Common Sense Revisited

Why is it that everyone once in a while a news story circulates about a teacher and/or administrator who does something that just defies common sense. For example, having them watch a questionable movie without permission or playing pranks that just go wrong. How can educators think this is a good thing? (I'm not addressing the truly egregious acts of educators sleeping with their students - just the normal decisions that seem to defy login when looked back upon.) A little common sense would stop inappropriate actions in their tracks. The truth is, and for some it is a hard truth, educators are held to a higher standard. We are expected to teach, guide, coach, and protect our students. There are so many excellent teachers. Sadly, the more educators that are in the news for making poor decisions, the worse it is for all educators. A good question to always ask yourself is what are the possible consequences of any action or simulation. For example, if you are planning to have a debate on a controversial issue, take a few moments to think about what might happen. How will you handle issues that arise? How will you message what you're doing in class to parents and administrators? A little pre-planning can go a long way towards helping you make the best decisions and head off possible problems before they arise.

Resources for Educators

• Top Six Keys to Being a Successful Teacher
• Top Twelve Worst Things a Teacher Can Do
• What is Your Teacher Personality?