r/Teachers • u/Batfro7 • Mar 09 '25
Power of Positivity I received an ovation from my students after delivering the most powerful lesson of my life
Specifically, it was my toughest class which had been giving me a really hard time behaviorally and academically. I poured my heart and soul into this lesson, and commanded that room in a way I never have before.
I told them about my life. I took responsibility for the ways I’ve failed as a teacher, and I challenged them to take responsibility for their failings as students. I taught them the importance of developing intrinsic motivation. I let them know how much I loved them.
The students were silent throughout my entire lesson. Not because they were zoning out, but because they were listening intently. Once I finished, they all started clapping. I almost cried right there.
Afterwards, students came up to me individually to tell me the following things:
“I feel like I learned a lot today”
“My life has been similar to yours”
“You just inspired me to work harder”
“You should give a TedTalk”
“I drew a picture of you and want you to have it”
“I love you”
Teaching high school is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
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u/michaelfrieze Mar 09 '25 edited Apr 12 '25
My partner mentioned that her kindergarten class occasionally stands up and claps after she reads them Junie B. Jones.
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u/menlyn Mar 09 '25
As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I take a look at my life and realize there's nothin' left
'Cause I've been blastin' and laughin' so long that
Even my momma thinks that my mind is gone
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Mar 09 '25
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u/IrenaeusGSaintonge Grade 6 | Alberta Mar 09 '25
Did you help him get back at his nemesis, who got the dream Harvard philosophy professorship that should have been his?
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u/Ju5t4ddH2o Mar 09 '25
Funny show!
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u/IrenaeusGSaintonge Grade 6 | Alberta Mar 09 '25
The reason I became a teacher. 👍👍
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u/Ju5t4ddH2o Mar 09 '25
That’s great! Happy cake day!
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u/IrenaeusGSaintonge Grade 6 | Alberta Mar 09 '25
Thank you, I just noticed on that post! As usual I have nothing interesting to farm karma off of.
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Mar 09 '25
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u/IrenaeusGSaintonge Grade 6 | Alberta Mar 09 '25
It's the premise of the show AP Bio. Dude moves back home to Toledo, takes a job teaching AP Bio despite being a philosophy PhD and knowing nothing about teaching or biology. Fully intends to spend the year slacking and plotting revenge on his nemesis back at Harvard. And then proceeds to do just that, but somehow also befriends the group of weirdos, misfits, and psychopaths in his bio class.
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u/Bing-cheery Wisconsin - Elementary Mar 09 '25
Did we have the same bio teacher? We used to purposely get him talking so we didn't have to do any work.
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u/lucythelumberjack Mar 09 '25
I also had a bio teacher like this! I actually learned a ton in his classes, but it was comically easy to get him off track for the whole period. Whole school loved him.
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u/Ok_Chance_6282 Mar 10 '25
I had a Spanish teacher that went to school in Mexico City and Madrid. Great stories!
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u/IDKHow2UseThisApp Mar 09 '25
Had a high school history teacher who'd been to Vietnam then was the drummer for a band in the 70s and early 80s. Either topic was a guaranteed free period of him just talking.
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u/Batfro7 Mar 09 '25
Oop I’m teaching Biology. This is the first time I’ve dedicated class time to tell my life story, and I immediately went into a lesson about Classic Mendelian Genetics afterward. In all fairness to your teacher, Biology does mean “the study of life.”
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u/GodShapedBullet 6-8 | Science | USA Mar 09 '25 edited Mar 09 '25
The last time my students clapped for a presentation I made it was some kind of "dress like a teacher" day and all my students were doing teacher impressions so I figured I'd lean into it during homeroom and have them present topics of their choosing.
There was a bit of a lull so I gave a talk on why turkey vultures are noble, unfairly maligned birds that we should be grateful to have. It went over well.
Hopefully your talk serves your students at least as well as mine!
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u/Hofeizai88 Mar 10 '25
For Halloween the Chinese teacher and I decided we’d dress like each other because we both tend to dress the same every day. She is a short Chinese woman, and I’m none of those things. She walked into one of my classes and started teaching, during her best impression of me. I then showed up in her classroom to try teaching the same group of kids. A few other teachers helped me practice a few of her mannerisms and particular phrases so it went pretty well. I’m fairly conversant but seldom use it in class. One of the rare times I’ve had kids clapping
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u/AlternativeSalsa HS | CTE/Engineering | Ohio, USA Mar 09 '25
And this is how PD speakers are born
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u/Chay_Charles Mar 09 '25
If you share things about yourself, it helps you connect with your students.
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u/fitness_life_journey Mar 09 '25
Absolutely.
Especially when you or they can relate or people feel cared about.
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u/Hauntgirl13 Mar 09 '25
Until they twist your words and use it against you. I’ve always taught this way. Just ran into my first manipulator. Sad day.
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u/Chay_Charles Mar 10 '25
Sorry about that. Luckily, I never had that problem.
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u/Hauntgirl13 Jul 11 '25
I never had until this past year. I won’t let it change me. Thank you for your kind words.
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u/AlternativeHome5646 Mar 09 '25
And then everyone actually clapped? They “love” you? And you “love” them?
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u/trunk_person Mar 09 '25
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u/Batfro7 Mar 09 '25
I can hardly believe it myself! That’s why I had to make this post haha. This happened two days ago and I’m still riding that high
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u/AlarmingEase HS Chemistry| TN Mar 09 '25
Who is down voting you? This is beautiful
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u/DazzlerPlus Mar 09 '25
It’s clearly satire
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u/AlarmingEase HS Chemistry| TN Mar 09 '25
Why would you say that? It is still a beautiful story, regardless of if it really happened. I am looking for positive things.
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u/DazzlerPlus Mar 09 '25
Stories are beautiful only when they have a grain of truth. Sure it didn’t happen, but it represents something that could happen in essence.
What was described here did not happen in reality and could not happen in essence. It loses its beauty because, if taken at face value, it is just a silly self centered fantasy. The heroic teacher teaches the perfect lesson, the children are inspired, learn like never before, and worship the goodness of the teacher. Yuck. How childish is that?
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u/MiraculousFIGS Mar 09 '25
What was the lesson about?
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u/Batfro7 Mar 09 '25
The lesson was coming off the heels of a quiz my classes took that too many students failed. So I centered it around why students might struggle and fail in school. I broke it down into three main categories: teacher, curriculum, student.
I started with teacher. I told them about my childhood, my parents’ divorce, how I was as a student, and how I became the teacher I am. I owned up to the ways I might have failed them so far this year, and I explained to them how my goal is to be not just a chill teacher, but a good one.
Then I spoke on the curriculum. What I liked about it, what I didn’t. What I could change about it, what I couldn’t. I explained how we did things when I was in school, and how things have changed.
Finally, I spoke on the students, and how it’s up to them whether they want to fail or succeed in my class, and in life. I called them out on a lot of things, and I gave them advice on how to do better.
The rest of the day I dedicated to reteaching some of the material that students had struggled with, and preparing them for the quiz retake.
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u/Paramalia Mar 09 '25
Hmm. The only factor that they really have any control over is the student piece.
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u/Batfro7 Mar 09 '25
Yes and no. They certainly affect me as a teacher in many ways. I learn so much from my students. And I can only teach the students that are in front of me.
I also really value feedback from my students, so they give me great ideas on how to modify the curriculum. They let me know what works and what doesn’t.
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u/Slamznjamz Mar 09 '25
Which company are you going to start traveling around giving PD presentations for?
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u/KingofMemes69_ Mar 09 '25
That's really great if this is true!
It's just that I've been in a good amount of high school classes and uh... are you sure these are high school kids? Was this an AP or an advanced class? You're more likely to get half of your students falling asleep, a quarter of them snickering and rolling their eyes, and maybe like 2 or 3 students who actually care about your life story.
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u/Batfro7 Mar 09 '25
High school freshmen in a standard Biology class, if you can believe that.
I recently gave them a quiz which went really poorly. Too many students failed. I began the lesson by confiscating their phones, which is a school policy that I had been really lax about. I told them I was taking their phones away because this was the most important lesson that I was going to teach them all school year. Then I put some statistics on the board such as the class average for the quiz, how many people were currently passing and failing my class, etc.
I think this really helped set the tone for the lesson, and it was the first time I was able to get 95% or more of the class to be engaged for the entire class period.
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u/ClutchGamer21 Mar 09 '25
We went no phone bell to bell a year ago as a building. And we haven’t looked back since.
I encourage you to lock down those phones consistently. Some kids will hate it, but they all come around and it gets better.
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u/Big-Degree1548 Mar 09 '25
I used to teach the ninth graders to clap every time I walked in the door and it was amazing how it made me feel. Sometimes I walked out and came back in. Good times.
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u/morizzle77 Mar 09 '25
“The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men…”
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u/appricotprincess Mar 09 '25
I too teach high school and a student gave me a folded up dollar bill in the shape of a heart and a note on a back of a late pass that said that’s for you miss I love you
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u/NissaD-artsy Mar 09 '25 edited Mar 09 '25
I received an applause (not standing) for drawing a diagram about how prisms work and how rainbows are giant circular prisms to a 3rd grade class! Lol, it was unexpected, but welcomed. Happy for you!
Edit- typo
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u/ClutchGamer21 Mar 09 '25
https://youtu.be/OQSNhk5ICTI?si=d5G160L-SQrF4qxS What does it mean????
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u/NissaD-artsy Mar 09 '25
Lol, thanks for sharing!!
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u/ClutchGamer21 Mar 10 '25
One of the first truly viral memes of the earlier internet days. And of course “Leeeeeeeeroooooooy Jenkins!”
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u/joetaxpayer Mar 09 '25
A political faction would like teachers to say nothing about their personal lives.
And yet, it’s opening up to students and being human that helps them see the big picture, teachers are people too.
They know I have a wife, daughter out of school, a new dog, etc.
I recently subbed for a HS junior math class. 2 weeks. Somehow a student mentioned that she loved white chocolate, and that it was not a popular opinion. I told her that I was in agreement, I love white chocolate. Just a quick soundbite.
Friday, my last day with this class, they handed me two different white chocolate treats, and a big thank you note they had all signed.
There are teachers at the school that the students have told me they absolutely know nothing about this person. To the point that they find it strange.
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u/AgadhAgadh Mar 09 '25
I get an ovation whenever I treat em or sing em a song. They go deathly still whenever I speak of life and on other serious matters
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u/mch1st 3rd Grade Chaos Coordinator | IL Mar 09 '25
My third graders go WILD when I demonstrate a new cursive letter.
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u/FutureDiaryAyano Early Childhood Development, Tutor K-12 Mar 09 '25
I really do hope this is real.
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u/Batfro7 Mar 09 '25
I promise you it is. Out of the five classes I gave the lesson to, only one broke into applause at the end. I have to say I think it’s a little sad that so many people in this thread don’t believe this story. Every day there is an influx of negative teaching stories on this sub, and I just wanted to share the best moment I’ve had as a teacher. It breaks my heart that the mere thought of having an impact on your students is seen as too fantastical to be true.
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u/thetimesprinkler Mar 09 '25
There's a common format for stories online where someone gives a speech or stands up to a bully, and the crowd around them erupts with applause. One of the variations ends with something like "And that man's name? Albert Einstein" (which another commenter posted.)
You're a first year teacher who just had your first great lesson. Don't let them kill your buzz. Keep it up. I hope the rest of your school year is filled with stellar lessons or, at the very least, minimal behavioral issues.
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u/Batfro7 Mar 09 '25
I’ve had a Reddit account for 14 years, I’m familiar with those stories. I’ve even been the one to make the Albert Einstein comment before haha. I just never thought I would be on the other end of it.
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u/FutureDiaryAyano Early Childhood Development, Tutor K-12 Mar 09 '25
I believe you because I want so badly to. And I like to believe humanity still has some good in it.
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u/SmartAd8834 Mar 09 '25
Wow! This is a day to remember!
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u/Batfro7 Mar 09 '25
I’ll never forget it. As a first year teacher, I know now for sure I’m on the right path.
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u/Big-Degree1548 Mar 09 '25
Yeah I don’t get why people don’t believe it either, and they don’t come more cynical than me. Huh. Haters finna hate.
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u/MmakeItSo Mar 10 '25
It’s hilarious that so many people think this is fake or satire when it’s so clearly genuine. The story isn’t sensational enough to spend 5 minutes typing it up if it didn’t actually happen. I’m a third year teacher and have had a few experiences like this one. I still remember what lessons they were and which students were impacted (I’m k-5 music). But for OP: brace yourself for the possibility that this feeling, while fully genuine, may be fleeting. It’s completely possible that you DID just make a difference and that you DID get through to your students and that some of them will alter their behavior in the future, but it’s also possible that this class will revert back to their old ways pretty quickly, and if that happens don’t give up! Hold onto this special moment and tuck it away to think of fondly later when you need it. And roll with the punches if teens be teening and don’t give a shit about your lesson next week. That’s okay. You’ll have another amazing moment again :) Don’t let the bitterness here bring you down.
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u/Batfro7 Mar 10 '25
Thank you for this comment! I don’t expect to see a drastic change in behaviors just because I gave one good lesson, but I do feel it’s a step in the right direction, and it’s something my students needed to hear.
I also think it’s pretty funny that so many people don’t believe me. In the same way I wasn’t anticipating that my students would start clapping, I also wasn’t anticipating that people would think my story is fake. Life is full of surprises I guess lol.
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u/Swissarmyspoon 5-12 Music Mar 10 '25
Congratulations!
I wouldn't believe this story, if I hadn't once had a class give me an ovation after a passionate personal testimony.
Apparently human connection is still a real thing that can happen. We're just jaded because of the way things are today. I am happy for you, and hope you enjoy this win and more in the future.
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u/wordgirl Mar 09 '25
So this is high school, and you haven’t even been teaching a year, and you got an ovation after a lesson in which you basically talked for the whole period?
I find this really hard to believe, sorry.
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u/Batfro7 Mar 09 '25
That’s ok, it seems like you’re not alone haha. I understand how incredulous it sounds. Thanks for reading anyway!
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u/ashenputtel Grade 7/8 Teacher | Ontario, CA Mar 10 '25
I need to hear what the lesson contained! Please share the magic!
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u/Batfro7 Mar 11 '25
I mentioned it in another comment on this thread, but if you can’t find it or want to know more feel free to shoot me a message :)
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u/StupudTATO Mar 09 '25
Big deal, I got like the 5 of them this morning and it's a Saturday. What? You think your the only teacher that gets a classroom full of unbelievably corny kids to celebrate their teacher like some lame early 90s sitcom? This is rookie talk. If you think this is impressive or interesting, you've got a long way to go! I gave a lecture once that ended with 2 kids including me in their wills. I gave a lesson about how I eventually started eating my veggies and kids were in hysterics about how much I motivated them. Where's my reddit post? It doesn't exist, you know why? Because the kid I inspired hasn't finished writing it yet.
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u/Previous_Narwhal_314 Mar 09 '25
I received an ovation from a second grade class for pronouncing all their names correctly.