LAUGH
Teaching, like all professions, has buzzwords and phrases that just don’t seem to go away. Whether new or old, these words and phrases are definitely overused. Here are a few phrases that teachers are tired of hearing.
1. SELF-CARE
Districts need to stop reminding teachers of this unless it is attached to the underused phrase of “…and we canceled the staff meeting so you can get a pedicure.”
2. “I’M HOMESCHOOLING.”
No, you aren’t. Just because your child is attending classes led by his teacher at home, you are not homeschooling.
3. SYNCHRONOUS WORK
Can we just throw this term in the trash? It’s a big, fancy term for live teaching.
While we are at it, let’s toss the term…
4. ASYNCHRONOUS WORK
This is a big fancy term for homework. Let’s call it that.
5. RIGOR
Rigor is good. Students should be challenged. Teachers know that. They don’t have to be reminded in every email, staff meeting, and conversation that is held.
6. “YOU ARE ON MUTE”
This phrase is heard (and said) so much that in reality it should be turned into a drinking game…after hours, of course.
7. “IT IS WHAT IT IS.”
No it isn’t. It is what we make of it. Period.
8. “THESE ARE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES.”
No one is going to argue that 2020, and continuing into the present, are definitely unprecedented times. But honestly, what day in the classroom isn’t?
9. “YOU ARE SO LUCKY YOU GET TO TEACH FROM HOME.”
This is like saying, “you are so lucky you get to milk a cow from home.” It’s not luck, it’s hard and borderline impossible.
10. “IT MUST BE NICE GETTING OFF WORK AT 3:00.”
Yes, it’s true, people are still saying this. I know, right? Let’s be clear one more time, students leave at 3:00… teachers don’t. That’s when they grade papers, return phone calls, return emails, prep for the next day and most importantly… finally go to the bathroom!
11. “MY CHILD NEVER DOES THAT AT HOME!”
Yes he does.
12. “YOU GIVE TOO MUCH HOMEWORK!” and…
13. “YOU DON’T GIVE ENOUGH HOMEWORK!”
You aren’t going to please everyone all the time. This is a battle that will never be won.
14. FIDELITY
This word has been used so much it has lost its fidelity. Let’s just replace the term with “don’t do it half-assed” and call it a day.
15. “IT MUST BE NICE TO HAVE SUMMERS OFF!”
Yes! It is! No argument.
(Except they aren’t really “off,” but no teacher has the energy to get into that right now.)
What other words and phrases are teachers tired of hearing? Let us know in the #teacherlife community!
