Unintentional Insensitivity Unintentional Insensitivity All of my articles about teachers have been supportive. I write about them positively because I admire them, am amazed by their efforts on behalf of children, and I don't think most of the public sees what they're up against. But lately I've wanted to warn teachers about a behavior they can succomb to. They can become so involved in their own difficult set of circumstances that they are unintentionally rude.
Teachers work in survival mode.
They are immersed in stomping out classroom fires, or meeting the latest testing requirement or demand handed down from higher ups. Then there's worrying about which parent might attack something they've done, said, or been told they've done or said. In addition, daily, they juggle managing and caring for twenty-some children. Given these conditions, my guess is they don't think much about pleasantries. Usually I'm understanding, but lately I've run into a string of teachers who make me wonder whether they have an inkling about how their behaviors affect those around them Before I work in a school, I have a meeting to let teachers know what I'll do during my week-long residency.