Dear We Are Teachers,
My principal called this morning and said that a “community member” sent her a picture of me that a local news organization published. In the photo, I’m carrying a sign that says “Protect our democracy.” My principal said this violates our district’s code of conduct, which prohibits “speech that is disruptive, unprofessional, or inconsistent with their educational mission.” She said I’m promoting a “partisan message” that would offend students and families I work with, and that I should have known my attendance would send a negative message to our school community. She asked me to write a statement of apology to the parent, and when I asked what would happen if I didn’t, she said it would result in a “formal reprimand.” I haven’t had so much as a slap on the wrist in the 23 years I’ve been teaching! What would you do?
—Caught With a Cause
Dear C.W.A.C.,
This is the part where I remind everyone that public school teachers are citizens too. And humans. And people protected by the First Amendment. (Honestly, sometimes I think if I asked politicians and legislators, “Do you think teachers are humans or servant robots?”, they would have to think really hard before answering.)
That said, it gets complicated when your job is one where people seem to think “neutrality” means never expressing any values at all.
Holding a sign that says “Protect our democracy” is hardly an inciting statement. My guess is that the partisan “message” is actually that you attended a protest at all. For the record, I’d give the following advice to anyone protesting or marching outside of work hours, which is well within your rights. Unfortunately, school districts often rely on vague language in their code of conduct to push back on anything they think might bring controversy. Here’s what I would do:
- Politely decline to write the apology. Something neutral like, “Oh, thank you, but hell no.” Hahaha. Just kidding.
- Ask to meet with your principal, ideally with a union rep present. In the meeting, ask specifically: What part of the sign is partisan? What policy did I violate? Is it the sign or my presence at the event that violates the code of conduct? Can you point to a precedent for a formal reprimand in this situation?
- Request that any action they take be put in writing. This tends to slow things down and forces admin to think carefully about whether they want to escalate.
This goes without saying, but if you’re in a union, contact your rep ASAP. If you’re not in a union, this is your sign (pun intended).
You’re not alone. There’s a whole community of educators trying to figure out how to balance professional life with public responsibility. And no, you shouldn’t be punished for demonstrating peacefully or holding a completely reasonable opinion outside of your classroom walls.
Dear We Are Teachers,
After 20 years at a school 40 minutes away, I decided to leave and work at a district closer to home. The problem is I can’t get hired! I have stellar references, a clean record, and all my interviews seem to go really well … only to be told they went with another candidate. What is the deal here?
—Stranded With Skills
Dear S.W.S.,
Oof. I know this one hurts. Especially when your experience and reputation are solid, and the only thing you’re doing “wrong” is wanting a shorter commute and a bit more balance.
My guess is one of two situations:
- Your years of experience make hiring you expensive. Some districts quietly favor cheaper new hires over seasoned veterans, especially if budgets are tight.
- They went with an internal candidate they already had in mind. Many jobs are already earmarked for long-term subs, student teachers, or staff kids who just got certified. In these cases, the interview is often a formality.
Now, for the proactive part the next time you’re up for a position:
- In interviews, preempt salary bias by saying something like, “I know my experience puts me at the top of the scale, but I’m here because I believe I’m worth the investment—and I know I’ll hit the ground running.”
- Have a trusted admin or colleague look over your resume and mock-interview you. There may be small tweaks that make a big difference.
- Cast a slightly wider net—maybe not 40 minutes wide, but consider neighboring districts or charters where your experience might be seen as an asset instead of a cost.
You’re doing the right thing by sticking to your values and looking for work that fits your life. Don’t give up yet.
Dear We Are Teachers,
I’m in my third year of teaching and just got hired for a middle school science position at a new campus. My team is amazing, but there’s one catch: They meet weekly over the summer to plan lessons, update curriculum, and prep for the next school year. I’m firmly in the camp that summer should be about disconnecting from work! Should I suck it up since I’m a newbie, or set a boundary now that I won’t be doing free labor outside of my contract hours?
—Summer Means Summer
Dear S.M.S.,
The fact that you’re even asking this tells me you’re a thoughtful teammate—which is a better predictor of long-term success than whether or not you attend summer meetings. The end.
Just kidding. I have more.
Some schools and teams do meet over summer—but it should always be optional and unpressured. The moment “optional” starts feeling like “well, you don’t have to but it would look really bad if you didn’t,” that’s a red flag.
Here’s your middle path:
- Reach out to the team lead and say, “I’m excited to work with you all! I want to be up-front that I use summer to fully rest and recharge so I can be my best during the year. I won’t be able to attend regular summer meetings, but I’d love to help where I can—maybe I could review curriculum updates or prep a lesson here and there?”
- Offer to contribute in small, specific, asynchronous ways. That way, you’re showing initiative without setting a precedent that you’ll work unpaid hours.
And just a reminder: Boundaries aren’t anti-team. They’re pro-sustainability. You’re planning to stay in this career, and that means protecting your energy early on. That’s something your team (and your future self) will thank you for.
Do you have a burning question? Email us at askweareteachers@weareteachers.com.
Dear We Are Teachers,
I just finished my first year of teaching and am so ready for summer. At least I thought I was. I feel like I’m still so wound up from the stress of this year that I can’t relax! What are some things I can do to help me unwind and/or recharge?
—Seeking Summer Peace