In a profession with so few absolutes, I know one thing for certain: Teachers must be able to laugh at themselves. This skill should be a teaching prerequisite, honestly. People who take themselves too seriously will never make it when they:
- Accidentally project their neck rolls onto the screen from the document camera instead of a worksheet.
- Trip over technology cords on a daily basis.
- Accidentally swap a few important letters in the words “slimy rock cod” when reading aloud Amy Tan’s short story “Fish Cheeks” to a class full of seventh graders.
I may or may not know these things from experience.
Besides mistakes, another area of teaching where it helps to wield one’s sense of humor is when students issue apropos advice, commentary, or critiques. User theatredebatecoach92 recently posted the following query on Reddit:
Best “insults” by a student toward you?
byu/theatredebatecoach92 inTeachers
The question brought in an absolute firestorm of burns from teachers who are experts in laughing at themselves.
Sartorial Critiques
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
inTeachers
Please elaborate?
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
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Under His eye.
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Like a good neighbor.
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
inTeachers
Oh, boy.
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
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Ah, one of those.
Physical Snubs
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
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Arresting green eyes and highly functional ears?
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
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Are. You. A. Baby.
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
inTeachers
There are worse characters to resemble, but still.
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
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None of your business, Beckett.
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
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I have questions.
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
inTeachers
Brilliant.
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
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Stealing this.
Miscellaneous Discourtesies
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
inTeachers
Not sure but I feel like flats and a scarf fit into the ensemble somehow.
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
inTeachers
Love this observation.
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
inTeachers
A bold move.
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
inTeachers
Even more ruthless considering every joke feels like a dud when everyone’s muted.
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byu/theatredebatecoach92 from discussion
inTeachers
So tough.
If you need me, I’ll be handing out ice packs the rest of the day.
(Get it? For these burns?)