them a sincere apology, and be respectful. Make a serious effort to change your behavior so you don't make them angry again. Do your best in their class. Pay attention and complete all assignments on time. Your teacher might be upset with you for a little while, but it will pass and they will be nice to you again.
  • Question
    What is the consequences of a kid stealing a teacher's wallet?
    Community Answer
    Stealing a teacher's wallet is a felony. The student would likely be expelled, and might also end up in juvenile detention if the teacher decided to press criminal charges.
  • Question
    What if my teacher overheard me swearing during a lesson?
    Community Answer
    Tell the teacher that you're sorry for using bad language in their lesson, and that you understand what you said was inappropriate and unpleasant. Reassure the teacher that you won't swear in class again, and stick to your promise.
  • Question
    My teacher overheard me saying something really rude to another kid. I'd not meant to say that, I'd gotten my words jumbled up. How do I apologize?
    Community Answer
    Go to your teacher after school/before school/during lunch. Tell them that you know they overheard what you said, and explain that it was a mistake, you know it was a disrespectful thing to say, and that you'd never ordinarily say something like that. Apologize for the language you used. Most likely they will understand. Everyone makes mistakes.
  • Question
    What if I was doing what I was not supposed to in class? Then what should I do?
    Community Answer
    Apologize to your teacher and tell them that it will not happen again. Make sure that you always behave well in their class and treat them with respect.
  • Question
    What If I lied about going on a trip and forgetting my book?
    Community Answer
    Just be honest. Tell the teacher why you lied and apologize. Assuming you lied to get out of doing an assignment, promise to make the assignment up, even if you don't get credit for it.
  • Question
    What if you lied a lot to them and you skipped a lot of lessons?
    Community Answer
    Follow everything said in this article. If it's the end of the year, you obviously can't say, "I'll go to class more," but just tell them about your particular situation and how, in the end, there really was no good reason for your behavior. The consequences may or may not be harsh. Just expect the worst so you'll be prepared.
  • Question
    What should I do if I skipped class for my first time with some friends because of a huge test that we were having that I nor they were prepared for, how should I apologize?
    Community Answer
    Go to the teacher with your friends and apologize together. Say "We're very sorry we skipped class to miss the test. It was very childish of us, and we promise that we'll never do it again." Come clean that you weren't prepared for the test and offer to take it later - perhaps the teacher can help you!
  • Question
    How do I make a good excuse?
    Community Answer
    Don't make excuses at all. When you're apologizing to a teacher, be honest about what you did that caused you to owe the teacher an apology, and promise that you won't do it again. Be genuine and sincere as you deliver your apology.
  • Question
    If she says it is okay, how can I tell whether she actually means it or not?
    Community Answer
    Watch her body language. Does she smile after she says that, or keeps a frown on her face? If she smiles, is it genuine or looks fake? Also, pay attention to her interaction with you afterwards. Does she chat pleasantly with you as she used to, or does she avoid you best she can? These are all signs of whether she has actually forgiven you.
  • Question
    Should I hug a teacher after I apologized to her? I got in trouble for hugging at my boss from school after I apologized to her.
    Community Answer
    You answered your question in your second sentence. You got in trouble for hugging, so don't do it again.
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