by Cynthia Sherman

Created on: November 23, 2011

The question posted is should a teacher apologize to a class if they make a mistake?

Absolutely! I work as a substitute teacher: which means that I work in several schools and several school districts, some urban and some not. During my years as a substitute I have found that no matter where the student goes to school or which area they live in or what their backgrounds are- they are still just kids and they all want the same thing. They want respect and a safe place to go to be able to learn and express themselves.

When a student sees that a teacher has made a mistake that student will look to the teacher for an explanation.  Our schools are big on teachers teaching respect towards one another. Apologizing is a way to show respect to and for the students. When students see and hear a teacher apologize they realize that everyone including teachers makes mistakes and that teacher will and should apologize and explain what they are apologizing for. In most cases the students always catch the mistake and will call the teacher out on it. If and when that happens, the teacher should address the mistake immediately. When a teacher shows responsibility for their own actions, this encourages any student to do the same. If the teacher does not take responsibility for their own mistake, the student or students will do the same. Chaos can occur, hindering the learning environment. Students do not forget a teacher’s actions and reactions.

Students will learn by example. If a teacher has certain acceptable expectations and follows through with them, the student or students will follow suit.  No one is perfect and this is not a perfect world. Teachers that can readily admit to a mistake, take responsibility for that mistake, and apologize will gain the respect of their students.  Respect in a classroom promotes an excellent atmosphere in a learning environment. Apologizing and admitting to one's mistake is such a small and easy task to accomplish an excellent and positive learning environment.

Besides respect being taught within the classroom, teachers also teach students how to treat one another and that each student is responsible for how they act, treat one another, and how to help one another. When students see a teacher apologizing, the students should realize that it is okay to apologize when they are wrong and they will do so willingly.  If the teacher thanks the student for apologizing and explains why they are proud of the student for apologizing, this will have a huge impact on that student’s behavior and self-esteem.  Most students learn by example and it is a teacher’s responsibility to provide as many positive examples as possible. Apologizing for making a mistake will enhance and encourage proper behavior in school, which in turn will promote respectability amongst the students and the teacher.

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