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A User's Guide to Teachers

You see them almost every day, but you might not always understand what makes them tick. Here’s what they want you to know.

October 2023
Ellen Song • Illustration by Joe Darrow
Image of students and teacher staring at each other thinking, "I wonder what they're thinking"

Teachers: Apart from your family, they’re probably the people you spend most of your waking hours with. They teach you important information, prepare you for tests, and determine your grades. And whether you know it or not, they care about you a lot and want to help you be prepared for a successful life after school. 

You might occasionally find yourself wondering what’s going through your teachers’ minds. If so, you’re in luck! We polled students about their most pressing questions for their teachers. Then we called on teachers from across the country to get answers. We might even have talked to yours! Here’s the inside scoop on why they do some of the things they do and what they wish you knew about their job. 

“Can you explain some of your classroom policies? For example, why do we have to ask to go to the bathroom?” 

—Grace Kuriakose, an 11th-grader in New York

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Asking to go to the bathroom might feel like a drag, but teachers need to keep track of you. They have good reasons for their other classroom policies too.

Karyn Bussell, health teacher in Maine: I’m so busy throughout the day that if my boss (the principal) asked me how many of my students left the classroom during first period, I probably wouldn’t remember without the sign-out sheet. 

Lily Manderville, art teacher in California: It’s difficult to cover content if a student is consistently leaving to use the restroom, so I keep track of who leaves each day. I also enforce a strict no-foul-language policy in my classroom, which helps my students expand their vocabularies. 

Carol Pellet, home economics teacher in California: My classroom rules are about safety. I teach cooking, which involves hot liquids and sharp objects. Students must wear closed-toed shoes and tie up their hair so they don’t get hurt if something is dropped or spilled. 

“Did you always know you wanted to be a teacher? Do you have any advice for those of us, like me, who want to be educators?”

—Jeremiah Vecchioni, a 12th-grader in Wisconsin 

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Teachers follow all sorts of paths to their careers in education. Teaching is hard work, but our respondents say it’s totally worth it.

Melanie Rathod, math teacher in Oklahoma: Growing up, I hated math! My school hired me to teach science, but then asked me to teach algebra instead. My students showed some of the greatest improvement over the year. 

Kristyn Knapchuck, special education teacher in Michigan: I originally pursued nursing, but I started volunteering at my daughter’s preschool. I loved it so much, they had to kick me out! That’s when I knew I would be a teacher. 

Jen Valero, English teacher in California: I had two amazing teachers in high school who inspired me to major in literature and education. If you’re interested in teaching, ask your teachers questions about the job. You can also give tutoring a try. 

“What can I do to impress my teachers?”

—Vijay Shivnani, a 9th-grader in Texas 

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You might think that teachers love the students who get the highest grades. In fact, teachers are most impressed by students who try to be a positive presence in their classrooms. 

Lauren Kelly, seventh- and eighth-grade teacher in New Jersey: The greatest gift a student can give a teacher is continually working hard and showing up.

Maureen Sgambelluri, health teacher in New York: I love to see students showing others kindness, smiling and saying hello, and being respectful to their teacher.

Joanna Wolk, health teacher in Illinois: Ask questions, contribute to the classroom in a positive manner, and be an advocate for yourself.

How to Email Your Teacher

Email is a great way to check in about something you don’t understand, request an extension on a paper, or confirm an assignment. Here’s how to get it right. 
  1. Include a clear subject.
  2. Make sure to spell your teacher’s name properly!
  3. Start with a friendly greeting.
  4. Be polite and specific. If you need help with an assignment, ask in advance of the deadline.
  5. Don’t forget your name!

Teachers Want Students to Know . . .

Jen Valero, English teacher: I’ll quote writer Jason Reynolds: “Be gentle with your teachers. They too are trying. Sometimes more than you know.”

Kristina LeViere, health teacher: We love hearing from you after you’ve graduated. It meant a lot to me when a former student told me that something she learned in my class recently helped her in life.

Maureen Sgambelluri, health teacher: Teachers are here to help you prepare for life. Everything we do has a purpose beyond the classroom.

Students Want Teachers to Know . . .

Zelda Abramovich, 11th grade, New York: When you connect abstract theories to real-life examples, you help us see the purpose of our education. 

Vin Bhat, 9th grade, California: We have diverse learning styles. Some of us learn visually, while others learn by doing. 

Victor Peng, 9th grade, California: Even if it doesn’t always seem like it, we do appreciate our teachers. 

Photo credits:  Teen Photos Courtesy of Families; Shutterstock.com (All Other Images)

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