Facts about school education

6 Unbelievable Facts About Teachers That Will Surprise You

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Teachers have always been there, uniquely positioned to shape and mold lives and communities. Sometimes, though, the stories of their greatness rise above even the ordinary to that of triumph, discipline, and unexpected creativity. Here are surprising facts about teachers that go beyond the classroom.

1. The Loudest Shout Ever Came from a Teacher

A primary school teacher holds the record for the loudest shout ever recorded—an ear-piercing “Quiet!” that reached 121.7 decibels. This impressive vocal feat has stood unbeaten for 30 years.

2. A Teacher Who Couldn’t Read

John Corcoran taught for 17 years without knowing how to read or write. Despite his struggles in school, he managed to cheat his way through college and became a teacher. It wasn’t until the age of 47 that he finally learned to read, inspired by Barbara Bush’s efforts in adult literacy advocacy.

3. Famous Students Defy Their Teacher’s Expectations

An Illinois high school English teacher once told two students they’d never learn to write. Those students were Robert St. John, who became a renowned journalist, and Ernest Hemingway, one of the most celebrated authors in literary history.

4. A Teacher Used ‘Game of Thrones’ as Discipline

In 2014, a Belgian math teacher came up with a creative way to discipline his unruly class. Since he had already read the “Game of Thrones” books (which were ahead of the TV show at the time), he threatened to spoil the plot for his students if they didn’t behave!

5. Bathroom Break Misunderstanding Leads to $1.25 Million Settlement

In 2012, a California high school student was forced to urinate in a bucket in a supply room after a teacher mistakenly believed that bathroom breaks were not allowed. The incident led to a lawsuit, and five years later, the school district was ordered to pay the student $1.25 million in damages.

6. Mentos and Coke—A Chemistry Class Sensation

When the executives at Mentos saw even a simple chemistry teacher create a soda geyser with Diet Coke and Mentos on “The Late Show,” they immediately took advantage of the opportunity. They ran a campaign that called for more people to create videos of themselves doing the experiment, further resulting in a viral trend that increased sales 20% for Mentos.

These stories show that teachers can inspire, surprise, and sometimes even go down in history for the most unexpected reasons!

5 Insights about Teachers: The Backbone of Education

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Teachers, the guiding forces behind our learning journeys, have an undeniable impact on shaping young minds. From their influence on academic performance to their role in behavior management, the world of teaching is riddled with intricacies. Dive in as we unravel some curious facts about educators and their realm.

1. The Gendered Grade Conundrum: Research reveals a fascinating bias when it comes to grading. Among students possessing equivalent subject expertise, teachers tend to award higher grades to girls. This suggests an underlying gender-based predisposition in academic assessments.

2. The Power of Positive Reinforcement: Reimagining disciplinary tactics can have profound effects on classroom dynamics. A randomized controlled trial indicates that disruptive students respond more favorably to positive encouragement rather than criticism. This affirmative approach not only curtails unruly behavior but also paves the way for enhanced academic and social accomplishments.

3. Navigating Classroom Authority: The traditional teacher-student hierarchy is undergoing a shift. Students today are less inclined to passively accept a teacher’s authority. A strategy gaining traction is ‘double addressing,’ wherein a teacher communicates with an individual student to convey a broader message to the class, or vice-versa. This indirect method proves more effective in maintaining classroom decorum.

4. The Attraction Effect: An unexpected factor influencing homework dedication is a teacher’s physical appeal. A recent study unveils that students are more motivated to complete assignments if they perceive their teacher as attractive. This curious correlation brings aesthetics into the equation of academic motivation.

5. Pregnancy Taboos of Yesteryears: Delving into the past brings forth some astonishing norms. In 1948, a staggering 57% of US public school districts prohibited pregnant women from teaching. The rationale? Concerns ranged from the belief that the sight of expecting women might adversely impact students to the notion that pregnancy would divert teachers’ focus from their duties.

From Punishment to Pioneering: Thurgood Marshall’s Constitutional Journey

Once, a school principal disciplined a mischievous student by making them sit in the basement and read the U.S. Constitution. That student, Thurgood Marshall, memorized the entire document in the process. Later in life, Marshall achieved the historic milestone of becoming the first African American Supreme Court Justice. As a civil rights advocate, he played an instrumental role in dismantling racial segregation and transforming the American legal landscape. Notably, Marshall argued and won the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, which declared segregated public schools unconstitutional.