I’m a teacher and this is the secret code we use to discuss difficult children
Teacher reveals the ‘SECRET CODE’ educators use to talk to the parents of difficult kids – detailing the VERY negative meaning behind sentences like, ‘Your child is a born leader’
- The teacher spoke out via the popular TikTok account @bored_teachers
- The 19-second clip has been viewed more than 68,000 times
- “100 percent can confirm,” one commenter wrote after watching TikTok
The next time you receive an email from your child’s teacher, you may want to pay more attention to the wording.
Jess Smith, a former 3rd, 5th, and 6th grade teacher from New Hampshire, has revealed how teachers use a “secret code” when messaging parents of disruptive children.
Speak through the popular TikTok account @bored_teachers – who regularly shares comical anecdotes from people within the education community – gives the teacher details about the coded language she has previously used.
“If we use phrases like, ‘Your kid is very social,’ it means they won’t stop talking,” says the TikToker in the 19-second clip that has been viewed more than 68,000 times.
Jess Smith, a former 3rd, 5th and 6th grade teacher from New Hampshire, has revealed how teachers use a ‘secret code’ when they message parents of disruptive children
Speaking via the popular TikTok account @bored_teachers, the teacher details some of the coded language she has used before
She goes on to detail when a teacher says a child’s “excitement in class is contagious,” they really mean they can’t calm down.
And finally, the creator reveals that if a child is considered a “born leader,” they are in fact “super bossy.”
In response to the post, some viewers seemed to agree with the teacher’s insights, with one commenter writing “100 percent can confirm.”
However, a teacher spoke out against the ‘secret code’.
She commented, “I’m a teacher and don’t use these ‘codes.’ It is of no use to anyone to cover up a problem. I stick to facts and observations.
“Never had a problem with a parental relationship when I’m direct, but in a respectful and collaborative way.”
Other commenters came up with some alternative ‘coded’ suggestions.
One viewer suggested that “dancing to the beat of their own drum” is code for “doesn’t listen to everything they’re told.”
While another surmised that when a teacher says “your son is going to be a great lawyer,” it really means “your kid won’t stop arguing with me.”
In response to the post, some viewers seemed to agree with the teacher’s insights, with one commenter writing “can confirm 100 percent”
Mother of two Smith is no longer in the teaching profession and works full time for the Bored Teachers platform
In addition to running a hugely popular TikTok account with over six million followers, the teachers-turned-artists regularly tour the country
The post also caused some viewers to reflect on some of the things they’d shared about their kids in the past.
Tina Marie mused, “My son’s pre-k teacher told me he was the most scientific kid she’s ever had, she probably meant he asks a million questions all day.”
Mother of two Smith is no longer in the teaching profession and works full time for the Bored Teachers platform.
In addition to running an immensely popular TikTok account with over six million followers, the teachers-turned-artists regularly tour the country.
The Bored Teachers website describes it as ‘a platform for educators to escape the chaos and find humor in the frustration and exhaustion associated with the teaching profession.
“It’s inspired by the sweat, tears and unrelenting passion of underpaid and overworked teachers everywhere.”