Teachers answering their cell phones during class

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I will slightly disagree here, while I believe that teachers should not text nor call during classes, I think there are some exceptions, such as the teacher needs to be in touch with a sick relative or the hospital, or something to that effect.

P.S. I may not be a fancy third grade teacher, but isn't one of the principles of being a teacher is to know your principal , I would nip in the bud right now.

lol, I will never forget that the principal is our pal!

 

[sbell111]

I don't think it's ok under any circumstances. No matter what job you have you're being paid to do a job, not talk on a cell phone. If it is a true emergency then people that know her could call the school and they could get the message to her or let her know that she has an urgent call.

I disagree with this. If it is a true emergency, I want to know right now. I don't want to know in twenty minutes after it was explained to someone in the office, they figured out what to do with the info and finally came to get me.

... P.S. I may not be a fancy third grade teacher, but isn't one of the principles of being a teacher is to know your principal , I would nip in the bud right now.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I volunteer at my younger set's elementary school. Many teachers pull out their phones during breaks....I've never seen them out during instruction.

I think it is more a habit than anything. Many of the teachers are young. The school district even posts messages and alerts, etc.

 

[happygirl]

If the teacher has a emgerency then I'm fine with that.

Before you get upset, I think I would invesgiate before taking the word of 7 year old

 

[Minnesota!]

I am ok with this. We can/do talk on our cells at work - no different then talking on the work phone. My son's teacher emails me a lot during his class hours to answer questions/communicate things. It would be faster if she called me on the cell.

 

[krcit]

Eh. What's that disboards expression I see all the time?This is not the hill I choose to die on?? While I don't think any teacher should spend time on her cell phone, I agree with previous posters that you have no idea what may be going n in her life that she needs to take a quick call here and there. Also, a first grader could say it happens 'all the time' when in reality it happened once or twice. If it really, really bothered me I would talk to the teacher directly, not go to the principal. Give her the opportunity to explain and/or stop doing it before running to her boss. JMHO.

 

[wenrob]

I do not think teachers and the students need to "have the same rules". We are not children but adults. It is different to be a professional employee in a school than to be a student at the school.

I understand your sister's situation and if she has an agreement with the principal then that should be the exception and not the rule. A professional employee should not be using their cel phone when they are there to teach a class. Not being snarky, honest. Think about it, you're getting your taxes done and the person doing your return is taking calls. You're at your Dr.'s office and he keeps interrupting your exam to answer his phone. These professionals should have their attention on you shouldn't they? Otherwise they're going to be too distracted to do their job well. IMHO except in a situation like your sisters it should be the same for teachers.

 

[tuckerkeys]

I do agree emergencies are acceptable usage of a cell phone.

From what I am being told ( and I have another parent telling me her son is telling her the same as I ) it is happening almost daily. Yesterday it did not ring, but on Friday my son said 3 times she left instruction to answer it. I do believe him. He tells me that some kids get up and dance when it happens and they get in trouble for it! I say well this would not have happened if the phone was on silent

It is sad to me b/c we're trying to teach him manners at home and the cell phone with usage is one of them. He is at an age where it is hard for him to understand why some people get to do it in situations where we have told him it is a no-no.

I sent a quick email to the principal, who also happens to be the superintendent ( small school system ) asking what the school's policy is on teacher phone use. I didn't throw my son's teacher under the bus but I'm guessing he'll figure out she's using it based on the email I sent

 

[agnes!]

My sister and I are both teachers. I do leave my phone on during the day but unless I forget it is on silent. DS will send me a text when he leaves school (new driver and gets out before me). I do not answer it but know when it vibrates that he is on the road.

My sister has cancer. She is still working full time and trying to be sure she gets all the Dr information she needs. She will occasionally pick up the phone if it is her oncologist. That is way better than her staying home from work just to wait for the call. She and her principal agree. She takes the call and info as quickly as possible and then back to work.

I am just saying there may be information that you do not know. i agree no way should a teacher be "chatting" on the phone during class. But for many of us our only break is at lunch and most Dr offices are closed between 12 and 1.

I do not think teachers and the students need to "have the same rules". We are not children but adults. It is different to be a professional employee in a school than to be a student at the school.

Of course, yes yes, in various emergency situations as described in this thread (myself included) cell-phone use isn't wrong and is humanely allowed by the school.

But in your case, you always try to keep it on vibrate - you might hear it but it's not disruptive. Some of the high-school teachers in Hollywoodhaha's example are texting during class . I don't know why, but as an adult who has worked with children, that shocks me. You, as a professional, know that appearances matter and that the teacher texting and/or chatting during class-time could easily give the appearance of being disinterested in that class.

As for different rules for adults...you're right, you probably have a more-stringent dress-code that the students do.

OP - I'm with krcit, if you feel you must, approach the teacher directly before involving others. BUT if everything else with the class is going well?... I might not say anything at all (wouldn't stop me from having an opinion though )

agnes!

 

[MiniGirl]

I sent a quick email to the principal, who also happens to be the superintendent ( small school system ) asking what the school's policy is on teacher phone use. I didn't throw my son's teacher under the bus but I'm guessing he'll figure out she's using it based on the email I sent

I'm sorry, but this is a big pet peeve of mine. If you have a problem with someone, you go to that person to resolve it. After that if you are not satisfied, you bring it up the ladder. You would you go to the principal before simply asking the teacher about it. You could've said, "Johnny told me he liked your ring tone. It is one of his favorite Christmas songs. I'm curious though, do you get a lot of phone calls during school hours? I would think that would be a bit disruptive for you and the kids."

 

[happygirl]

I do agree emergencies are acceptable usage of a cell phone.

From what I am being told ( and I have another parent telling me her son is telling her the same as I ) it is happening almost daily. Yesterday it did not ring, but on Friday my son said 3 times she left instruction to answer it. I do believe him. He tells me that some kids get up and dance when it happens and they get in trouble for it! I say well this would not have happened if the phone was on silent

It is sad to me b/c we're trying to teach him manners at home and the cell phone with usage is one of them. He is at an age where it is hard for him to understand why some people get to do it in situations where we have told him it is a no-no.

I sent a quick email to the principal, who also happens to be the superintendent ( small school system ) asking what the school's policy is on teacher phone use. I didn't throw my son's teacher under the bus but I'm guessing he'll figure out she's using it based on the email I sent

Why didn;t you talk to the teacher first. If you didn't like her response then go to the princpal. Going above your teacher head was wrong.

 

[happygirl]

I'm sorry, but this is a big pet peeve of mine. If you have a problem with someone, you go to that person to resolve it. After that if you are not satisfied, you bring it up the ladder. You would you go to the principal before simply asking the teacher about it. You could've said, "Johnny told me he liked your ring tone. It is one of his favorite Christmas songs. I'm curious though, do you get a lot of phone calls during school hours? I would think that would be a bit disruptive for you and the kids."

I agree!!! Well said

 

[KAMLEM]

I am in high school and my teachers talk on their phone occasionally and I know their ringtone too!
Some of them even text message. It annoys me that us students can't use our phones at all yet teachers can sit there and talk all day on them? It's a double standard to me.

If they are on their phone occasionally as you say in your first sentence, I wouldn't have a problem with that. If it's an all day thing that's a problem. As far as the double standard comment, teachers and students do not have to follow the same rules.

 

[Lisa_M]

Wow, so you didn't bother talking to the teacher about it, just went straight to the principal who is also the superintendant. Way to make a mountain out of a molehill. Is this how you would prefer a problem is handled with you at your workplace?

 

[MELSMICE]

If the teacher has a emgerency then I'm fine with that.

Before you get upset, I think I would invesgiate before taking the word of 7 year old

I agree.

I own a dance studio. I always have my cell phone out while I'm teaching or working the desk. Not because I'm using it, but because I may get a text or call from an assistant saying that can not come in. Or I may get an emergency call from one of my children at home. I don't not get personal calls while teaching. If one comes in - I ignore it & it goes to voice mail.

Get all the details first.

 

[DisneyMim]

My husband and daughter are both teachers and they do NOT keep their phones on during the day. The only time in the past year they did was when my father was dying. And yes I did make one phone call to each of them during class. Teachers are like anyone else, most people are respectful and will not leave on their phones, but others do. It's like the people in movies, Disney, etc. I would talk to the teacher. It should not be on.

 

[DisneyKT]

I will slightly disagree here, while I believe that teachers should not text nor call during classes, I think there are some exceptions, such as the teacher needs to be in touch with a sick relative or the hospital, or something to that effect.

P.S. I may not be a fancy third grade teacher, but isn't one of the principles of being a teacher is to know your principal , I would nip in the bud right now.

Thank you.

 

[Briarmom]

DD's first grade teacher has a young child who is battling cancer. I hope she's able to keep her cell phone on her in case of emergencies with him.

I can't believe you didn't even SPEAK to the teacher about this.

 

[krcit]

My husband and daughter are both teachers and they do NOT keep their phones on during the day. The only time in the past year they did was when my father was dying. And yes I did make one phone call to each of them during class. Teachers are like anyone else, most people are respectful and will not leave on their phones, but others do. It's like the people in movies, Disney, etc. I would talk to the teacher. It should not be on.

I think that's what a lot of us are saying. We don't know why she is getting phone calls-she could have a sick or dying relative or be getting calls from her own Doctors. She could also just be setting up a girls night out with her friends So, I agree that she should talk to the teacher but it's too late she already went over the teacher's head to the principal.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I think you should have gotten all the facts first, before contacting the principal. I work in a school & the only time I have my cell phone on, is if my oldest DS (high school student) is at home sick. I will let him stay home alone if he isn't feeling well with something that doesn't require me to be there (like a bad cough). I will tell him to call me if anything changes. I always tell the school secretary that my son isn't feeling well & that I will have cell phone on. It is ok to have our phones on for things like this. However, chit chatting isn't allowed. I think you should have done as another poster mentioned & told the teacher your son likes her ringtone....and then see how the conversation went.