Dear We Are Teachers,
I teach 6th grade, and every year we all dread the week of final exams before we let out for winter break. Our administration is very strict about what we can and cannot use as final exam grades (e.g., the final exam can’t be a creative project, can’t be an essay, etc.). Also, it’s required for the final exam to count for 15% of the child’s grade, which is a lot! As a result, students are stressed, parents are stressed, we’re stressed—what’s the best way to convince our principal this year that we need more flexibility?
—It’s the Most Miserable Week of the Year
Dear I.T.M.M.W.O.T.Y.,
OK, I understand having rigid expectations for finals … in the upper grades of high school. But 6th grade? That’s too young for this kind of stress!
If your principal hasn’t listened to the pleas of teachers, I think you need to assemble a little squadron to help get your point across. Here’s who you need on your team:
- Students. When students complain about being stressed about finals, encourage them to write (respectfully) to your principal with specific, realistic suggestions for how to improve.
- Parents. If you get questions, pushback, or anxious emails about final exams, end your communication by saying, “I totally understand your concerns, and I know that [principal’s name] would encourage you to reach out with any questions you have about finals week.” Hopefully they take you up on it!
- Your counselor. It is totally worth going to your counselor and noting the stress you hear your students reporting. “Do you think it would be worth considering whether we could restructure our finals week?” Depending on their answer, you can go to your principal again with added information from the mental health expert on your campus.
Dear We Are Teachers,
I teach high school and for the last five years, I’ve realized I really struggle this time of year with coming to school in a good mood. From the time I get up through about midmorning, I’m a total grump. What are your tips for infusing a little more joy into these winter mornings?
—She’s a Mean One
Dear S.A.M.O.,
First of all, good on you for recognizing this pattern and committing to doing something about it! Identifying a problem is half the battle.
Also, you’re not alone. I know this time of year is hard for lots of folks. Here are my top suggestions to crack down on the Morning Scaries.
1. Jazz up your commute! What makes you feel pumped up? Laughing? Try a new comedy podcast! Music? Try listening to something new that gets the blood flowing. Moving? Start your day dancing to a single song that you know will get you grooving.
2. Get a classroom lamp that brings you joy. Whether you’re all about the cozy glow of a Himalayan salt lamp or feel like a cute little toaster lamp is what you’re missing in your life, there’s something about turning on a lamp you love first thing in the morning (instead of the classroom overhead lights!) that offers a strong start to the day.
3. Start a breakfast club. I loved this idea a teacher shared with our social media team. If you take on something similar, it doesn’t need to be large-scale, elaborate, or even every day. But having something to look forward to (and one less thing to plan for) is so fun.
4. Introduce a fun new tradition. If you’re daunted by the prospect of starting a daily attendance question or attendance bracket, maybe just commit for the remainder of the year.
Hope this helps!
Dear We Are Teachers,
I’m in my second year teaching 7th grade math. My principal called me into his office today and told me that when the new semester begins, I will have entirely different classes. Instead of my 7th grade math students, I will have mixed classes of 6th-to-8th-grade students who need remedial instruction in math. My principal insisted that it’s because I’m the strongest teacher, but I hate that being good at my job has landed me in this situation. Not only am I devastated to lose the communities I’ve built in my classes, but I essentially have to plan all new lessons for next semester with no set curriculum I can use. Can I tell my principal no? What would you do?
—This Is My Nightmare
Dear T.I.M.N.,
I will be real with you: This sucks.
I don’t think you can say no (though it wouldn’t hurt to check with your school’s union rep). But I do think it’s fair to set up another time to chat with your principal where you outline the support you will need and a game plan for moving forward. Here’s what I would say:
“I understand that this was a difficult decision you had to make as a principal. I’m up for the challenge, even though this is a serious roadblock for the communities, routines, and lessons I’ve worked so hard to build over the last semester. I would like to chat about some things that would make this transition easier.
“Planning time. With no set curriculum (and without the ability to rely on my preexisting lessons), I will need an additional planning period for the intensive prep this will take. Is there room in the schedule for an additional planning period for me? If not, I’d like to chat about other ways of giving me more time for developing lessons and interventions. Maybe I can meet with our district’s curriculum specialist for a day once a month to plan.”
“Periodic check-ins. Could we set up some time throughout this semester to check in on how this arrangement is going? Without having done this before and with no other teachers in my position, I anticipate dealing with some challenges I won’t be able to see coming from my current vantage point.”
“A time in April to reflect about next year. As I said, I’m up for the challenge. But I can’t be sure at this point that the role of remedial instruction for three separate grade levels is one I’ll want to take on next year. I would like the opportunity to evaluate in April what my options are (if you’ll have options available).”
I think all of this is totally fair, and I stand behind my firmer-than-normal tone. If your principal is going to flip your world upside down two weeks in advance, the least he can do is provide you with the support you’ll need. And if he has the gall to be offended about these very small asks? Tell him I sent you.
Do you have a burning question? Email us at askweareteachers@weareteachers.com.
Dear We Are Teachers,
We got a new teacher on our team this year who demands so much of our energy. Pam creates unnecessary drama, like sending hostile email to parents about insignificant issues (that, obviously, turn into big issues). She complains about the way we do everything here and compares it to her old school. But what’s really surprising is how much time she wants to spend with all of us. You would think someone who hated her job so much would keep to herself, but she is always popping into our rooms before, after, and during school spreading her negativity. Is it possible to turn Pam into a ray of sunshine?
—We’re Dying Here
