Unfortunately, I have come across many horrible teachers during my years in school. And that's saying something, considering I'm a senior in college now.
Being a teacher is much more than just drilling information into a student's head over and over again. Being a teacher is about supporting the growth, development, and wellbeing of all students. This means along with giving students the necessary information to progress, teachers must also protect children's wellbeing.
In my opinion, these are just a few things that get a teacher labeled as a "bad teacher:"
They create an intimidating environment.
Teachers should always encourage an atmosphere of learning in their student. I know to say this seems redundant and self-explanatory, but many of the teachers I have had don't seem to understand that concept.
I have been a student of multiple teachers who create an environment where students do not feel able to express themselves. This may not seem like a big deal since no student wants to attend a class with an intimidating environment. Teachers should be open and engaging in relation to their students, not daunting and discouraging of their students' endeavors.
Students are in school primarily to learn. However, they are also in school to discover themselves and interact with their classmates. In order for students to learn and grow properly, teachers need to have a balance between being both disciplined and inviting.
They act condescendingly towards students.
When teachers treat students with respect and dignity, the attitude will be reciprocated. This creates an environment of positivity and mutual respect between teacher and student.
But if a teacher presents themselves condescendingly, as if they are superior to their students, this will develop a power struggle between teacher and student. This is not an environment conducive to learning. Teachers need to treat students with respect and the students will do the same.
They mishandle or flat-out ignore bullying.
All levels of education seem to have a problem with bullying. Bullying can often happen when a teacher is distracted or otherwise not paying attention. However, throughout my years in the Baltimore City Public School system, I have seen bullying take place directly in front of many of my teachers. From my memory, these teachers couldn't care less about the harassment taking place.
Children are fragile. They should be protected mentally and physically from any and all harm. School is not a place for children to become fearful. If a student is afraid to attend school because of bullying and harassment, that student could possibly be subject to other adverse effects, including but not limited to depression, lower grades, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
If a teacher ignores bullying that happens directly in front of them, that teacher is indirectly contributing to harming the bullied child. I have even witnessed teachers joining in on the harassment of a child that was started by children. Teachers who do not care for their students should not be around children.
Bullying is a serious issue with the potential to be detrimental to children's development. It is a teacher's job to nurture and educate their students. But sadly, from my experience, this doesn't happen often enough.
Students can sense when their teachers actually care about their wellbeing. In my middle school, several students called out multiple teachers for being "only here for a paycheck." In other words, the students knew the teacher didn't care about them; they knew the teacher only saw each student as a dollar sign in their pocket every two weeks.
If anyone out there has this view on students, that person should not be a teacher. I could write a book on the injustices I have witnessed and experienced due to inadequate teachers, but I will stop here for now.
Teachers are educating our future politicians, musicians, and lawyers. Teachers need to always keep this in mind when they interact with their students. Teachers have one of the most important jobs in the world, and unfortunately, many fall short on the immense responsibilites this job has.
