Dear, we are teachers.
The incentives I get to motivate students, but I feel that with the endless candy reward system. It feels like I’ll hand out another bag of candy for the smallest every time I turn around. Not only is this unhealthy, but I am worried that it will teach children to expect treatment for basic behavior rather than developing true self-discipline. Plus, I was the only teacher trying to offer non-food rewards, and honestly it was tiring and felt like swimming upstream. How do I look back in the same way as the funny cops?
– In a sweet way to trade
Dear Fuster,
You are right. In many schools, even with the official discipline system, the “Excellent Diet” economy is vibrant in many schools.
Did I resort to candy bribes/rewards before my classroom management is reliable? Absolutely. But I think – and I think what you are talking about, too – not the occasional individual teachers, but the behavioral system based on On them. I’m with you.
Here’s the thing: You’re absolutely allowed to raise your eyebrows on the reward system, which makes your classroom feel like Willy Wonka’s factory. It’s not only about health, but about the motivation and celebration efforts of teaching, which would be hard if the classroom next door celebrates using nerdy gummy clusters.
If there is a real school, district or state in the school against candy rules, that’s one thing. Your school should follow these responsibilities. However, if your school does not have official guidelines for candy, I recommend leading by example and a long game.
Here’s what you can do:
- Model your own system. As you continue to be yourself, you document your intrinsic motivations classroom victory, non-therapeutic rewards, and other ways you can produce good behavior without the exchange involving sugar.
- Require mid-year leadership PD. List positive and useful content you record. Share to support research, not judgment. Think of it as curiosity, not condemnation (“I’m curious if I can inspire students to be their best without using sugar.”)
- Establish an alliance. Once you find a like-minded teacher, it will be easier to speak in a planning meeting and the current hub based on candy culture.
Finally, don’t beat yourself up for not having a single-handed overhaul. Even if you are the only one who offers a sugar-free classroom culture, you are still doing important work.
Dear, we are teachers.
My best friend is about to get married since fourth grade…on the first Friday of the school year. It was a destination wedding, which meant I had to miss the whole first week of school. I tore it apart. She was like I was with my sister, and I wouldn’t miss her wedding, except for the first week in the teacher world, which was the sacred first week in the teacher world. I know the importance of week one for routines, relationships and setting the tone. But I also know that missing her important day will bring me great regrets.
Is there a way to not both feel like I’m letting someone down? Or do I just have to pick a team and prepare to be guilty?
– Between Chalk and Oath
Dear cbcaavp,
I don’t usually respond directly, but I know the teacher who knows collective sacrifice for work, I will be straightforward: go to this jingdang wedding.
Yes, the first week of school is important. But, on one of the most important days of her life, stand next to your best friend. You will have many other weeks before school starts.
The key here is communication and planning:
- Talk to your administrator as soon as possible. Stay transparent, respectful, and provide a program that shows that you won’t put students in trouble.
- Start preparing immediately. Create a rock-fixed sub-program, record introductory videos if your school allows, and list as colleagues who can help with parental issues for the week.
- Brush any side eyes. Some parents or helpless colleagues may be silent (or less pleasing) judges. Let it roll off your back. You are not going to abandon your school on the crooked beaches of sand, but you are memorializing a once-in-a-lifetime friendship.
It’s a secret: the kids rebound. The year you missed that week won’t define your classroom.
Say “yes” to the bridesmaid’s clothes (and planned sub-coverage).
Dear, we are teachers.
I just discovered that this morning my teaching position will be laid off due to federal funding changes related to the recent Supreme Court ruling, allowing the Department of Education to be demolished. I teach at Title I School, our area relies heavily on federal support and now seems to be drying rapidly.
I was heartbroken. I love my students. I spent years building trust, buying supplies from my own pockets, and staying up late to tutors. I don’t think political ways above my salary rating will hit me directly, but I’m here: July pink. What should I do now? How do I move forward when I feel the carpet has been pulled from under me – not only professional but personal?
– The girl in July
Dear Ji,
First of all: Sorry this happened to you. You shouldn’t get this. Your students don’t deserve this. For a country that says public education is the backbone of our democracy, we should all be ashamed of when the Supreme Court’s ruling leaves teachers unemployed for one month notice.
Let’s name the sadness. Not only do you have to lose your job, but you have lost a community, a sense of purpose and a crucial day-to-day job. So please be angry. Screaming into the blank space. Record and release your folk grief album, “They marketed school buildings to plant flags” and slammed the government with fierce metaphors. I’ll lighter at your first concert. (I don’t have a lighter, but I’ll light the candle. Hopefully it’s OK.)
You don’t have to join the work committee tomorrow. But, when you’re ready, things you can do:
- Even if you are not sure where to go next, start looking now. Public schools, charter networks, nonprofits, ED Tech, coaching centers, course companies – your skills are needed everywhere. Here is our entertainment for 65 best jobs for former teachers.
- ask for help. Contact your network. Let your colleagues know that you are searching. Now ask for a letter from the REC and your influence is still fresh in their minds. Our hotline group on Facebook is also a great resource.
- Consider temporary bridges. You don’t have to do your ideal job immediately. Sometimes, the next thing is just a stepping stone to the right thing.
- Maintain political awareness. What’s happening to you is part of a bigger erosion of public education. Say loudly, vote, support candidates who support teachers and keep it loud.
This is not the end of your teaching story, but a cruel plot twist. But I believe (and indeed, it does), the kind of educators who work hard for their children will find their place again.
Do you have a burning problem? Send us an email at AskWeareTeachers@weareteachers.com.
Dear, we are teachers.
I have an eighth grade student who has seen more and more counselor offices in my class over the past month or so. Sometimes she asked to leave during class, sometimes she would return from the counselor’s pass, and sometimes I would receive an email from the counselor to let me know she was in the office. Obviously, my support is any support this student needs, but she has failed since class. I’ve talked to the students about her lack of homework, to no avail. I know the next step is to contact my parents, but I’m reluctant to submit it to them in case they don’t know (or why) she’s been seeing the counselor. what would you do?
– Between Nursing and Courses
