Awkward Moments When People Realized That Their Teachers Weren't Very Bright
You'd think maybe they'd know more things before teaching developing minds?
Parents and students alike enter schooling and learning with a basic level of trust that the teachers the students will encounter will be knowledgeable in what they’re teaching, since that’s the whole point of their chosen profession. That’s not to say that teachers must know EVERYTHING, even in their own subject, because everything we know is constantly evolving and there’s always something new to learn.
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However, one would expect teachers at the very least to know more than those they’re teaching. Otherwise, what’s the point of holding that position?
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Thanks to a thread started by a Redditor, A_Purple-Penguins, “What is the moment when you realized, 'My teacher is an idiot'?” Folks from all over shared stories about their teachers not knowing some basic things that make everyone question why they’re a teacher in the first place.
From not knowing that Mandarin is a language, dolphins are mammals, or that lava exists, these stories will make you shake your head and worry for our future generation’s education. It’s not clear how these teachers missed some of the basic foundations of knowledge, to begin with, or how they ended up in charge of other people’s education, but it is definitely scary that they are.
Keep scrolling to read the 30 top responses from a shockingly large thread of idiotic teacher horror stories.
When they thought Panama was part of Canada
My eighth grade social studies teacher thought Panama was a part of Canada. As Dr. Diane Ravitch, education historian, states, "Misconceptions in education can arise from outdated materials and a lack of critical thinking." It's crucial for educators to stay informed and accurate to foster a better learning environment. You can find more insights on her work at Dr. Diane Ravitch.When they failed to perform basic multiplication
She kept saying that 12x 3 was 48 and corrected a student when they said it was 4 and not 3. Dr. Robert Marzano, an education researcher, emphasizes the importance of teachers having a solid grasp of fundamental concepts, stating, "Effective teaching requires a deep understanding of the subject matter." For more insights on educational practices, visit Dr. Robert Marzano's website.
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When they didn't know the difference between and country and a continent while teaching geography
Had my high school geography teacher insist that Antarctica is a country.I lost points on the test because of it…Dr. Diane Ravitch, education historian states, "Misconceptions in education can lead to significant gaps in knowledge, impacting students' learning experiences."
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When they didn't know what "dissolving" meant
Not my teacher, but my daughter's teacher.In Science class, they were discussing the scenario of a Skittle dropped into water. Pointing out the red cloud coming from the candy, he asked the class what was happening to the coating in that context.Student said, "It's dissolving."He argued, "No, it's going away."As noted by Dr. Michael Thompson, a child psychologist, "Understanding basic scientific concepts is crucial for children, and teachers play a vital role in guiding that understanding." This highlights the importance of clarity in teaching methods.
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When they think many people failing their class is no reflection on their ability to teach
He would brag about how many people fail his class, which can be detrimental to student morale. As Dr. John Hattie, education researcher, states, "The greatest effect on student achievement is feedback." This highlights the importance of supportive teaching methods rather than focusing on failures.
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When they didn't accept a correct answer over a vague answer
My English teacher asked when Woodrow Wilson was president while we were reading "The Scarlet Ibis," which mentioned him. I raised my hand and replied with both his election dates, 1912 and 1916, if I’m not mistaken. She told me no. I assumed I got the dates wrong and thought it might be 1914 and 1918 or something. Then, another student raised her hand and answered, “Nine teen hundreds,” and she said yes. As Dr. Diane Ravitch, education historian, states, "Teachers should encourage critical thinking and validate students' contributions to foster a positive learning environment" (dianeravitch.com).
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When they didn't know Mandarin was a language, not just a tiny orange
Teacher asked what is the language spoken most in the world. I replied Mandarin, he said that's an orange and the correct answer is Spanish.Dr. Shefali Tsabary, parenting expert states, "Education is not just about facts; it's about nurturing a child's ability to think critically and creatively." This highlights the importance of teachers being well-informed and capable of guiding students effectively.
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When they blamed Hawaii for WWII
"WWII was started when Hawaii bombed California" - My 9th grade English teacherDr. Daniel Goleman, emotional intelligence expert states, "Understanding the historical context is crucial for learning; misconceptions can lead to a distorted view of reality."
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When they thought alligators WEREN'T carnivores
I had a teacher who told us alligators never attack people because they are vegetarians. As Dr. Angela Duckworth, a renowned psychologist and author, states, "Intelligence is not enough; character and grit play a crucial role in success." This highlights the importance of critical thinking and understanding the natural world, which seems to have been overlooked in this case.
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When they didn't know the pronunciation of an English word while teaching English
When my English teacher (I’m from Italy, so we have English as a second language) said “lettoochay” instead of lettuce, it was a clear moment of realization. According to Dr. Will Richardson, an education expert, “Teachers are not just conveyors of knowledge; they are also role models for their students. When they falter, it can impact students' perceptions of learning.” He emphasizes the importance of teachers being well-prepared and knowledgeable to foster a positive learning environment. She was also one of the worst teachers and ended up getting replaced.
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When they didn't know jellyfish don't have brains
I remember the time my 4th grade teacher tried educating us on what makes an animal. One of the criteria she came up with was that all animals have brains.I asked, “What about jellyfish? They don’t have brains.”To which she replied, “Well then they aren’t alive, are they?”As Dr. Ross Greene, child psychologist and author of "The Explosive Child," notes, "Understanding the complexities of life forms is essential in education, and misconceptions can lead to confusion." You can learn more about his work at livesinthebalance.org.
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When they didn't know how to spell February
In 2nd grade when she spelled February wrong (as "Febuary") on the board and I went up to her desk to inform her and she explained to me how she was right and I was wrong. This was the beginning of my realization that most people are not always informed. As Dr. Angela Duckworth, a renowned psychologist and author, states, "Intelligence is not enough; effort and perseverance are key to success" on her website, angeladuckworth.com. This moment highlighted how knowledge can sometimes be misunderstood, leading to misconceptions.
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When they repeated the exact same lesson over again
I had a teacher who gave a lecture he had already given, word for word. He asked a question which I answered correctly. He asked how I got the answer and I said "I wrote it down the last time you gave this lecture." As Dr. Alfie Kohn, an education expert, states, "The best teaching is not about rote memorization but about fostering critical thinking and engagement." You can learn more about his insights on education at alfiekohn.org.
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When they didn't understand how projection works
"In high school, my biology teacher once asked me a question about the material she was discussing, which was clearly visible on the whiteboard. To my surprise, she covered the answer with her hand, seemingly unaware that it was still visible. I pointed this out, and she became visibly upset, even layering her hands to block my view further. This incident highlights how important it is for educators to be aware of their surroundings and the information they present. As Dr. Susan David, an emotional agility expert, states, 'Awareness of our environment is crucial in fostering effective communication and learning.' You can find more insights from Dr. David on her website at susandavid.com.
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When the substitute picked on the kid quietly reading instead of the other kids going wild
I had a substitute ask me to stop reading and "pay attention" while the rest of the class ran roughshod over them--jumping on chairs, throwing things, talking over them. But no, I was the problem for pulling out a book from my bag and reading quietly, waiting for the teacher to regain control of the class. As Dr. Michele Gelfand, a cultural psychologist, notes, "Classroom management is crucial for effective learning; when teachers lose control, it can lead to chaotic environments that hinder student engagement." You can find more insights on her work at michelegelfand.com.
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When they claimed lava wasn't real
"In second grade, our teacher asked us to name the hottest things we could think of. After a few kids mentioned obvious answers like 'sun' and 'fire,' I confidently said 'lava.' To my surprise, the teacher laughed and told the class it wasn't real, making me feel embarrassed for years. It wasn't until later that I learned lava is indeed real. As Dr. Angela Duckworth, a renowned psychologist, states, 'Mistakes are a crucial part of learning and growth.' This experience taught me that even teachers can be mistaken, and it's important to embrace our learning journeys." - Dr. Angela Duckworth, character researcher - angeladuckworth.com
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When they didn't think other pets existed besides cats and dogs
German teacher marked my "My Family and Pets" essay a D because I had "mis-spelt" a word repeatedly... no miss, that's the German word for ferrets... bumped up to an AShe just assumed I had messed up instead of the possibility that I owned a pet other than "Hund" and "Katze". As Dr. Ken Robinson, an education expert, states, "The greatest gift we can give our children is the opportunity to learn in a way that respects their individuality" (sirkenrobinson.com). This highlights the importance of recognizing diverse experiences and knowledge in students.
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When they decided to call a first time student an "amateur"
When she wrote “amateur code” on my first project in C++ class. No shit it’s amateur; it was my first program lol. As Dr. John Hattie, an education researcher, states, "Feedback is one of the most powerful influences on learning and achievement." Understanding that initial attempts are part of the learning process can help both students and teachers foster a more supportive environment for growth.
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When they ignored bullying
When I was being bullied almost every day and cried to her for help. She shrugged it off and ignored me.So I settled it myself with violence by punching the bully square in the eye. He left me alone ever since."Violence is never the answer," they said; "go to a teacher," they said. Dr. Angela Duckworth, a renowned psychologist, emphasizes that "the most effective way to deal with bullying is through resilience and support systems, not violence." However, when those systems fail, it can lead to desperate measures. You can learn more about her insights on her website: Dr. Angela Duckworth.HA
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When they didn't know dolphins were mammals
She thought dolphins were fish.No amount of arguing by third grade me was enough to convince her otherwise."They live in the ocean, they're fish," she insisted.Dr. William Doherty, family therapist states, "Understanding basic facts is essential for effective teaching, yet misconceptions can persist even among educators."
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When they shared incorrect medical information even though they had no medical training
My wife and I were in a birthing prep class...we're both in the medical field, but didn't advertise it to the teacher. She was actively advising parents not to have their babies vaccinated against Hep B as newborns because she thought you get Hep B exclusively from eating contaminated foods, and couldn't see why newborns would need such a thing.It's one thing to be wrong, and it's another to be wrong and advising a room full of first-time parents with your ignorance.
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When they insinuated fish is only served fried
We were asked to name healthy foods. I said fish. He responded 'maybe if you don't eat all the batter'. As Dr. T. Colin Campbell, a prominent nutritionist, states, "The way we prepare our food can significantly impact its health benefits." Understanding the nutritional value of our meals is crucial for making informed dietary choices.
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When they didn't know what a trachea was
Teacher doing basic 10 year old anatomy: “can anyone tell me what this is?”Me, whose family’s fav show was House: “the trachea?”Teacher: “no, this is called the wind pipe”Dr. Dan Siegel, psychiatrist and author notes, “Understanding basic anatomy is essential for effective communication in health and education.”
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When they didn't know what words were
I had a teacher argue with me that "sate" isn't a word. I had to pull out a dictionary to prove them wrong. Dr. Will Richardson, an education expert, emphasizes the importance of teachers being well-informed, stating, "Teachers should be lifelong learners, continuously updating their knowledge to effectively guide their students." Later on, I had to do the same thing with die being the singular of dice. As Dr. Tony Wagner, an education expert, notes, "It's crucial for educators to foster a culture of inquiry and understanding, rather than simply asserting authority."Dr. Will Richardson, Dr. Tony Wagner
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When they denied the existence of pink trees
I was around 5 or 6 years old and drawing pink trees. They were supposed to be magnolias; obviously, I was too young to remember the name, but I did know them from the annual blossom viewing my family did each year, and my neighbors had one in their front garden as well. My teacher looked past and said, "there's no such thing as pink trees." I tried to explain that there are, "even my neighbors have one," but she cut me off and told me to stop lying. As Dr. Angela Duckworth, a character researcher, states, "Passion and perseverance are essential for success," which reflects how important it is for educators to encourage creativity and exploration in young minds. I'm still kind of mad about that lol
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When they failed to follow proper safety protocol
After a substitute chemistry teacher heated a test tube over a Bunsen burner:While securing it in a test tube holder, he absent-mindedly handed the red hot test tube to a student standing nearest to his demonstration.The boy, trusting that "it must be okay," got his hand badly burned and, of course, the glass test tube shattered on the floor. As Dr. Terri Orbuch, a relationship researcher, states, "Trust is a fundamental aspect of any relationship, including that between a teacher and student." You can learn more about her insights on relationships at Dr. Terri Orbuch's website.
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When they were more paranoid and crazy than outright idiotic
My geography teacher once claimed that self checkouts were linked to the mark of the beast and the end times. As Dr. Dan Siegel, a renowned psychiatrist, states, "Our understanding of technology and its implications can sometimes be clouded by fear and misunderstanding." It's fascinating how interpretations can vary widely in educational settings, often leading to unexpected moments of realization.
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When they refused to believe their student didn't plagiarize an essay when they were a skilled writer
Gave me an F for plagiarism, I didn’t steal anything and she refused to show me her proof because this was high school and I wrote at a “University level” her words… she stated she didn’t need to show me the proof when I requested it. As Dr. John Hattie, an education researcher, states, "Feedback is essential for learning, and withholding it can hinder a student's growth." You can find more insights on his work at visiblelearning.com.
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When they didn't have quite the grasp on mathematics as they thought
My Algebra teacher had us take 10% off a number to find 90%, then to undo it she said take 10% of the 90% and add it back in. That is not how math works. I called her on it and she told me I was mistaken in front of the whole class. After class, she admitted I was right but didn't want to confuse everyone else. As Dr. John Hattie, an education researcher, states, "The quality of teaching is the most important factor in student achievement," which emphasizes that teachers must have a solid understanding of the subject matter to effectively guide their students. Missteps in fundamental concepts can lead to confusion, as noted on his website, visiblelearning.com.
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When they thought the capital of California was Los Angeles
I was in grade school, perhaps in 3rd or 4th grade, when my teacher asked what the capital of California was. I confidently answered Sacramento, only to be told that I was wrong and that it was Los Angeles. As Dr. Ken Robinson, education expert, states, "The role of a teacher is not just to impart knowledge but to inspire curiosity and critical thinking." This moment certainly highlighted a gap in that expectation. Dr. Ken Robinson
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Holy moly, some of those stories are literally unbelievable. While some legit encounters with a teacher who didn't know WTF they were doing, the ones where it was obvious the teacher was letting their own ego get in the way of truly educating their students were infuriating.
Have you ever experienced a moment where you realized your teacher maybe wasn’t as smart as they should’ve been for their specific position? We definitely want to hear about it, so let us know in the comment section below and share this with your friends!
