I've heard that the teacher's lounge is just a place for gossip and that good teachers should avoid it. In my experience, it seems like a good place to interact with co-workers and bounce ideas off them, perhaps occasionally letting off steam. Plus I think some of what might be considered "gossip" could help us adjust our teaching to our students' needs.
What do you think?
2006-11-04 16:44:06 · 5 answers · asked by Huerter0 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
The mood in there varies from school to school. The overall 'tone' of a school starts with the attitude of the administrators, and filters down through all levels.
If you find the staff friendly and supportive - Awesome! - join in on the banter and share tips!
If your school has a den of vipers (I love that term), then do what you'd do with a real den of vipers,..... back away slowly, don't show fear, and get to a safe distance. Turning and running only lets them see your fear, and they will strike.
I hope your experience is a positive one.
2006-11-04 20:46:20 · answer #1 · answered by bc_is_the_place_to_be 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are discussing your issues with people actually trying to change things for the better rather than just getting support for your "side" of things, then yes.
If you have said what you say in there to the person you are actually talking about, are willing and actually DO say to them what you say behind their back, then you AREN'T "speaking behind their back".
If, however, you talk or even listen to such comments by people without the honor or courage to say what they say to the people who are the topic of conversation, then your behavior is cowardly and honor-less, words that, as a teacher, I take VERY seriously.
The best way to end this kind of talk is to say to them, "We should go discuss this with...(so and so)." If they scatter and refuse, you've landed in a "den of vipers" as you put it.
If they go, "You're right! I'll do it!" you may have just helped your school become more professional.
Good luck. I made a practice of ALWAYS going directly to someone when I heard something said about them and telling them without telling them WHO said it. I then tell the person why I do it (I would want others to do that for me) and that I would not be passing the information on to anyone else, period.
It makes people realize how often they gossip and that they don't respect it, either.
2006-11-05 08:17:51 · answer #2 · answered by mckenziecalhoun 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never been to one but I'd imagine its probably somewhere in the middle or both depending on which teachers are there. We had a few terrible gossips as teachers when I was in high school. I could only imagine what they talked about. Some old crows who probably bashed students and other teachers worse than some Yahoo Answer people. haha
2006-11-05 01:02:01 · answer #3 · answered by lostokieboy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was really amazed the first time I entered the Staff Room as a staff member! I totally thought the teachers would badmouth their students, but they were all saying really positive things and asking for advice about how to best teach certain students. A lot of time is spent talking about the students who have made the biggest improvements. It's actually bordering on sappy at times! Makes you wish it was more like a soap opera!
2006-11-05 01:14:33 · answer #4 · answered by Jetgirly 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
My old school had a great bunch of teachers and it was just off the cafeteria and a great social place..gossip occurred but really, it was very appropriate, as you suggest. My current school is the worst. I eat in my room, there's no point going there the teachers are so cliquey
2006-11-05 02:32:00 · answer #5 · answered by atheleticman_fan 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋