Teachers are masters of communication, but sometimes what teachers say and what they mean are two very different things. Whether we’re addressing students in the classroom or fielding questions from parents—especially when trying to soften less-than-positive news—there’s often a hidden layer behind our carefully chosen words.
If you’ve ever heard a teacher say, “We’ll keep this meeting brief,” or “Feel free to ask questions,” and felt a sense of dread, you’re not alone. It’s time to pull back the curtain and reveal the secret language of educators, where polite phrases often hide deeper truths about classroom realities. Buckle up as we dive into the amusing and oh-so-relatable world of teacher-speak!
When talking to students:
“Oh, sorry, guys. I graded them but I left them at home.”
“I absolutely did not grade them yet.”
“I don’t have a favorite student!”
“I don’t have a favorite student—I have several favorites.”
“Do you need a tissue?”
“I am begging you to stop picking your nose.”
“This might be on the test …”
“This will absolutely be on the test.”
“OK, I’m going to give you some time to work on tonight’s homework …”
“We finished way earlier than I anticipated, but if I give you free time, all hell will break loose.”
“That’s a very good question.”
“Dang. I hadn’t thought of that. Can you be my assistant?”
When talking to parents:
“David and I are working together on using his time well in class.”
“It’s mostly David who needs to work on using his time well, FYI.”
“Chandler is a strong leader. I’d love to work on channeling that skill in a positive direction.”
“Chandler 100% has more power than I do in that class.”
“I wish I had a hundred more students just like Luis.”
“Seriously, though. Can we clone him?”
“Let me think about that and get back to you.”
“I have no idea.”
“Let me run that by leadership first.”
“I am extremely confident leadership will say no, but I’ll ask anyway.”
“I know we’re all on the same team here.”
“We are on the same team here … right?”
Teachers have mastered the art of balancing honesty with diplomacy, using a language that can smooth over chaos, motivate students, and reassure parents—often all at once. At the end of the day, it’s all about keeping the classroom running smoothly, managing expectations, and sometimes just surviving the day with a smile. So, the next time you hear a teacher say, “Let me think about that and get back to you,” take pride that you stumped them!