What are the ‘tell-tale traits’ of being a teacher? Let’s dive into 20 of them with Kat Cauchi and Mark Anderson.
Have you ever seen a thread on social media that has a prompt like, ‘Tell me you’re a teacher without telling me you’re a teacher’?
Mark Anderson and I were talking about this recently when we were having a chat about our teaching days and we thought we just had to share some of our ‘tell-tale traits’ of being a teacher with our R.I.S.E. community!
20 things about teachers
A teacher…
- Is a skilled juggler: Juggles lesson plans, marking, spreadsheets (even though they hate using Excel), progress tracking – and still remembers who left their tie in the hall.
- Is a photocopier wrangler: Knows at least 13 ways to fix the photocopier and has wrestled with paper jams more than they care to admit.
- Is a lost property detective: Follows the clues to match owners to 12 odd gloves, 37 unnamed jumpers and 5 odd socks every term. The primary teachers also find that when they’re about to stick a wash on, their jacket pockets are full of random items they were asked to ‘look after’ during playground duty. Luckily, they are experts in retracing their steps to work out who they belong to.
- Is an unexpected contortionist: Crawls under tables, squirrels arms around interactive whiteboards and behind cupboards to pick up dropped items, and pop back in loose cables – somehow these skills don’t come up when teaching gymnastics though.
- Is a behaviour analyst: Knows the difference between a tired tantrum, a dramatic eyeroll and a quiet cry for help.
- Is a crisis negotiator: Mediates everything from stolen erasers to fall-outs, with the tact of a UN envoy.
- Is a resource extraordinaire: Turns egg boxes, string and elastic bands into full curriculum resources at short notice.
- Runs on 80% caffeine and 10% biscuits: Operates mainly on coffee and/or tea and whatever biscuits they can scrounge from the staffroom. Probably also has a secret snack drawer.
- Efficient to a fault: Balances a teetering pile of books, resources and their travel mug, stuffing their pockets with anything small or tucking extra items under their arms. Becomes skilled at opening doors with their elbow. All to avoid an extra trip down the corridor.
- Has the ‘voice’: You know what we’re talking about. The one you accidentally use at home when you’re tired and explaining something for the fifth time. It has the, “I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed,” aura.
- Is a uniform watchdog: Spots hoodies, missing ties, undone top buttons, nail polish and skirts above the allowed length from a distance.
- Is an underpaid therapist: Listens to playground woes, fall-outs and deep questions about life, pets and ‘unfair’ things.
- Is always a cheerleader: Applauds achievements, large and small, with an enthusiasm that never fades.
- Treats all trips like school trips: Becomes the self-appointed organiser and leader for non-school events. For example, a teacher told us: “I once went on a hen do with a clipboard and register…”.
- Is a grammar police officer: Gets twitchy when they see grammar errors and can’t help themselves from correcting friends and family – even when they really, really didn’t ask for it.
- Has a ‘look’: Can stop most minor disruptions with a carefully crafted look. Bonus points if you can raise one eyebrow.
- Is mildly obsessed with stationery: Gets excited about stationery freebies at conferences or training sessions and will brag to other colleagues about the best items they secure. Considers labelling everything to stop it ‘appearing’ in other classrooms. Eyes light up when they get new glue sticks or highlighters. Will compete over a free pen.
- Is a master of few words: Uses silence so effectively they could win a BAFTA.
- Is a student encyclopaedia: Remembers students’ siblings’ names, birthdays, favourite colours and pets (but forgets their own lunch).
- Is a lover of learning: Models joy, curiosity and the excitement of discovering new things in everything they do.
Raise your hand if any of these are you!
Which ones are your favourites and what did we miss? Let us know on social media.
Authors
Mark is a global speaker, EdTech expert, trainer, blogger, author and key note speaker, known as the ICT Evangelist. He has over 20 years of experience in the classroom. Mark is the head of education at NetSupport, an Independent Thinking associate, an MIE Expert and fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. His latest book can be found at edtechplaybook.com.
