Dear we are teachers,
I teach high school journalism. One of our APs is that I swear and glue it to a security camera. He said that when she was pregnant, the number of bathroom breaks she took, the operating hours of the hallway combo between the two teachers during the meeting, and the teachers who arrive late at school or leave early. I used them for my teacher. .
Now, if he simply said, “Hey, this issue is trying to get my attention and do better,” then that would be one thing. But instead, every time he does this strange interrogation song and dance, he asks the teacher if he knows how long he is from the classroom. “It’s so embarrassing and totally groucha. I don’t mind facing this AP, but is it my place as a teacher that tells him that his micromanagement style is completely eccentric?
– “AP” stands for “astronomically small.”
Dear apsfap,
You are right that his actions are astronomical insignificant. I know a lot of APs. I can’t imagine that none of them have this much free time in their hands.
Warning: My guess is that the person who relies on this strange, authoritarian management style is not to respond well to feedback from people in the workplace who he considers as clearly distrustful and inferior. That means there is none. That doesn’t mean you don’t think you should say anything. Please be careful.
First of all, is it comfortable to express your concerns knowing he won’t take it well? Are you in a leadership position that expresses the opinions of other teachers, like a department chair or a mentor teacher? Do you have a good relationship with your principal, alias what is this AP’s boss? As the first step to raising the chain of management, if you have no problem taking it for your team, ask for it.
If it’s not comfortable to express your concern, that’s fine too. I think it’s fair to keep his head down until this explodes in his face. Because they take it from people who have made many tyrants a self-challenge over the years.
Dear we are teachers,
I’m even hesitant to write about this because I feel like I’m out of context and sound like a terrible teacher/person. But I have a seventh grader and the opposite “nature” drives me to the bananas. He opposes grain only to defy grain, and discusses everything under the sun. He’s not rude about it, he knows he’s a good kid, but when he has to derail for 10 minutes to explain why his answer is actually wrong, or run in the 7th grade hallway I’m exhausted when I have to explain why I can’t. I know the rest of my class is also very tired. I tried to talk to him about it, but he always returns to the argument within a week. what would you do?
– Sawley, but some questions are stupid
Dear SBSQAD,
Hahaha. I’m just laughing from a place of understanding. Having this personality type in the class and “What kind of teacher am I caused by having to explain?” lots of solidarity, my friends.
Have a different conversation with this student. Please clarify a few things this time.
Communication with genuine gratitude is his curiosity and willingness to push back. I said, “Do you know one of the things I love most about teaching? My students are thinking about how to make things better in our world. In a system that needs to be fixed. I’m so excited to make a difference. Are you taking no for the answer in your quest to make things better? It’s not the power that many people have, and it’s hard to believe it to see. That’s right.” He insists that his question is not a problem. Class time constraints are the problem. You just don’t have the space to give him the explanation he wants at the moment. Explain that you are happy to provide a brief explanation in your class. However, if he wants to start a deeper discussion, he can easily put notes on his planner or write sticky notes to send you an email after class. Make sure he understands that he is not him, but responsible for determining when the discussion will move to email. To see how this plan is going, set up some check-in times. Schedule one short-term check-in time (recommended from a few days to a week). Make sure that this initial check-in is to determine whether you are using your email method properly or if you need “home support” (i.e. (Please let your parents know). Then, set a second check-in date in a month, and evaluate it again. Hopefully, if you can solidify the idea that this action is expected in the long term simply by having these agreed dates in the calendar.
Next, for…dang, have the child tested at g/t.
Dear we are teachers,
Yesterday I received this email from my 3rd grade father. “I want to sit in one of your classes. Please tell me the earliest and convenient date and time for you.” Nothing else! What is the diplomatic way of saying, “Um, why, why?” Or should I say yes? I have no problem with parents coming to observe and having nothing to hide. It’s strange to me that he doesn’t give any reason, especially when his child appears to be very well coordinated, happy and progressive.
– You are shocking me, man
Dear Yfmom,
Yes, I don’t like this either. I’ve had my parents come over and over again. They wanted to observe the child’s behavior, get a sense of our writing workshop, and see how Socrates’ seminars work. But without providing any kind of context and requesting it for your earliest convenience, this is not curiosity and cooperation, but distrust and entitled.
I’ll share it with your principal soon. They can advise you on how to proceed, and whether district protocols allow visitors with their own requests such as these. Additionally, if other similar requests are deployed, they must be on the radar.
Do you have any burning questions? Please email askweareteachers@weareteachers.com.
Dear we are teachers,
As a middle school teacher, I fear Valentine’s Day for many reasons, among which is the horrifying Valentine Gram PTO fundraiser at my school. It’s essentially a candygram system, but it ranges in levels from $2 candy bars and lollipops to $20 teddy bears. Not only does the actual items cause disruption in the classroom, but students are crying every year because of the politics of this system. Teachers have been complaining for years, but our principals have refused to stand up to PTOs. What can we do to get rid of this nightmare?
– Love hurts
