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The Saturday Evening Musings of a “Mean Teacher”

The Saturday Evening Musings of a “Mean Teacher”

Last updated on: September 22, 2026 at 2:17 pm by Beverly R. Green

The Saturday Evening Musings of a “Mean Teacher” 2026-09-22T14:17:34-04:00 Beverly R. Green

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“The Saturday Evening Musings of a Mean Teacher,” image by fotografierende @ pixabay

The Saturday Evening Musings of a “Mean Teacher”

“The mean teacher,” yes, that’s me. I’m not sure exactly when it happened. Once I was the “fun teacher,” the one the students wanted to come on field trips, the one the troubled kids sought out for a lunchtime talk, the one who laughed with them. It doesn’t seem that long ago. I’m not sure just when I got mean.

By mean, I don’t mean I yell a lot or call names or give detentions (although I can get a little sarcastic). You see, I teach English–grammar, literature, writing, speech. This became my career choice because I truly believed that every student had a unique message, a unique “voice,” given to him or her by God the Father to fulfill a particular purpose on this planet, and I was excited to help each student to unleash that voice.

Honestly, I still believe that.

However, these days there are search engines, wikis, websites, google, reddit, and more. Many students don’t feel inclined to find their own unique voices. They feel more secure using another voice that they find online. Always AI is there, devilishly stripping them of creativity and independent thought. There is no incentive for them to think. There is always someone or something ready to do it for them.

I’m not writing this to condemn my students. Shoot, if I were their age, I’d be tempted, as well. It all makes writing and “creating” so easy. The problem with that is the words are not theirs, the creations are not theirs, and the words and creations are most often sub par.

No, I’m not here to criticize my students. I just feel as though, if nothing else, after nearly half a century in education, I have earned the right to defend myself against the negative accusation of meanness. So for what it’s worth, here is my defense:

I truly believe that the abilities to independently and effectively express one’s thoughts and beliefs are important. They are at least as important as they were a few decades ago when people did not carry computers in their back pockets. In this current age of deception, they are probably more important.

We live in a time when broadcasters, journalists, and those running the media all have agendas to promote; and promote them, they do, not always honestly. Because the media is at the fingertips of any person, in any place, at any time, those who control it can manipulate the thoughts of those who subscribe to their channels, those who accept their words without question. We actually pay “influencers” to, well, influence, taking all the work out of forming a real personal opinion.

Because of all this, I admit, I push my students. I stress reading, writing, and spelling. I also promote responsibility. Essays are often hand-written in class. My classes are not dances with daisies and butterflies. They require listening, note-taking, thinking, reading, and intentional application of the course content.

So what is my goal? Here goes:

One day, one of those students will write such a great resume that she will get her dream job ahead of dozens of applicants.

One day, one of those students will give such a powerful speech that he will change the climate of politics in this country for the better.

One day, one of those students will pen such beautiful poetry that it will touch the very soul of those who read it.

One day, one of those students will write a book that will become the definitive guide for her discipline.

One day, one of those students will preach a sermon that will draw hundreds of thousands of souls to Christ.

One day, one of those students’ podcast will become a trusted source of truth.

One day, one of those students will compose lyrics to a tune that inspires others to worship Jesus in spirit and in truth.

One day, one of those students will become a parent and know just the right words that will encourage his children.

One day, one of those students will inspire her own students to seek out their unique purposes and voices.

On that day, it won’t matter if my ex-students remember the “mean” teacher who pushed them in English class. It will just matter that they found their “voice” and stayed true to their God-ordained purpose.

I believe they all have that potential.

Last of all, I want to say that writing is therapeutic. If one day, one of those students under pressure and stress remembers that, and picks up a pen and paper instead of a bottle of alcohol, instead of a drug, instead of a gun, I believe it will be the greatest victory I could ever hope for.

That is why I’m a mean teacher. I guess I’ll stay that way.

God bless you and all teachers.

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