TikTok Teachers Are Sharing the Things They Do That Other Teachers Hate, and We Can Relate

These unpopular opinions may not be so unpopular after all.

TikTok Things Coworkers Hate

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

♬ BUNNY IS QUEEN – BUNNY 🐰

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

♬ BUNNY IS QUEEN – BUNNY 🐰

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

♬ BUNNY IS QUEEN – BUNNY 🐰

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

♬ BUNNY IS QUEEN – BUNNY 🐰

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

♬ BUNNY IS QUEEN – BUNNY 🐰

Yep, there’s research to back this one, too.

Letting students use your fridge and microwave

@trissssss10

🤷‍♀️ #teachersoftiktok #fyp #secondgradeteacher #MyTeacherWins #tiktokteacher

♬ BUNNY IS QUEEN – BUNNY 🐰

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

♬ BUNNY IS QUEEN – BUNNY 🐰

“I correct teachers when they say we need to speak ‘Proper English.'”

Hugging students

@knoble7

#specialeducationteacher #teacher #teachersoftiktok #tiktokteacher #KFCSecretMenuHacks #oneslicechallenge #fyp #fy #riot

♬ BUNNY IS QUEEN – BUNNY 🐰

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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TikTok Teachers Are Sharing the Things They Do That Other Teachers Hate, and We Can Relate