How to Annoy Your Teacher

You've waited all summer for the chance to get back to school, but it's not for the want of study or even the reuniting with friends. No, you have been waiting for the opportunity to finally annoy every teacher you can. It's your way of entertaining yourself and your classmates. But before you walk through that door, learn what really upsets a teacher and then you will know how to undermine the teacher's agenda. And perhaps, you will learn that knowing how to annoy your teacher is the first step in learning how to become a model student.

Instructions

1. Be late for class. There is nothing more irritating to a teacher than persistent lateness. Once the class has started, walk in. This causes the teacher to stop what is being taught and wait for you to take your seat. It also will guarantee a question: "Why are you late?" And of course, to continue the annoyance, always reply with the same answer, such as, "I slept in."

2. 

   Leave your cell phone on and have a friend call. Many schools make the students turn off phones during class. If you leave yours on and have a friend call, it will certainly annoy any teacher. Perhaps there is a test in progress or the teacher is going over the rules for an activity. A cell phone ringing is sure to rattle your teacher. If you want to rattle the teacher even more, answer the call.

3. Slouch in your desk and cross your arms. Body language sends powerful messages to the teacher. It tells the teacher that you are passively defying the rules and are unwilling to participate. It certainly will cause a reaction because most likely the teacher will tell you to sit up. This disrupts the rhythm of the class and gets all eyes on you instead of the teacher.

4. 

   Don't complete the homework but do well on the tests. Not doing homework is a passive message to the teacher that you don't need to do the work because you have all the answers. When discussion begins, at first don't participate, but then volunteer the information. The teacher will not know what to expect because you never hand in your work. To question the teacher's belief system, ace the next test. The idea is to undermine what the teacher has for an agenda: completed homework leads to good grades. If you keep the teacher wondering, then she will not know what to do with you or what to expect from you.

5. Show up for the meeting after school. Certainly you will be told to stay after school to go over your behavior and attitude. Showing up will actually surprise the teacher because by now you have established your independent attitude. When the teacher asks you why you are being annoying, tell the teacher that you disagree with the approach used in class and what is taught. Offer your own suggestions on the material. It's at this point that you will began to see that undermining someone's agenda is fun for a while, but in the end, you lose. You now have two choices: continue to annoy the teacher or set up a plan that works for the two of you. It's not a matter of conceding; it's a matter of understanding your job as a student and the teacher's job as a teacher.

6. 

   Become the student that you are capable of being and the teacher can start teaching again. By now, you have established rapport and an understanding. Stop being late for class, turn in your homework, turn off your cell phone and pay attention. Now is the time to shine. Smile and offer intellectual feedback in the classroom. You will start to realize that being part of the group is actually quite fun. Class becomes more interesting; the time flies by, and you walk away with a good feeling and better grades. But just once in awhile, do something annoying.

Tips & Warnings

• Teachers and students need to learn that respect works both ways.

• Outward annoying behavior may cause you to be dismissed from the class. Know your boundaries.