Guilt-Loaded Phrases in Education
The education system: quiet, peaceful, serene… that is until I wake up screaming ‘FUCK YOU’ as I tumble through the treetops (kudos if you know the reference) *and cue title music.
The system is actually a place where exploitation thrives like a North American pine forest, and teachers are guilt-tripped into sacrificing their sanity for the ‘greater good’—or rather, the greater exploitation. But honestly, the postal version of Burt Raccoon is exactly how it makes me feel. Behold the guilt-laden phrases that chime through school corridors, leaving teachers to Syril Sneer as they are torn between their duty and their own well-being. One such phrase, “but you’d already gone,” encapsulates the subtle manipulation used to guilt-trip teachers into giving up their precious time, unpaid, for the system’s demands. Fuck you – let’s call this shit out!
Problem
In the seemingly innocuous phrase, “but you’d already gone,” lies a festering mind-fuck in the education system: the relentless pressure on teachers to sacrifice their time for the sake of the school. This culture of guilt-tripping not only undermines the well-being of educators but also perpetuates the myth that their value is measured solely by their willingness to work unpaid overtime (see The Lifestyle Choice). It’s a toxic cycle that ultimately harms both teachers and students. Just recently, I got hit with the line, ‘I know you will put in the necessary interventions to ensure these students get their target grades,’ i.e., ‘I expect you to bend over and work for free, and if necessary, do the work for them.’ Both these phrases need calling out for what they are: an attempt to guilt teachers into sacrificing their time and working for free.
Causes
The origins are very simple, cemented within the foundations of an education system that values productivity over well-being (NEWS FLASH: handing me an occasional Whispa or a shit doughnut now and again, isn’t caring for my well-being). One key cause is the pervasive belief that teachers should be martyrs, sacrificing their time and energy without question. This belief is perpetuated by leadership, who wield guilt-laden phrases like weapons to manipulate and control their staff in wordplay reminiscent of Steven Poole’s Unspeak. Furthermore, a lack of boundaries and respect for teachers’ personal time only exacerbates the problem, creating an environment where exploitation thrives.
Effects
The impact of this culture of guilt-tripping extends far, seeping into the foundation of student well-being and academic performance. As I am sure I have said before in other posts, when teachers are overworked and underappreciated, their ability to effectively support and educate students is compromised – this isn’t rocket science ! (as I have DEFINITELY said before). This results in increased stress and burnout among teachers, leading to higher turnover rates and a lack of continuity for students. Ultimately, it’s the students who pay the price for a system that prioritises exploitation over education.
Solutions
Ridding schools of guilt-tripping requires a shift of culture. First and foremost, school leadership must recognise and respect the boundaries of their staff, fostering a culture of mutual respect and support. This includes implementing policies that prioritise staff well-being and provide adequate resources to support their workload – ‘give me another free but don’t come near with me with a fucking chocolate bar!!!!’ Additionally, teachers must advocate for themselves and each other, refusing to succumb to guilt-tripping tactics and standing up for their right to a healthy work-life balance. When you walk into school, put on your figurative Kevlar jacket and say to yourself “I won’t get guilt-tripped today mutha fucker”
Conclusion
We cannot continue to allow guilt-laden phrases and manipulation to dictate our careers/lives. FFS stand up against exploitation and demand a system that values the well-being of teachers. So, the next time you hear the dreaded words, “but you’d already gone,” remember that you are not alone in this fight. Turn around, look them in the eye and say one of the following: “It’s not that I had already gone, it’s that you were still here” or “I value my sanity more than unpaid overtime” or “I’ll put in the extra hours when you start paying for them” or finally “a sphincter says what?”.
