Like a shark to blood in the water, so are some students who can sense a stressed and tired teacher. As teachers, we have all been there.  A day happens when we are tired, stressed, and perhaps worn out. Unexpectedly and without forewarning, a crafty student presses just the right buttons, almost strategically, and then it happens. The teacher lashes out.  In today's world, cell phones are often there to catch teachers at their worst. Recently, a California teacher was recorded berating students in a leaked Zoom over a push for in-person learning. The teacher was caught challenging students to "come at me," and the video tells the rest of the story. 

There are two layers to this video. One layer is the content and merit of the discussion. The other layer is how the teacher handled the situation, which is the layer we want to examine to avoid making some of the same mistakes. 

Here are a couple of observations after watching the video.

1. The students in the video love that the teacher is losing control. They got the teacher where they want her, lashing out and making a scene. Nothing satisfies some students like pushing the teacher to the edge and watching the sweetest of all rewards, seeing them flail. Don’t give students the pleasure of seeing you squirm. We must maintain control of our words and emotions.
   
   
2. The teacher in the video is venting personal feelings that are probably irrelevant to the course. Teachers should be self-aware and avoid venting to students. It is easy to become frustrated about something in life, then vent on those issues to your students. Under no circumstances vent to other students about: other students, other teachers, or the administration. If you do, don’t be surprised if you get bit.
   
   
3. It appears that the teacher in the video is speaking to the students more as peers than students. That is a big mistake. Teachers can certainly be friendly, but a healthy wall needs to be between the student and the teacher. That wall needs to be in place. Younger teachers should especially be conscience of the wall as they are closer to their students' age and social dynamics will infer they can friends with you.
   
   
4. Avoid challenging parents via the students. Why? Parents might show up and give you more hassle (due or undue) than you ever anticipated. If you challenge parents through students, the student also gets to communicate a potentially slanted and one-sided narrative first. One strategy I used successfully over and over in the classroom is that when I had the least amount of trouble with a student, I called home to report the issue along with the good things about the student. Those calls encouraged the parents and let them know what was happening in class, which didn't allow the student to change a truthful narrative about the negative. Essentially, I got to the parent before the student did and ensured the truth was known. By the way, I never had a negative situation in a call with a parent when I coupled something good about the student’s performance.

Finally, remember that teaching in 2021 requires we understand that anything we say or do may be recorded. It doesn't matter about school policy or whether our students are supposed to record. It will happen. Just prepare for it, and don't ever say anything to a student you wouldn't want on CNN or Fox News.