March 2, 2023

Here’s a riddle: If there are no stupid questions, why are so many of them asked in schools?

Most teachers, especially on the first day of class, when there’s still hope, assure students that there are no stupid questions. The assurance has become something of a pious mantra—a soothing politically correct lullaby that makes everyone feel good and creates a false sense of security. “Ah,” thinks the teacher, “my classroom is a safe environment.”

“Ahh,” says a student, hand raised, “what’s a stupid question?”

The teacher rolls his eyes, the other students laugh, and the year is underway.

Nothing seems to drive teachers crazier than to be asked stupid questions. In faculty meetings, in informal gripe sessions over lunch, and, occasionally, even in parent conferences, teachers often marvel at the amazing ability of Sam or Sarah to ask stupid questions that slow things down or reveal an inability to understand the simplest concepts.

However, when I look at some of the typical questions that teachers call stupid, I’m not sure the label is accurate. The one that most irritates teachers elicits the “I just explained that—why weren’t you listening” response. “Are you deaf?” I used to…