Am I wrong to be annoyed by parents popping in my classroom unannounced to observe?

Question

I'm a first year second grade teacher. I did not major in education, rather I took a certification program for career changers, so I'm learning as I go.

I find it really annoying that the parent of one of my TAG students just pops in whenever he feels like it. It's not excessive, but I feel like I have to be on my toes because you never know when he's going to just show up.

He signs in at the office first, then he just opens the door and comes in and sits down. He walks around the back of the room looking at stuff, then he goes back to watching.

WTF? I'm already nervous and learning a job as I go. :-(

Answer 1

My school had a problem with people doing this and out principal started making parents set up appointments if they wnted to get past the front office. It is important or parents to feel welcome in your school and your classroom but at the same time they need to respect that you are a profesional in your place of business. Would they walk in on a doctor unnnounced? Hell no. It's common courtesy for a parent to arrange a time to come into your classroom. Your job is difficult enough without extra distractions and disruptions.

Answer 2

You have a right and a duty as a teacher to preserve a learning environment free from distractions for ALL students in your classroom, not just the child of the one visiting parent.

What is this parent doing when he visits? Has he ever made it a point to talk to you afterward about why he's visiting?

In 14 years I have never had a parent think he had a right to show up UNANNOUNCED! You are a professional and he needs to make an appointment with you. He is not treating you like a professional with the unannounced visits and he does NOT have a right as a taxpayer to be an interruption in the learning process of ANY student in your classroom, which sounds like what he is doing (even if he is quiet, his presence in the classroom can still be a distraction to students). As a parent and a taxpayer, I'd be really irritated to know that regular interruptions to my child's public school classroom were occuring because one parent wanted to make sure his child was being challenged....what about those other 15-20 kids in the class--don't they have a right to be focused and engaged in a lesson without interruptions?

I'm not sure what the climate is at your school regarding parent drop-ins, so ask your fellow teachers, especially those who have been around awhile . If they agree that this parent's unannounced visits are counterintuitive to a conducive learning environment, you need to speak up not only for yourself, but for the other children in your classroom!

Go to your administrator and tell him/her your concerns about this parent interrupting your class "to observe". He/she may be able to give you some tips on dealing with the parent, may talk to the parent about his interruptions (which perhaps he's not aware of how much he disturbs an engaged learning environment by his unnanounced visits, but I doubt it), and instruct whomever is signing the parent in that the teacher doesn't receive parents without appointments or during valuable instructional time.

Whatever the outcome, you have a professional obligation not only to meet with parents about their concerns (by appointment or during some non-instruction time), but you also have the responsibility to maintain a classroom free from distractions to your students.

Hope all will be resolved soon!

Answer 3

Being your first year as a teacher of course you are nervous and still learning, but this is one of those things that come with the job. Your students are someone else's precious child and if your parent is concerned about what the child is learning and how they are being taught then the parent has every right to come and observe in your classroom. You need to learn how to teach to your students and ignore the man in the background, just as your students need to block out other distractions while they learn.

Your teaching should not vary when a parent is in the classroom. If it does then you are not doing a proper job.
If he is causing a distraction to your students request that he sit still in the back of the room and not walk around until break time.

Thank your parent for taking such a high interest in the education of their child, but explain that it would be nice for him to schedule his visits with you so that you might be able to address any concerns he may have. If he chooses not to schedule his visits then continue to ignore his presence and teach your class as you normally do, with confidence. Your lack of confidence is probably what he is seeing and concerned about. If you want to be a good teacher then KNOW that you are a GOOD teacher.

Answer 4

My daughter's teacher (K-2 classroom) has an 'open class' policy. Parents often go in to observe and/or volunteer. Last week I observed for a bit, played a math card game with a group of kids, and helped out with snack time. The kids seem to like the extra attention, the teacher gets some help, and it doesn't seem to be disruptive.

As a parent, I like knowing I can go in anytime and see how my daughter is doing and what she is working on.

Perhaps you could involve parents more by asking them to help out in some way? Maybe start a classroom volunteer sign-up sheet, and then plan activities that parents can help with during those times. Otherwise, you'll probably just have to learn to ignore visitors.

Answer 5

You should try to be understanding, since it's his child. That said, it is certainly very rude! You are a professional, and you deserve to be treated as such. I bet this guy doesn't show up at his accountant's office to look over her shoulder.
You should bring it up with the principal. Ask, "is this allowed? is it normal?" But be prepared to follow his/her instructions. The principal might tell you that the policy is on your side. Or, he/she might say there's nothing you can do.
When the parent does show up, you could direct them to a chair to sit in while they "observe." If he starts walking around/distracting the kids, ask him politely to not cause a distraction. You could explain that you have plenty of parent volunteers, and each of them has had a chance to sit with you and discuss YOUR expectations for YOUR class. Since he is not a scheduled volunteer, he should not be attempting to interfere with the kids.

I'm a student teacher, and I had a situation like this once. The guy came in and literally held his daughter's hand (with pencil) while "she" did her assignment. I was absolutely horrified, and my poor master teacher was so frazzled by the unexpected visit that she kept making silly mistakes with basic multiplication.

Answer 6

I agree with the first answer, talk with the principal. There should be some sort of protocol when it comes to visitors in the classroom.
I would be very annoyed by this!! I'm sure he's just concerned that his child is getting a good education, but how would he feel if there was somebody popping in and out of his place of employment to watch him work??

Answer 7

as a parent, i like the idea of being able to come and observe my child in the classroom if i think it's necessary. however, i would never just walk in without knocking and being told to enter as it disrupts the class and he should not be walking around behind the class for the same reason.unless the child is having difficulties, i feel once a year is sufficient. more than that is excessive. maybe talk to your principal about this.

Answer 8

It relies upon on the guy. i might get tremendously cranky. it isn't the extra nutrition or paintings, that's the reality that it throws your total time table out, because of fact people frequently do no longer consume dinner then go away in the present day away. What if i became making plans a night of pastime with my boyfriend, then you definitely pop up with a bottle of wine and a bag of groceries? So telephone forward via a minimum of 0.5 an hour, and supply them the possibility to graciously say it is not ok.

Answer 9

I think its fine, especially in this day and age when there are school shootings, teachers sleeping with students, and drugs in the hallways and buses. Your a second grade teacher so their kid is young, over the years they'll stop as the kid gets older but I don't blame them. If I had a kid id be doing the same thing. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Answer 10

I am a teacher's assistant for 14 years. I have
worked in a program called H.O.S.T.S. and I
use to get parents who dropped by from time
to time. I always welcomed them because I knew that for at least that 30 minutes my student would
behave for me. Instead of viewing this parent as
an intrusion view it as another pair of hands.
Parent helpers are God sends for teachers.
They have the time so let them help out. They
can help run centers, read stories to a small
group, help cut things out, etc. Take this parent
as a blessing and enjoy the visits instead of
stressing over it.