Dear, we are teachers.
I reached out because I tried to date my 7th grade parents at the end of my wisdom, who didn’t seem to care. Whether it’s email, phone or conference, I often encounter excuses, or more often silence. I know that parents’ involvement is important, but I try my best and hardly reward it. How do I stop wasting my emotional energy chasing parents that won’t appear without ignoring my responsibility to my children?
– They’re not that
Dear tjntim,
First of all, this is so common. so, so Common. I said it wasn’t about destroying your feelings, it was about verifying them. It’s exhausting, emotionally exhausting.
The first thing you want to do – I know this sounds harsh, is to create an environment in which students can thrive and grow No Super involved parents.
Did the students succeed with their parents who are doing what is happening in the school? Yes. But we have no control over what parents are doing. Instead, pour your energy into your body able Control: Create a warm, consistent classroom where students know expectations and feelings are supported. Set up a clear system: weekly course newsletters, scheduled grade updates, email templates for grades, and all promotional documentation.
After this, you will still check out the parents, no matter how transparent you are on the date and deadline. This is where you need to upgrade it to the person above you, and A (written!)’s note: “This student failed. This is three times I called me, three times my email, and three unattended tutorials. Let me know how we should go about it.”
Another thing I suggest is Crucial: Assume positive intentions.
It’s easy to mark hard to master as parents who don’t care. I did it. But this is the myopic view of many parents, and more importantly, it is just not true. Most of them involve fewer parents Do I am very concerned about my children’s education. However, one or more situations (including negative experiences from the school, a loaded and rigid work schedule, inability to communicate in English, a family member, they need much more resources, time and energy than the 7th graders in my ELA class, so they can’t get involved as much as they want.
Assuming positive intentions does not mean that you simply ignore all the bad things. Then we start to turn to toxic positivity, a space that always makes me tremble. I just think that when it comes to the part of the work we don’t have and never can control, for our mind and body, focusing on how most parents do their best with the resources they have.
Dear, we are teachers.
I started this year with a new school and despite my team being friendly and enthusiastic, I realized we don’t look at the eyes completely politically. This won’t bother me except as they often say, as if we all voted the same way – joke or comment to reach an agreement. I wanted to stay professional and not stir the pan, but it started to make me uncomfortable. How to navigate without tension?
– Absolutely purple in the red and blue world
Dear ppiarbw,
Ah, yes, the ancient “We all agree, right?” minefield.
Here’s the thing: teaching is political. The number of tables we have in our classroom depends on politics. The frequency of corridors is determined by politics. In Texas, science and history textbooks (and information removed from it) are determined by politics. Your salary: Politics. Your student’s health care: Politics. 10 Commandments Hanging in the Front of a Public School Building: Politics.
You see where I’m going.
I won’t say that teachers shouldn’t discuss politics at work because I don’t believe it. But keep silent while they speak as if you agree that it is not always sustainable, especially if those “jokes” are in areas that devalue students, family, or your own sense of happiness.
First try a gentle redirect:
- “That’s not what I really think of this topic. …” Sudden theme changes, for example, “Did you see them selling burning cheez-its? What is that?”
- “Hmm. We probably won’t see it the same way. But I bet we do agree that there are a lot of other points on this topic.”
- “I don’t know, I actually think [insert opinion here]. Do you want to see who is right to win the thumb championship? ”
If the comments continue or become hostile, record them and consider looping in a trusted administrator or mentor. Everyone deserves a workplace where they feel safe and respected, even (especially!) in a career where politics is increasingly breathing.
You don’t have to be a classroom diplomat, but you can be a border. What if you are modeling a disagreement of respect? Honestly, this is the teacher leadership in action.
And, if you decide to solve it through Thumb-Crown match, record it and send it to me.
Dear, we are teachers.
I was really excited to go back to school – I love building my classroom, meeting my new students, and then going back to the rhythm. But I don’t want one thing: packed lunches and snacks. Each one. Single. sky. I know it’s a little fish under greater school pressure, but for whatever reason, I’m afraid of it. From start to finish, I don’t want to eat or take longer. Any ideas in school, does the least mean the smallest prep?
– Tuna Tuesday
Dear Tot,
Oh boy. Nothing like hitting the third cycle sugar accident and realizing that your lunch is the purple onion you packed your plums at 5:50 a.m.
Solution? Low prediction food. You’re not trying to impress Gordon Ramsay here – you’re just trying to drift until 3:30.
Here are some “teacher fuel” combinations that require zero cooking:
- Protein box imitation: Hard eggs (if boiling is a deal-breaker store), string cheese, cookies, baby carrots and a handful of almonds. Try packing it in a dishwasher-safe bento box for easy compartmentation and cleaning.
- pack: Tortilla + deli + hummus or cream cheese. complete. No slices. No heating. You can even put ingredients in a small grocery bag and assemble them there if packing every day is too hard.
- Emergency drawer hiding place: Place shelf-stable items in drawers such as granola, off-road mixture, raw dried, peanut butter, roasted chickpeas and dried fruits. When you bind, go to the drawer.
- Cereal Solutions: Bring a hearty box of cereals, your choice of milk, and a bowl and spoon that you can wash off Monday to Friday.
- Become a cafeteria connoisseur: Buy lunch! I know a lot of teachers who do this regularly. Some schools even offer discounts or special “robbery and go” areas for teachers.
What if you find something you like? Repeat until you hate it. Then rotate to the next No-Prep food group. You are not a failure to eat like a college student – you are a working adult who needs to consider more important things (such as managing 125 Chromebooks).
Do you have a burning problem? Send us an email at AskWeareTeachers@weareteachers.com.
Dear, we are teachers.
Recently, a friend sent me a video on Tiktok. A student recorded me throughout the year and created a series of clips that highlighted my Midwest accent. It’s innocent enough that I’m not offended by the content (I do have a strong accent!), but I do feel uncomfortable because these recordings happen in class with my knowledge or permission. When I submitted it to the principal, I got a lukewarm response. Should I push back? What is my right here?
– Not suitable for Netflix
