5 Things an Educator Should Never Say

Illustration by Vanessa Solis

1. Ask a student if they are lost: Obviously someone squinting, turning around, eyes affixed to Google Maps, trying to make eye contact with briskly walking people who seem to know where they are going, is probably lost. If it is the first week of classes that is even more likely to be the case but what I'm talking about is when a student has reached their location. They came to the class they registered for and because they don't fit their professor's stereotype of what an engineering student, or an English student, should look like the professor assumes they are lost and asks if they may respect them. This is so gross. The first day is filled with enough fear of the unknown, to be greeted with a sexist or racist or xenophobic microaggression is more than starting off on the wrong foot, it is prejudicial and discriminatory.

2. Misname a student: When a student introduces themselves maybe they prefer a nickname, maybe they alert you to their last name not being the same as the roll sheet, either way, take note and try not to call them the wrong name. Accidents do happen, just apologize and keep it moving. No matter how trivial it may sound to you, students have a life before they meet us and whether they are a victim of domestic violence or are transitioning, they are taking a step and telling you who they are, the least you can do is accept them.

3. Belittle an entire generation: Too often we faculty see our wall full of degrees and our other teaching accolades and we think, if I can do this then my students have no excuse- it must be that damn social media. When you look down upon an entire generation or minimize their experiences by reducing it to one condition you are failing your students. How can you make a connection and really engage your classes when you don't even view them as equal or even similar to you?

4. Comment on a student's physical appearance: No, telling your students they will never get a job dressed like that is not preparing them for life after graduation you are basically just making someone aware of their body in public. This is a position that people who are cultured female, identify as queer, and BIPOC's (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) experience all the time. We can't simply walk into a room and sit down, people are looking at us, assessing us, and when you, as the class room leader, play into this it reminds your students that they are on display and can't simply be a student in class. They are a caricature, a performance piece.

5.Making jokes about being offensive: "Sorry I didn't mean to assume your gender lol," "LGBTQIAZCJGGF, you know the alphabet soup lolz," These aren't jokes, they are transphobic and homophobic comments. When you, as the teacher, say this you are giving permission to everyone in class to indulge or celebrate their own prejudice views. Don't be surprised if students don't feel safe in your class and when class discussion become a violent display of hate.


Val Day-Sánchez provides workshops in building inclusive classrooms, contact her for dates and times or if you would like to have them visit your school or institution.