Bias and “beef” are two different concepts that are often referred to as misunderstandings or “issues” that occur between people in all situations. The classroom is not an exception to this, the difference is that many people perceive the “issues” they have with teachers differently. 

   Students often say that a teacher either hates them or has a grudge against them. What students need to realize is that even though they may disagree with teachers often, it doesn’t necessarily mean that teachers hate them or are targeting them.

   “If people don’t want to see their own limitations, their own flaws, and somebody else points them out, then they might feel threatened by that and they could cause a conflict,” said IB psychology teacher Fred Holtz. 

   However a teacher pointing out a flaw in a student’s work is not targeting the student. 

   Students may disagree with a teacher about their grade, the appropriate way to act in class, their way of teaching, amount of effort on assignments or areas of improvement. Sometimes students take it personally when a teacher tries to teach them by giving critiques. 

   “People often think that there’s a moral judgment that goes along with feedback that I give them. If I critique your photography or your writing, I’m literally just looking at what you produced, not you as an individual,” said publications teacher Erin Harris.

   Teachers don’t define disagreements with students as “issues” or “beef” but rather get frustrated with students. All teachers are humans therefore it makes sense they get frustrated. It can be frustrating for a teacher to repeat themselves, to manage disagreements with students frequently on the same topic, and to handle students’ disrespect.

   “If I’m just being honest with things, it can be frustrating at times if I have explained things, 3 or 4, maybe even five times to a student, but they’re not reciprocating a little bit on their end,” said coach and teacher James Leach. 

   Even though teachers can get frustrated with students, teachers interviewed said that it doesn’t affect the relationship with their students personally. Teachers understand that students don’t often try to  be malicious or hurt them with what they say.

   Students and teachers often have disagreements in class, but there is a fine line  between having a real “issue” or a misunderstanding. Teachers may get frustrated, but don’t have “beef” with students.

   “No student shows up to school trying to upset someone and understanding that if they’re upset, it’s not about me, it’s about them,” said transition specialist Allison Stanley.