Halloween is all about candy — but what if it wasn’t?
If you think students misbehaving in class is a sign that your kid is a genius, think again.
According to Kristin Willett, a former teacher and current TikTok influencer, behavioral issues in school don’t always mean your kid isn’t being challenged or is too bored to pay attention.
In fact, the popular TikTok teacher says that’s rarely the case — and the truth is what most parents don’t want to hear.
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“Don’t shoot the messenger on this one,” Willett began in a TikTok video posted in December 2022.
“But if you think your child is misbehaving in class because they’re so smart they’re not being challenged … that’s probably not it,” she continued.
@teachingbelike Parents this is what teachers want you to know but can’t tell you #teachingbelike #teacherlifebelike🤓😅 #teacherlife #teachercomedy #teachertruth #honestteacher #harahreality #sarcasticteacher #teacherstruggles ♬ Still D.R.E. - Instrumental - Dr. Dre
Willett goes on to admit that there’s a “small chance” that they’re a genius, but there’s a “big chance” that it’s something else.
In an interview with Today, published Aug. 19, Willett admitted that her TikTok “can be hard for a parent to hear.”
According to Today, Willett spent 20 years as an educator in Rhode Island and taught students from fourth grade all the way up to 12th grade.
In her experience, kids being too “bored” and “too smart” are common excuses for behavioral issues — but those excuses often avoid confronting the root cause of the problem at hand.
“A lot of times, there hasn’t been enough structure at home, and no consequences,” she says of students misbehaving in class.”
And rather than try to fix that, parents want to find an easier explanation,” she added.
Willett isn’t the only TikTok teacher (or parent) with this belief
Willett’s comments come as schools across the country have just started the new year or are starting soon.
It also comes at a time when students are misbehaving at an increased rate.
According to a December 2024 study conducted by EdWeek Research Center, 48% of educators said students in their classroom have been misbehaving “a lot” more than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
An additional 24% of educators said students are misbehaving “a little” more than in 2019, per the study.
But while Willett warned that many parents would disagree with her belief, the comment section to her video proved that she’s not alone in her thinking.
“Gifted Education teacher here. You’re right,” fellow TikTok teacher MsChangGifted wrote in a comment.
“Yup. And even if they are super smart, they need to learn to deal with boredom. That’s a life skill. Everyone is not here to entertain you,” another user wrote.
“I call the kids' and parents' bluff and start giving them the assessment right away after the initial lesson. Stops then pretty quick,” a third user commented.
One user even argued that bored students are usually the result of parents letting kids “watch unlimited TV,” meaning they’re used to constant stimulation — something school doesn’t always provide.
“Let’s say their kid is smart… it’s still not okay for them to become a behavior issue. The behavior issue needs to be worked on regardless,” another TikTok user wrote.
While talking to Today, Willett shared a bit of parenting advice since she often feels like teachers are pitted up against parents.
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“When school and home collaborate for the child’s best interest, everyone wins,” she told the outlet. “Right now, it often feels like it’s us versus them, and the kids are the ones who suffer.”
