Dear we are teachers,
This year we have a new teacher joining our team who requires a lot of energy. Pam creates unnecessary drama, like sending hostile emails to parents about trivial issues (which obviously escalate into bigger problems). She complains about the way we do everything here and compares it to her alma mater. But what’s really surprising is how much time she wants to spend with all of us. You might think that someone who hated their job so much would hold her back, but she always showed up in our room before and after school and during classes, spreading her negative opinions. I am. Can Pam be turned into a ray of sunshine?
–We’re dead here.
Dear WDH
My first thought is that she looks lonely. For me, this negative coworker is someone who probably had their joy shattered many times in their youth and now feels that the safest way to connect with others is to criticize.
I don’t know if I can turn Pam into a ray of sunshine. But I think you can protect your energy while lovingly guiding Pam to brighter pastures.
Set boundaries, but tread gently. Make it clear that you don’t want to be on the receiving end of constant complaints. However, offer suggestions that let her know that she is still a valuable member of your team. It probably sounds like one of the following:
“You know, Pam, I think you have a lot of really good points, and I love chatting with you, but I get really depressed when I get too caught up in the negativity. “Maybe we can end the day with the best thing that happened instead.” “Pam, I want to get to know you better! Can we have lunch together tomorrow? Both of us are prohibited from chatting about work. “While we understand that conflict and criticism are necessary for growth, we have noticed that team meetings sometimes become verbal fests. Can we create standards for this?”
As long as you set boundaries in a way that isolates her dissatisfaction (not her), I think you have a good chance of meeting a more positive and peaceful Pam.
Dear we are teachers,
I have decided not to return to teaching in January (too much to go into detail here, but trust me it’s the right choice). However, before I report to the administration, I would like to prepare another task. What kind of career other than elementary school teaching can you do with 7 years of elementary school teaching experience?
—Go your own way
Dear GMOW
First of all, congratulations! I know this is a decision that did not come easily to you. We all start by teaching ourselves to be sure that is where we want to be. It takes a lot of courage to change course and realize that a different path is better for us.
The good news is that there are many companies that not only hire former teachers, but give them preferential treatment. What I like about this list of over 40 companies that employ former teachers is that in addition to education-based companies, it also includes companies and organizations outside of the education industry. Whether you want to get involved in education away from the classroom or take a vacation far from the overworked teacher brain, you’re sure to find something that’s right for you.
However, check with your human resources department to find out 1. How much advance notice is required before quitting, and 2. Whether you will be forced to surrender your license if you quit mid-year. By the way, it’s perfectly safe to continue, but don’t run into any unexpected problems.
Dear we are teachers,
I teach 5th grade and can really use the “encouragement project” to help us get through the rest of 2024. What are some ideas for short units that don’t take too much effort or time and bring joy and happiness to me and my students? A sense of community? Avoid anything holiday-themed. If possible, make it related to the content of reading and writing, even if it is unrelated.
—Grinch
Dear TG,
Oh, I understand.
student teacher
Divide them into groups of 3-4 people. Give them three days to prepare a PowerPoint on the topic, “What do you think most people know, but that everyone should know?” It can be silly, serious, or anything in between, but make sure the topic has your approval. Create a rubric based on the components of the expository text.
Prove it!
Students work independently. They choose facts about themselves, no matter how boring (e.g., “I’m a college basketball fan” or “I’m 5 feet tall”). Then you have to prove it. They put together three strong pieces of information in their presentation to support their claim. Diversify your evidence (visual evidence/evidence, expert testimony, etc.). I had my middle school students do this and it was incredibly entertaining and gave them an amazingly strong foundation for persuading and supporting their claims with evidence. Moreover, they all got to know each other better. Joy vibes for sure.
service learning
In partners or small groups, have students develop a service project proposal for their class in the spring. (Note that later promises are big promises, but that’s a problem for Future You.) Here are 35 ideas to let them marinate.
I’m very excited now. Can I come as a student?
Have a burning question? Email us at askweareTeachers@weareTeachers.com.
Dear we are teachers,
This is my third year teaching third graders. I have a large family all over the city and I love them dearly. But it’s very difficult to keep up with it, especially around holidays. I really need to rest this Thanksgiving holiday, but a few weeks ago I started a chain of emails with family plans for four days in a row that week. I wish it had been a “make the best of it” kind of thing, but my family is definitely aware and are very focused on who comes and who doesn’t. How can you help your family understand that they need some serious rest?
-Caught up in Michigan
