Let’s be honest, every educator has that moment.
You know the one.
The tech fails.
You say the wrong thing.
You trip, freeze, or completely lose your train of thought.
And for a split second, you think: “Well… that’s it. My credibility is gone.”
But what if that moment is actually doing more for your classroom than your perfectly planned lesson ever could?
Why Embarrassing Classroom Moments Might Be Your Greatest Teaching Tool
In this episode recorded with Jen Casa-Todd, we reflect on a simple truth:
Embarrassing moments are not a matter of if, they’re a matter of when. And instead of fearing them, we should expect them. Why? Because they humanize us. Students don’t connect with perfection, they connect with authenticity.
You can check out the video, audio podcast, and blog post below.
This episode is sponsored by Teq. One of the biggest challenges in schools right now is capacity. Educators are asked to do more, often with new tools, and very little support. Teq helps by combining classroom technology like SMART Boards and STEM resources with professional learning that respects educators’ time and reality. It’s support that makes technology usable, not overwhelming.
Learn more at Teq.com.
In this episode, Jen Casa-Todd and I dive into a topic every educator experiences—but rarely talks about openly: embarrassing classroom moments. We get a bit vulnerable and discuss some of our most cringe-worthy classroom moments and what we did to turn that embarrassment into empowerment. Instead of avoiding or regretting these situations, we explore how they can actually become powerful opportunities for connection, growth, and even joy. We’ve all had (or will have) them so let’s talk about them and use them to our advantage. This is one episode you won’t want to miss. Buen provecho!
Connect With Gabriel Carrillo
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About Jen
Jennifer Casa-Todd is a wife, mom, educator, former Literacy Consultant, and the author of several books focusing on Digital Leadership. Jennifer was the recipient of the YSCPC Teaching Excellence Award (2023), and recipient of the ISTE Digital Citizenship Network Award (2020). She is a Google Educator Group leader, a Google Certified Innovator, and a board member for the Canadian Library Association. Jennifer has a Masters in Education with a specialization in Curriculum and Technology. Jennifer can currently be found supporting pre-service teachers at Lakehead University (Ontario). She has been a presenter, featured speaker, and keynote speaker at conferences across Canada and around the world. She is passionate about amplifying student voice and showing teachers, parents and students how they can use technology positively and productively.
Connect With Jen
- Jen’s Website: https://jcasatodd.com/
- Jen On X: https://x.com/JCasaTodd
- Jen On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcasatodd/
- Jen On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jcasatodd.bsky.social
- Jen On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercasa-todd/
The Power of Laughing at Yourself
One of the most powerful shifts you can make as an educator is learning to laugh at yourself.
Not in a self-deprecating way, but in a way that says:
“Hey, I’m human too.”
When you model this:
- Students feel safer making mistakes
- The classroom becomes more relaxed
- Learning becomes more joyful
And suddenly, that embarrassing moment becomes a shared experience instead of a personal failure.
Relationships Change Everything
Here’s the real game-changer:
When you’ve built strong relationships with your students, they don’t judge your mistakes, they forgive them.
In fact, they often:
- Laugh with you
- Support you
- Appreciate you more
Because they see you not just as a teacher, but as a person.
Teaching Is a Lot Like Cooking
If you’ve ever tried a new recipe, you know things don’t always go perfectly.
Sometimes:
- You forget an ingredient
- You overcook something
- You improvise
But that doesn’t mean the meal is ruined.
Teaching works the same way.
Every “mistake” is just part of the process—and sometimes, it leads to something even better than what you planned.
Final Thought
The next time something embarrassing happens in your classroom, don’t rush to hide it.
Pause.
Breathe.
Laugh.
Because that moment might just be the one your students remember most, and the one that brings you all closer together. Buen provecho!