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Teachers share 19 things they'd love to tell their students but can't
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To maintain order in the classroom — and to keep their jobs — there are some things teachers just can't tell their students, even if they want to.
But some of these things, while perhaps controversial, could end up being a service to young people, if only someone would just tell them.
So we asked teachers everywhere to weigh in on the one thing they'd love to tell their students but can't, and more than 50 teachers shared their insights.
We've (anonymously) included some of the most constructive thoughts here:
Really, all this stuff you learn is probably not that important
What is important is the life skills you learn while completing the tasks in class.
You learn how to argue effectively and communicate with different types of people. You learn how to listen to others and respond respectfully. You learn so much that you don't even realize because it seems disguised by homework and essays. But really, you are learning to be independent adults more than you know.
Don't waste this opportunity
Please just know that I love teaching and I sincerely want to help you. But I can't help you if you don't put in the effort. I chose this job because I'm passionate and hardworking and I know my s--t, and I will help you get to where you need to be. But you need to meet me halfway.
You may not realize how important it is to do well in school. You grew up in a tiny apartment in a horrible neighborhood, your parents aren't educated, you're working 18 hour-days, and your neighbors are selling drugs — and maybe you think this is all normal, but it's not, and you have a chance to get out of this.
But you're not taking that chance. And I don't know what you think your life is going to be like if you don't graduate high school and go to college, but you're not going to get out of the South Bronx — you'll be surrounded in this unsafe, crime-ridden neighborhood, it'll be the same thing with your own kids.
It's so frustrating because education opens so many doors, and people around the world would kill to have this educational opportunity. Malala was shot in the freaking head for it. And you're just throwing it all away, and that makes me want to tear my hair out.
The world can be very harsh
You are more than what others judge you to be.
Adults don't always know best
Sometimes I wish I could tell you when your parents are wrong.
You are not your test scores
All the standardized testing we do is so insignificant to who you will become.
I don't like standardized tests either
They stress me out too!
