Episode 25: Teacher Tips: Responding to Criticism (Because It’s Inevitable)

No one likes to be criticized. Even when we say we’re “open to criticism” or that “constructive criticism is appreciated,” it’s still hard to hear, especially when we feel like we’ve put a good deal of thought or effort into something. Whether it comes from parents, students, counselors, or administrators, as a teacher, you will inevitably hear criticism about the decisions you make in your classroom.  Depending on who is doing the criticizing and how that criticism is delivered, it can be really hard to hear and we often feel our fight or flight response kick in. Before making any decisions about how to respond, let’s take a breath. We’re talking about strategies we’ve found work for us whenever we respond to criticism as well as what ultimately influences our decision to compromise or stand our ground.