Dear We Are Teachers,
My principal called earlier this summer asking if I would teach a freshman survival course. He promised the curriculum and resources would be provided, so I said yes. However, at in-service yesterday he told me he “must have told me that by mistake.” I have to create the whole thing from scratch in six days! I am absolutely freaking out. This class is in addition to the course I already teach (Geometry), and I’m completely panicking. What should I do?
—it’s the final countdown
Dear I.T.F.C.,
Ugh, I’m feeling the secondhand stress all the way over here! That’s rough. In my opinion, if your principal dumped this on you mid-summer, they should have at least directed you to a starting point.
First, ask your principal if he knows of any other schools in your district offering this course. Ask to collaborate with the teachers of those courses and see if they’ll share what they have.
Second, consult our Helpline group. I’m willing to bet that someone there has taught a similar course. (It’s often called Freshmen Leadership or Citizenship in other schools).
And finally, if those two options fail, ask ChatGPT to draw up a roadmap and lesson plans based the topics you’re expected to teach. That way, you at least have something to work off as you build your confidence in this course and find out what works and what doesn’t.
But seriously, not cool, principal!
Dear We Are Teachers,
I teach 3rd grade at a K-3 elementary school and just found out I’ve been assigned a particularly, um, “spirited” child on my roster. This child has a track record for going on rampages, spitting at and kicking teachers, and has been suspended multiple times for hurting other children (including stabbing with scissors). I’m going to give her a blank slate, of course, and the benefit of the doubt that she’s more than her worst stories. But realistically, what are some things I can do from day one to establish boundaries that protect me and my other students?
—we have spirit, yes we do
Dear W.H.S.Y.W.D.,
I reached out to a group of elementary teachers, counselors, and admin for this one. Here’s a roundup of everything they said. (Most of them said the same thing, FYI.)
- If the student either gets violent or it looks like it might get that way, evacuate the other students. Have the other students grab their work and sit in the hallway, then stand in the doorway where you can see both the student and the rest of your class while you call an administrator.
- Document everything. Keep a detailed record of any time the student escalates. Times, dates, people involved, etc. This isn’t just useful for discipline, but can help establish patterns of behavior.
- Make sure you’re clear on her Behavior Intervention Plan before school starts, including what the student is supposed to do. If the student is expected to use deescalation strategies when she gets upset and she doesn’t, contact parents as well as your administrator. This is not to “tattle.” At the end of the day, everyone’s goal is to move the student away from needing a BIP. If she’s not progressing, the team needs to know in order to restrategize.
- Talk to your union rep or professional organization rep about your school. They will know exactly what you do and don’t have to put up with in terms of student violence.
I hope you won’t have to use these strategies. But it’s always better to be overprepared than underprepared.
Dear We Are Teachers,
I will be on medical leave from the first day of school until late September. I was told by my principal that I could set my room up for my long-term sub during the summer. However, last week while finalizing things with an HR rep from my district over the phone, I mentioned that I would be setting up my room and she said I couldn’t be in the building due to being on medical leave—even during the summer! Should I ask my principal if I can set up my room anyway? Or even an ask-for-forgiveness-not-permission-type thing? Otherwise, my sub will arrive to a room that is totally unprepared for teaching (and I will have a level 10 control freak panic attack).
—let me in by my chinny chin chin
Dear L.M.I.B.M.C.C.C.,
I totally get that it would feel WILD to let a school year start without having your room ready the way you want it. But remember: long-term subs understand that placements often start the first day of school. They might not know exactly how you want your bulletin boards or decorations, but they will figure it out. What’s important is that they keep students safe, teach your lesson plans, and connect with students.
I would recommend clarifying one more time with HR: can you not be in the building before you go on leave? Or can you be in the building once your leave begins? Maybe HR thought you were currently on leave. In that case, they’d be right—it’s a big liability for you to be doing anything that resembles work while on leave.
But if the answer is still no, let it go, big dog. The less stress you can invite in your body prior to medical leave, the better.
Do you have a burning question? Email us at askweareteachers@weareteachers.com.
Dear We Are Teachers,
I’ll be a first-year teacher (hopefully) this year, but the job hunt is getting a little desperate. I’m not athletic and would be miserable coaching, but ALL the listings in the district I want to work for say that they prefer someone who is willing to coach! Should I suck it up and pick a random sport to say I’ll coach?
—Yay, Sports