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Dear Bored Teachers,
I did it, it finally happened: I lost it and screamed “m***er f***er” right in the middle of class after tripping on one of my students’ bags. I had a really bad day/week/year, and it just slipped. The student whose bag I tripped on looked at me shocked and in fear and I immediately started crying, realizing what I had just done.
Am I supposed to send an email to the student’s parents apologizing for what just happened? Should I let my principal know? Even though I would prefer to just forget about it all, crawl in a hole and slowly die of shame. Should I email the entire class apologizing? I’m lost and don’t know how to handle this.
Sincerely,
“She Said the F Word” Teacher
Dear SSTFW Teacher,
Please take a deep breath as this is more common than you think. Yes, we are professionals, but we are also overworked stressed-out human beings. By your extreme classroom reaction, we all know that swearing in class like this isn’t in your character. This one slippage will not ruin the respect you have earned as a teacher.
We all have done it at least once.
The first time (yes, I said first) this happened to me, I was in front of a room full of kindergarten students. Keep in mind here that this is the age where they tell on other students because they said one of the S words: shut up or stupid.
Well, someone just knocked the glitter off the table, and it went everywhere. By the end of the day, we all looked like we had just left Mardi Gras. For a split second, I forgot where I was and yelled, “Fu#$ing A.” One sweet little girl raised her hand and said. “Did you just say the F word?” I answered with, “Oh, no, I said, ‘F and A. Can you tell me what sound they make?’” Maybe, I am not the one to ask for advice about this as I hold on to the firm belief that white lies are perfectly fine.
Don’t make a big deal.
Your first significant mistake here was to cry after you said those “Scarlet Letter” words. For most kids, they are hearing swearing a lot outside of school. They have parents and friends that curse like sailors. A simple, “Oops, I am sorry; that just slipped out” would have sufficed. Make sure the student is okay, and then everyone will move on. The more attention you call to your mistake, the more everyone will call attention to it.
You are going to have to use your judgment here on telling your administrator or not. If you feel this is going to be an issue, then I would get in front of it and tell them.
Simply state, “I am very sorry as I was having a bad day and accidentally said a bad word in class. I just wanted you to know.”
Depending on what kind of administrator they are, laughter may ensue. At least, they will be prepared if, by chance, a parent does complain.
Teachers are humans.
I do not think you need to email any parent whatsoever. My child has come home to me and said that her teacher said a bad word. I shrugged and said, “It happens; we all make mistakes.”
This is an excellent lesson for students to learn that nobody is perfect. It actually may be a bonding experience as students won’t view you as untouchable and so flawless. Everyone will realize that swearing is highly out of character for you, and your respect will not be diminished in the least. If the worst mistake you make as a teacher is swearing in front of them, then you are one of the lucky ones.
Sincerely,
Bored Teachers
