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Good educators significantly impact a student's life. But so can the bad ones. 

Today's list continues Bored Panda's series of articles covering some teachers' irksome and unprofessional behavior. While a few submissions are laughable, others prove that not everyone is fit for the job. 

Some of you may have had similar experiences, so feel free to share them in the comments.

#1

Teachers Need To Understand Students Don't Always Sleep In Class Just Because Of Laziness

Teachers Need To Understand Students Don't Always Sleep In Class Just Because Of Laziness

Phantom_Wolf52 Report

#2

I Was A Teacher For 8 Years, And I Never Made A Student Feel Small After Asking For Help

I Was A Teacher For 8 Years, And I Never Made A Student Feel Small After Asking For Help

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Outgraygeous
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The magic of washii tape! I partially open difficult things and then seal them for my kid.

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#3

"They Both Tried To Laugh It Off Like It Was All A Silly Misunderstanding And Never Apologized To Me"

"They Both Tried To Laugh It Off Like It Was All A Silly Misunderstanding And Never Apologized To Me"

JoyAng , JoyAng Report

“Bad teachers are extremely rare,” according to decorated film producer, screenwriter, and English teacher Ellie Herman. But having seen her fair share of subpar educators, she found five common tendencies. One of them is having a noticeable dislike towards children. 

“The number one quality I’ve observed in bad teachers is that they do not seem to like children very much. In high schools, this means they do not seem to find teenagers charming, funny, or interesting—ever.”

#5

It Took Him A While

It Took Him A While

Just for some perspective, I emailed him in my 2nd year of undergrad. I have graduated from my undergrad, have two master's degrees, and I'm in the 6th year of my PhD.

academijung Report

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David Paterson
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's why I wouldn't make a good teacher. Some time I'll get to answer those emails from 15 years ago.

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#6

A Former Teacher Of Mine Publicly Ridiculing And Passing Judgement On Someone For Being Proud Of Their Sobriety

A Former Teacher Of Mine Publicly Ridiculing And Passing Judgement On Someone For Being Proud Of Their Sobriety

ander2kv Report

Disinterest in the subject they’re teaching is another tendency among bad teachers, according to Herman. 

“If asked ‘why are you teaching this?’ will you respond ‘because it will be on the test’? Every teacher has dud lessons from time to time (believe me), but what I sense in the classrooms of bad teachers is that they have no interest in their entire subject.”

#7

Apparently Enjoying The Workout Is Part Of The Grade

Apparently Enjoying The Workout Is Part Of The Grade

1Cryptic_Phoenix Report

#8

My Brother's Kindergarten Teacher Printed These Out For The Class

My Brother's Kindergarten Teacher Printed These Out For The Class

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#9

I Had To Do A Survey For Math And Made It As Simple As Humanly Possible, But According To The English Professor, Hostel Isn't A Word

I Had To Do A Survey For Math And Made It As Simple As Humanly Possible, But According To The English Professor, Hostel Isn't A Word

reddit.com Report

Beloved teachers have one trait in common: they care. They are genuinely invested in their students’ success. But some are already emotionally checked out, and Herman says it shows. 

“A central quality in truly bad teachers is that they seem to have stopped caring; this lack of engagement is reflected not only in their interactions with students (or lack thereof) but in their seemingly random choice of lesson topics.”

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#10

I Had An English Final Exam Today, And I Had To Describe This Image. Teacher's Copy vs. Student's Copy

I Had An English Final Exam Today, And I Had To Describe This Image. Teacher's Copy vs. Student's Copy

Fastestbullet99 Report

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ElfVibratorGlitter
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like a black and white copy, of a copy, of a copy, of a copy, of a copy, of a copy, of a copy, of a copy, of a copy, of the original colour photo.

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#11

My 3rd Grade Kids Were Given This Ridiculous Project

My 3rd Grade Kids Were Given This Ridiculous Project

ThatsMrSmeeToYou Report

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Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Must be able to fly. Must be able to turn lead into gold. Must be able to demonstrate we live on a Flat Earth.

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#12

My Son Then Told Him That Was Offensive, Explaining That Autism Means Seeing The World Differently And That Jesus’ Perfection Was About Being Sinless, Not Neurotypical

My Son Then Told Him That Was Offensive, Explaining That Autism Means Seeing The World Differently And That Jesus’ Perfection Was About Being Sinless, Not Neurotypical

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Tobias Reaper
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my nephew is autistic and when he was 5 or 6 he was upset and started cry and said his brain was broken someone had said something to me it absolutely broke my heart. Being neurodivergent myself i know its not something that needs to be healed at all so this dude can bugger right off

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Teachers have their favorite students; however, it won’t be an issue if everyone receives fair treatment. It becomes a problem when these biases become evident. 

“The truly bad teachers I’ve observed tend to engage only with a small number of very compliant, eager students, ignoring the rest except to reprimand troublemakers,” Herman says.

#13

We Are No Longer Allowed To Yawn In My College Course, With Points Off Our Grade As Punishment

We Are No Longer Allowed To Yawn In My College Course, With Points Off Our Grade As Punishment

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Bernd Herbert
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And while you’re at it, please stop breathing! That also has a negative impact on me

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#14

This Typo Caused Me To Fail The Entire Assignment

This Typo Caused Me To Fail The Entire Assignment

nlwfty Report

#15

So Rude And For What

So Rude And For What

EM0DOG Report

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However, there are people who see some benefit in having their kids learn under bad teachers. Author Linda Flanagan is a mother of three teenagers, and here’s what she’s observed. 

“An indifferent teacher can compel the self-motivated student to pursue his own interests,” she wrote in an article for HuffPost. “The teacher who spends class time devouring People while students fill out worksheets might not inspire, but she might prompt a little self-directed learning just the same."

#17

Apparently, My Answer Was Wrong Because The Teacher Forgot To Add An End Parentheses

Apparently, My Answer Was Wrong Because The Teacher Forgot To Add An End Parentheses

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#18

My Teacher Only Lets Us Go To The Bathroom 3 Times A Month

My Teacher Only Lets Us Go To The Bathroom 3 Times A Month

Imayhaveeatenthedog Report

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Tabitha
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now, I can see if a teacher has had a lot of students leave the class to “go to the bathroom” when they’re actually just goofing off during class time, that they might try to curb that behavior by being a bit more strict about allowing students to leave the classroom. It going nuclear like this is only going to get the teacher in trouble when they don’t allow a student with a legitimate medical need to go to the bathroom because they already used up their three tickets that month.

Sinkvenice
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never understood the obsession with denying bathroom breaks to kids in US schools. What's the point of having bathrooms in the building if the students aren't allowed to use them? It's degrading and a potential health risk. Denying the most basic of human bodily functions is utterly barbaric.

CatchTheWind
Community Member
5 months ago

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They are allowed to use them all they want IN BETWEEN classes (which are typically 50 minutes long). Requests to use the bathroom during class are almost always because either the student didn't act responsibly by using the bathroom before class or he/she just wants an excuse to leave the class. Bathroom breaks diminish learning time and distract other students.

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Kerikat
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a teacher in high school(early 90's) deny me a bathroom break. I was actually in pain and found to have a kidney infection. Nobody like Mrs.M......my dad ripped her a new @$$h*le....How are these kind of things even legal?

Scott Rackley
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Going anyway. We can discuss how mad you'll be when I get back.

KnightOwl
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do parents not kick up a huge fuss about this type of stuff? I have a few young family members with IBS and other bowel problems as well as a few with stomach/bowel issues caused by anxiety, not having access to a bathroom isn't an option for them.

Wondering Alice
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Issues such as this are listed on the register in every school I have ever worked in. Parents simply inform the school of an issue, and teachers are informed said child must be allowed to go wherever. Decent parents also inform school of temporary issues to avoid embarrassment. Why would parents kick up a fuss later when all they need to do is tell the school in the first place.

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RabidChild
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of freak monitors and tracks how often one uses the facilities and how long it takes them to do so?

Libby King
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The ones who get in trouble with admin if they don’t?? My district has a computer program we have to use to log passes and if we don’t use it, we get a lecture.

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Janos Schumacher
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty normal when you're a kid. I remember that from 3rd grade to 7th grade, one was not ever allowed to use the bathroom. Once we hit 7th, we only had 3 minutes between classes so if you did use the restroom, you'd be given detention for being late to class. There were times where I swear there were more kids in ISS than in actual classes. All due to being late for class, having only a pen in math or having only a pencil in English. Both of those being hanging offenses. I moved in 8th grade to a much better school where teachers didn't care if you had to pee. No hall passes, no nonsense. When you gotta go, you gotta go.

Marlowe Fitzpatrik
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think this is normal at all. Maybe in some areas of the world but in Germany, this would NEVER fly. Actually illegal, I'm sure

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2late4me
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately, these bathroom rules often are not the teachers' decisions. The administration imposes these restrictions, and teachers must comply.

Ella
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to a school where we could go ten times a quarter

Sheba's Mum
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a Crohn's Disease warrior, I'd be screwed. I'd need a minimum of 3 - probably more - a day!

nicholas nolan
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Can I go to the bathroom?" "I don't know, can you?" "I sure as f**k can."

Bluebreeze
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm assuming of course this wouldn't apply to girls, given that periods are not controllable. Oh no, wait. Just remembered we live on earth.

Connie Hirsch
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good Ghod. I'd have rained hell down on that teacher if it was my kid in that class.

Brenda
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My bladder is the size of a pea. I use the restroom more often than my toddler grandkids. They can't restrict a students usage unless they are abusing the privilege.

Jonas Fisher
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, this kind of thing happens because students leave class daily, do so for 20 minutes or more, and wander the halls. Consider: Even if OP has this class daily, that's still only at most 23 days of class. Three is not unreasonable, when this is a single class in the day. Hell, the teachers also have to hold it and wait for the end of class, right? So, as a general rule, waiting until a more reasonable time (passing period, lunch, study hall, etc) makes sense.

justagirl
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

per MONTH. Bro. The average person urinates up to seven times a DAY.

Chickens are fluffy
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My gosh my school had this move down system, like colors to move down if you did something bad (horrible system because it was completely up to teachers who could be bias) anyway one of the things you could be moved down for is going to the bathroom without asking or if the teacher said no, even at seven no one should ask if they have to use the bathroom, they should be able to get up and go. F***k you Excelsior Academy

BarBeeGirl
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I told my kids that if they ever had to legit go to the bathroom and the teacher wouldn’t let them, they were to leave the classroom, go to the bathroom and then immediately go to the principal and have them call me (This is bc when I was a kid I saw more than one kid wet their pants because of a*****e teachers)

brittany
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh heck no. my oldest is a hellraiser (her words) she'd be bringing extra clothes and showing her teacher exactly what happens when you tell her to wait to go to the bathroom. you gotta go, you go

slim shady
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i would have just left & if they stopped me i would have just been like ‘LADY, I GOTTA TAKE A P**S’ & if she somehow stopped me, well, that’s illegal.

Mäandertal
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Damn I would pee on the floor so hard. Wouldn't wanna waste a precious ticket!

xolitaire
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand the "floor pass" thing in some countries. In Germany (at least in my school years?) we were allowed to go to the bathroom simply after asking. No one could forbid you from going, unless it was obvious you were trolling on purpose.

Frankie
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a discussion about this bc I've always found it so absurd, and it seems that the reason for bathroom passes (at least part of it) is bc the teachers need to be able to account for every kid if there's a shooting. Soooo sad.

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Flanagan's example of a bad teacher is someone she describes as a "tyrant" and "petty dictator" who is more about control. She says having these people as mentors is a valuable experience when entering the real world. 

"These skills will come in handy when it's time to renew a driver's license, contest an insurance payment, or dispute a cable bill. Having a tyrant for a teacher helps young people appreciate why abuses of power must be resisted throughout life."

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#19

This Teacher Is Wild

This Teacher Is Wild

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Red Wyvern Emperor
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude for 200$ an hour I will pick that cotton and prepare field for next year. XD

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#20

I Would Hate That In My Classes

I Would Hate That In My Classes

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#21

I'm A Blind Guy, And My Teachers Tell Me They Don't Know Why I'm Not Looking Forward To The School Trip To The Museum. Can Anyone Guess Why?

I'm A Blind Guy, And My Teachers Tell Me They Don't Know Why I'm Not Looking Forward To The School Trip To The Museum. Can Anyone Guess Why?

Frikandelneuker Report

Flanagan also experienced what she describes as “the idealogue” when her son’s seventh-grade biology teacher pushed his belief in creationism onto his students. 

“It introduces kids to mankind’s endless capacity for self-deception. Warning: this lesson only applies when there’s a rational adult in the mix to provide a reality check.”

#22

I Did My Biology Assignment. It Counted Me Wrong Because I Put Their First And Last Names

I Did My Biology Assignment. It Counted Me Wrong Because I Put Their First And Last Names

ChikinNuggetsRmine Report

#23

My Teacher: "Go To This Link And Fill Out The Form"

My Teacher: "Go To This Link And Fill Out The Form"

BramKalkman Report

#24

My Son Misspelled A Word, So The Teacher "Corrected" Him

My Son Misspelled A Word, So The Teacher "Corrected" Him

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#25

Woke Up At 7 AM, Headed To Class In The Freezing Rain, Just To See "Class Is Cancelled" Written On The Whiteboard And The Door Locked. No Email Or Anything First

Woke Up At 7 AM, Headed To Class In The Freezing Rain, Just To See "Class Is Cancelled" Written On The Whiteboard And The Door Locked. No Email Or Anything First

Firecracker7413 Report

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elmortero
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My age/generation is about to be revealed, but there were times when that was normal

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#26

My Son’s First Grade Teacher Sent This Home Today

My Son’s First Grade Teacher Sent This Home Today

highfivesandhandjobs Report

#27

Our Driving Class Teacher Is Never On Time. She Should've Been Here 20 Minutes Ago

Our Driving Class Teacher Is Never On Time. She Should've Been Here 20 Minutes Ago

Things like this repeat all the time. Previously, we had to wait for her for 30+ minutes.

Olya_roo Report

#29

My Teacher Printed The Video File On Paper

My Teacher Printed The Video File On Paper

Huge-Technician2889 Report

#31

The Article For An Assignment In Class Is Paid

The Article For An Assignment In Class Is Paid

Accomplished_Bike149 Report

#32

This Program Our Professor Wants Us To Use For Our Tests

This Program Our Professor Wants Us To Use For Our Tests

The reviews all say it's spyware and that it ruins computers. In the past, we’ve used Honorlock, but this professor just had to be different.

TexasMeatMan Report

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#33

The Lines A Fellow Teacher Gave A 7-Year-Old Student To Write 20 Times As A Consequence

The Lines A Fellow Teacher Gave A 7-Year-Old Student To Write 20 Times As A Consequence

Illustrious-Laugh795 Report

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Zephyr
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Explanation: I must remember to forget the correct shoes to wear which means ( consequence lines = no meaning)

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#34

When Teachers Give Diagrams Like This

When Teachers Give Diagrams Like This

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#35

My Four-Year-Old Daughter's Preschool Homework. "Match The Pictures" With No Other Context

My Four-Year-Old Daughter's Preschool Homework. "Match The Pictures" With No Other Context

chuck1830 Report

#36

This Sign Is On A High School Classroom Door

This Sign Is On A High School Classroom Door

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#37

My French Teacher Gave Us New "French Names" About Two Weeks Ago And Takes Off Points From Your Exams And Daily Participation If You Don't Refer To Yourself By Your French Name

My French Teacher Gave Us New "French Names" About Two Weeks Ago And Takes Off Points From Your Exams And Daily Participation If You Don't Refer To Yourself By Your French Name

dykejoon Report

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Zephyr
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think some cultures would find this offensive,............ wait, I find this offensive

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#39

My Blind Child Came Home From School Today With This Homework

My Blind Child Came Home From School Today With This Homework

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Jas Warner
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've accidentally put work in people's cubbys who shouldn't have gotten it. WE ARE OVER WORKED! CHILL. It was probably an honest mistake and things happen.

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#40

Kindergarten Homework Is Kicking My Butt. "In Front" Or "Behind"? I Got -2 Points For This

Kindergarten Homework Is Kicking My Butt. "In Front" Or "Behind"? I Got -2 Points For This

Fresh_Counter Report

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LuckyL
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sorry - but it already starts with "kindergarten homework" - whaaat??

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#41

This Stressed My Son Out. Literally Impossible

This Stressed My Son Out. Literally Impossible

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#42

My Kid's Science Teacher Assigned An 82-Question Packet To Be Done Over Spring Break

My Kid's Science Teacher Assigned An 82-Question Packet To Be Done Over Spring Break

gardenbikie821 Report

#43

No Point In Studying For The Final

No Point In Studying For The Final

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Andi
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This means that you have done so badly in other exams that to get a passing grade you will need a higher score than is possible - its not difficult if somewhat a funny way to put it -

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#44

Teacher Not Happy With Marching Band Score And Award

Teacher Not Happy With Marching Band Score And Award

DesertRat13 Report

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Nawny
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Band teachers can be wild. Had one in elementary school that used to throw recorders, ukuleles and chairs at students. Like 6 year olds. Or maybe it was just the 80’s that was wild lol.

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#45

I Didn’t Know People Actually Covered Clocks In Schools

I Didn’t Know People Actually Covered Clocks In Schools

JacobIsAFroggyBoi Report

#46

The Way My Math Teacher Numbers His Worksheets

The Way My Math Teacher Numbers His Worksheets

adeel-a Report

#48

My University Cancelled Class Today Due To The Weather (A Freezing Rainstorm Caused Thick Layers Of Ice All Over The Campus), But My Professor Still Wants Us To Go To Our Lab

My University Cancelled Class Today Due To The Weather (A Freezing Rainstorm Caused Thick Layers Of Ice All Over The Campus), But My Professor Still Wants Us To Go To Our Lab

Lada730 Report

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UncleJohn3000
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Forward it to the office that closed the school. Massive liability could occur.

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#49

All Of My School's Printers Are Auto-Configured To Print Double-Sided. However, My Programming Teacher Requires Code To Be Printed Single-Sided

All Of My School's Printers Are Auto-Configured To Print Double-Sided. However, My Programming Teacher Requires Code To Be Printed Single-Sided

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Morphuny
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Requires code to be PRINTED? We would get kicked of computer class for that at university 😂 we have to give them the code as a python script or something but never ever print code

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#50

This Keyboard At My College. Teachers, Don't Let Us Clean It

This Keyboard At My College. Teachers, Don't Let Us Clean It

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Note: this post originally had 60 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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