As teachers, we are asked to take on a lot of extra responsibilities.
Chaperoning dances, tutoring after school, coaching, lunch detentions, covering classes of absent teachers, working the ticket booth, the list goes on.
Though teachers may grumble a bit about doing these extras, the vast majority of teachers just do them. We love our students, our “kids”, and are willing to go that extra mile and stay that extra hour for them.
What I absolutely cannot stand is when teachers martyr themselves in the extras they do.
For example, today when discussing a student who may not graduate, a teacher said she “would be willing to give up [her] own time this summer to make sure she graduates.”
Was that specification necessary? We all know the summer is our own time. We would all be willing to do this for the student. Does it need to be broadcast in such a way?
I guess I am just more of the, hush-up-and-do-what-needs-doing kind of person. People who do things in search of the pat on the back just really get to me.
RQ: Do you have “martyrs” in your life?
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How true!! I don’t understand the need, of some people, for constant praise for doing “the right thing” or what they should be doing!!
Same!
Or the need for validation…it is very frustrating but people are people and some need to feel needed more than others. Not that it makes it easier to take. And really what do you say in situations like that “Oh no, you don’t have to do that.” or “way to go-you do that” (and look like a scruff) uff dah. Poor situations to be in.
True. People are people and everyone likes to be praised. It’s ok to search for it sometimes, but some of my coworkers do it in every situation. Frustrating.
I’m like you – I’m much more impressed by the person who just quietly sees a need and meets it than by the person who wants to make sure that everyone knows they went above and beyond!
Exactly. Just do what needs to be done and move on!
Yep. These people annoy me. The tone and attitude really affects how I approach these people. Some people just have that kind of attitude that irks me. I like how Kim describes the people who quietly meet a need more than asking for a pat on the back.
Agreed. I change the way I interact with them as well. I almost start to resent their need to be praised and try to avoid doing it. So terrible.
I know a few, and my friends can’t stand it when things like this become the topic. We all know what we would do, we don’t have to broadcast it.
I agree! Some people just feel differently about it I guess.
I’m with Amy… Tone and attitude go a long way!
They certainly do.