Most of us remember or have heard of Janet Jackson’s infamous moment in the limelight during her 2004 Superbowl halftime performance. Although she may not fully support the bra-burning feminist movement, she accidentally joined the ranks of the “free the nip” gang with her wardrobe catastrophe. To this day, her bungling flashing is remembered more than the songs she performed.
Teaching is set up in an environment that is ripe with embarrassing opportunities. Teachers have many eager eyes and ears expecting them to slip, and when they do…Oh the glory that ensues! It is in every teacher’s best interest to rehearse their pronunciations and spellings of the daily lesson repeatedly before class. They should also be advised to check their garments for signs of wear and tear, because who knows when the classroom will erupt into giggles after a small hole makes an appearance over an area that should never see the light of day.
It is commendable that many teachers deal with their blunderings in a humanized way. They laugh it off or explain their shortcomings with a cliche like “I can’t spell today.” This attempts to mitigate the spectacle of their imperfection. However, if the students can’t rattle you in front of their peers, they will do their best to bring you down in the presence of your colleagues or superiors. The perfect time for the classroom guerrilla warriors to strike is when your school or classroom is being observed. Students know when the attention shifts from them to you, and they would rather suffer your wrath later than let those opportunities slip away.
From sassing back during an observation to running down the hallway screaming threats during accreditation, students use the only power they can hurl at any time at the most inopportune times: embarrassment. You may prepare. You may be chill. You may be scarred. But you will be pushed to your limits.
Invest in a good counselor now while you are still under your employer’s insurance and keeping cooking.
-The Cooked Teacher