In your experience as a teacher, when/where/how have you found yourself participating in “the teacher’s lounge?” Address your own awareness of, participation in, and avoidance of the deficit thinking that comes with the teacher’s lounge?
I feel as though most of the gossip and complaining that I hear in my school is in regards to higher administration or parents and is less about individual students. I think that most of the teachers that I work with understand that students identified as “problem” students who are disruptive in class are only they way they are because they are not getting the services they need, whether it be at school or at home. Therefore, most of the negativity that festers in the teacher’s lounge or copy room is about how the school is failing certain students by not providing appropriate services for students’ needs. Also, a good portion of the negativity is in regards to poor logistics (schedules, safety protocols that do not make sense, etc.) or miscommunication between teachers and administration.
I will admit that I am guilty of participating in the “teacher’s lounge.” I will complain or vent to colleagues that I am close with about how so-and-so is disrupting my class and my annoyance with the guidance department or administration for putting this child in my class when they so clearly need other supportive services before they would be able to be successful in my classroom. I do think that complaining just to complain can create a toxic atmosphere. However, complaining about issues but then also trying to come up with solutions is not toxic in my opinion. It is in our nature to always be trying to improve our situations and I think that working towards solutions for everyday annoyances with colleagues can be a good source of relationship building and collaboration.
Who do your students think you are? Who do you think your students are?
I believe that my students think I am a kind teacher and overall more lenient than most but can be strict when I need to be. They know that I love New Hampshire and Boston sports teams since I often make references. They probably think that I am a patient teacher in general but have my moments where my patience runs thin and I act a little crazy. I believe that they think they can email me or discuss in person when they have issues at home or school that are preventing them from doing well in class. My first period class probably believes that I am a hot mess since I am always running to make copies first thing in the morning, while my second period class thinks that I am always on the ball and ready to go.
My students are mostly 14 and 15 year old students who are in the midst of adolescence. They are constantly trying out different roles in order to discover their true identities. They are very focused on their social relationships which can often take precedence over their school performance. A good portion of my students are honors students who place an immense amount of pressure on themselves to get perfect grades. I believe that many of my students experience anxiety in some way. My students act stressed and tired on some days but are generally happy.
