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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

washedupteach Report

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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

brendan1228 Report

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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

AndrewTDraper Report

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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

sleepiesen Report

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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

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#15

So Rude And For What

So Rude And For What

EM0DOG Report

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

Clymmie Report

#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

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. 

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"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."

#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

CLOVIS-AI Report

#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.”

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#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

Edawg661 Report

#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

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#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

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#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

#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

gr33nh3at Report

#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

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#36

This Sign Is On A High School Classroom Door

This Sign Is On A High School Classroom Door

cmonfiend Report

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

Teachers have been weirdly controlling and creepy about bathroom visits since long before Amazon existed.

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

To be fair, my kid tells me how his peers abuse bathroom breaks

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

As a teacher, can confirm. They seem to wait for the 5-10 minutes when I'm explaining what they need to do for the rest of the class to interrupt me and ask to use the restroom. I don't make them ask, I have a sign out sheet because sometimes they don't come back and I can tell security exactly how long they have been missing. That or they ask directly after I've just given them a 10 minute break.

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

Well, compared to some, that's fair. Not disturbing class as you come and go, and it's your responsibility to get notes from other students.

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

My high school was a massive, sprawling complex and the time between classes was exactly five minutes. That is not enough time to use the restroom and walk to a different classroom unless the three were directly next to each other, in which case you still have to carry everything because there was no time to visit your locker to exchange materials between classes.

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

What drives me nuts about this behavior from teachers and administrators is that the real world doesn't work like this. I've been in meetings with 4 C level people and their underlings and I'm the one running the meeting, yet I can still excuse myself to use the restroom and no-one cares. People gotta do what they gotta do. No one cares. Let people use the restroom, let people get a drink of water. Treat kids like adults and they will act like adults.

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

Really? "No one cares"? So you can be in the middle of explaining some project or assigning tasks and say, "...and so that takes us to our Q3 plans, which...oh, wait. I'm going to the bathroom." And people just nod along? Yeah, right.

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

This is horribly passive aggressive, but some students will go to extraordinary lengths to try not to learn.

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

I 100% agree with this as a general policy, and challenge anyone to explain to me why it's incorrect.

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

Wow. I've been teaching for a long time, and I have made huge mistakes but one thing I've learned is to not be such a control freak.

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

I've told my kids to ignore rules like this, and I will deal with the consequences for them. Had one teacher try to push back. We have school of choice where I live, meaning I can put my kid in a school out of district and my taxes go to that school instead of my district. Just the threat of them losing that money was enough to end the no bathroom break policy

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

I actually had kidney stones in class and wasn’t allowed to use the bathroom and ended up getting a bladder infection where I developed cultures culminating in the Celia of my kidneys. And because I’m allergic to sulfa d***s and most of the micins, I was in the hospital for 3 1/2 months while they were formulating random antibiotics that were no longer used to try to keep me alive. I was put on a ventilator twice. The urologist and the infectious disease specialist both agreed had I been flushing my urinary track with all of the water I was told by my doctor when the 2 mm stone was discovered, I would have most likely never gotten near that point. But hey, if they let me p**s when I physiologically needed to, they’d have to let everyone. Because fairness? We all should be denied basic human rights equally.

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

A student shouldn't miss anything by being briefly out of the room because the teacher should be repeating, re-emphasizing, and reinforcing the lesson all period. As one of my students told the principal, "You might as well learn in his class. He's going to beat it into you anyway."

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

since when is going to the toilet "frivolous" sure, it's frivolous not to want to just pee yourself where you're sitting in class.

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

I got three minutes in between classes. That is not enough time!

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

This seems like a response to something that was getting out of hand. When I was in school you were basically forbidden from leaving the classroom unless it was an emergency. It's usually not a problem if one person goes to the bathroom real quick but if you have 20-30 kids and everyone wants to go ... you end up with a lot of distraction and noise.

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

Is it just me.... When I was in school it was very rare for anyone to go out during a class. You could nip to the toilet between classes if you had to.

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

My high school was close to 450 kids. My kids high school is close to 2000 students. 5 minute passing period on a sprawling campus. There is no way to get everyone in and out of the bathrooms. I get letting them go, just make is short and get back to class. Pick the time that works, not while the teacher is taking roll or giving instruction.

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

Stars, this would have stressed me out as a secondary school student for some reason, and I was one of those goody-two-shoes who never messed around or broke rules.

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

When I was in school (decades ago), you couldn't go to the bathroom/water fountain or have any drinks on you during class unless it was an emergency. Back then classes were 45 min with 10 min break between

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

Honestly this is fair. We have 20min breaks between class so no one should even leave the class (yes there are exceptions)

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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

zixxty Report

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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

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#43

No Point In Studying For The Final

No Point In Studying For The Final

pizzadough_ Report

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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

Smile_Space Report

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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

Benji0514 Report

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

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