10 Things Teachers Could Do in the ’80s That Would Get Them Fired Now
Classrooms in the ’80s were a whole different world—less filtered, more direct, and full of moments that would never fly today. Teachers had a level of freedom that sometimes walked the line between old-school discipline and serious HR violations. What seemed normal then might be a breaking news headline now.
- Tricia Quitales
- 3 min read
The classroom rules of the 1980s were far from today’s playbook. Back then, teachers had more authority, fewer restrictions, and little oversight from parents or school boards. While many look back fondly, some of their actions wouldn’t survive a single day in modern schools. Here are 10 things teachers could do in the ’80s that would definitely cost them their job today.
1. Paddle Students for Misbehaving
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Corporal punishment was still legal in many schools, and paddling was a common discipline tool. Some teachers kept the paddle in plain sight as a warning. Today, that would result in lawsuits and immediate dismissal.
2. Smoke in the Teacher’s Lounge
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Teachers used to light up in the school building—no big deal. The teacher’s lounge often smelled like cigarettes and coffee. Now, smoking anywhere near a school is strictly banned.
3. Call Kids Out in Front of the Class
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If you forgot your homework or acted out, teachers would roast you in front of everyone. Public shaming was a teaching strategy, not a concern. Today, that would be labeled as emotional harm or bullying by adults.
4. Use Red Pens Without a Second Thought
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Red ink everywhere—circles, slashes, and big Xs on your work. It was the standard correction color and didn’t hold back on showing mistakes. Modern educators often avoid red entirely to reduce student anxiety.
5. Show Scary or Inappropriate Movies
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Teachers sometimes popped in movies that were way too mature “just to pass the time.” From horror films to war documentaries, it wasn’t always age-appropriate. Today, parents would be outraged, and schools would take action fast.
6. Let Students Sit on Their Laps
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Younger kids, especially in elementary schools, were often invited to sit on teachers’ laps during story time. It was seen as sweet or comforting. Now, it’s a serious boundary issue and grounds for investigation.
7. Play Favorites Openly
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Teachers had their “favorite” students, and they didn’t hide it. Special treatment was obvious from more praise to lighter discipline. In modern classrooms, this would be flagged as unfair and unprofessional.
8. Use Sarcasm or Insults as Humor
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A little sarcasm here and there was part of the job, even if it stung. Teachers joked about students’ clothes, handwriting, or behavior. Today, that kind of humor would be seen as harmful and unkind.
9. Assign Excessive Homework Without Limits
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Hours of homework, even on weekends, were totally normal. There was no balance, no adjustment for age—just lots of it. These days, homework loads are carefully managed to protect student well-being.
10. Physically Move or Grab Students
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If a student was out of line, a teacher might grab them by the arm or steer them into a chair. No one thought twice about it, but now, any physical contact like that could end a teaching career immediately.