Teacher’s Crimes in the Class 2013

Handout developed by Michael M. Magbanua, MA ELT (Al Musannah College of Technology)

for the 5th Annual ELT Workshop “Classroom Management: The Untold Stories”

organized by Shinas College of Technology, Sultanate of Oman

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Teacher’s Crimes in the Class

By Michael M. Magbanua, MA ELT

ABSTRACT In most instances, teachers blame students for various untoward interruptions

happening in the class. But very rare to realize that some disruptive behaviours are but

teacher-caused or made by teachers themselves. While recent principle in education

claims that learning operates in an interactive manner, it is undeniably true on the other

hand that the teacher himself, being the prime motivator in class plays a major factor in

achieving a conducive learning atmosphere. In other words, he is responsible for

whatever successes or failures in carrying out such processes primarily because the

teacher is viewed as the active stimulus or motivator in learning. Is he more of a reactive

or a proactive teacher? Issues about like-- how he conducts himself before his class; how

he handles students’ grievances; how he carries out his procedures will help us define the

climate of his own classroom and our impression of him as a classroom manager.

OBJECTIVES

In a 50-minute session, participants in this workshop are expected to actively--

1. Identify the 3 A’s of teacher-caused students’ misbehaviours;

2. Evaluate the result of survey on the top five misbehaviours teachers usually

commit in class;

3. Propose proactive resolutions for a harmonious teacher-student rapport towards

the achievement of a highly-motivating learning atmosphere.

The 3 A’s of Teacher-Caused Misbehaviours in Class

(Appearance; Attitude; Aptitude)

1. Appearance. This includes the teacher’s uniqueness in projecting himself before his

students in class. How does he look? How does he smell? What lasting impression of him his own students can create while lesson is in progress?

Teacher’s Crimes in the Class 2013

Handout developed by Michael M. Magbanua, MA ELT (Al Musannah College of Technology)

for the 5th Annual ELT Workshop “Classroom Management: The Untold Stories”

organized by Shinas College of Technology, Sultanate of Oman

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Poor personal hygiene

If teachers are so delighted to teach in a well-groomed class, this is even true to students.

Surely, you can still remember your teacher who habitually comes in class on his obnoxious

perfume scent, or on his peculiar built-in bad odor, or worse is killing you softly with his

suffocating halitosis!

The daily routine of brushing your teeth, washing your body and applying deodorant might

seem cumbersome at times, especially when you're in rush. But hygiene plays a much bigger

part than just making you look presentable before your students. Aside from the fact that

good hygiene protects you from illness and disease, and it affects the way you feel about

yourself and other people feel about you.

Now, it is not so surprising if there were instances a student doesn’t feel like to clarify his

confusions with the teacher face to face simply because of this matter. The reason—he cannot

deliberately stomach the teacher’s built-in killing scent!

Bad grooming

Like maintaining proper hygiene, personal grooming is equally important for a positive self-

image; hence, every teacher has to exert major effort to look pleasing and attractive in

appearance. Next time, try to double check your look for the day. Do not give your students

any inch to ruin your class because they burst to laugh at each other implicitly or explicitly.

Admit it or not, maintaining proper grooming speaks about your sense of professionalism,

level of sophistication, your credibility or even your intelligence. Make sure you are clean all

over-- your hair is neat and brushed well, clear face, clean teeth and nails, evenly shaved

facial hair, wear neat and appropriate dress. Teacher may not be aware of this but students

at times laugh at each other in the middle of serious classroom preaching, or explaining

grammar rules simply because of petty thing—you burped. You got dark chocolate or morsel

of fried chicken stuck in between your teeth, over make-ups, stripped underarm, or worse is

you farted!

Here are real life situations which students normally experience with their teacher in class.

Case No. 1. Students’ obnoxious comment like:

“In as much as I loved to ask him privately further details about my confusion to the just

concluded lesson, I couldn’t because I cannot stomach his bad breath and his body odor!”

Case No. 2. One teacher boasted her newly-purchased body spray. She tried spraying it

before her class. Suddenly, a late comer came in and exclaimed, “At last, we finally changed

our air freshener… hey, but why it has to be guava-scented?”

Teacher’s Crimes in the Class 2013

Handout developed by Michael M. Magbanua, MA ELT (Al Musannah College of Technology)

for the 5th Annual ELT Workshop “Classroom Management: The Untold Stories”

organized by Shinas College of Technology, Sultanate of Oman

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Case No. 3. I remember my former students’ awful story back in his college days. While his

professor was so engrossed about his lesson (it was so evident that his professor was really

prepared), buzz of chuckles interrupted his lecture. This uncontrolled noise turned louder as

the gospel spreads out in the entire class. Anxious about the fuss, he asked. That very

moment, no one had the bone to tell him about it not until one concern classmate gestured

that his fly was scandalously open!

Can you imagine how disastrous would a classroom be if a teacher is unmindful of the basics

of having personal hygiene? It may be simple as it seems; however, if neglected, may resort

to student’s disappointment of his impression of the teacher. Similarly, teacher’s bad

grooming usually turns into instant classroom blooper and needlessly disrupts a class.

2. Attitude. Teacher’s attitude is his driving force that affects his outlook about the world.

This refers to his thoughts, feelings, or set of values system. His attitude clearly reflects his

character too. If a teacher has a negative attitude towards the system, his job or his students,

this will certainly lead to negative influence over matters. How’s the response of the teacher if

student’s misbehaviour surfaces? How does he manage his own temper? Does he normally

fuse to fierce? How objective is he in handling disruptive behaviours on his class? Can he still

maintain relax composure in the midst of untoward circumstances? As most teachers agree,

disruptive misbehaviours occasionally occur in a class. Nevertheless, the teacher, being the

authoritative figure in the class should be equipped of various efficient win-win approaches so

to achieve a non-threatening learning atmosphere.

In one blog, “Teacher with a bad attitude”, (http://badteacher.wordpress.com/), the

blogger shared his own mistake and realization--

But in the meantime, some housekeeping. About a year ago, I wrote about having had enough, and

looking to make the switch to senior high school. I wrote about my frustrations, and of new challenges I might meet in senior high, and even shared some of these with my principal.

This passage might have set some people off. Well, I know it did judging by the comments.

On the other hand, junior high kids, day in, day out, do leave their mark. I’m tired of the fuckheads who should be in jail, who don’t want to be in school, or who love nothing more than to interrupt the learning of their classmates.

To which Posh replied (via commentary):

You obviously don’t belong teaching. This is EXACTLY why I sent my kid to private her whole life. To avoid losers like you who take up teaching and don’t belong.

Teacher’s Crimes in the Class 2013

Handout developed by Michael M. Magbanua, MA ELT (Al Musannah College of Technology)

for the 5th Annual ELT Workshop “Classroom Management: The Untold Stories”

organized by Shinas College of Technology, Sultanate of Oman

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I realize in hindsight that I might not have been as clear as I might have been.

Negative Attitudes of Teachers. Considering different variables, classroom teachers, according

to survey has the tendency to be—

1. so unenthusiastic rather than enthusiastic (boring, dull, dry, gloomy, depressed, aimless...)

2. a dictator rather than a diplomat (tormentor, autocratic, tyrant…)

3. a discourager rather than an encourager (negative, demeaning, humiliating, condemning…)

4. so provocative rather than conciliatory (confrontational, challenging, tactless, offensive…)

5. intimidating rather than approachable (threatening, nerve-racking, loud, unreceptive...)

6. unprofessional rather than professional (indecent, rude, impolite, ill-mannered…)

7. a reporter rather than a secretary (gossiper, confides confidential matters, critical…)

8. too edgy rather than tolerant (short-tempered; quick to anger; too impatient…)

9. bias rather than fair (unfair, unreasonable, unjust…)

10. inconsiderate rather than considerate (insensitive, unforgiving, uncaring, indifferent...)

Case No. 1. One disappointed student lamented about how his so negative teacher on the

very first day of the class prophesying, ““The way I look at you in this class, I think only few

will pass in this course and majority will certainly fail.”

Case No. 2. “I was so worried about passing her course when we had a heated argument in

class. I was just pointing out my own way of arriving at the final result. Surprisingly the

teacher was so furious about my point. She didn’t like to acknowledge my shorter method

where in fact we arrived on the same answer. Later, I realized I shouldn’t had argued in such

confronting manner, but what surprised even more was her furious response to the extent

that we had wasted time debating over the matter.”

Case No. 3. One apologetic student dropped a note on her teacher’s table one time—

explaining: “I am so sorry for making you mad in class this morning. Swear to God I didn’t

mean to provoke you to anger nor insult you. I just couldn’t get over with a very hilarious

story my seatmate was telling me while you were discussing that diagram. I admit that I was

Teacher’s Crimes in the Class 2013

Handout developed by Michael M. Magbanua, MA ELT (Al Musannah College of Technology)

for the 5th Annual ELT Workshop “Classroom Management: The Untold Stories”

organized by Shinas College of Technology, Sultanate of Oman

5 of 6

partly responsible for my misbehavior. I was in state of shock about your reaction. I tried to

explain yet you ignored me.”

In various instances, and in countless times, teacher’s temper is always challenged.

This may mean a chaotic class; an unruly or mentally-challenging student will be an effective

acid test of its foolproof. While it is true that teachers are human—capable of outraging

emotion so to speak, he is still a professional individual who needs to manage his temper

more objectively. Conscious of this reduces the tendency of disagreements that normally spoil

class hours or demoralize students’ self-image.

3. Aptitude. Aptitude refers to teacher’s knowledge, skill, ability, capability, facility,

competency, talent, proficiency, mastery, experience, and expertise in any undertaking.

Hence, all these speak about his performance in class. Students, like teacher’s supervisors

expect a general level of competency in almost all the criteria stated on student’s feedback

form. That why, in some instances, teachers receive a surprising mark of C (or even below).

For what reason, let’s look at what students say—

Case No. 1. “My teacher is always confused with the grammar rules. He couldn’t give us

clear explanation about our own confusions. Sometimes, a smart classmate in the class can

explains more accurate than his.”

Case No. 2. “She seems always cramming in the class. Much time is wasted because she left

important things at her office—her class record, her book, her markers, etc. When she’s out,

the class turns unruly…”

Case No. 3. “We easily get bored on his class. Nothing new. His voice lulls us to sleep. He

likes to give us plenty of worksheets but we never answered or checked them all.”

Contrary to the ideal criteria for evaluating a teacher’s performance, student’s

disappointed comments include—

Unclear or ambiguous oral and written instructions

Limited, inaccurate, and disorganized knowledge of the subject matter

Teacher’s Crimes in the Class 2013

Handout developed by Michael M. Magbanua, MA ELT (Al Musannah College of Technology)

for the 5th Annual ELT Workshop “Classroom Management: The Untold Stories”

organized by Shinas College of Technology, Sultanate of Oman

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Uses inappropriate teaching-learning materials

Inappropriate teaching methodology as far as student’s intelligence is concern

Has gross speech problems—stuttering; strong accent; mispronounced words; high-

pitched; too slow; monotonous; intimidating

Circuitious—takes time to simplify complex concepts

Bookish --inability to relate lessons in real life situations or context

Doesn’t teach prerequisite skills

Inaccurate updates and other important announcements

Inconsistent or inaccurate student’s record such as attendance, marks, etc.

Gives homework too much but never evaluates

Comes to class late but dismisses early or overtimes

Inaccurate marking of papers

Too much story-telling than teaching

Worn-out classroom activities—no variations

Has disorganized presentation or procedures

Poor penmanship and board management

Stationary or hyperactive – has exclusive spot in the room or always in mobile

Has unmanaged mannerisms—verbal and nonverbal

Inability to use simple tools, equipment, printed materials or technology aides in class

Has no originality—lacks innovation; no self-made teaching-learning materials

Monopolizes the class discussion—poor dynamic student-teacher interaction

“Teacher-caused” disruptions brought by any of these deficiencies may create negative

impression to a teacher’s professional competence. Now should this happen, students develop lack of

interest, get disappointed. This may lead to low academic achievement, poor attendance, or

disruptive behaviours in class.

SUMMARY

Teacher’s Crimes in the Class 2013

Handout developed by Michael M. Magbanua, MA ELT (Al Musannah College of Technology)

for the 5th Annual ELT Workshop “Classroom Management: The Untold Stories”

organized by Shinas College of Technology, Sultanate of Oman

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Surveys, observations, and discussions revealed that in order to achieve a highly-motivating

atmosphere in class, a devoted teacher has to reflect about his own appearance, his attitude, and his

aptitude. All these three matter most to his students.