Hosts: Will Massara & Amanda Marshall
Length: ~15 mins
Topic: Educator accountability, language in classrooms, and the importance of emotional safety for students.
Welcome back to Podclass, where youth voice, educator insight, and honest reflection meet. In Episode 49, Will and Amanda delve into a real-life Reddit post that sparked a spirited discussion: can a teacher playfully say “shut up” to students? And if it slips out—what should happen next?
This isn’t just a conversation about one moment—it’s a bigger reflection on professional responsibility, power, and what it takes to model accountability in a classroom.
🔍 In This Episode
1. Intent vs. Impact: Why “Shut Up” Landed Hard
“We are always on show as teachers. Everything we say is perceived and received.”
The hosts unpack how words—especially emotionally loaded ones like "shut up"—can impact students, even when the intent was playful. They explore how trauma-informed practice centers playfulness but also demands emotional awareness and reflection.
2. The Power of Owning It
“Ego must stay at the door… Our students will respect our humility.”
What should educators do when they slip up? Amanda and Will outline the steps to reclaim trust after a mistake: acknowledge, apologize, and turn it into a teachable moment. They affirm that owning your impact is part of leading with integrity.
3. A Culture of Safety Over Perfection
“Schools are, for many, the safest place they’ll be. That trust matters.”
This episode reminds educators that language shapes culture. Listeners are encouraged to build emotionally safe classrooms where students feel heard, not silenced—and to embrace repair over defensiveness.
🧰 Practical Strategies for Educators
Create a culture of repair: Normalize taking responsibility and model it explicitly.
Use playful tone with care: Make sure jokes land safely and don’t replicate harm.
Ask students for feedback: Talk openly about how language impacts the group.
De-center ego: Mistakes are inevitable—what matters is how we show up after them.
🌐 Stay Connected
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