Today, I was a TA for a history class and the class was taking a test. About halfway through, I noticed one kid had a small piece of paper in his hand. I ran up the row, grabbed his test, and ripped it into four pieces. Then I took the note from him. It said "I believe in you, -Mom." FML

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Jerk! ;]

Poor kid..

Shouldn't have been so quick to rip that up...

what kind of test proctor rips up a test in the middle of the exam no questions asked? get off your power trip ...

soul crusher, hahaha

Wow.... thats reaaaallllly f'd up, you probably shattered his confidence forever o.o

Geez, what an ass! You are now THAT guy (or girl) that all of the kids in the class hate. Hope you're proud.

Damn. Poor kid, indeed.

Dude, you did the right thing. If you're not allowed to look at other stuff during a test, then that includes notes from mom. You can't bend the rules just 'cause they make you look like a jerk. Maybe you could have been a little less hasty, but you were just doin' your job.

-Another TA

Poor kid. Hope you learned a lesson from that.

Dude shouldn't have been looking at notes in class, regardless of their message.

But I've never seen a proctor shred a test.

#8, a note from mom probably wont have the answers on it

"dear timmy, i believe in you. also, hitler annexed the sudetenland.

--love mom"

i agree- power trip indeed. youre just a TA.

Wow, I've been a TA before and caught people cheating and I can honestly say that was uncalled for! Someone needs to get off their high horse. We had this rule - if the prof lost your test you got an A - I think in your case, if the TA's an ass and rips up your test the student should get an A instead of having to write the test again since the student will be more stressed than he/she already was.

#11

Not our job to figure that out. You're not supposed to have anything with writing on it, period, because when you're keeping an eye on 200 college students all desperate for a good grade you don't have time to check what every single stupid piece of paper they have is. If it's got writing on it, put it away. Period.

I have to agree with 3! (And not just for rhyming purposes)

I hope you've gained something from this. :(

Well now you know what can happen. Maybe they [your university] ought to make it a standard to start with the note, THEN move on to the test if the student was in fact cheating. You have no way of knowing all the possibilities if nobody tells you. Besides, it was only four ways; he can easily copy what he had to a new sheet. Award him or her some extra time at the end to compensate (assuming it happens again) and move on.

i think ripping the test was a bit too much. you're lucky that wasn't me taking the test. with my connections, i would have had you fired.

I have been a TA and I have caught people cheating, and I have never done that! You take the paper, check it, pull them aside to talk to them, then take the test away if need be. Some people cheat because of emotional distress, so doing something like tearing a test up is one good way to give them a mental breakdown. Being a TA takes patience. No need to be a bitch.

you have no soul.

@ 17:

"With my connections..."

I actually lol'd.

@19: Eh, who does anyway. They could have at least played it slow like "well what is that there, is that a piece of paper?"

Oh and other posters have mentioned how you aren't allowed to have any piece of paper with writing. This is true, but what you should have done was looked at the note and asked him to put it away, and then whispered "Good luck" or something, just to keep up his confidence. Making a huge scene and going 'OMG YOU ARE CHEATING GIVE ME YOUR TEST RAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRR' is a good way to startle the other students, distract them, and make them nervous. Even in a huge lecture hall you need to exercise some calm when dealing with the situation.

Wow. Seriously, that was fucking horrible.


Though, #17, you sound like a completely pretentious douchebag.

you're an asshole.

I am at a university and while I am not a TA or a professor, I have seen both rip up tests because a student was cheating. There should never be any doubt by a superior about your academic honesty, there are zero tolerance policies that we are made aware of upon entering a university for a reason. The fact of the matter is, no matter how harsh it seems this is college level, not high school. If you cheat, nobody takes your hand, pats it, and tells you its okay and you can try again later. If you cheat, you fail. End of story. This is the real world and in the real world if you cheat there are consequences, most of which are way harsher than someone ripping up your test such as leagality issues. If a person did this at a job, they would be fired no questions asked. The kid should be grateful it happened and that they learned their lesson in a class in college instead of at a job where they would be fired on the spot.

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Why wouldn't you look at the piece of paper in his hand first? Jump to conclusions much? I can understand what you were thinking, but damn! Learn to think before acting!

You'd better give that kid an A on his test now. Seriously. Don't even offer to let him retake it... that'd be an insult to both of you. Just give him the A.

#3 - I agree!

#24 - I also agree!

#14, how difficult is it, exactly, to ask "Let me see what you have in your hand?" and then decide what actions you should takee from there.

I've been a TA for about six different classes, and I've caught kids cheating many times. That wasn't the appropriate way to handle the situation at all, but I hope you've learned your lesson. In all honesty, I think that the kid that you attacked (for lack of a better word, I know that sounds harsh) deserves the FML, not you.

my other comment did sound harsh. but it sounds like this history test was a major part of your grade. so, yeah. if a TA ripped it up without even finding out first if i actually was cheating, yeah, i would make sure that TA is fired. wouldnt you? think about it.

#28

Honestly? Not very. The thing is, we aren't supposed to. Zero tolerance is a bitch. Sometimes following policy sucks.

to all those that are saying this is a college, not high school: it never said that in the op. this could as easily be a high school as it is a college, and I think different standards do apply to the two.

You deserve it. You really do. It's what you get for your power trip. You're supposed to be authority, sure. But you're also supposed to be respectful. In a large or small class, you DON'T do what you do. You take them aside, even if they actually were cheating.

Man, that was a pretty dick move. For those saying 'omgomg too many kids in a class to look at everything oh noes' -- how long does it take to look at the sheet of paper he's holding, turn it over and tell him to put it away? 10 seconds? Less? And how hard is it to say 'I know you're nervous, but I can't let you have that out. Stick it in your back pocket, and it'll still be close', smile and walk away after he puts it away?

I sincerely hope that you let him rewrite his exam and allowed him extra time to calm back down, since he was obviously very scared to begin with.

@20:

Me too... haha gg

@ #32 who has a TA in highschool? if that happened to me, id punch you in the face.

# 4 "soul crusher" hahahaahhahaha

#31
Zero tolerance always cracked me up.

Academic institutions are supposed to be a place that fosters creativity, an individuals progression in learning, a place that allows for the opinions and thoughts of others to be part of the learning process... and then we have crap like this where there is no discretion, there is no thought to circumstance...

Whatever, it was just a note, but christ, that kid put alot of effort in to that test, maybe spent ALOT of time studying over night, enough to where his mother noticed and left a note for him to help him do better... and what does the teacher do? Pays no attention to any of this, plays it by the books entirely.. Absolutely silly.

Zero tolerance just seems to clash with the culture of academia *entirely*.

So what? There are two opinions: 1) Don't allow ANYTHING so you act was right 2) Read the s**t before you do something like that.

#25 while you make a good point, that still doesn't excuse the fact that hit ripped up his test and THEN looked at the note. He wasn't cheating, if he was i would agree that ripping up the test (while extreme) is ok, but he wasn't. Sure, there are policy's that say "no paper" but regardless of that you should still look at the note before doing anything to the test. I hope this TA gets fired. I, like #17 would do what i could to get you fired if that happened to me.

It was pretty funny.

You probably should of read it first.

Just hope his mum wasn't dead and that was a lucky charm thing.

That is so sad.
I can just imagine that kid.
So, so sad.

@ #8 and #14 : Are you guys serious? He's a kid with some motivation from his mom, big deal. It's not like his test was life or death, he just had a little encouragement note. If I were you, I'd have looked at the note first. Jeez, you guys take your jobs WAY too seriously, it's people like you that made me challenge teachers when I was in school. Why is it that when I was in school, teachers always said you had to respect them no matter what? That's the biggest line of crap. You give respect to get respect, and obviously you guys are on huge power trips.

The zero tolerance policy on cheating requires you to actually be cheating. Encouragement from mom is not the same as fraudulent acquisition of another's property. Therefore, you fucked up, and you're an asshole.

his note was obviously a well disguised cypher. well played sir.

#38
I understand totally, and in fact think that the policy in question is bullshit... buuuuuuut...
I get paid to enforce it, so enforce it I must, unless I really feel like losing the precious, precious $$ that are keeping me fed.

I hope the kid punched you in the face because what you did was wrong. You should of at least confirmed what you saw before doing anything.

You should probably go kill yourself, lol. I don't know what I'd do in that situation, I'd feel so damn bad. I mean it was a note from his mom telling him she believes in him. Harsh

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i hope you get fired, you power tripping ahole

To add a bit more to my first comment [#45]:

Give the kid an apology for being such a shithead in front of the whole class, in front of everybody, when everybody will hear it. Shooting him down in front of everyone calls for an apology in front of everyone. Further, give the kid an A--he learned a number of life lessons from your shitty example.

I suppose you should have looked at the note before ripping his test up, but he shouldn't have had the piece of paper. Of course it would looks suspicious while taking a test.

So I'd say this fail was largely the kid's fault.

Oh please, that wasn't an asshole move. That kid should be smart enough not to be whipping out a piece of paper in the middle of a test. Though maybe the TA should have read the note first...nevertheless most of you are a bunch of overreacting pussies.

Power trip for sure. Next time take the note and read it first.
One would think that a TA would have to take the note and show it to the teacher, and the teacher would have to rip up the note - if it was a cheat sheet/what not.

#47
Fair enough. I wasn't on the same frequency as you on the issue I guess.


And to be honest, you can't be THAT harsh on the TA... accidents/bad decisions happen to all of us. No need to tell the TA to off his/herself ...

And that was a dash, not an "A 'minus' 'minus'" in case you jumped to conclusions again.

loser
thats all i gotta say
using your "power" on little kids ..........

great work


the ta is supposed to have a look at that note BEFORE he takes the test and destroys it...

Teachers like you are what make kids dumb.

You're one of *those* TAs, eh?

# 25 "If a person did this at a job, they would be fired no questions asked. The kid should be grateful it happened and that they learned their lesson in a class in college instead of at a job where they would be fired on the spot."

yes, because having an note that says good luck before a big presentation at your job will get you fired right? oh please.

um, what the hell.
what kind of person would do that anyway.
especially if you're only the TA. ruuuuudeee.

While the kid should have a piece of paper out, you shouldnt have ripped up the paper....especially if its words of encouragement from his mother.

I bet you wouldnt write workds of encouragement for your own kids.

#36 I was a TA in high school. Many high schools allow for seniors to TA a class if they have spare room in their schedule. Now a high school TA should never just up and rip up someones test. For that matter no TA should rip up a test without taking a moment to look into the situation. Thats just ridiculous and being on a power trip.

That being said the kid is kind of an idiot for looking at the note during the test, they should know that they could be accused of cheating. Just keep the note in your pocket and quietly know that mom believes in you.

But.....I wish my mom did little things like that for me

you're a dick. poor kid.

You sir, are a dick. Try and assess the situation properly before reacting in future.

But I am jealpous of the kid....I wish My mom had done things like that for me

so what happens now? will he get another chance to pass the test?

You definitely did the right thing.

Teaching Fail.

@58- I doubt college children are thinking of themselves as "little kids."

Furthermore, the kid shouldn't have this piece of paper. What did he expect?
Sure, it may be a bit harsh to rip it up, but it's your job.
Sorry though, that's a terrible situation.

Wow. You're a jerk. Stop power-tripping... TAs like you who THINK you have power are so stupid... remember how you were an undergrad, oh like... a semester ago? FU.

#61: That made me lol. Love it. :]

Hey, you never know. That "I believe in you, Mom" might be code for answers on the test.

Then again, you acted like a jerk. Nice one.

wow, you're a bitch. and so are you #25

I'm not sure what kind of school these posters go to... but there is NO looking at ANYTHING during tests in New York State colleges. If you look to the left, you can get your test shredded. This TA did the right thing, I'd say this is more a FML for the kid involved because he was looking at a note from his mom.

Plus, you never know... 'I believe in you - Mom' could be a ploy to cheat using a mnemonic device. You can't be too safe, especially if we're talking about college students.

That's what we psychologists refer to as a "dick move".

If that had been me at any point of my school years, you sir, would picking up your teeth. I don't care who you are or how important you think you are, you should be beaten to jelly. No doubt you're older and bigger then this poor kid. Jackass...

To the people saying it might be a code:

If the guy was smart enough to devise a code intricate enough to get the answers to fit in a message as short and simple as "I believe in you.--Mom", then the guy was smart enough to not need the code in the first place.

How hard is it to say, what's that in you're hand? Then grab the test. What's the kid gonna do? Run?

Dick move.

Wow. You're one of those dick TA's who thinks they're sweet but not a single person in the class has any respect for you.

Go throw yourself in a ditch.

#77:

Using a mnemonic device is not cheating. He would still need to know the answer in order to use a mnemonic device. Remember "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally"? Guess what. That's a mnemonic device. Teachers teach mnemonic devices all the time.

#82: Thumbs up.

Seriously, what kind of idiot has a note out during a test :| In every school I've ever been to after primary school, if theres any chance you may have been cheating, your test got ripped up, end of. No chance to repeat. Hell, one kid got his test ripped up for looking in a dictionary. (The language the test was in was his second language, and it wasn't an exam on the language [ie, english kid in a spanish school])

why the heck would you do that? are you honestly one of those teachers who ruins school for kids? great job.

Grab the paper first, not the test. Definite dick move.

oh no, that poor kid. i really want to go find him and give him a hug. you probably ruined his whole day.

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@ 17 and 79

Was it mean and heartless of the TA? Yes. Was it undeserving? No. The kid shouldn't have had the note out during the test. Don't blame other people because you aren't allowed to break the rules, and then threaten them. That's a power trip without the power.

@ 61 and 76

Yes, it was a dick move, but the note isn't the issue, not being able to follow the rules is.

You first had to make sure he was cheating! Poor kid, if he had that paper, that means he is probz not self-confident at all... I thought teachers were here to help you, not to destroy what you try to achieve. Hope you're proud of yourself!

give open book and open notes tests, and make it harder accordingly. when in real life is someone going to have you solve a problem but restrict you from using all available resources? not allowing students to use notes is outdated and pointless. and it would also solve this particular situation from ever happening.

i think that TA should be fired

People are assuming it's a college student...
Fair enough if that's the case, but given it says "kid", and... well just read the note... I imagined high school, young high school.

Or are TAs only a college thing...? (Actual question)

wow, you should feel absolutlely horrible about yourself.
I would have gotten you fired.
Poor kid.

Most schools are pretty strict about cheating, and when they say no other papers or materials on the students desk, they mean it. I think TAs are normally a college thing, and it sounds like something someone from my university would do.

Cheer up! Maybe it was a cleverly disguised acronym?

I hope to GOD you lose your job, people like you disgust me.

Wow you're a jerk. Poor kid. That note probably meant he was nervous and has some serious self confidence issues. So not only did you put him on the spot and humiliate him in front of the entire class, but you also advertised that his mom has to write him notes of encouragement (nothing wrong with that but he's probably gonna get tortured for it). I hope you feel like crap. I understand that he coulda been cheating.. but simply walking up, asking to see the paper, and walking back would have done just fine.

#22 made me lol

I think the main problem with this post is that you are the TA, not the prof. Take the test and note and leave the discipline to the actual prof. Stop power tripping and realize you are *not* in charge.

wow fail. at least LOOK at the note first?
LOL #17

100+ comments already! :O

Mr. TA, you're a dick. That is all.

I'm sorry, but I fail to see how that is FYL - It's that kid who should be posting this story.
You're an asshole. Learn how to do your job properly and get off your powertrip, jerk.

Did you at least apologise to the poor kid?! He deserves at least that in writing and support for the remainder of the academic year!

Probably not the best idea to jump to conclusions like that.

That was a dick move all over, OP.
You could just start silently writing up cheaters, then telling them to leave quietly. Why would you make a big distracting scene of a little note :/ Others want to do their exam in peace too!

Well, first you should have looked at what the note said. Then, if he was cheating, you could have just taken the test away and given him a 0 or something. As #106 said: it's both distracting and embarrassing.

i hope you're proud of yourself. that note was probably like a worry rock to that poor kid, and to all of you who said he shouldn't have been holding a note, haven't you ever needed a confidence booster when you were nervous?

this is why you don't partake in the hostile method of teaching, and instead take the assertive discipline approach. you deserved that one for being a jerkface

(sorry....ed major...just got out of my educational psychology class)

You sir, are an ass!

#108

Of course: The issue is not what was on the note at all. A lot of schools have policies which are basically "NO NOTES, NO MATTER WHAT, OR TEST IS INVALID." So quit bitching at a TA who was only trying to do his job.

person who did this: you're retarded and are probably seriously insecure
#17: you are most definitely a pretentious little bitch that has no real friends

Haha what a jerk.

Not all kids are mischievous...... just the cool ones.

What note would possibly be okay to look at during a test? Really? Why would you be reading a note from mom in the middle of the exam?? Most schools are zero tolerance. I've seen kids kicked out for looking at their cell phones for the time (the logic being "you could be texting for answers" even if you weren't texting, or even opened the phone).

The kid was a moron and let's hope HE learned a lesson. He should have known what that would look like to a test proctor!

That would have been so badass if it hadn't been a note from his mom.

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Kid's fault for looking at the note during the test when he shouldn't have, your fault for being a dick.

And way to disturb everyone else trying to concentrate on taking the test.

8#

Wow, you're a toolbag. seriously, you're like the sub that gives his own pop quiz. Congratulations, you have power over someone young enough to be your child. Come on, you're a TA. get a real job, you insecure prick.

TWO THINGS:

1. are you going to be a fireman tomorrow?

2. you are a complete ASS.

EVER HEARD OF BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT? STUDENTS ARENT ALWAYS "BAD"

You suck at life

I love the people who are saying its our job and its what had to be done like you are in the freaking military or police force or some crap, its school not the third reich

DICK

#119

1. I doubt that any of the students I oversee in my COLLEGE classes are more than 4 years younger than me.
2. I'm a STUDENT. I'll get a "real job" when I have my degree, thank you very much.

#20: So did I.

Hahaha, I was a TA before but I didn't give a damn about the kids in that class. And thanks for making my day, I truely ROFLd on that one!

that's what he gets for being a fag and looking at notes from his mom during tests

#128 ur a real dick

36. I'm a senior in high school, and I've had three TA's throughout high school, so it's not just a college thing.

the whole thing about just ripping up the test and not finding first if he was actually cheating pisses me off. i would have that TA fired.

Woah that was a dick-ish move.

You should have taken the paper and test away, and then consulted your prof. Not rip up the paper.

Great job for giving the kid a reason to have a mental breakdown.

You just ruined that kid's week, you numptie. Find another job.

BAHAHAHAHA...

my reaction was literally "what the fuck."

your life sucks.
now even people on the internet hate you. I feel bad for you. :(
DONT WORRY we all do ridiculous, hasty things.

You're an asshole. Taking his test would have been one thing, but you took it and ripped it up only to find out he wasn't even cheating. I would have complained to the professors had that happened to me.

K\' you sound one of those straitlaced types that everyone hates. Assuming everyone is cheating doesn't create an atmosphere of trust, it just makes the students spiteful towards you. Making a spectacle out of this situation by ripping up the quiz isn't "the rules making you look like a jerk", it's you being a jerk. I also have a striking suspicion that you wouldn't have been fired for letting that slide, since, you know, he wasn't actually cheating.

#25 you obviously didn't read it, the guy wasn't even cheating. Never mind that most of the people who cheat get away with it.

did the right thing...little fucker shouldn't have been breaking UNIVERSAL test rules by looking at a hidden piece of paper.

CHRIST people are getting really worked up over this. I'm sure this problem didn't go unsolved, and honestly, your opinion is not going to influence anything at all. We don't KNOW what happened after he ripped up the test. It's not like it was 20000000 tiny pieces.... you can always tape stuff together (crude, I know, but one sheet of paper ripped in four can't be too disastrous...) soooo yeah. relax your bodies..

That sucks. Sometimes we do things that make us feel like asses. Hopefully you apologized, but as long as you did, I don't think you did the wrong thing. No one here who has said you acted too quickly can honesly say they have never made a rash decision that they later regretted, so don't listen to them. Next time, just find out what's on the paper beforehand. Don't feel too bad.

I think that if you're in college, you're old enough to take a test without a note from your mom. Rules are rules. You can't have any notes out.

You become teachers, professors e.t.c. and you think you own the world. Like you didn't cheat in your life! Even if he did cheat, what's wrong with cheating anyway? Big deal! If the whole world turns around tests and getting good grades than having true knowledge then the best thing kids can do is to try and be the absolut "A". It's normal!

And you, are you anorgasmic or what?? Do you love playing the role of the strict, beach-teacher? I am happy for you! The earth is going better and better with you on it.

What I want to know now is what happened to the student and his test? Since she only ripped it into 4 pieces I would have seen about taping it together or giving him another to copy over his answers and extending test time so he could finish it. Poor kid!

The thing that bugs me about this is that you were clearly trying to humiliate the kid. Even if he was cheating you should have taken the note to have proof then taken the test. Running at him then tearing it up is only done or the purpose of making it obvious to the whole class and being a dick about. Maybe don't be such a flaming bitch next time.

And #8, I sure as hell hope you're never the TA for my kids. How are you going to admit that you work in education and then write "doin'" and "'cause" instead of writing full words? No wonder kids these days don't know jack shit about the English language.

i've never met a TA who would rip up a test right in the middle of it.

aww, that's so mean. :( poor kid.

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I sure hope you never become an actual teacher. What a horrible, mean, and powertrippy thing to do. I hope you get what's coming to you. Asshole!

I'm a teacher. Regardless of whether or not I can prove a student is cheating, I would never tear up the work. Never. No teacher, or TA, has a right to tear up a student's work, even if it was copied.

The reality is, this student may be LD (learning disabled). Many of my students (I'm a special education teacher) need some kind of reassurance like this to make it through a test. You cannot always tell if a student is disabled by looking at him/her. By jumping to conclusions and ripping up the work that this student had likely put a lot of effort into, this TA has probably undone any progress this student had made.

It would have taken an extra second or two to look at the slip of paper first. Granted, the student should not have had it either, at least not without getting permission first, but this was an extreme reaction. Sadly, it was made even worse considering the circumstances.

No paper should be out for a test, period. In my university, if you have any scrap paper out, you fail. You may have been too hasty in ripping up the paper, but you did the right thing. Besides, it's only in 4 pieces, so you can give the kid extra time to copy them onto a new test. Kid, should have never had that paper out, no matter what the content was.

LMFAO!

i use this cheating technique all the time, always have a general idea of where the ta/professor is. but really writing shit on a paper is for when your too lazy to memorize shit

you're SUCH AN ASS. come on, you're a ta, i didn't even know you were allowed to be left on your own in a class.

@11 you made me lol ALOT

That's SO unbelievably mean!!!!

ok.. seriously... some people need chill pills. This was spur-of-the-moment, I honestly don't think this person was like "OMG THEY'RE CHEATING BETTER HUMILIATE THEM AND RUIN THEIR LIVES." uhhh, yeah no. Or else they wouldn't be posting it on FML. THINK about it... if they post it on FML it means they think their life is fucked, A.K.A. they have regretful feelings towards this. This person didn't even say "The kid deserved it." Or anything even MEAN.... honestly, ripping a test in 4 large, tape-back-togetherable pieces is not something to be so horrified about. We all make stupid decisions and mistakes, I know I have. Hell, in GRADE school I got my papers ripped-- gee, I'm totally humiliated and scarred for life now (not). The TA was trying to do his/her job. What if the kid HAD been cheating? I bet the response would be totally different. It just makes me feel so bad for this person when I see others so easily saying "omg you're so mean." Especially since you don't even know this person.... don't be so quick to judge! That's all I can say.

what happened to "innocent until proven guilty"? i guess that's one history lesson this TA didn't learn.

Look. I know that kids really shouldn't have papers out during a test, but get off whatever power trip your on.
I mean, at the very least most teachers look at the note before taking away a test.
Seriously? Calm yourself

Reason #467,239 why TA's don't have any place in the world.

LOL... if you ask me the mean ones are the ones commenting. harshh..

LOL at #46

Who rips up a test?

It takes TWO SECONDS to check the contents of a note. A quick peek over the shoulder to see what the note said. The next two seconds would've determined whether or not to rip up the test. You are a fool with a position that you don't deserve, and I hope you got verbally reamed by the test taker your foolish actions. People like you are what makes some college semesters unbearable for students.

this made me so sad.
seriously dude that's the worst thing i've heard in a while

you could have at least taken the test or told the teacher. but still that sucks fro you.

HAHAHAHA

You should have checked what was on the note first.

I agree with #3 jsryan25..lols Soul Crusher

That's harsh allright........ I remember in 2 of my colleges I attended, when a student was assigned as TA
they let us copy and they look out if the prof is coming back to the classroom.. haha XD

its the opposite here (Philippines)

I find it incredibly ironic that people are harshly condemning the TA for being too harsh on the kid. Plank in eye anyone? I hope everyone realizes that this TA feels very badly for what s/he's done, that's why it's here on FML. So realize that you're merely condemning yourself when you're quickly judging the TA for being a jackass, 'cuz s/he was so quick to judge.

TA, I hope this only serves to help you examine your character and thus bolster it. We've all done stupid, hasty things - and seriously, it could've been much worse ... the consequences here are not SO bad. I could think of much worse and more frequently life-threatening hasty decisions.

aw. that was heartbreaking.

Dude you're such a dick.

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I know it may have looked bad, but no matter the case you shouldn't RUN up a row and tear up the person's paper with no questions asked. You acted like you are the greatest, most worthy and honest person on Earth. I really hope you swallowed your pride apologized. =\ Thats so sad for them and for you.

Being someone prone to high emotional stress I can say that really sucks and you probably just crushed that kid there. Yeah, he shoulda kept the note in his pocket, but to rip up a test BEFORE you even see what he's holding... that's harsh man. You better have let him retake it and given him time to recover first, cause I know without time to recover anything I did right before there'd be a good chance of me doing wrong just because of nerves.

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agree with # 18!
And you really were a jerk... and about #17, I probably would have tried anything to get the ass fired as well, with or without connections.

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my sympathies!! seriously

thats what that TA deserves. i totally agree with #176

i hope you get fired

wow, how nervous was that idiot to have a stupid note like that with him during the test?

way to go, heartbreaker.

all the goodie goodie jesus lovers in here "oh he did the right thing no tolerance blah blah blah"are a bunch of faggets

good one #183

WOW thats f'd up....stfu #8 sorry but that def not the way to handle it...poor kid :[
bahahahahah #11

Pssssh, whatever. First day of class the teacher goes over the syllabus, tells us about the school/class rules for tests. Nothing allowed on the test but a pen/pencil.

The kid had something he shouldn't have had. If he wanted to look at it, he should have cleared it with the TA before hand. 0 for the test, no questions asked. The ripping was theatrical but not unheard of.

to everyone saying he shouldn't have had the note in the first place- REALLY? who the f*** cares? get off your high horses. you're probably those people who are really stupid but get A's but only because you study for 15 hours a day so you think you're smarter than everyone. he kept some encouragement from his mom on him. get a life.

ok that was plain bad... here's a rope... and here's a tree :3

Ugghhhh, this is completely horrible. Obviously this kid lacks confidence, yeah, and maybe he wasn't that smart. But he was clearly nervous enough that his mom felt it necessary to write the accursed thing! The TA deserves to feel awful. They did something awful. Also, TAs really are not a solely college thing. I had plenty of TAs in high school. Even if it was college, that whole ripping up of the test was complete, utter, fail. Bitch move, Tiny Tyrant the TA.

This is why I hate TAs. They're all such power-hungry asshats.

i agree totally with #189

well said.

The meanest professor here wouldn't even do that.

Also for people saying you're doing your job as a TA, you guys are probably like the proctors who say you can't bring a timer with you to the SATs because it has OMG NUMBERS on it when you're taking a non-math test in a room with no clocks.

You're a jerk, you're a freakin' TA, not a teacher. Next time, just tell the teacher what's going on instead of making assumptions.

Wow, you're a dick. I bet you felt so proud. You saw that piece of paper, and all that was running through your head was how intimidated the other students would be, and how you could announce to the professor that YOU found a student cheating. Oh how proud he'd be of you. Maybe he'd tell his colleagues what an awesome student you are. You stormed over there, ripped up the test without even checking, and you had the audacity to look at the kid's note. I bet you thought you'd find some elaborate set of notes that you could show to the professor - oh how impressed he'd be!

In your moment of passionate douchebaggery, you failed to be a rational human being. You could have been a normal, level-headed person and inspected the note. You could have even taken the note away - it had no relevance to the exam, but the student shouldn't have had it. But you didn't. You sir, have failed at life. You get nothing. You lose, good day sir.

Well thats the worst thing I have ever heard

WoW you're a bitch! That should make think twice!

eww your such a faggot.

you had it coming, you were a bitch, even if he did cheat you don't need to go and rip his shit up, just take it and be like "yur done"

I see so many comments where the poster of the comment is assuming that this happened in a college situation.
For those that say high schools don't have TA's, I was a TA three semesters in high school. It was a class one could take to fulfill an Occupational Education credit requirement.

And think about it, which is more likely:

A college TA makes a rash decision to rip up a test no questions asked, and that a college student taking the test, has a note from his mom wishing him good luck.

Or

A high school student being the TA goes on a power trip, and rips the test up of another student, and it's a high school student that has a note from his mom for encouragement.

If this was a short-or-long answer test, you are an ass and can die in a fire. If it was multiple choice, you were entirely justified, though slightly extreme in your reaction. Everyone knows that cheating on a multiple-choice test is easy, especially in college, so anything short of zero-tolerance will let people cheat. Once you get a cheat sheet on the free market, or bribe a smarter student, all you need to do is find a way to smuggle the answers. Some examples I've heard of (ranked by sophistication):

Writing it on your arm, hat, hand, etc.
Putting a sound file of someone reading the answers on an MP3 player.
A confederate signalling you under the table.
Nervous pencil-taps in Morse code.
Coding the answers into an innocent-seeming note from Mom.
Chewing or wearing a pattern into your pencil.

These are all things which could be accomplished, depending on the security level of the test-taking environment. I know I sound like an asshole, but I've spent a lot of time thinking how a dedicated cheater could get past a typical school's protection.

Which is pretty ironic, come to think of it, as I'm a quite ardent anti-cheater and against all other forms of school security.

poor kid... he must have been heart-broken

There are so many things wrong with this story. Both the TA and the student fucked up. Get over it, all of you.

Proctoring a test (at least for the first time or two) can be pretty nerve-wracking in itself. Especially since you're not the teacher. You have a responsibility to make sure no one cheats, and that's not especially easy. Everyone here seems to be under the impression that this TA wasn't nervous like the students taking the test.

So yeah, tearing up the test was stupid. So was reading the note during the middle of the test in the first place. But they were both emotional responses to stress. Every single one of you needs to calm the f*ck down.

Also, I fail to see why high school vs. college matters. Doesn't change what happened. Doesn't change the fact that it was stupid. Who gets notes from Mom after second grade, anyway?

usually when tests are being given, ALL things should be off the desk besides the test materials and a pen or pencil, so maybe she thought it was his crib sheet. but going on auto drive like that and ripping the test up is going overboard. OP should have checked the sheet in his hand first. i can see how someone could think the kid was cheating though. but seriously, the mom believes in him and look at what happens? i'd be pissed if i had to fill bubbles in again or rewrite an essay.

i think that TA needs psychological help. who agrees?

@22 I lol'd, a lot. RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRR

It seems to me that the student would be young. Yeah, there's a chance of the over prtoective mother sending her 21 year old to school with notes, but what 21 year old whould keep it like that? I think the age would be around 8 for that to happen, and in that case, you are WAY out of line. If he is 21, then you're just regularly out of line.

Could have taken the note first... but that would have been the intelligent thing to do.

right on, #17!

I'm not even allowed to do that as a TA... The teacher has to check it out first. And he has to do all the confiscating. That poor kid... I'm guessing this kid must have some kind of problems to get a note like that from his mom.

Hey dude, you're a douche. Haha. It's not the kid's fault that you're still trying to get over your mommy complex.

Ripping up the test was going overboard. Should have just confiscated it.

Wow. Horrible person.

You did your job. You simply failed to exercise intelligent discretion, making a mistake. That doesn't make you a *total* failure. But how did you address your mistake?

That was a stupid move, and you should feel stupid for doing it. As a TA, you deserve an F.

Ripping was a bit much. I don't think you're a horrible soul crushing person though. Even if the kid has confidence problems or whatever, he shouldn't get special treatment and get to have little notes from his mom out, especially if this was at a college or even high school level. If he does get special treatment, I'm sure you would have been notified of it.

DUUUUDE, you can't just assume someone is cheating. Always check before you do something like that!!!! I hope you learned from that.

you deserve it. think before you freak out like that next time.

one word: asshole.

way to shatter his hopes and dreams.

Fucking Prick! First you assume the worst and do not even bother to look at the paper.
Think before you act!

You are the person I have wanted to kick for all my academic career.

well #17 is a douche

... so... parent/teacher night is going to be fun, huh?

...It's ok, you only traumatized him a little...

powertrip much? karma's a bitch.

who rips up tests? judging by you being a TA I am assuming it's a college class. That is so juvenile. I hope you were super embarrassed in front of everyone and that you got fired :)

#25 the OP never even said it was college...
it could be highschool, and in college a kid probably wouldnt have a note from mom saying she believes in you LOL you'd be an adult :S

That sounds like something I would do (actually I wouldn't but i'm saying I would be someone to mess something up before looking and finding out 'oh.. opps'). I think that sucks, but it was your fault at the same time. Oh well, it's not like you'll really be in trouble, just use the "you could have been cheating" then talk to the teacher with the kid or something. Just a misunderstanding, it happens.

Uni is hell. Snowflakes have no place. I applaud you.

Comment includes all snowflakes who have commented. If having a test shredded for bringing in outside material to a proctored test "crushes his hopes and dreams" then that's a basket case of an academic career anyway.

If it's highschool... lighten up a bit, and if it's really a problem work with the instructor and the student to figure a way to right this. The tolerance of mistakes should flow both ways, asshats.

first off you were WAY out of line, ripping that poor kids test in front of all his other classmates, think of how much you embarrassed this poor kid. if i was this kids mom i would wait for you after school in the parking lot and and punch you in your fat V****a.......lmao

and im sure if the kid is getting motivational letters from his mom hes obviously not in hs or college. HS use students as TA and well in college MOST students dont get motivational letters from mom, im thinking he was in middle school..... so lighten up, its a history test not a life test

hope you learned your lesson and i hope you never become a teacher or maybe your style of teaching could come in handy in the state pen

hey #219, this is #17. i am a douche for defending myself and doing future students a favor by having that TA fired? someone like that doesnt need to be around students. and in a world where you are only looking out for yourself, you cant let people get away with giving you crap. so yeah. i would have that TA fired if i were that student. rip up my test like that!?!? WELL F**K YOU!! FOR DOING THAT TO ME, I AM MAKING SURE YOU WILL BE FIRED!

never let anyone get away with giving you crap. thats my advise

I was just moderating and I saw this exact same FML but from the student's point of view. But they said it was a biochemistry class. nice try

You may not meant to have been a wanker, but you still deserve a punch in the face.

not your fault - and you are obvioulsy a good human because you have shared it on this website

I bet mom is blaming herself...

Awh... yaastis that was really sad hey...
I am not sure what a TA is, but it sounds like what we call "relief teachers" here in Sunny South Africa... You should have rather looked at the note first before tearing up th exam paper, and some student whether from College or High School get nervous, he could have been stressing the night before, he's mum could have noted and then wrote a note, a note he could have most probably found only when he was in the examination room, I used to always find papers in my pockets during an exam, so ummm... you were rash..
he should have been smart and obviously discarded the paper, but who knows he could have been caught up in the fact that he's mum left a note.

I think you should have let him complete the exam, then took he's note and attached to the paper at the end of the examintion, handed it over to the actual "Teacher" or "Lecturer" and then let him launch he's own investigation into the matter if need be..

that is the single dumbest thing you could have done... you should have confiscated the note and determined its content .. passed it on the the teacher .. Its the teachers job to make the determination of what to do .. not you .. I hope you've learned your lesson out of this!

#229 it IS his/her fault. every school has policy guidelines and procedures for these kinds of situations that he/she would have been made aware of before being allowed to proctor and exam.. Thats what you get for not thinking before you act

what a bitch

Poor kid!!!!!

do you know why there are so many comments?
cuz this is HORRIBLE

even if that kid was cheating u dont do what you did

you handle it way differently
take him aside
prove that hes cheating
then explain he can no longer take the test.



why dont u do everyone a favor and get a soul.
thanks.

I would've slapped you across the face...

dude. youre going to hell. hahaha

asshole.

155, you're fucking epicccc.

come on the kids must have been soo scared for the test and you probably made him shit his pants haha

This is horrible, it almost made me cry. Poor kid.

This is why TA's are the most vilified members of university life. They're 5 years older than you, but they think they're hot shit. Pathetic and totally uncalled for.

#31 the problem with America man, schools are for creativity and learning. They are for preparing the next generation of pimps and whores lol. Anyways, I am on the fence about this a little really. I think it was a bad move, but what a note says isn't always relevant to the information that it contains. I doubt a note that short could have any value, however, if I was ever going to cheat on an exam I would probably use an encrypted sheet.

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Wow i NEVER comment on these, but you're a real prick. Check the note first next time! Hopefully you get fired.

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that's terrible :(
you should give him an automatic 100.
HOW COULD YOU BE SO HEARTLESS?!

Maybe it was a secret code!

You should have looked at the piece of paper first! Poor kid! :(

Who told you how to be a TA, the gestapo?

Wow you're a dick. Sorry bud.

You're gonna be remembered for a long ass time as the bitch teacher. Have fun (:

personally, i don't think you should be a TA. it seems like you were flaunting your authority and dominance over some innocent kid, and i hope you get punished. Even if the person was cheating, there is a more mature, fair way to handle this, and i don't think acting like you are still in high school is the proper way of solving this problem.

dude even if he was cheating i wouldnt have done anything.

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POOR KIDDO! I actually feel really bad for this kid. Good god...
But, okay, I understand that you thought he was cheating, but at least looked at the piece of paper BEFORE you ripped the test (AND HIS CONFIDENCE!) apart.

You're a bitch.

sooooo many pricks in academia......................................

YOUR life is fucked? self-absorbed bastard...

god you are such an asshole.
some people aren't good test takers, and for his mom to write a note? I'm sure that meant a lot to the kid.
He probably cried.
Ripping the test? You are the reason that I hate TAs.

#186 - "Pssssh, whatever. First day of class the teacher goes over the syllabus, tells us about the school/class rules for tests. Nothing allowed on the test but a pen/pencil.

The kid had something he shouldn't have had. If he wanted to look at it, he should have cleared it with the TA before hand. 0 for the test, no questions asked. The ripping was theatrical but not unheard of."

QFT.

As a teacher, I have to ask, what were you thinking?
Ripping up the test in front of the student in the presence of 200 of his/her peers? Seriously?
You find out what's on the note. Simply taking away it would have done it. That way, you can see whether or not s/he's cheating. Yeah, I understand the assumption you made, but you DO NOT rip up a test in front of the student under any conditions, especially when said student is in a class with 200 of his/her peers. I'm going to guess you never took any educational methods classes. Emotional abuse of the students is generally frowned upon.
The student should get an automatic 'A' and a written apology from you. You should also apologize to him/her in front of the class.

This is one of my favorite FMLs. I said, "awwww" out loud when I read it. It's sad but still endearing that the student had a note of encouragement from his mom!

I'm not going to comment on whether or not it's "right," but usually when TAs and professors practice the ripping-of-the-tests, they give fair warnings before the test. Maybe this TA was a little hasty, but that student also should have read his note before class and slipped it into his pocket, instead of taking that risk. Just because you are timid and insecure, does not mean you can expect special treatment over the other students, who probably feel equally nervous as you. I've seen that me-against-the-world attitude both from the driver's seat and the bleachers. :)

Anyway, it just comes down to, a mistake happened, both people felt embarrassed, and... it was a total FML moment.

wow, that's idiotic. I would like to see a this acted out

Was this at U of T? lol. I had a history test this Thursday too!

hahahahaha that's hilarious, sorry.

i think most of you people need to chill with all of the "you're the biggest jerk ever" comments. yeah, i agree ripping up is a bit harsh, but who is so fucking stupid to be having notes on his desk during a test anyway? doesn't take a lot of common sense to figure out that that might get you into trouble.

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Wow. I think that the *kid* should be the one posting an FML on this site.

I like #13s idea. Kid deserves a break

#17 - with my connections I would have had her kneecapped!

What a nasty, arrogant, jobsworth thing to do.

You should write a sincere apology.
You should be fired from that position.

Knowing how stressed people get before tests, that note was probably keeping that kid from breaking down and crying. Listen to # 29.

Also, #77 you are a tool.

And #61, well played sir.

Ummm this was on a commercial a few years back.. If this really happened ...what a coincidence?

This makes me so sad :'[

dude... you're going to hell for that one

Wow, you should apologise to the kid and his parents asap

You horrible, horrible man.

Sure was funny, though.

I think it depends on the school as to whether or not you should rip up the test. Some places are just more strict than others. On the whole, though, I don't think it would have hurt to take a look at the paper and then act. Maybe that wouldn't be following protocol to a T, but it wouldn't have gotten you fired and would have saved you a post on here.

I swear half the people posting about this never went to school. "No notes in class during a test" means "NO" notes. Not "No notes unless they're from your mom". They mean NO notes. Period. Done. Full stop. NO notes. Zero. What is there to not understand about that?

!. You ruined the test for the student.
Not only can s/he not finish their test, their confidence is probably shattered. If they have a note from their mother in their pocket, or even balled up in their hand, presumably their confidence wasn't sky-high to begin with.

2. You ruined the test for the other students.
Your histronics probably interrupted their writing and distracted them. Causing a scene probably put everyone on edge.

3. You looked like a jackass for doing something rash, hasty and absolutely preventable.
A milisecond of foresight and you would have been able to see whether his note had cheats on it, or if it was--as it turned out to be--benign encouragement. Now you look like a dick, the professor's going to have to get involved, and it's just a shitstorm.

Is the student going to get a chance to re-write the test, seeing as how you ripped theirs up?

What kind of college kid keeps a note from his mommy handy during a test anyway? Jeez.

damnn poor kidd awww

Don't kick yourself too hard for this. Anyone above the age of 7 who can't go even one hour without written proof that his mom hasn't disowned him wasn't going to graduate anyways.

at least you felt bad about it. a lot of my teachers wouldn't even think of it as an fml. they'd just be like "i'm sure they did something else that was worth ripping up the test some other time this week. whatever."

I can tell that #25 has never had a job in the real world.

haha oh wow, thats tragic

dude, you grab the note first, read it, and THEN you rip the test in four pieces

seriously, what posessed you to rip it up?
why not just check and see what he's looking at?
he probably had serious self confidence issues
as a high school student with some of those and seeing tons of kids with even bigger problems than mine, i know that that kid could be seriously bummin because of that

THIS WAS A COMMERCIAL!

You can say all you want about "the kid has self-esteem issues". My friend cheats ALL the time by writing little anagrams on his hands. I believe in you - Mom = I B I Y M = could be anything to the person. Point is you don't really know and you shouldn't be looking at notes during a test.

Why does everybody think this is such a big deal? Stop giving the student so much credit! If the assumption that this is a high school or university level course is correct, he is not going to be emotionally scarred from this incident. I am in 12th grade and have seen teachers rip up tests because of suspected cheating. Most of the time they were. The kid should know better by now. If he still needs a confidence boost from his mother at that age, there are more serious issues for him to deal with. If he was in 5th grade, i would understand the outrage; but seriously, he probably was cheating.

You're a bit dramatic, but he shouldn't be allowed to hold papers in his hand.

yeeeeeeaaaa, you're dumb. half the time schools like to keep records of the test that was cheated on anyway. why? i honestly dont know but it was done at my HS. looks like someone shouldnt teach anymore!

man it's coz of assholes like you I have such a low opinion of TAs

you're a life ruiner. you ruin people's lives.

but I'm sure you've realized the error of your ways and are somehow a better person because of this. :]

If I was you I would have probably cried.
If I was him I would have definitely cried.
This is really sad.
I don't know if you were instructed to rip up any possible cheaters tests.
But that is really sad.
The poor kid, his confidence is probably unfortunately shattered.

Did you at least appoligise?

hahaha
dude whatta dick!

HAHAHA wtffff. im not so amused at the ripping of the test part, what amuses me is who the fuck's mom writes them a note like that?

omg thats horrible!! ha poor kid, :/

That's some quality cocaine you're doing.

Congratulations. That is the biggest douche bag thing I've ever heard of. I almost feel bad for you. Get over yourself.

wow. way to go. that poor kid is probably traumatized... i hope you did something amazing to make up for your douchebaggery...

i signed up for this site, just because i read this... you are a huge douchebag

wtf

i hope they talked to the school administration about your actions.


And you're not even a teacher yet... just an assistant...?

Power trip is right!

Get off your power trip!

The kid needed it, it should show him to be more confident in himself rather than seek it from his mother, or at least leave the note in his pocket. You needed it, now you know to be more attentive to details before taking hasty action that will frag you.

I bet you're the same teacher that grabbed #153070's dick!


jk ;)

wow... look before you leap.
hope you give that kid 100% for your asinine behavior.

Gee. You're an arce. that was hekka funny though!

I feel your pain
-TA as well

That was pretty horrible. You should just have told him that next time to not have papers in his hands while taking a test considering they could be used to cheat. Awww, poor kiddo.

You snitch. What if he was cheating? School doesn't teach you anything important anyway.


Poor kid.

lmao no one likes a snitch
u just fucked with a mama's boy, GG

just like every other ta in every class, you're a retarded idiot. you should give the kid an A for the course and lose your job because of how big an ass you are

my mom used to write me notes before huge test and trust me they make you calm. if you did that to me i would have punched you so hard you would have flown back three rows.

excuse my harshness here but i feel sorry for any college student who needs help from mommy to calm them down on their test.

you're in fuckin college, not 3rd grade.

(assuming the kid wasn't in some sort of accelerated academic program; either way i hate them too, but only because their smarter than me and 2/3 my age ) :)

awe ill take my moms encouragement anytime lol
it just seemed a lil overboard..how about grabbing the note to ask what it is
my gosh maybe it is a doctors note or something....chill before you go ape sh** and start tearing things to shreds

#314 well aren't you the friendliest douchebag I've come across.

So you hate people who are smarter than you?....so that would be...everyone right? Because clearly I have a feeling EVERYONE in the world is smarter than you.
So what if the kid had a note to give him confidence? I know some adults who lack confidence and just need a pick me up sometimes. So what, a wife can't give her husband a note because he's a "grown"up? Use your fucking head.
Point is, kid shouldn't have had a note, and the TA shouldn't have overreacted and ripped up the test. The TA is NOT allowed to rip up tests, I have never heard of a TA ripping up a test, and I should hope that I never hear nor see it. The professor is the one who instills the punishments, not the TA.

You're a f*ckin asshole. Hahaha, this seriously made me laugh though. I laugh at your fail. You're a bloody c**t.

this makes me wanna cry

wow...what a jerk...yeah he shouldnt have had it out but you shouldve read the note. look before you leap. if i was that kid i would fight for an A on that test he shouldnt have to retake the test. you pwe him a serious apology

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D=

You should like, give him a paper saying "your mom believes in you"

or something.

Yikes!
That's bad D:
Poor kid ._.

Kid's fault for having the slip of paper. You just did what you were supposed to do. All these people whining and calling you names are being silly. You're not supposed to have little pieces of paper in your hand, no matter what it says. Just take the test empty handed, glue your eyes on the paper(s), keep your hands visible, and take the damn test.

Bullshit. Life just taught him why not to jump to conclusions and be a prick.

uhh wow your a little bitch.

dont do that next time.

you should have checked first.. if it was a letter to cheat from then maybe you had the right to rip the test up.

#11 rocks my socks

But seriously, it was obviously the wrong choice, everybody makes mistakes though, I just hope that the student's grade wasn't compromised.

wow are you completely stupid or what?
the kid was probably going through a tough time, and you probably just made it a thousand times worse for him.
sheesh, learn how to have a heart will you. -_-

hahahha #46

Such a lame thing to do.
You're an asshole.

UR A BITCH!

i feel so bad for the kid! god your a jerk!!! i hope they fire you!

your awful! you better have given him a 100.

@222
I hope you get fired, then get hit by a bus on your way out :)

BUT I PUT A SMILIE FACE AFTER IT SO IT IS ALL OKAY!!

Seriously, though, why would you put a ":)" after telling someone that you hope they are publicly humiliated and then fired? If you didn't mean it, don't say it. If you did mean it, then what's the purpose of the little smilie?

Oh damn...

Sounds just like me to crush dreams. Haha!

Poor kid!
I hope you gave him 100%

Wow, i really hate people like you. Even if he was cheating, your just a stupid TA.

that guy needs to calm down
wtf is wrong with that douche

Teachers like you are the ones that students hate forever.
I hope karma gets you back.

be careful someone snaps your head off next time you walk out on the streets.

what a cauliflower dickhead.

should have stuck with your decision... run over grab it rip it and just keep on running haha

this is the same thing as seeing a suspicious person and running up to him/her and beating he/she down because you thought you should enforce whatever power you have
You really should fyl

I feal sorry for the kid
way to go....

Great FML, obviously the poster's fault and i think s/he recognizes that.

I can picture like a 13 year old pudgy kid with freckles and orange hair taking his test and is all stressed out so he looks down at the note his mom wrote him the night prior when he was up late studying and she served him a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Then all of a sudden this gestapo TA, clearly on a power trip and eager to seize upon the opportunity to please the teacher, runs up to him and shreds the test, laughing manically. The kid then bursts out into tears and runs out of the classroom while the TA is staring blankly down at the "cheat sheet".

But seriously if I was the kid, I would have stood up in the middle of the test and bitched out the TA, humiliating him/her in front of the entire class. No one should give you that kind of crap when it is undeserved. Whether it was college or high school, the note should have been read before the test was ripped. I am also thinking that the note had the kid's mom's handwriting on it.

And leave the kid alone for having a note from his mom; even in college I am sure it was a nice reminder that people supported the kid and he could calm down.

I feel really bad for the kid, and FML poster, that was REALLY a dick move.
To people saying, "HE'S DOING HIS JOB!!" No, he exceeded his job. Stop students from cheating does NOT mean "Rip up paper in front of class." It means quietly calling the student after the test, or asking him to come outside. What the hell power trip was he on to think ripping up the test was the ONLY way to stop him from cheating?
Poster, I hope you apologized to that kid. Sucks that it happened to you, really. I hope you've learned not to be so rash in the future. It really was a bad situation all around. : |

#346, last part of your comment, there are classes people can be TAs for only if they are exceptionally good at a particular subject. Kindly learn what you're talking about before speaking again.

Um, you weren't supposed to rip up a test even if the kid was really cheating. You are supposed to save that "evidence" (if the kid was really cheating).

Bad TA. I hope you never become a real teacher. Poor kid. I hope he wasn't scarred by this. I hope he didn't start hating his mom about the note.

thats so messed up. i wouldve felt horrible. poor kid.

I seriously hope you never manage to become a teacher. Wow...... you are an asshat. Get off your high horse and remember what you were like when you were that age..... and really, #8, get your head out of your arse and understand what the hell the parent was doing, and what the kid was trying to do. Yeah... and people wonder why kids end up so fucked up..... its because of assholes like you guys

awhhhhhh. poor kid. D:

you bitch!

don't be such a bureaucrat,
He had a 3-letter note from his mother.
That was it.

You're working with kids. The idea is not to act so rashly.

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As a TA, you should have just grabbed that piece of paper first THEN proceed to rip the test paper up. Kidding on the latter, but seriously, look at the paper first.

way to act without thinking. that was a DICK MOVE. poor kid. you're an ass.

why does everybody assume he's in college? could be middle/high school

oh no he was looking at a note from his mom when the policy is no notes.

what is this fucking prison camp? no, its goddamn america, he obviously lacked self confidence and you made it worse you insecure douchebag

oh no he was looking at a note from his mom when the policy is no notes.

what is this fucking prison camp? no, its goddamn america, he obviously lacked self confidence and you made it worse you insecure douchebag

lol, seriously what do people not understand by zero tolerance ? , if ppl were to just show what they had in their hand / pocket there could EASILY be more than 1peice of paper with " GL " whoever on it .. while the other has answers its really simple.
@#360 , so far that i know only uni/college has TA's , HS/MS is subs/student teachers.

wow you really could have asked to see the note instead of being a bitch and ripping up the test. now the kid probably lost all his confidence.

You sound like a dangerously impulsive person... I hope you never lay hands on a gun.

everyone is hammering this TA. while the reaction was a little aggressive, keep in mind the TA may have been slightly nervous as well. hi, you just got your bachelors, here watch these 200 kids take a test...and dont mess up... while i think it was harsh, you have to keep in mind this isnt a seasoned professor, its a kid overseeing a class. i feel bad for the poor kid, but at the same time i feel bad for the TA. thats quite a bit of responsibility and i can feel for him.

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#362, I go to a high school, and we have TAs.

Uhhh TA's suck soo bad!!! Sorry if you are one. At least the ones at my school. They are constantly on a power trip and act like Hitler. Yeah i have flipped a few times on TA's just for being dicks. Poor kid. YOU'RE SUCH A MEANIE!!

#8: I'm a TA too, but if it's a test or anything, you should ask questions first. It's true that a paper in a kid's hand may look sketchy 99.99% of the time, but it only takes that 0.01% to screw up your entire career. Besides, a question only takes like 5 seconds to ask and respond (that is, if the piece of paper is not a cheating tool). The worst case scenario: it isn't a cheat sheet and you get embarrassed for 5 seconds then kids forget about it at recess.

I was in a pretty disrespectful class and all you have to do is just tap them on the shoulder and tell them to put it away. After several times, they get the idea. Of course, you always have to talk with them after class or whatever, but hey, you're a TA, this should be expected.

#369: Thanks for stereotyping and overgeneralizing. If these words are too big for you, read this: THANKS FOR LABELLING. I could just as easily say people named Kerry are dumbasses.

But anyway, relating back to the FMLer. Poor kid. He's probably scarred for life. :/

Hahaha the student should have known better than to have a piece of unknown paper out during a test. It's his fault. He should have looked at it before he began the exam if he wanted assurance. You were just doing your job.

you should have checked what was written on it first, but the kid shouldn't have had that paper during the test

Honestly,
The level of education (ex. College or High School) is never stated in the story. Also, Honestly! When have you ever seen or heard of a high school or college student that carries around notes from his mom, unless maybe the student has a learning disability. To be honest, the way the story is stated, I believe that this kid was in elementary school or in Jr. High School. There are TA's in elementary and Jr. High. I know the TA's are most likely student teachers but depending on where you are located in the USA, they may be called TA's. And, it is also not hard to grab the piece of paper from the kid and look at it to see what it says unless you're a caveman. In which case, you are only smart enough to sign up for GEICO. Cavemen are not allowed to be TA's!

LMAO

I hope you let him retake the test

BITCH!
encouragement is good.

anger management.....

Uhwahhh! How mean! I feel so sorry for that poor kid...
You should have looked at the note first!

i'm a student in the college of engineering, and no engineering exams are proctored. it's supposed to be a sign of engineering work ethics, but in reality all engineering work is done in teams. in all fairness, exams should be real world scenarios. open source for all exams, that means open book, open notes, open internet. if i'm not sure of an answer in the real world, i'm going to google it.

Haha that's funny , you felt like an idiotttt .

#17 is funnier than the actual story lol

why wouldn't you just read the paper first then decide? nice work

The kid should have left the note in his pocket. What did he think the teacher would assume if he had some extra paper out with him?

Should've looked first, though. That way, if he is cheating, you have better ammunition to use against him!

I think that you made a rather rash action, and i hope you regretted it afterwords, although the kid obviously shouldnt have had a stupid note out from his mom during a test.. so your both kind of at fault.. and also to whoever said you were right because the note " I believe in you, - mom" could have been a mnemonic device.. all i have to say is the fact that if you take the time to create a mnemonic device.. and then you cannot remember it and have to write it on a peace of paper you fail at life. The point of the mnemonic device is so that you can remember it during the test without having to cheat or whatever..

I think that you made a rather rash action, and i hope you regretted it afterwords, although the kid obviously shouldnt have had a stupid note out from his mom during a test.. so your both kind of at fault.. and also to whoever said you were right because the note " I believe in you, - mom" could have been a mnemonic device.. all i have to say is the fact that if you take the time to create a mnemonic device.. and then you cannot remember it and have to write it on a peace of paper you fail at life. The point of the mnemonic device is so that you can remember it during the test without having to cheat or whatever..

hahah way to boost his confidence!

Today I was taking a history exam when my TA suddenly grabbed my penis, completely missing the piece of paper that I had in my hand saying, "I believe in you -Mom." I was hard. FML

omgg >.< i feel so bad for the kid.
you shouldnt have been so rash.

You know, that is such a crushing image. It is absolutely hilarious.

not gonna lie that was for sure a dick move. you should have looked at the note first. this poor kid is probably tramatized for life.

Wow, good job asshole. Hope you're proud of yourself. People like you are the reason TAs and Professors have bad reputations.

Screw you "127..A former TA". You didnt care about them because your depressed that no one ever gave a damn about you. Why would they. Your a waste of a life. Heres a thought go burry yourself alive. Do you think anyone will care. hmmmm. We both know the answer to that one.
As for the poster. What the hell is wrong with you. Power trip much?

Did you appologize, at least?

Did he cry?

well if he did you should just appologize and make it up to him because it was wrong.
Good Luck, though

you asshole!
i feel so bad for that kid how could you.
maybe you should have read the note first before just assuming.

That is just so, so mean. I hope you'll think next time before you treat a kid that way. If not, maybe you need to find a new line of work.

Man, I feel absolutely terrible for that kid. He will probably remember that for the rest of his life.

Wow.

Were you picked on as a kid?

Yeah, you show that little kid and his paper.. asshole.

still shouldve have paper and any of that shit during a test.

#13, you're cool.

OP should be fired and forced to pay that kid's entire tuition up through him getting a Master's.

Take your job seriously much?

damn, I bet the teacher wouldn't have even done that

If you were my TA or teacher in general, I would hate you.

I hate how subs or TAs think they have so much authority, all your doing is babsitting the class you idiot!

I agree with 403, your a babysitter, not a teacher. GOD!

Thats so sad. seriously. That kid deserves an FML not you. We had TAs in elementary. Imagine some little 5th grader. Id cry.

Fake.

kids know they look like they're cheating if they're looking at another piece of paper during a test... he should have put it away when you handed out the test. still though, why on earth would you rip it up without reading it first?

Awwwww

I agree with 405. That's so sad.

god u asshole!!

HAHAHA. That's great. You're a twit.

LAWL @ #17. What are you a gym teacher or something?

i dont really agree with either sides.
i just think this is LMFAO worthy.

...and what did the kid do after?

you could have confronted him first YOU JERK!

Aww the poor kid. :[
But don't feel too bad, he really shouldn't have had any paper in the test with him. In future just check what the paper says first XD

Stupid fuck face you should of read the little paper first and THEN ripped up the test if he was cheating.

YOU ARE A WINNER!

Wow, shocking. A teacher overreacting while on a power trip. You should just quit now; kids honestly don't need people like you around when they're trying to learn.

Agreed with #22

That just shattered his confidence. Poor kid. Maybe it would have been best to just take the note first, read it, and then ask him to put it away. All you did was startle him.

I've read this story like 7 times, it's so fake. Stop trying to get attention, you've probably never even been on a college campus.

I hope you feel guilty for what you did, jerk.
You fail as a TA, you're suppose to encourage the kids and help them do their best.
Instead you rip their test up in their face.

always check the note first

that's why teachers should check first..
and don't judge so quick.

what are you gaining by calling him out on cheating, and ripping up his test??!?! nothing but a power trip.

Lesson to learn before you become a real teacher, read note first, then take approriate action.

What the fuck? So bitchy.

#8 - 02/26/2009 at 2:05pm by K\'

you and mister teacher the poster are both cunts!!!

never use your power in a way like this.
You can warn him but at least you should have checked his note first.

and collegue teacher. fu*k off please

EPIC FAIL AS A TA.

two words...
power trip

you're just a TA dude, take it easy.

bahahahahhahaha.
smooth.

wow. asshole move right there lol.

#8 is right alongside you with the assholeness. I hate sticklers like YOU (#8), who feel that rules make the world go round etc..

Why didn't you read the paper first instead of assuming it was a cheat sheet?

i agree with number 432 lmffao that was RUDE and youd be lucky if he didn't rat you out.

I JUST noticed #11. Round of applause, you're hilarious.

I hope for your sake you apologized to the kid after class.

duuuuuuuuude. seriously?
think. next time, think.

I think that story is a fake.

even if you did catch him cheating you'd still be a huge fucking asshole for doing it, it really doesnt affect your life in any way.

At my university we get to give feedback to our TAs at the end of a semester. Guess who would have been torn a new one by myself and everyone in the class who I told about this incident, and likely never used as a TA again? There's a chance that kid was stressed because he was afraid of his ridiculously harsh TA. You are a jerk.

Why didn't you look at the note first?

wow you're an idiot.

Today, I was so scared of taking a test that my mom wrote me a little note. Just before I was about to have a nervous breakdown during the test, the TA ripped up my paper. FML

And I quote "Dude, you did the right thing. If you're not allowed to look at other stuff during a test, then that includes notes from mom. You can't bend the rules just 'cause they make you look like a jerk. Maybe you could have been a little less hasty, but you were just doin' your job.

-Another TA"


That is exactly what exam procedure in postsecondary dictates to do. This guy/girl wasn't out of line. There is absolutely no tolerance for any kind of outside source in an exam scenario, as hilarious and innocent as this one happened to be.

Give it a minute or two before the hilariously stupid, "everyone is a special little angel", FML defense force marches in, too. "How dare you not bend the rules for one person, TAs are just babysitters!"
University TAs are responsible for, without assistance, teaching 80-90% of the class they TA for, before they are given credit for their degree. Do some research before you cry your eyes out on the internet over some pathetic kid who needs notes from his mother.

wow, power trip much?

dude i bet none of you kids go to a real college. if you have paper out, you get a zero. the end. if your mom needs to write you a note, you were going to fail anyway. good job, ta!

FHL. Explain yourself and beg the kid's forgiveness. Poor fking guy.

FHL seriously. you should give him another test, apologize, and tape his old test back together for you to grade.

you ass hole! who could you do that! at least ask before taking it and riping up all the kids papers!!!!

I hope you never see that classroom again, you prick.

I hope you never see that classroom again, asshole.

What a bitch. at least take the note first, before you take the test. >:O

Can't you just take the ripped up test and give it back? Duh!

this is a commercial.

this is a commercial.

fucking bitch....burn in hell. kay..thanks..bye

I am getting flashes from my childhood. That was not cool.

i hope you gave him an "A" on the test .

messed up dude.
shouldv'e asked to see what was on the note before you ripped the exam up.

FYL- That kid could be cheating or something. Besides, he's a TA. He can't give him an A. He's just doing his job.

I'm curious as to why everyone assumes this is a college setting. It could have also been a middle school or high school setting in which they also have separate classes and TA's who come and go,

At #25 waaaay back at the top of the page, the rules are just as strict in High School and College as they are in uni here.
Hell, if we are caught cheating on our GCSE tests, the chances our are lives are literally ruined. No exaggeration. We are kicked out of whatever courses we are taking and are disallowed from entering again, that means not getting the GCSE in that subject and ultimately not having the experience to be part of the job that requires that GCSE.

FHL too

This really makes me sad! Coming from a person that didnt have confidence when it came to acedemic stuff, its nice to have someone believe in you....mom or not. you really should have thought that through alittle. I hope you gave him some sort of leeway in making it up and gave him some assurance again!

This makes me sad every time that i read it:( poor kid

Shoulda taken the note first.

what and ASS

fucking asshole, fucking TA, you think you're smart and shi, but somehow i always managed to outsmart my own TA's in high school. you shouldn't be in school, you should be swimming in a lake with concrete shoes!

Wow, you sound like a pretentious dickhead.

Poor kid :(

wow...that was real nice of you. i hope you said you were sorry. At least look at what it says next time before you rip up stuff thats not yours

Whoo! My goodness aren't you just a gentleman/woman? =] Joking. I hope you apologized to the kid.

@80--very true.

Thats so sad, I would be so happy if my mom wrote a note like that for me,
& for the test to end in such a disaster, I would be sooo let down. haha
you suck!!!!!!!!!!!