The Chalkboard Corner

In the observations I have done so far, I have seen a lot of teachers and heard them talk to each other during lunch and prep time.  The main thing teachers talk about are the one thing they all deal with day in and day out: the students.

Many times teachers talk about the children who give them problems, and discuss ways to help them or get them to do better in general. Collaboration can be a very good way to do a better job in any profession. Yet, there is a difference between collaboration and gossip.

I once heard a teacher say, “Oh I can’t stand __. Her –grade teacher couldn’t stand her, and all her — teacher could not stand her. She has nothing going for her. She’s not good at anything. Nothing!”

I thought that was so cruel. I may naturally just be a positive person, but that was just mean. If you love children, you should be able to find something good about every child. Also, if she does give you problems, at a young age, it may not be her fault. Many times students have a very rough home life which affects their ability to perform in the classroom.

As a teacher, I need to remember that gossiping about my students does not help anyone. Even if all the other teachers are talking badly about one student, there is no reason for me to jump in. If I want to collaborate that’s fine, but there is no reason to talk nasty about the students.