Small Town, Parents Not Respecting Non Teaching Time!

Sharon - posted on 05/04/2009

Quoting Carolyn:

Thanks girls, I lke the idea about talking about different teaching styles and personalities, think I'll use that one. At times I really feel I should give up working at just one school and doing relief (supply) teaching where I can earn the same money but not have the hassles associated with teaching friends' children.

I hate to say it but that has it's own set of problems.  I do relief teaching in my son's school - wonderful classes, no childcare issues, but have a hard time with some friends who want to know the low down on kids in their child's class.  I am constantly saying that I can't go into details about particular kids, and many respect that, but they still ask!

Sharon - posted on 05/04/2009

Quoting Carolyn:

Thanks girls, I lke the idea about talking about different teaching styles and personalities, think I'll use that one. At times I really feel I should give up working at just one school and doing relief (supply) teaching where I can earn the same money but not have the hassles associated with teaching friends' children.

I hate to say it but that has it's own set of problems.  I do relief teaching in my son's school - wonderful classes, no childcare issues, but have a hard time with some friends who want to know the low down on kids in their child's class.  I am constantly saying that I can't go into details about particular kids, and many respect that, but they still ask!

Carolyn - posted on 05/02/2009

Thanks girls, I lke the idea about talking about different teaching styles and personalities, think I'll use that one. At times I really feel I should give up working at just one school and doing relief (supply) teaching where I can earn the same money but not have the hassles associated with teaching friends' children.

Erin - posted on 05/01/2009

I have the same problem and I don't even live in a small town. I teach in a district with 6 elementary schools and there are almost 500 students in my school alone. I have had parents come up to me while I am in the library with my family and give me forms they want me to fill out and ask me questions about how so and so is doing. I couldn't believe the nerve that some people have. I don't think I would ask my doctor to look at me whatever if I ran into him at the store. I have decided that if we move again I am going to look for a place that is not in the same district.

Heather - posted on 04/30/2009

I have two stock replies that I use whenever that happens. The first is "I really want to talk with you in-depth about (child's name)'s progress without blocking the grocery aisle. Can we schedule a conference?"
The other is: "All teachers have different personalities and teaching styles. Not all kids are going to respond to the same personality."
Teacher-bashing seems to be a national sport these days. Hope these help.

Olga - posted on 04/29/2009

I go through the samething. My students' parents stop whenever they see me and start discussing their kids. They do think I'm a teacher 24 / 7.