Teachers’ Behavior: A Question of Normalcy
Is it typical for a teacher to yell directly at middle school students?
Based on my experience before I changed schools, I had a teacher who enforced a strict “no elbows on the desk/table” rule, which I thought was just a matter of common respect. Everyone generally respected this rule, but if someone slipped up—myself included—he would shout loudly enough to make me cry.
Is this kind of behavior normal for teachers? It often felt like he would use a particularly aggressive tone when saying things like, “How many times do I have to tell you all?”
I mean, just one mistake and he would become upset and yell. I’m curious to hear what others think about this. Is this kind of response common among teachers? Just looking for some opinions.
I’m sorry to hear that you had to experience a teacher like that. It’s definitely not considered normal or appropriate for teachers to yell at students to that extent. Yes, teachers need to maintain discipline, but there’s a big difference between setting boundaries and using aggressive behavior.
Education should be a supportive environment where students feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them, and yelling can create a culture of fear rather than respect. Positive reinforcement and constructive feedback are usually much more effective in helping students understand expectations.
Your feelings are valid, and it’s important to remember that no one deserves to be yelled at over something like that. If you or anyone else feels uncomfortable in that kind of environment, it can be helpful to talk to a trusted teacher, counselor, or even a parent about it. You deserve to feel respected and heard in your learning environment.