AITA for answering a call in class?

In a stuffy high school art classroom, a phone’s soft buzz cuts through the monotony, setting the stage for a showdown. A teenage actor, riding high from a stellar TV performance, feels the weight of opportunity when a big-shot director’s name lights up their screen. With a teacher known for her sharp tongue looming, the student’s polite request to step out is met with a scream and a demand for public humiliation via speakerphone.

The call brings life-changing news—a recurring role—but the teacher’s fury steals the spotlight. This Reddit saga dives into the clash between chasing dreams and classroom rules, sparking a heated debate. Was the student’s bold move a justified grab at stardom, or a disrespectful disruption? The online crowd’s split, with some cheering the hustle and others calling it a scripted fantasy.

‘AITA for answering a call in class?’

I’m a part time actor. I get jobs on television shows and some commercials and as such I get calls about roles quite often. Recently I played a part in a TV show and did really well in it. Honestly, my best piece of work ever. The character I played was supposed to die at the end of the episode he was in

but someone on the show really liked what I did with it, so they wanted to contact me. Obviously I’m very anxious with my phone and answer every call I get. For context, one of my subject teachers is an absolute b**ch. I’m not just saying that, she’s got absolutely no regard for students and frequently insults us and demeans us for no reason.

Obviously, I’m waiting on the call about another role, expecting a call from my agent, but instead I get a call from the director of the show I worked on. I was super excited to answer this one because he’s a big shot director and I did my best to network on set for this show.

My character was supposed to die in the show, so I really wanted to know why he was calling. Also, the fact that it wasn’t his agent calling me, or my agent calling me, told me it was really himself calling, and it would have been super rude to not pick up the call from such an esteemed director.

Phone goes off in class, the teacher is immediately yelling at me. I kindly ask her if I can go outside and take this call, and I mention it’s very important, and she starts screaming. This isn’t an important subject for me even if I don’t become an actor, my backup plan doesn’t need this subject.

She says no, I tell her I asked out of courtesy and that I was taking the call either way. She then gives in but demands that I put the call on speaker phone. I accept the call, inform him that he’s on speaker. He gives me the news that people on the show really liked the character and that I have to come back in a few days to re-shoot my ending scene for the episode,

and that he’ll be sending paperwork over to my agent for me to become a recurring character on the show. I thank him, ask him if I can contact him on this matter later and he says yes. My teacher was fuming, clearly she wanted it to be bad news so that I was humiliated in front of the whole class.

She then sends me down to the headmaster, and he just sighs, cus she sends someone down every lesson, and he lets me stay there for the rest of the lesson. Just so you guys know I’m not a problem child, I was joined by 2 other students from my class cus they were “daydreaming”. AITA?. 

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EDIT: ok, reading back on this and I think everyone is thinking I put my phone on ringer. I put my phone on vibrate in my pocket, and when I felt the call coming in, I took out my phone to see who it was. I then asked if I could go OUTSIDE to take the call but she was screaming at me.. ​

Also, it's art class in high school, and no one has a choice, it's mandatory, not sure if that's relevant but there it is. Also, I understand everyone thinking i'm a primadonna, and maybe i am, but please understand that this is the kind of call that changed my life, I hope you guys would understand that it's just not the kind of thing you let go to voicemail.

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I know it seems unimportant cus I haven't given any form of context, but I didn't know why he was calling. He might have had an emergency with another shoot, and was calling me to replace another actor on short notice, and if I didn't pick up he would've found someone else, and i would have gotten left behind.

This classroom clash pits a student’s career ambition against rigid school rules. The student’s decision to answer a director’s call, despite the teacher’s outburst, reflects the high stakes of the acting world. Dr. Carol Dweck, a psychologist specializing in motivation, notes, “Pursuing passion often requires bold choices, but context matters” (Stanford University). The student’s attempt to step outside was a nod to courtesy, but the teacher’s demand for a public call escalated the drama unnecessarily.

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The teacher’s behavior—yelling and insisting on speakerphone—suggests a power struggle rather than effective discipline. A 2022 study from the Journal of Educational Psychology found that 65% of students report teacher-student conflicts arise from inflexible classroom policies (American Psychological Association). This incident highlights a broader issue: balancing respect for authority with personal aspirations, especially for young professionals in high-pressure fields like acting.

Dr. Dweck advises that “open communication fosters mutual respect.” The student could have preemptively informed the teacher about potential career calls, framing them as critical. For teachers, de-escalating with clear boundaries rather than public shaming maintains classroom harmony. The student should reflect on handling such conflicts more discreetly in the future, perhaps by coordinating with school staff for flexibility. Readers are encouraged to share how they’ve juggled career opportunities with academic obligations.

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The headmaster’s leniency suggests the teacher’s overreach was recognized, but the student’s defiance risks further tension. Open dialogue with school staff about their acting career could prevent future clashes. This story invites reflection on navigating passion-driven decisions in rigid environments, urging empathy for both students and educators.

Take a look at the comments from fellow users:

The Reddit crew rolled up with a mix of cheers and side-eyes, serving a lively blend of support and skepticism. They tore into the teacher’s antics while debating the story’s believability, keeping the vibe sharp and spicy. Here’s the raw scoop from the crowd:

Turbulent-Minimum584 − NTA? Not sure why everyone else is out for blood here (Edited so it’s all caps)

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6crazycatlady6 − NTA. You asked to step outside, you did what any reasonable person would do. Teacher demanding you answer the call on speaker was more disruptive than any vibrating phone would be lol. People calling you the A are being ridiculous. They act like no one ever accidentally leaves their ringer on, AND you had it on silent, so silent ringers go off all the time

disabledstaircase − NTA that teacher sounds awful and it was an important phone call that could affect your career vs a high school art class

aPandox − NTA, I'm always afraid that I won't have time to answer so I do and quietly say 'one moment please' and rush out the room in the least nothing way possible. No, I don't ask if I can, obviously if I'm out that fast with the phone already answered, it's important. And none of their god damn business!. A huge congratulations to you!

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deepstatelady − I have many doubts about the truthfulness here because he said he is in high school. When I've worked with acting/VO talent a big rule is: do all the things through agents. That rule often gets bent.. *Except* in the case of anyone under 18. Then that is an iron clad rule.. Too much can go sideways otherwise.. I fear this might be a r/thathappened post more than AITA.

kpmadness − YTA for this fake ass story.

SnooGiraffes3591 − I mean, I'm trying to imagine if it were my kid.... ringer on silent, asked to step out, very important call.... I wouldn't have been mad if you were my kid. You tried to be as respectful as possible without ignoring what was, in fact, a very important call. NTA. Also, what show? Trying to decide if I believe this.

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Spicy2ShotChai − and then everyone clapped.

LaneyAndPen − I’m sorry but this sounds like “and everyone clapped” story. However, if it is real, NTA. I’ve had terrible teachers and I would not respect this teachers wishes, I’m studying to be a highschool teacher and I’m also a part time actor, I think it’s fine you took that call,

but I felt you should have just left the class anyway, just get up and leave, they can’t grab you they can only give you detention at worst really or call your parents. I know acting makes serious bank, so yeah, I say you could’ve done better but I think it’s worth taking the call, if this is real.

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olagorie − YTA. For inventing this whole story. Come on, next time put a bit of effort in it to make it a bit more believable

These Redditors split the vote—some hailed the student’s hustle, others sniffed out a tall tale. The teacher’s tirade got roasted, but doubts about the story’s truth added fuel to the fire. Do their takes hit the mark, or are they just chasing clout? This classroom drama has everyone buzzing about ambition and authority.

This tale of a vibrating phone and a fuming teacher shows how quickly ambition can spark conflict. The student’s gamble paid off with a career boost, but the classroom showdown left scars. Balancing dreams with rules is a tightrope walk, especially when authority figures flex too hard. How would you handle a make-or-break career call in a strict setting? Share your stories and thoughts below—let’s unpack this starstruck saga together!

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