Teaching is one of the hardest, most undervalued jobs on the planet. That said, there are some huge rewards to be had, because if you’re in it for the right reasons – the feedback from students over the years can really be a nice (non-monetary) bonus.
That said, not everyone is going to like you all the time, and kids are no exception. These 14 teachers say you can usually tell – but you can’t take it personally.
14. Just in case you missed it.
We always know.
They always tell us.
Sometimes several times a day.
13. Kill them with kindness.
Middle school teacher.
They’ll straight up tell you. Lots of eye rolls, disrespect…the more disrespectful they are, the kinder I am to them.
It’s not worth taking it personally.
12. So many eyerolls.
Oh they are obvious!
Eye-rolling, -_- at you the whole time, talk back, attitude, the list is endless.
It’s the same as you disliking a coworker.
11. Keep your distance.
They avoid you at ALL costs.
Don’t talk to you. Ignore you. Don’t listen.
Or, they’ll do anything to make your life miserable.
10. They always have a tell.
You can tell the same way a student can tell a teacher dislikes you.
You may not be aware of what your facial expressions or your body language or vibe is like. But people can tell.
And when people sense you don’t like or respect them, they return it.
9. That’ll teach him.
Got a good story for this.
I student taught 6th grade. I took a kid’s phone away one day. The next day after he sat down he called me over.
“Mr. Churchill, I decided I don’t like you. I don’t want you to be a teacher anymore. So I’m gonna fail this class so they know you’re a bad teacher.”
Sometimes they just choose to be blunt.
8. They are people , after all.
Same way you tell with any person: anxious eyes during eye contact, like a slight pained face; avoidance; probing, accusatory questions and statements; desire to separate from you, and separate other people from you; talking behind your back; misinterpreting your statements or taking them out of context.
For teachers all of that is irrelevant though, because at least at the college level, students are very incentivized to kiss ass. At least in the media department they were.
7. That’s how you know you’ve made it.
They write “Mrs. Marzipan gargoyle sucks butt” in a book in the classroom library.
I laughed out loud when I saw it.
6. It takes all types.
I have a 2nd grader who will literally roll her eyes and sigh when I walk into the room. She ignores everything I say to her and doesn’t even acknowledge me when I’m talking to her. It’s actually extremely frustrating because I just genuinely want the best for her, and yes, sometimes that involves some rough talks and punishments, but oh well.
Then I have others who love me so much, they tell me every single detail of their lives because they know that I’ll listen and actually care about what they’re saying to me.
5. You don’t always need to be a detective.
Them calling you a bit*h is normally a pretty good tell.
4. They know…but they won’t care.
As a teacher…. we don’t care if they do. We still want to get our jobs done. Generally, we treat everyone with a basic level of respect and understanding. Some kids are more respectful, nicer, warmer, make jokes, etc. But some of my worst students love my class, despite me annoying them to death.
Honestly, I have kids skipping my class since we are remote. I’m not the least phased or bothered. 1) they could have some sort of reason ( taking care of siblings, tech issues, etc) 2) they clearly dont think they need to be there… their attendance is recorded and I’m sure their grade will reflect it. I’m not above giving our Fs like candy -its their grade, they earned it.
3. I like this teacher.
Teacher here. I don’t usually spend much time worrying if the students like me and teens aren’t the always the most secretive with their emotions (lots of sighing eye-rolling or they outright tell you). I often win most of them over throughout the year but some kids simply don’t like the teacher because they hate school in general, or they hate your particular subject. Not much you can do about that.
The teachers that worry more about being the students friends than being an engaging teacher are super cringey. They are the teachers that kids will talk about behind their backs saying things like “I love Mr./Ms. X because we don’t do anything in their class” but then next year they will say things like “wow Mr./Ms. X didn’t teach us anything! They sucked!”
I’d rather have a kid hate me for a year only to realize I was doing my best to help them than to have them love me for a year only to realize I wasn’t teaching them anything and they aren’t prepared for the next class.
2. Just don’t take it personally.
I teach high school. It’s honestly not hard to tell. Sometimes they roll their eyes. Sometimes they stop coming to class. Or sometimes they just tell your right to your face that they hate you and you should “f” off. I’ve had it all. You can’t take it personally.
I agree with what some have said that a lot of times it’s really the subject and the fact that you’re pushing them to be better that they hate, and not always you. All you can do is try to see things from their point of view and assess what you can change to make your teaching better, or have better interactions with your students.
1. Teaching college is the way to go.
The feeling is usually mutual at the college/university level. If they don’t show up to class and show genuine disinterest while in class by texting, talking loudly, etc., I assume they don’t have any respect for me. I then won’t like them, either.
There are a million courses to take – you didn’t have to sign up for mine and then be a prick by disrespecting everyone around you trying to learn.
I’m sure that, like everything in life, experience goes a long way toward figuring it out.
If you’re a teacher, weigh in down below!