r/Teachers

In a relationship, but it is complicated.

Hello all! 3rd year Oklahoma teacher here, and I moved up to 5th from 3rd. I know the profession has its doom and gloom, and I have STRUGGLED with behavior. This year, since I’ve had these kids before, I’ve been challenging myself to send home a positive message or two everyday to work through my roster. It’s been a game changer. I sent one yesterday about a student that I know was suspended multiple times a month last year. He’s been a superstar so far! His mom was so excited to receive a nice message that she printed it out and highlighted/decorated it for him to carry with him. He showed me today soooo excited. Behavior has been manageable and minimal, engagement is high, and learning feels so fun! I feel like I’ve hit my stride, and I love going to work everyday! Just a win I wanted to share <3

And apparently mom disagrees, and she will, in fact, be following my rules along with apologizing next time she’s in my classroom?. What unjust rule did I subject her to? Well, I told her that she’s not allowed to use the f word conversationally when addressing me. Who do I think I am? Thankfully, mom was supportive, but I’m genuinely just confused. Does she really think I’m not going to call her mom immediately after something like that and that I’m just going to apologize and tell her she’s free to conduct herself however she wants in my workspace that has my name on the door? Lol

In the daily email this morning it said make sure you wear a sports jersey to show school spirit tomorrow! Later it explained when the mandatory 9/11 video would be played. This jersey expectation was not communicated prior to this morning so it seems like a random admin decision. As an elder millennial who basically watched 9/11 on one of those rolling tv carts in high school this seems a little fucked up right?