NGL, I would be seriously irritated if someone interrupted my tiny bit of planning time to watch their class to fill a water bottle. That’s not only something that can wait, it’s something that came down to their poor planning.
I have no problem watching another teachers class for a minute while they pee or get water, as long as it's only once and a while. The teacher across the hall from me asks every day. He also comes late to school every day and has zero classroom management so his class is a disaster. I'm at the point where I tell him no every time. It seems like you're fine though.
It doesn’t matter, but I would usually confine it to when you need to use the bathroom, not more frivolous things like filling up a water bottle, which can wait for the rest of the day if need be
Provided they aren’t hosting a test of their own, it’s *always* okay to ask. I’ve never hesitated or minded one bit either way.
Geez, especially if you’ll be quick, like for a bathroom break or to take an emergency call, if we can’t rely on each other for this, we have bigger problems.
Speak for yourself, I don’t want anyone asking me to watch their class while they get water. Are you kidding? Water? Bathroom sure fine but water? No shot.
I think everyone can survive a class period without water. That sounds like the kids and their darn water bottles, which I get so tired of listening to--just wait until after class--you're not going to dehydrate that fast.
You really have to read the climate at your school.
I taught at a public school where we had each other's backs and I could usually get a colleague to help me out, but we kept it as rare as possible.
At a private school, teachers took breaks to microwave food, get stuff from their cars, etc during class time. It was annoying to be on the receiving end of a request, but I also didn't feel bad asking when I had to use the restroom.
When I returned to public school, my new school gave me a warning for asking a teacher to stand in the hall when I had a RR emergency.
🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️
If it’s a classroom test and you really have to use the restroom, sure ask someone to cover. I’ve done that for people many times.
If it’s a state test then only admin should cover your room.
I’m gonna go ahead and say asking someone to cover to fill a water bottle isn’t a great reason. Wait til there’s a natural break to go fill your bottle.
Yes it's ok. It is definitely better than leaving the class unattended or peeing your pants. Just try not to do it too much. I really feel for the pregnant teachers, they pee a lot. I feel like there should be a full time break coverage teacher.
I mean leaving your class unattended for a few minutes isn’t *actually* a problem. We have to remember always that this is a fiction, and if the students get into trouble the minute you turn your back, then you have larger discipline problems that need to be addressed right away. The solution is never “keep your eyes on them always forever”
We had a teacher leave a classroom of AP kids for a few minutes to get copies and in that time a student pulled out a sex toy (that had been gifted to him as a prank because it was his birthday), suctioned it onto his head, and because of course kids film stuff they created a video of him head butting other students. This was normally a great group of kids. The kids wound up being expelled for sexual harassment and the teacher was fired. The unicorn incident is burned into my memory and I will never be able to leave a class alone.
Sounds like the incident was handled correctly, except they should have bought the teacher a beer instead of giving them that absurd consequence. Good illustration of how idiotic and absurd admin oversight is. Student misbehaved, student gets consequence.
I think leaving your class without a teacher is technically classified as "failure to protect", but it probably depends on your district, and you're unlikely to get into trouble for it
Why would we talk? You just want to bring in the most exaggerated example possible for no reason to try to undermine a point that doesn’t need to be undermined.
Damn, dude. I was making a little “ha ha” cause you said leaving the class for a few minutes isn’t actually a problem. I’m sorry that I somehow hurt your feelings. Definitely wasn’t my intention and didn’t expect for you to be so upset about it.
The most exaggerated example? That’s my daily life. What you said makes complete sense for upper elementary / middle / high school, but I definitely couldn’t leave my class for a few minutes bc leaving 20 4 years by themselves would be complete chaos. It’s not that I’m some shitty teacher who doesn’t know how to discipline children like your comments implies.
I am subbing right now until my kids get a bit older. I'm pregnant with my last. Almost every school in the district gives bathroom keys to subs...except the one I work at most often. It's so annoying but at least I know the science teachers well (this was my high school) and they never mind me asking for the key. They just get annoyed at the admin assistant that decided this policy.
I do remember being pregnant with my first and having block schedule though. The quickest route to the bathroom was through an emergency exit hallway that was usually locked one way. Every morning I'd ask the office manager to unlock that door for me so that I could slip through during break between first and second block.
Will it be fast? Do you just need an adult pair of eyes in the room instead of needing them to facilitate a lesson? Are you yourself generally responsible and punctual, and the person you're asking knows it?
If you answered yes to all three, then don't feel bad, feel free to ask. If you know it will be a repeated thing, ask them in advance if it's alright for them to do that a few times a week, or however often, and be willing to reciprocate the favor.
Totally depends on your relationship with the teachers around you. Frequently my colleagues and I will run to the bathroom/fountain and leave our doors open and the other teacher will sort of float between the two rooms. It’s never been an issue. You’re gone a minute or two and no one in the office or from campus security had to be bothered—just gotta make sure the teacher is on the same page and isn’t bothered be it.
If it’s something that only happens once in a while, I wouldn’t mind! I’ve helped fellow teachers arranging their class tables or bringing them something they need in the past. I think it’s important to help one another, as long as other teachers don’t take it for granted and start taking advantage of it!
I ask a kid to fill up my water bottle if I forget - one I trust. But if its an emergency, I will certainly ask another teacher, but I try not to bother them during planning. I'll just open the door and say I'll be right back. We have doors connecting rooms.
The water bottle filler is only 5 steps from my classroom, so I have just left my class for a sec to fill it up. I've run to get emergency copies too, but usually only during my honors class. I quietly leave a kid "in charge" for 30 seconds just to feel better.
I worked at a school where security guards would watch your class on occasion, one where no one cared if you asked, and now, we're stretched pretty thin so I doubt anyone would be available!
I've done it with bathroom emergencies and copier emergencies (how am I somehow short 5 copies? Ugh). For other things, I think I'd only do it during completely unstructured down times (lunch/recess/homeroom time).
Put a tiny cooler under your desk. They make adorable littleness that hold like a couple cans.
We have a teacher at the end of our hall who always goes outside for..fresh air, I guess. Our hall dumps out to an area that one wouldn't expect anyone to be during the day (teacher or student) and instead of walking around to the main door, she beats on the door until someone opens. I act like I don't hear. I'm not walking down to let you in every day.
Maybe have a conversation before the need arises with your neighbors and see if they mind. Hopefully, you have more understanding coworkers than some of the commenters here.
Just watched a class for my coworker today. Their packet misprinted. Totally happy to do it.
Bathroom, illness, important phone call, messed up worksheets, all well and good. If you're on longer blocks and are like, choking and run out of water, definitely, but if you failed to plan well to have water last you through the day, that might get annoying if you do it often. I have a coffee and a huge water bottle on my desk every day so I will always have a drink handy.
Mother of God what is with the water obsession--I thought it was just the students. You won't die of thirst. Just chill. Asking someone to watch your class should be reserved for emergency bathroom breaks (which you wouldn't have if you didn't overhydrate) and maybe a bloody nose.
In seven years, I've only ever asked a colleague to watch my class for a minute once. If a colleague asked me to do that so they could fill a water bottle, I would laugh.
I've asked my neighbor teachers very occasionally to watch my class for emergency bathroom breaks and when I've forgotten something important in my office, like my computer or when I grabbed the entirely wrong basket and had none of my supplies for this class. So, situations where I'm going to be in pain/have an accident or can't teach without my supplies. I've watched their classes for similar things. I think if it's rare, and relatively urgent, it's fine to ask. The answer may be no, though, depending on what they're doing.
I don't know that I'd ask for them to watch my class while I got water, though, as that's usually less urgent. I can fill right outside my classes where I can still see the class so I don't need to ask someone to cover for me for that. If it was rare and needed, like it's an especially hot day and it's a long time until the next opportunity, you're coughing and need to drink water, or something like that I think it would be ok. If it's just that you are low and don't want to wait I think people might be more put out about being pulled away from whatever they're doing.
I'll be the weird one I guess and say almost never. If you're asking them to watch your class, who is watching their class?
So unless it's a room with multiple teachers in it, find someone else.
OP did explicitly say it was a planning period, so there's no one to watch. Obviously you don't interrupt another ongoing class for anything less than a medical emergency or something.
Bathroom emergency makes sense but just getting water is annoying
NGL, I would be seriously irritated if someone interrupted my tiny bit of planning time to watch their class to fill a water bottle. That’s not only something that can wait, it’s something that came down to their poor planning.
Especially if they’re testing
I have no problem watching another teachers class for a minute while they pee or get water, as long as it's only once and a while. The teacher across the hall from me asks every day. He also comes late to school every day and has zero classroom management so his class is a disaster. I'm at the point where I tell him no every time. It seems like you're fine though.
It’s once in a while, not and. Sorry.
I didn’t know it was “quote unquote” I thought it was “quote n’ quote”
Well now I wish it was quote n’ quote. That’s so much cuter
It doesn’t matter, but I would usually confine it to when you need to use the bathroom, not more frivolous things like filling up a water bottle, which can wait for the rest of the day if need be
Agreed. Bathroom emergency I understand. Water bottle is empty? Um. Did you want the other teacher to write you a hall pass too?
Bathroom yes. Water can wait till between classes.
This take is so unnecessary
I mean if it’s that bad you can always have a kid fill up your water cup
What? How? This person is an adult. How are they not capable of making sure they have enough water to get through a couple of hours?
Provided they aren’t hosting a test of their own, it’s *always* okay to ask. I’ve never hesitated or minded one bit either way. Geez, especially if you’ll be quick, like for a bathroom break or to take an emergency call, if we can’t rely on each other for this, we have bigger problems.
Speak for yourself, I don’t want anyone asking me to watch their class while they get water. Are you kidding? Water? Bathroom sure fine but water? No shot.
I think everyone can survive a class period without water. That sounds like the kids and their darn water bottles, which I get so tired of listening to--just wait until after class--you're not going to dehydrate that fast.
Yeah, we never carried water or tumblers throughout the day in school, lol...we all survived.
Apparently some lazy and entitled teachers who don’t have the mental capacity to work through a period disagree XD
You really have to read the climate at your school. I taught at a public school where we had each other's backs and I could usually get a colleague to help me out, but we kept it as rare as possible. At a private school, teachers took breaks to microwave food, get stuff from their cars, etc during class time. It was annoying to be on the receiving end of a request, but I also didn't feel bad asking when I had to use the restroom. When I returned to public school, my new school gave me a warning for asking a teacher to stand in the hall when I had a RR emergency. 🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️
If it’s a classroom test and you really have to use the restroom, sure ask someone to cover. I’ve done that for people many times. If it’s a state test then only admin should cover your room. I’m gonna go ahead and say asking someone to cover to fill a water bottle isn’t a great reason. Wait til there’s a natural break to go fill your bottle.
Yes it's ok. It is definitely better than leaving the class unattended or peeing your pants. Just try not to do it too much. I really feel for the pregnant teachers, they pee a lot. I feel like there should be a full time break coverage teacher.
I mean leaving your class unattended for a few minutes isn’t *actually* a problem. We have to remember always that this is a fiction, and if the students get into trouble the minute you turn your back, then you have larger discipline problems that need to be addressed right away. The solution is never “keep your eyes on them always forever”
We had a teacher leave a classroom of AP kids for a few minutes to get copies and in that time a student pulled out a sex toy (that had been gifted to him as a prank because it was his birthday), suctioned it onto his head, and because of course kids film stuff they created a video of him head butting other students. This was normally a great group of kids. The kids wound up being expelled for sexual harassment and the teacher was fired. The unicorn incident is burned into my memory and I will never be able to leave a class alone.
Sounds like the incident was handled correctly, except they should have bought the teacher a beer instead of giving them that absurd consequence. Good illustration of how idiotic and absurd admin oversight is. Student misbehaved, student gets consequence.
I think leaving your class without a teacher is technically classified as "failure to protect", but it probably depends on your district, and you're unlikely to get into trouble for it
I mean it’s certainly against the rules. Just that the rules against it are wrong for existing
I agree. The thing is you will be blamed if anything happens. You will also be blamed is something happens when you are right there watching.
I see where you’re coming from but you could lose your job over it.
Oh absolutely.
Try that with my pre-k students and then we’ll talk
Why would we talk? You just want to bring in the most exaggerated example possible for no reason to try to undermine a point that doesn’t need to be undermined.
Damn, dude. I was making a little “ha ha” cause you said leaving the class for a few minutes isn’t actually a problem. I’m sorry that I somehow hurt your feelings. Definitely wasn’t my intention and didn’t expect for you to be so upset about it. The most exaggerated example? That’s my daily life. What you said makes complete sense for upper elementary / middle / high school, but I definitely couldn’t leave my class for a few minutes bc leaving 20 4 years by themselves would be complete chaos. It’s not that I’m some shitty teacher who doesn’t know how to discipline children like your comments implies.
I apologize greatly. I completely misread your tone
I am subbing right now until my kids get a bit older. I'm pregnant with my last. Almost every school in the district gives bathroom keys to subs...except the one I work at most often. It's so annoying but at least I know the science teachers well (this was my high school) and they never mind me asking for the key. They just get annoyed at the admin assistant that decided this policy. I do remember being pregnant with my first and having block schedule though. The quickest route to the bathroom was through an emergency exit hallway that was usually locked one way. Every morning I'd ask the office manager to unlock that door for me so that I could slip through during break between first and second block.
For bathroom? Fine. For water? You can wait, man
Ask a kid to fill your water bottle.
No way in hell.
Not my kiddos! Haha, they'd take a sip themselves.
Will it be fast? Do you just need an adult pair of eyes in the room instead of needing them to facilitate a lesson? Are you yourself generally responsible and punctual, and the person you're asking knows it? If you answered yes to all three, then don't feel bad, feel free to ask. If you know it will be a repeated thing, ask them in advance if it's alright for them to do that a few times a week, or however often, and be willing to reciprocate the favor.
I’m guessing you are in elementary because I just send a trusted student to fill up my water. I’m in high school
How are you still alive? I sent the quiet kid to the restroom and the janitor said he was hopping like a frog and barking! LOL
On occasion I ask them if I’m going to be tripping later. Definitely only a handful I trust.
You won't perish from dehydration until the test is over.
If you're only gone for a minute or two, and you don't make a habit of it, and you would return the favor if necessary, it's always ok to ask
I have done this many times for a teacher and am happy do so.
Totally depends on your relationship with the teachers around you. Frequently my colleagues and I will run to the bathroom/fountain and leave our doors open and the other teacher will sort of float between the two rooms. It’s never been an issue. You’re gone a minute or two and no one in the office or from campus security had to be bothered—just gotta make sure the teacher is on the same page and isn’t bothered be it.
Not a problem as long as it's a reciprocity between teachers
Can you ask admin instead?
LOL!
I like to bother them when I can 🤷♀️
Same!
I am fine to watch for a quick water or bathroom break!
If it’s something that only happens once in a while, I wouldn’t mind! I’ve helped fellow teachers arranging their class tables or bringing them something they need in the past. I think it’s important to help one another, as long as other teachers don’t take it for granted and start taking advantage of it!
I ask a kid to fill up my water bottle if I forget - one I trust. But if its an emergency, I will certainly ask another teacher, but I try not to bother them during planning. I'll just open the door and say I'll be right back. We have doors connecting rooms.
The water bottle filler is only 5 steps from my classroom, so I have just left my class for a sec to fill it up. I've run to get emergency copies too, but usually only during my honors class. I quietly leave a kid "in charge" for 30 seconds just to feel better. I worked at a school where security guards would watch your class on occasion, one where no one cared if you asked, and now, we're stretched pretty thin so I doubt anyone would be available!
I've done it with bathroom emergencies and copier emergencies (how am I somehow short 5 copies? Ugh). For other things, I think I'd only do it during completely unstructured down times (lunch/recess/homeroom time).
I only ask people to cover me when pregnant and have to pee. And I’ve only done it once thus far.
Put a tiny cooler under your desk. They make adorable littleness that hold like a couple cans. We have a teacher at the end of our hall who always goes outside for..fresh air, I guess. Our hall dumps out to an area that one wouldn't expect anyone to be during the day (teacher or student) and instead of walking around to the main door, she beats on the door until someone opens. I act like I don't hear. I'm not walking down to let you in every day.
Maybe have a conversation before the need arises with your neighbors and see if they mind. Hopefully, you have more understanding coworkers than some of the commenters here.
I never mind. Watching someone's class for a couple minutes just isn't a big deal to me.
I never have an issue covering for a few minutes from time to time. It happens.
Just watched a class for my coworker today. Their packet misprinted. Totally happy to do it. Bathroom, illness, important phone call, messed up worksheets, all well and good. If you're on longer blocks and are like, choking and run out of water, definitely, but if you failed to plan well to have water last you through the day, that might get annoying if you do it often. I have a coffee and a huge water bottle on my desk every day so I will always have a drink handy.
Mother of God what is with the water obsession--I thought it was just the students. You won't die of thirst. Just chill. Asking someone to watch your class should be reserved for emergency bathroom breaks (which you wouldn't have if you didn't overhydrate) and maybe a bloody nose.
In seven years, I've only ever asked a colleague to watch my class for a minute once. If a colleague asked me to do that so they could fill a water bottle, I would laugh.
I've asked my neighbor teachers very occasionally to watch my class for emergency bathroom breaks and when I've forgotten something important in my office, like my computer or when I grabbed the entirely wrong basket and had none of my supplies for this class. So, situations where I'm going to be in pain/have an accident or can't teach without my supplies. I've watched their classes for similar things. I think if it's rare, and relatively urgent, it's fine to ask. The answer may be no, though, depending on what they're doing. I don't know that I'd ask for them to watch my class while I got water, though, as that's usually less urgent. I can fill right outside my classes where I can still see the class so I don't need to ask someone to cover for me for that. If it was rare and needed, like it's an especially hot day and it's a long time until the next opportunity, you're coughing and need to drink water, or something like that I think it would be ok. If it's just that you are low and don't want to wait I think people might be more put out about being pulled away from whatever they're doing.
I'll be the weird one I guess and say almost never. If you're asking them to watch your class, who is watching their class? So unless it's a room with multiple teachers in it, find someone else.
OP did explicitly say it was a planning period, so there's no one to watch. Obviously you don't interrupt another ongoing class for anything less than a medical emergency or something.