Help! Is It OK To Plan a Mid-Semester Vacation?

Dear We Are Teachers,

This will be my fifth year teaching middle school. After five very rough and stressful years, I’m trying to create a better work-life balance. Knowing that I tend to melt down around mid-October, I decided to schedule a trip to Mexico for me and my husband and asked for three days (a Wednesday through Friday) off work. When I asked permission from my principal to use my personal days, she said yes, but warned to not let parents or students know that I was going on vacation and to not post pictures on social media. When I asked why, she said, “Some parents don’t think teachers should take vacations mid-year.” Do you think she was trying to discourage me? Is it OK to plan a mid-semester vacation? I’m so annoyed!

—Un Poco Desanimada

Dear U.P.D.,

Short answer: TAKE THAT VACATION. Do not look back, feel bad, or come back without a fabulous tan and your hair braided. (Actually, maybe use your best judgment with that last one.)

Longer answer: I don’t actually think your principal is trying to discourage you. I think she was trying to look out for you.

In my experience, most parents are kind, empathetic, and reasonable. Still, there are always going to be a handful of parents who view teachers as robots programmed to serve them. They might find out that their child will have a sub for three days (gasp!) and say nasty, thin-minded things in their group chats with other parents like, “What, a summer off wasn’t enough for her?” (Don’t get me started on summers “off.”)

I agree with your principal in theory. The safest move would be not sharing with your students that you were on vacation as well as not posting pictures on any platforms where parents follow you.

But the reality is that you’re taking off a Wednesday through Friday. It’s not like you’re taking two weeks off just before standardized testing. Even if a mean parent does find out, what are they going to do? Complain that you’re resting? That you’re using the personal days you earned?

Go have fun, baby girl. (Or baby boy. I’m just going off the feminine desanimada.)

Dear We Are Teachers,

This is my first year teaching 5th grade. In theory, I know how to manage a classroom. But reality is proving much different. My students are so sweet, but they’re very chatty and struggle with transitions.

As I’m learning to improve my classroom management, do you have any tips that aren’t just going back to the fundamentals (e.g., contacting parents, redirecting disruptive behavior, making your expectations clear)?

—S.O.S.

Dear S.O.S.,

I know what you mean. You’ve got the book smarts down—but while you’re learning your street smarts, you’re looking for some things to give you a boost.

I think what you need are some hacks for your toolbox.

The great thing about hacks and one-off strategies are that they’re quick to implement and are super low-risk if they don’t work out. Here are some of our favorites:

How This Teacher Uses Yellow Cards for Classroom Management

This “Whoa” Board Is the Classroom Management Hack We Didn’t Know We Needed

Is Silent Ball the Best Classroom Management Tool You Never Knew Existed?

This Teacher Uses a “Secret Student” Strategy for Classroom Management, and We’re Taking Notes

Why I’m Finally a Convert to the House Points System

This Teacher Cracked the Code on Getting Students To Actually Read the Agenda

Plus, here’s another roundup of quick fixes when you’ve got a class that needs wrangling.

Hope this rights your ship ASAP!

Dear We Are Teachers,

We don’t have a custodial staff at our elementary school this year. (Our principal says it’s because “no one applied for the job,” but we know it’s because they cut the custodial salary by 35%).

I’m in a new role this year as the school counselor. When a student threw up in my office last week (long story), I alerted my supervisor, who said I had to clean it up. I did it, but that night when talking to my wife, she said that was a biohazard and I should refuse to do it in the future. What do you think?

—Ew

Dear E.,

I’m with your wife on this one.

But don’t wait for the opportunity to refuse. Before you do anything, talk to the union rep at your school. Unfortunately, if your school has trained you and given you the proper equipment to clean up vomit, you might be out of luck.

But if they give you the green light for a grievance, don’t jump on it immediately. Email your principal first and say this:

“I understand that we all have to pitch in when we don’t have a custodial staff. But after an incident in my office last week, I don’t feel safe or comfortable cleaning up bodily fluids in the future. Plus, per OSHA standard CFR 29 1910.1030, ‘personnel associated with the biological clean up must be trained, immunized and properly equipped to do so.’”

Principals typically don’t want to mess with OSHA.

Do you have a burning question? Email us at askweareteachers@weareteachers.com.

Dear We Are Teachers,

My principal explained during in-service that we have a new policy for teachers to follow when they’re absent, and it is garbage. First, we have to email our principal and team (that’s normal). Then, we have to log in to our sub system and create an absence (also normal). Then, we are expected to PERSONALLY CONTACT substitutes BY PHONE until we find one who can confirm that they will take the substitute job. When someone in the meeting asked, “What if we can’t find anyone to take it?” my principal said, “Keep calling until you find someone.” I’m not afraid of telling my principal what I think, but I wondered if you could coach me on an approach. 

—So Outraged I’m Typing in All Caps