Dear we are teachers,
One of our primary school APs seems to be proud of her average reputation. At lunch last week, the cafeteria for 3rd to 5th graders was particularly rough. She cried on the bull and hurt her ears, then her ears hurt, “I think you’re mean and I don’t care, because I care.” I think it’s the wrong message to send to a child. Should I complain to the principal?
– Do we care that we are not mean?
Dear cwcwbm,
I will not talk to your principal. I guarantee that your principal is already aware of this and will probably fry larger fish. (Is that what Texas is saying? Translation: Your principal has a big problem to deal with.)
But I’ll talk directly to this AP. But it may not be the method or approach you are expecting. Schedule a private talk with her and say something like:
“Well, I just wanted to chat and let you know that I’m seeing how difficult lunch obligations are. I’m a trooper and you do that stressful job every day. I just wanted to say I’m lucky to be.
“I heard the other day telling kids that you mean you care, but I just wanted to encourage you and say that you don’t really think you’re mean. And I don’t think you should think of yourself like that. I think you’re doing a tough job, and we’re going to be able to get your kids to do the same thing. I’m lucky to have you embrace what I have. How can you not reject this on your own so that me and other teachers can better support you?”
Kindness is rarely the wrong first approach. Something tells us that it is the right first step in this situation.
Dear we are teachers,
Last week we held a Valentine’s Day party for the fifth grade class. On Monday I received an email from my parents complaining about the content on the party playlist. Parents did not mention or quote any particular songs or lyrics, but their daughter said she was very uncomfortable with the content of the music. My parents also requested that the music be stored on instruments in my classroom from now on.
I feel defensive as I’m very careful about playing in class and preview all the lyrics in the playlist. Do I need to stand up for myself and share my playlist with her, or do I just agree with the instruments?
– I won’t get love!
Dear Ignir,
Well, first of all, don’t share your playlist with her! Ha. When an already unstable trust is revealed, don’t go further scrutiny.
Share this with your administrator. They may want to intervene on your behalf. Especially if your parents want to call a shot of what’s going on for the rest of the year.
Plus, my other concerns are in the admin space. There is no problem with agreeing to musical instrumental music for class parties now. It’s completely fine. But do lessons, videos, media, or films that are part of the curriculum include the rest of the year? How about music at school assembly and pop songs at choir concerts? This fifth grader cannot protect this fifth grader from music with the remaining years of words.
Yes, the more I think about it, the more I can pass this to the admin.
Dear we are teachers,
I have one class of 8th graders that is particularly out of control right after lunch and at the end of the day. Plus, we have a block schedule, so it’s complete for 90 minutes every other day. The perfect storm! This class is primarily just squirrels, but there is one problem they don’t drop. It’s their seats. They know that all other classes will choose their seats and they endlessly complain that they don’t get the same privilege. But I try to tell them that they have not acquired that privilege in their actions. It feels like a constant battle that is becoming increasingly annoying.
– Sinking in the struggle
Dear sitting,
8th grade! At the end of the day! After lunch! 90 minutes! I’ll come. It’s not for the faint of heart.
This is easy. Tell them, “What do you know? I thought about it, and you guys are right. You deserve the opportunity to prove to me that you can deal with your seating choice. Let’s chat about success in this plan and what will be the outcome if we determine that success is not achieved.”
Next, develop some standards for your owner in your class. If they are part of creating rules, they are more likely to follow them.
The most important norms to include: As a teacher, you will begin to determine whether someone’s seat supports success and not theirs.
Do you have any burning questions? Please email askweareteachers@weareteachers.com.
Dear we are teachers,
It’s my first year at my new school, but overall it’s my seventh year. I love the new school, but one of the hang-ups I have is their personal day policy. You will need to fill out a Google Form (this is fine), but there is a checklist for “reasons of absence”: [Provide explanation]. “I have only used one personal day so far, but asking for reasons for a personal day seems inappropriate. Also, with Google Doc sharing settings, anyone can view the submissions!
– Mu, nunya?
