Dear We Are Teachers,
I fully support our gifted and talented students, but I’m noticing a huge imbalance at my school. The G/T kids get smaller class sizes, special field trips, enrichment projects, experienced teachers, and even better access to technology. Meanwhile, my general ed students—many of whom are just as curious and capable—get the bare minimum. I’ve seen students who weren’t labeled G/T start to believe they’re “less than,” and it breaks my heart. I don’t want to resent my colleagues in the G/T program, but the inequity is glaring. How do I advocate for my students without sounding bitter or dismissive of G/T kids?
—Left Out of the Talent Show
Dear L.O.O.T.T.S.,
Your frustration is totally valid, and the inequity is real. (Personally, I think we are long overdue for a better term than “gifted and talented” to label students with high IQs.) It hurts to watch your students go without while their peers across the hall seem to get every shiny thing, and it is unfair.
That said, do keep in mind that, depending where you live, it may be a state or local mandate for G/T students to receive specialized education services. I’m not saying that G/T students deserve better, but meeting their needs is not necessarily a matter of just giving them more work or harder work.
Here are some things to keep in mind with your advocacy:
- Frame it as an access issue. Instead of “Why do they get everything?” go with “How can we offer enrichment to all students who show curiosity or advanced skills?” This shifts the conversation from competition to opportunity.
- Bring receipts. Got data or stories about students craving more challenge? Share them. Give your administrators a chance to respond to real kids’ needs more than abstract complaints.
- Pitch scalable solutions. Things like rotating enrichment blocks, a shared resource library for projects, or a school-wide enrichment opportunity are options.
Remember: Your worth as a teacher—and your students’ worth as learners—isn’t tied to a label. You’re building curiosity and brilliance every day, with or without a painfully outdated acronym.
Dear We Are Teachers,
I’m in my 15th year teaching 3rd grade. Earlier this week, a student noticed that I don’t say the Pledge of Allegiance and asked why. All I said was it’s a personal choice, but that everyone can make the choice that’s best for them. The next day, the principal called me in to say some parents were concerned about my “unpatriotic” behavior in class and that he would appreciate me not turning my classroom into a political soapbox. I was appalled. I’ve been teaching for 15 years and have never once said the pledge. They can’t fire me for this, can they?
—Silent but Standing
Dear S.B.S.,
Short answer: No. Your principal can’t legally require you to say the Pledge of Allegiance. As of today, anyway.
The Supreme Court decided that way back in 1943 (West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette), and last I checked, that still stands. You’re allowed to abstain, period.
Here’s how to handle it:
- Check in with your campus’ union rep. No reason—just because!
- Stay calm and stay boring. “I choose not to recite the pledge, but I remain respectful.” Done. Don’t give them what they want: an emotionally charged, political reaction that they can hold against you.
- Don’t say anything to kids about it. Your “everyone makes the choice that’s right for them” line was chef’s kiss. Stick with that.
- Keep a paper trail. Jot down notes from your convo with the principal. Probably nothing will happen, but CYA is the teacher way.
If you do get fired, keep us posted. I’ll be interested to watch the Supreme Court try to support that one.
Dear We Are Teachers,
I just started teaching 2nd grade this year and have been sick on and off since school started. So far I’ve had COVID, the flu, and strep, all back-to-back! I still have a hacking cough, which I know my coworkers and students must think is so gross. Plus, I feel like my admin and families must be irritated that I’ve been out so much so early in the school year. Any secret teacher hacks to boost my immune system?
—Perma-Cough
Dear P.C.,
Welcome to teaching, aka Survivor: Bacteria Island. The first year is basically your immune system collecting the starter pack.
The best person to talk with about your immune system is your doctor. But here are some tips from real teachers to keep the germs at bay:
- Sleep. “When I’m not prioritizing sleep, it’s only a matter of time before I feel that tickle in my throat.” —Catherine P., 1st grade teacher
- Stay hydrated. “Water, electrolytes, tea with honey—down as much as you can. But Diet Coke doesn’t count. I checked.” —Emily H., 5th grade teacher
- Consider an air purifier. “Turns out the mold in our building wasn’t helping my upper respiratory system! Wild, huh?” —Ashton F., high school teacher
- Adjust some of your habits. “Don’t touch your face. Change out of your school clothes when you get home and leave your shoes by the door. Wash your hands and wipe down your desk, phone, etc., with antibacterial wipes once a day.” —Maria A., 5th grade teacher
Finally, don’t apologize for being human. If your admin or students’ parents are mad that you’re out when you’re sick, let them be mad. Something tells me they wouldn’t be thrilled about you being responsible for taking out their family for a whole weekend when you’re norovirus Patient Zero at your campus.
The good news? Every sniffle now is like downloading an immune system update. By year two, you’ll be practically invincible. (Almost.)
Do you have a burning question? Email us at askweareteachers@weareteachers.com.
Dear We Are Teachers,
When I accepted my current teaching position, I was promised regular classroom support—an aide to help with behavior, interventionists for struggling students, and a mentor teacher for guidance. Months into the school year, none of that has materialized. Instead, I’m drowning in paperwork, managing behavior issues solo, and scrambling to meet impossible demands with zero backup. Every time I ask about the promised support, I get vague excuses about “staffing shortages” or “budget cuts.” I’m exhausted and feeling duped. How do I advocate for myself without putting a target on my back?
—Supportless and Stressed