Dear We are teachers,
We got a new teacher in our group this year who needs a lot of our energy. Pam creates unnecessary drama, such as sending hostile e-mails to parents about trivial issues (which, obviously, turn into serious problems). He complains about the way we do everything here and compares it to his old school. But what is really surprising is how much time he wants to spend with all of us. You would think that someone who hates his job so much would shut himself up, but he always comes into our rooms before, after, and during school spreading his negativity. Is it possible to turn Pam into a ray of sunshine?
We’re Dying Here
Dear WDH,
My first thought is that he sounds lonely. To me, this negative co-worker is someone who probably had their happiness waned many times in their teenage years and now finds withdrawal the safest way to interact with others.
I don’t know if you can give Pam a ray of sunshine. But I think you can protect your power while lovingly guiding Pam to brighter pastures.
Set boundaries, but tread lightly. Make it clear that you are not willing to be on the receiving end of constant complaints. But give suggestions that let him know he’s still an important part of your team. It probably sounds like one of these:
- “You know, Pam, I think you have a lot of really good points, and I love talking to you. But I often feel really depressed when I get too caught up in negative things. Maybe we can end our day with the best things that happened.”
- “Pam, I want to know more about you! Can we have lunch together tomorrow? However, no work discussion is allowed for either of us.”
- “I understand that conflict and criticism are necessary to grow, but I have noticed that our team meetings sometimes turn into chaos. As a group, can we discuss the differences and maybe create a schedule to protect our time?”
As long as you set boundaries in a way that isolates her complaints (not her), I think you have a good chance of getting to know a more positive, peaceful Pam.
Dear We are teachers,
I decided not to go back to teaching in January (I can’t go in here, but trust me it’s the right move). But before I tell my bosses, I would like another job to be added. What job can I do with seven years of experience teaching in a primary school that can…
– Walking My Way
Dear GMOW,
First of all, congratulations! I know this is a decision you did not come to easily. We all start teaching certain that this is where we want to be. It takes a lot of courage to change course and see that another path is better for us.
The good news is that there are plenty of companies out there that not only hire former teachers but may hire them choose former teachers. What I love about this list of 40+ companies that hire former teachers is that it includes both education-based companies and companies and organizations outside of education. Whether you want to get out of the classroom but stay in education or take a break far, far away from your overworked teacher brain, you’re sure to find something that works for you.
However, I can check in with HR on the 1st. how much advance notice you need to give before quitting, and 2. whether quitting within a year will force you to surrender your license. It’s fine to move on, though—I don’t want you to run into problems you didn’t see.
Dear We are teachers,
I teach 5th grade and could use a “pep project” to finish 2024. What are some ideas for short units that are not too practical or time-consuming and that would bring me and my students joy and a sense of community? Please, nothing holiday themed, and preferably connected to literacy content, at least to some extent.
– The Grinch
Dear TG,
Oh, I got it.
Student Teachers
Put them in groups of three or four. Give them three days to prepare a PowerPoint on this topic: “What is something that few people know, but you think EVERYONE needs to know about?” It can be silly, bad, or somewhere in between—but make sure you approve of their topic! Organize your rubric into parts of the expository text.
Prove it!
Students work independently. They choose the truth about themselves, no matter how boring it is (eg, “I’m a college basketball fan,” or “I’m 5 feet tall.”). Then, they have to prove it. They put together a presentation with three very strong pieces of information that support this claim they are making about themselves. Have them separate their evidence (visual evidence/demonstrations, expert testimony, etc.). I had middle school kids do this and it was incredibly funny and gave them an incredibly strong foundation for persuasion and supporting claims with evidence. Plus, they all know each other better! Happy vibes for sure.
Learning service
In partners or small groups, have students develop service project proposals for your class to do in the spring. (Be advised that the latter commitment is huge, but that’s Future You’s problem.) Here are 35 ideas to make them roast.
Now I am very happy. Can I come as a student?
Do you have a burning question? Email us at [email protected].
Dear We are teachers,
I am in my third year teaching 3rd grade. I have a large family spread all over the city, and I love them very much. But it’s really hard to keep up—especially during the holidays. I really need to rest this Thanksgiving break, but the email chains started weeks ago with family plans four days in a row that week! I wish there was a “come to what you can” type, but my family is careful and places a lot of value on who comes out and who doesn’t. How can I make my family understand that I need serious rest?
– Published in Michigan
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