Today I was walking a group of kids when a (in her late 60s while I am in my mid-20s) came walking by. I had told the kids to please put a hand up and a finger over their mouth if they needed to remind themselves to stay quiet in the hallways. I was walking backwards then turned around to walk the other way. The lady said "You may want to turn around so if you can see if they are actually following your directions...otherwise you can't see what they are doing".

Instead of a mouthy comeback or something unprofessional, I just decided to stay silent and expressionless and kept walking with them. Did I mention none of them were talking?

I just don't understand why people feel the need to but in where they don't belong, especially because they think you don't know what you are doing. Hello, I have a credential. Two, in fact. It was none of your business in the first place. It peeved me to no end!

[bparsons]

Gosh... doesn't she know that teachers have eyes on the back of their head and special teacher "radar"?

She's not actually a teacher, so I guess she wouldn't know.

[Hasty]

Wouldn't you love to tell people to "Mind their own da-n business? Yesterday I had two assistants tell on me to the principal. They did not have all of their facts straight but that did not stop them. Since I am not on the favored list of this principal I was called in and reprimanded for what they told. Did not matter what had actually happened. GRRRR!!!

[Carolyn]

I probably would have given her a "teacher look." She has some nerve. I would definitely speak with her at some time. She evidently thinks she is better educated and knows more than you do.

[kahluablast]

How about "Thanks, when I want your opinion, I will ask for it."

I would be tempted...

[blueheron]

that you needed as to whether the children were following your directions. Right. It sounds like you handle yourself very well, and set a good example for your students. Still I wonder what possible difference did your ages make? Would she have been any less of a buttinsky in she were 27 and in possession of 4 credentials?

This strikes me funny b/c of what a teacher said to me once (I am a sub)....

She said - Do you know why I always hire you as my sub? I said why? She said b/c you walk at the front of the line and the kids follow you. You EXPECT them to be quiet. This shows in that you would turn your back on them. This shows how you run your classroom. Inexperienced teachers and those who have low expectations of the children walk in the back of the line.


SO perhaps this older woman for all her life experience has shown her low expectations. hehehehehehehe

[westwitch]

was this" paragon of disciplinary virtue and gift to all educators" supposed to be? Her job is to be with someone's class, not critiquing your management style!... While she was minding your business, she certainly wasn't minding her own! Don't take it to heart, if she has nothing better to do than instruct you, she's pretty insecure. Good for you for keeping your professional cool. Laugh it off if you can-she sounds pretty pathetic. If you do happen to get a chance to mention her comment to the teacher to whom she's assigned (maybe on a day when you feel calmer about things and don't feel so upset), go ahead. Bet there will be some eye-rolling!