Teachers answering their cell phones during class

[HsvTeacher]

I'm a teacher, and I DO keep my cell phone on all day.

A few years ago, I didn't receive an "emergency" message from the office, and since that day, my cell phone is always on during the day. Everyone knows not to call me during the school day, unless it's an emergency. Occasionally, I will get a call from a survey company or someone who has dialed the wrong number. When that happens, I press the silent button as quickly as possible.

 

[justhat]

My SIL is a kindergarten teacher and always answers her phone during class. I know because I have called her several times, planning to leave a message, and she answers it. I initially assumed she had a break (I know her class goes to art and PE without her), but after 3 or 4 times of her saying, *after* having spoken to me a good 10-15 minutes, "Okay, let me go, the kids are finishing up their worksheets" or whatever it was, I realized they are actually in the classroom with her.

 

[luvmy3]

I think that emergencies are acceptable reasons where a teacher can answer his/her cell phone during class. I don't see the difference between that and the teacher answering the classroom phone if the office was relaying the message. I don't think that teacher has to give up everything once they step into the classroom, they still have personal lives outside of the school and sometimes they need to deal with personal issues during school hours.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

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.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I would follow up if I was concerned since it is a 6/7 yo making the observation.

However, I consider it rude and if it is happening on a regular basis, these aren't emergencies IMHO.

It wouldn't be tolerated in any other type of work when dealing with a "customer", i.e. checking out your groceries, making a retail sale, queing guests or whatever.

It is rude and unprofessional

I'm not certain if going straight to the principal was the right thing to do. But I don't think it is a big deal that you did it.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

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.

 

[xCourxCorex]

I have had occasions where the teacher says, I have a personal emergency/family thing and so-and-so might call, please excuse me if I need to take it.

Other than that, none of my teachers have been texting or chatting during class. I would be very annoyed if they were, since students are expected to have theirs off/not in use

 

[Becky2005]

I probably wouldn't have thought much of it. My son's 3rd grade teacher would take calls -- mostly she had a daughter who was in 1st year of college from my understanding. If the DD called and it wasn't important, the teacher would just tell her "I'm teaching right now" and hang up. However, I do know one time it was important enough for the teacher to leave for the day. I'm not 100% sure what happened but I think the DD had to be taken to the ER.

This is only based on what my son told me...I did think it odd but it didn't sound like she was sitting there holding major conversations either. I think it only happened at the beginning of the year because that was the only time my DS ever mentioned it. He only told me about those 2 times, I think once because we happened to be talking about cell phones & the other because obviously, the teacher had to leave unexpectedly.

Of course, our school has regular old classroom phones that can ring too right in the middle of the teacher's teaching and that's just as disruptive, so I really don't see difference -- other than you can't hit "silent" and force a call to go to voicemail on the regular phone like you can a cell phone.

 

[Julia M]

I have an issue with teachers keeping their cell phones on in clas and asnwering them. Yes, there are obviously exceptions-you're waiting for a call from the MD for test results, or whatever, but these are not usually daily, all the time, all the teachers kind of things. I supervise a special education program with 40+ staff. They are told to keep their phones on silent and make calls or text on their breaks.

I keep my cell phone on all day. But, I'm not a direct service provider (I'm supervising staff) and my work does not provide my with a cell phone, so my personal phone is used for work. I get 20-30 work calls a day. If I get a personal call, I only answer it if it's my kids school, or my MIL's care facility. (doesn't happen often) The rest go to VM and I check messages on my on time.

My daughter attends a private HS, and there are no phones ion the room and the teachers are expected to follow the same cell phone rules as the kids. (off during school hours, can be on before and after). If you don't want to follow their policy, you don't have to teach there.

Julia

 

[Freyja]

I am a teacher and I would NEVER take a call in the classroom. That being said, I once told my students I was expecting a very important call from a doctor, and that if he would call while we were still in class, I would step out for a minute. It never came tot hat though.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd probably try and investigate if the teacher had a personal issue (sick child, sick parent) that might require her to have it on.

That being said, it should only be an emergency call (ie- "we are taking Dad to the hospital" or "Junior's temperature is 104, what should I do?") and it should be very brief.

 

[MELSMICE]

I am a teacher and I would NEVER take a call in the classroom. That being said, I once told my students I was expecting a very important call from a doctor, and that if he would call while we were still in class, I would step out for a minute. It never came tot hat though.

I'm not attacking you - just quoting your post as an example.

Many posters have said they would NEVER take a phone call while at work, but then cite an exception as to why or when they WOULD take a phone call. In other words, yes, you would take a phone call if need be.

I think that's the point people are trying to make with the OP.............there could be a reason she's taking phone calls.

I wouldn't take a personal call & chit chat, but if it was an emergency call then, yes, I would take it. In a way it's no different than in the days when a teacher would get called out of a classroom to take an emergency call that came in to the office.

 

[tuckerkeys]

OP here

My email was short & sweet. Exactly word for word was " Good Morning. Can you tell me what the teacher policy is for cell phone use during school hours "

Thanks it. No Mrs. X is using the cell yadda yadda.... If I do not hear back then YES I'll ask Mrs. X if everything is OK...

 

[Carnie]

OP here

My email was short & sweet. Exactly word for word was " Good Morning. Can you tell me what the teacher policy is for cell phone use during school hours "

Thanks it. No Mrs. X is using the cell yadda yadda.... If I do not hear back then YES I'll ask Mrs. X if everything is OK...

Like the principal can't figure out who you mean.

I can't stand it when someone goes over someone else's head because they don't have the courage to deal with the issue with the person it involves. No better than being a tattletale IMHO.

 

[happygirl]

Like the principal can't figure out who you mean.

I can't stand it when someone goes over someone else's head because they don't have the courage to deal with the issue with the person it involves. No better than being a tattletale IMHO.

I agree, I think the principal would figure out really quick what you are talking about. Everything won't be fine if the teacher gets iin trouble

 

[HsvTeacher]

I have an issue with teachers keeping their cell phones on in clas and asnwering them. Yes, there are obviously exceptions-you're waiting for a call from the MD for test results, or whatever, but these are not usually daily, all the time, all the teachers kind of things. I supervise a special education program with 40+ staff. They are told to keep their phones on silent and make calls or text on their breaks.

I keep my cell phone on all day. But, I'm not a direct service provider (I'm supervising staff) and my work does not provide my with a cell phone, so my personal phone is used for work. I get 20-30 work calls a day. If I get a personal call, I only answer it if it's my kids school, or my MIL's care facility. (doesn't happen often) The rest go to VM and I check messages on my on time.

My daughter attends a private HS, and there are no phones ion the room and the teachers are expected to follow the same cell phone rules as the kids. (off during school hours, can be on before and after). If you don't want to follow their policy, you don't have to teach there.

Julia

Sorry, but I wouldn't work there. My family comes first, and I'm blessed to work for a principal who feels the same way.

 

[creativeamanda]

Three years ago, my daughter was extremely sick with 103 temperature at school. I did not have my personal cell phone on as per school rules. There were no phones in the classrooms at the time (there are now). The school called the main office. Left a message. Three hours later, dh shows up at my work. Daughter is in the car--he had to leave work even though it was my turn (we take turns when the kids are sick). Turns out my message was taped to my box in the office that my child was sick.

I went to the principal and told him that my cell phone would be on during class time on vibrate and I would let him know if I had to leave.

I, too, am now a district special education supervisor. I am not in charge of 40 people--more like 25. Our policy is cell phones may be on, on vibrate. Personal calls are not to be taken in front of students. With those tules, we have had little to no problems with phone usage. My biggest problem now is when vendors call during school hours trying to sell junk while a teacher is teaching.

 

[Liberty Belle]

If a student had a cell phone on during class it would be confiscated -at least that is how it is at DD's high school. I realize these are first graders who likely don't have cell phones of their own but she should be a leader in adult behavior and what behaviors are expected down the road. Therefore, in the interest of leading by example, the teacher should not have her cell phone on during class. Even if she has a special situation at home, she could return the calls during her break.

But there are all kinds of things teachers can do that students cannot. In my school the students have uniforms of sorts. We staff do not. That's just one example. I have my cell phone with me on vibrate in case my sons' schools call. I think I've talked on it during class time once this year and it was when the school nurse needed to talk to me.

 

[MerMom60_94]

But there are all kinds of things teachers can do that students cannot. In my school the students have uniforms of sorts. We staff do not. That's just one example. I have my cell phone with me on vibrate in case my sons' schools call. I think I've talked on it during class time once this year and it was when the school nurse needed to talk to me.

Actually, you are right so I will rephrase what I am thinking. The teacher certainly has the right to keep on her cell phone but I would think it is more appropriate / less disruptive to keep it on vibrate. Also, it makes sense that there may be an emergency / home situation but I would either finish the lesson and return the call or (in the case of a call that cannot be easily returned) tell the class ahead of time that you may have to take a call. When the call comes, step out into the hallway. I was under the impression from the OP that the teacher is taking more than one call and it is in class and it is disruptive to the classroom. Also, I do not agree non-emergency calls should be taken during class time. It is one thing to take a call from a doctor or your child's school, it is another to take a call from a friend for a casual conversation.

 

[hentob]

Sorry, but I wouldn't work there. My family comes first, and I'm blessed to work for a principal who feels the same way.

If it is a true emergency, they can call the office and they can come pull you

I feel it is VERY unprofessional to accept phone calls while teaching a class.