Choosing not to enforce the dress code. Allowing students to chew gum. Going by your first name. Once you’ve been teaching long enough, you’re almost guaranteed to make at least one choice that some of your colleagues call into question. But like everything you do in your classroom, you have to go with what you know is best for kids. Which is why we’re high-fiving the latest trend on #teachertok, where educators are sharing the things they do that their coworkers hate—but which ultimately benefit students. For example …
Throwing away tests if the majority of the class does poorly
https://www.tiktok.com/@jess8827/video/7021597145438473477
If no one understands the material, is it really fair to keep the grade?
Letting students sleep in class if they’re tired
https://www.tiktok.com/@jess8827/video/7021976468196478214
“Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, people.”
Allowing students to read what makes them happy
@neuro_d_teacher1 Graphic novel enthusiasts #teachersoftiktok #comicbooks #manga #startariot #fyp #SaveIt4TheEndZone #MakeADogsDay #Reading #teachertok
This one should NOT be controversial—but some educators still think graphic novels don’t count as “real” books.
Letting kids eat when they’re hungry
@mrskurtz I know many others just like me! #teacher
Adults don’t eat on a strict schedule, so why do we make kids?
Grading based on mastery, not compliance
@mr_baldman_trivia Maslow before Bloom #edutok #education #teachersoftiktok #teacher #class #fyp #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #love
If students show they learned the material, I don’t mind if papers are a few days late.
Taking dance breaks
https://www.tiktok.com/@kelsylafontaine6/video/7021117092862692614
We can always get on board with dance breaks.
Wearing hats and hoodies
https://www.tiktok.com/@mrs.tiru/video/7021841392968240389
If it doesn’t interfere with the learning, I’m not going to police it.
Getting students out of their desks
@rbteach4you “You can’t learn unless you’re in a seat” 🙃 #teachersoftiktok #MakeADogsDay #myfinALLYmoment
Sure, things can get a little chaotic sometimes, but the research supports it, too.
Not giving homework in elementary school
@danshutes Food for thought. #teacher #teachersoftiktok #teacherlife #fyp
Yep, there’s research to back this one, too.
Letting students use your fridge and microwave
@trissssss10 🤷♀️ #teachersoftiktok #fyp #secondgradeteacher #MyTeacherWins #tiktokteacher
If these small things make students more comfortable, why not do it?
Letting students code switch
@neuro_d_teacher1 Code switching 101 #teachersoftiktok #blackteachersontiktok #SaveIt4TheEndZone #MakeADogsDay #startariot #fyp #teachertok #followme #BlackMaleTeacher
“I correct teachers when they say we need to speak ‘Proper English.'”
Hugging students
@knoble7 #specialeducationteacher #teacher #teachersoftiktok #tiktokteacher #KFCSecretMenuHacks #oneslicechallenge #fyp #fy #riot
Some teachers are firmly for hugging; others are not.
We’d love to hear—are there things you do that your coworkers hate? Please share in the comments.
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