I often pretend to be a strict teacher just to mess with my students...

Throwaway account.<br><br>I teach high school and often I know my students will often test me to see how strict I am, like to make sure I'm not a pushover. This sometimes comes in the form of various things like phones, side conversations, doing work for other classes, etc.<br><br>What I often do, and what my students absolutely hate, is pretend to be a strict "by the book" teacher. I'll see them doing something like this and the minute they notice I'm looking at them, I shoot them my most stern face ever. Then, with a completely serious tone I'll say something along the lines of:<br><br>"Oh, no. No no no. I don't think you know this but I'm the most strict teacher in the school. I'm like a stricter, more scary version of your principal. I'm the principal on steroids. I don't even know why principals bother to give out detentions in the first place when you could just send them to my class and I'll take care of it for them. I have zero tolerance for any kind of talking whatsoever, and I will send you to the dean for even just a peep. I once sent a kid to the office for breathing too loudly near the back of the classroom. For those who complain about grading, the scale for my classes are A-||F. That's right. The lowest possible grade is an F. I don't mess around, so you better shape it up and get your shit together because I might just send you to jail."<br><br>My students absolutely hate this. Every time I do this, they give me the most terrified looks imaginable and they'll literally start to sweat. And of course, after I "scare the shit out of them", I'll just let them do whatever they were doing and laugh at their expense.<br><br>Edit: Holy shit this went popular. Thanks for all the awards! I also love all the "I'd hate you as a teacher" comments. I love my students, but they are a little immature.