Dear We are teachers,
It’s my third week teaching at a new school this year, but my 10th year teaching 8th grade. My new principal called me last week and said several parents complained that I was “overstepping” my boundaries as a teacher by putting my opinion on “non-academic, non-disciplinary issues.” When I asked for examples, he pointed out that I told the student that we do not use the word “gay” in a derogatory way and we do not use the “R-word” at all. One parent complained that I corrected a student who rolled his eyes when he found out he was in the same group as another student he didn’t like. I waited for the principal to make sure he wasn’t on me, but he never did! I don’t want to get on my new principal’s bad side, but I thought kindness was part of my job. Should I get clarification from him?
– Overcoming the bad rap
Dear CABR,
Well then. Your principal is certainly making a statement where he stands on the importance of social skills.
For me, this could be the reasons for doing this my last year in that school. I don’t think I can sit idly by while my students say hurtful things about each other or others. Furthermore, I wouldn’t expect a principal who cares so much about students’ emotional needs to care about mine.
Whether you stay after this year is your decision. But for now, I’ll ask for clarification on what kinds of class stories you should redirect if you ignore them. What should you do with an insult? What does exploitation mean? When should you get involved in student affairs? It is best if you can get this in writing.
If you really want to move the needle on this issue, get the parents involved. The next time one of your students is affected by this “relaxed” behavior management style that your principal endorses, contact the child’s parents and explain that you wanted to let them know about the incident that happened in your classroom, but due to school policy, you were prevented from intervening.
And when they rightfully say, “Excuse me? What?”, explain that you are happy to put them in touch with your principal, who can explain the policy in more detail.
Dear We are teachers,
I teach high school art and recently moved from a Title I school to a school in a more affluent neighborhood. I loved my job at my old school, but I felt that the management didn’t care about my art—my assets and my needs, and I was constantly pulled from class for roles that were not my responsibility. At my new school, all my needs are met (I even have a ho!). But here, the students are the ones who don’t care! They refuse to clean themselves (“That’s your job.”), they give almost half of their work because they know that art is not limited liability, and they always consider it a study hall where they work more. “essential” classes. I don’t want my admin to think I can’t hack you, but I’ve never seen this level of carelessness. What should I do?
-No Heart in Art
Dear NHIA,
I, too, have seen the different benefits and challenges of working in schools on different sides of funding. And it’s not as black and white as people want to think.
I would talk to your management first. I don’t think it will sound like you’re complaining if you say it like this:
“First of all, I want to say that I love being a part of you [school]. I wanted to be clear about what is expected of me as an art teacher here. Many of my students have told me that since art is limited liability, they don’t have to do the work. Instead of my assignments, they usually do homework or assignments for another class. Now, if this is traditionally how art class is run here and it’s OK for me to have partial student participation, fine. I wanted to know what you expected, especially as it relates to my grading and assessment.”
Personally, if I were that principal, I would be shocked to hear that the students under my leadership are all in awe of the new teacher. But one of two things will happen: 1) Your principal will interrupt you to make it clear that students should never treat your class that way and give you recommendations on how to proceed. Or 2) Your principal will say the equivalent of, “Yes. That sounds about right. You can’t win them all, can you?”
If it’s the second case, don’t waste your energy hunting for assignments or seeking the attention of your students who go out of touch. Send multiple weekly emails to students with missing assignments and multiple emails (BCC, of course) to parents to let them know students are failing each week. Start your class based on interested students, even if it’s just a few per class. Give honest marks. And at the end of the year, check if this is still your school.
Dear We are teachers,
This is the third year I have taught in a primary school where a group of teachers in particular have a great influence on the administration. Every year, my school has a carnival in November as a fundraiser. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a fun tradition that kids and families love, and it brings in a lot of money. This year, an influential group of teachers floated the idea of using a popular (but, in many of our opinion, problematic) third-party companies instead of organizing school celebrations. On Google Form, 91% of the staff voted to keep the school carnival. But guess what our principal announced will be our fundraiser this year? 🙄 How do you fight against a team that the management clearly likes?
-It’s Us Against Mean Girls
Hello IUVTMG,
Set up another Google Form after the event “OK, Which of You Dummies Enjoyed This Year’s Bonkers Fundraiser?” Or, I don’t know, a little workshop topic.
But in reality, I think that as a teacher you should negotiate. One that includes the total amount of money brought in by the school (without deductions received by a third party) compared to the amount brought in for each school festival in the last few years for comparison. Also, thoughts and opinions from employees about how they feel coordinating the new fundraiser compared to the carnival.
But here’s the thing. The group floated a new (non-criminal) idea. Admin went along with it even though most of the faculty was against it (and it’s not a crime). But what would be a crime if a third-party fundraiser brings in a small amount of money and will forever destroy a popular culture. (Just kidding. That wouldn’t be a crime either. But it could be really annoying.)
Personally, I don’t think this is a fight we should be fighting. Let the carnival-deprived parents carry this one.
Do you have a burning question? Email us at [email protected].
Dear We are teachers,
I have taught 7th grade at my current school for nine years. I knew my teammate was getting married and helped throw her a bridal shower at the end of school. He repeated at the shower that they were keeping the wedding very small, so I thought that’s why I didn’t get an invite. But I just saw on Instagram last week pictures of a wedding in a big place, and the pictures included our entire department and 10 to 15 other teachers from our school. I am very hurt. Should I ask him why I’m the only one not invited to his wedding?
—Feeling like a poor person
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