Would This Bother You?

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Would it bother you if you walked into yoru child's classroom and found the para texting?

 

[luvsJack]

Yes, very much so.

 

[Stacerita]

Depends on what my child was doing at that time.

 

[Rora]

Yes. As a teacher I would never text in class.

 

[andymattmom]

I guess you would have to know who she was texting and why. What if it were her sick child at home, someone had surgery and needed to know how they were, etc? Now if it is texting a friend to chat I would be furious. I would ask the principal about when teachers/staff can use phones. I sub and NEVER have my phone out or on when kids are in room...if it is lunch or kids are at special classes and not in room I might for a minute but never when students are in class.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

Without knowing the situation, yes, it would bother me.

 

[3boymthr]

Without knowing the situation, yes, it would bother me.

Ditto

 

[shellybaxter]

I wouldn't bother me in the least - unless the children were going wild and the para was obviously needed at that moment

 

[stacopp]

Yes it would bother me

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

For sure. To be honest, if you are supervising children (and getting PAID for it!) there is no reason to be on a phone, talking or texting or whatever. If there is actually a big reason that you need to be on a phone (family emergency or whatever), then you should talk to the principal and have someone come supervise the students temporarily so you can sort out the situation.

I am a teacher, and my phone is on silent or off in my office, far away from where I am. If there is an emergency, I will get a call through the school, and they will send someone to cover my class. I've seen teachers (and paras) who seem to think that EVERY little thing is an emergency, and they miss so much of what is going on with the kids because of it.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I'd initially be taken aback, but if it were explained (sick child, para is on break, setting alarm to get a child's meds, etc) I'd think nothing of it. And, unless this para showed other signs of unprofessionalism, I'd probably not think twice about it.

I'm a para and the only time I can think of that I ever texted (or looked like I was) in class was when I was setting an alarm for classroom purposes.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

im a teacher and the only time my phone is out is when the kids are out at lunch or a special so during my prep times...if there is an emergency, I will get a phone call to the office

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

For those who said it depends: If this were an all day/every day thing and occurred when the para is to be working with students and there is no emergency?

 

[HelenePA]

Nahhhh I wouldn't care. I'm very laid back about stuff like that.. no point of getting my panties in a bunch over something small.. I like to pick and choose my battles

 

[Liberty Belle]

For those who said it depends: If this were an all day/every day thing and occurred when the para is to be working with students and there is no emergency?

I'd be very bothered.

We have had a couple of paras who were on their phone off and on during the day and it's really annoying to those of us who take our jobs seriously and do them well. Those paras did not last longer than the year.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Here's why I'm asking: my para does this. Instead of doing what I ask of the kids, he sits there and texts. The problem is he was in this room last year, I was not. He does care about the kids and does work hard, but this bothers me, and being a new teacher I wasn't sure if I was overreacting or how to address it. I've never had a para before (they were always handled by my mentor teacher.)

 

[HelenePA]

Here's why I'm asking: my para does this. Instead of doing what I ask of the kids, he sits there and texts. The problem is he was in this room last year, I was not. He does care about the kids and does work hard, but this bothers me, and being a new teacher I wasn't sure if I was overreacting or how to address it. I've never had a para before (they were always handled by my mentor teacher.)

I would like to change my answer.. I was thinking it was a once and awhile thing but if he's doing it all day then I'd be pretty pissed.

 

[EMom]

As a teacher, it would chap my hide and I'd want to say, "Snap out of it and pay attention to your job. Put that thing away, Thumb Boy." But as a parent, I'd be even more upset. If I ever walked by and got a look in that class and saw Tommy Texter absorbed in his non-educational activities, I'd want an explanation as to WHAT was more important than giving his full attention to his job. He may be one peek in the classroom away from an official reprimand, at a minimum.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Here's why I'm asking: my para does this. Instead of doing what I ask of the kids, he sits there and texts. The problem is he was in this room last year, I was not. He does care about the kids and does work hard, but this bothers me, and being a new teacher I wasn't sure if I was overreacting or how to address it. I've never had a para before (they were always handled by my mentor teacher.)

He may care about the kids, but if he is texting instead of doing what you ask of him, he is not working hard.

I'm a para in a TLC. I lead small groups in reading, math, and science. When we're doing whole group, I monitor the kids, fill in for the teacher if she needs to do something, grade papers, etc. There is absolutely no time for me to be on my phone. Most days I can't even go to the bathroom unless it's during my 30 minute lunch.

I would absolutely say something to him. Children could be learning while he's blowing off his work.

Incidentally, all paras we've had who had problems with using the phones too much were males.

 

[Kae]

Yes. There is no resaon for Students, Teacher or employees of the school to be on a cell while working. On their own break then is ok. But away from the classroom.

Kae