"In the time it would take me to write up a kid for cursing, I could go to the bathroom, make copies, check my email, call a parent, upload grades, write my lesson plans. There are a thousand things I could do in the time that that would take, and I'm not interested in writing up a kid for cursing."
"Sometimes curse words really accurately describe situations, especially when we're talking about politics in U.S. history."
"As long as you don't look like you belong on a pole, I don't care what you're wearing. I'm just glad you're here. I'm here to teach you. You're here to learn."
Courtney Schermerhorn, a Texas high school history teacher with 25 years of experience, has become known for selectively enforcing classroom policies she considers counterproductive. Through a TikTok video, she shared her decision to stop penalizing students for cursing, arguing that the administrative time required to document such infractions diverts her from essential teaching tasks like lesson planning and grading. She notes that profanity can authentically reflect how students process complex material, particularly when discussing historical and political topics. Similarly, she disregards strict dress code enforcement, prioritizing student attendance and engagement over appearance standards. Schermerhorn emphasizes that her permissive approach succeeds because she establishes strong relationships with students and maintains clear behavioral expectations regarding genuine disrespect or aggression.
#classroom-management #teacher-discretion #student-relationships #policy-enforcement #educational-priorities
Read at TODAY.com
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