Teachers are often put in situations where we’re expected to react quickly. And let’s be honest—most of us are pretty reactionary by nature. We think we know how we’d handle a situation, and sometimes we even rehearse those responses in our heads. But when the moment actually happens? It’s never exactly like you imagined.
Today I was thinking about a student I had who wore a camping bracelet. I didn’t think much of it until I saw him sparking it—yes, like actual sparks. Turns out, it had flint and a small knife hidden in it. In my head, I could hear the imagined reactions of others: panic, write-ups, sending him out immediately, maybe even calling security.
But instead, I just stood there, and took it in. A few minutes later, I walked back and asked him calmly to tell me what it was. As he explained, I texted the right people behind the scenes. Admin came down, had a quiet conversation, and that was that. The student left. No spectacle. No scene. I never saw him again.
That moment stuck with me. Because yeah, I could’ve reacted. But I didn’t need to. Not every situation requires a high-stakes response. Sometimes it’s not about how you want to react—it’s about how you need to respond. There’s a difference.
This isn’t about being passive. It’s about being thoughtful. Teaching is hard, and every kid, every situation, every choice is different. We don’t always have to meet intensity with intensity. Sometimes the best thing you can do is pause, listen, and make your move quietly.
Moler's Musings 