| “When you’re working in a school,” | | | | join in on the gossip sessions, but just remember |
| she said, “stay away from the teachers’ | | | | that the rumor mill is not only unreliable, it’s |
| lounge.” | | | | fickle. Anyone who will share gossip with you will |
| Despite having nothing to do with teaching | | | | spread gossip about you. Gossiping leads to |
| language arts, this is the best advice I ever | | | | misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and awkward |
| received. | | | | situations at work. |
| Though the statement seemed like an odd | | | | Steer clear of teacher groups who are eager to |
| warning when Dr. Russell, one of my education | | | | delve into everyone else’s personal lives. |
| professors, told my class, it stuck with me. For | | | | Sticks and Stones |
| one thing, I didn’t know of many teachers | | | | Once the complaining snowballs and the rumors |
| who actually had time to visit the teachers’ | | | | are out on the table, the conversations tend to |
| lounge. And what dangers could lurk in one of | | | | become vindictive. If you find yourself listening to |
| these dingy, little rooms…besides empty calories | | | | someone rip a fellow teacher to shreds behind her |
| and fat grams in the vending machines? | | | | back, you’ve officially fallen into the |
| The wisdom behind Dr. Russell’s words | | | | teachers’ lounge trap. The only way out is to |
| didn’t really click until after I had been | | | | politely excuse yourself and suddenly become |
| teaching for a few years. I realized that the | | | | very busy with planning lessons or grading papers. |
| teachers’ lounge isn’t a room. It’s | | | | Keep away from grown-up bullies who tear |
| anyplace where teachers gather to | | | | others down to build themselves up. |
| “vent.” And the dangers are many. | | | | All in Good Fun |
| Gripes and Grumbles | | | | Card-carrying members of the teachers’ |
| Let’s face it, complaining is an easy habit to | | | | lounge usually get their laughs at someone |
| fall into. When coworkers get together to chat, | | | | else’s expense. Making fun of students, |
| it’s usually not long before the talk turns | | | | parents, administrators, and coworkers is their |
| ugly. The kids are hopeless. The parents should | | | | favorite pastime. If you decide to join the party |
| have never been allowed to have kids. Education | | | | and get a few laughs yourself, you’ll step on |
| is going you-know-where in a handbasket | | | | a few toes along the way and possibly even |
| (whatever that is). It’s all doom and gloom | | | | make a few enemies. You could also get caught |
| once the ball gets rolling. | | | | up in a more serious situation if the fun gets out |
| Avoid the gripe sessions, and your day suddenly | | | | of hand and someone complains to the powers |
| looks much sunnier. | | | | that be. |
| The Rumor Mill | | | | Stick to the golden rule. You can’t go wrong |
| Another teachers’ lounge trap is the | | | | if you treat others as you would want to be |
| ever-present grapevine. It might be tempting to | | | | treated. |