Unannounced Visitors

[YoungTeacherGuy]

Early this morning, a random woman walked into my classroom. I said (very politely and welcoming), "Hi, may I help you." She introduced herself as a new board member and said she was just doing some walkthroughs.

Anyway, I said, "Oh, okay--welcome!" I didn't have time to chat because I was in the middle of a lesson. Twenty minutes later, I finished my lesson and she was still there...watching. After we transitioned to the carpet, she left. She placed a post-it on my desk that said, "I saw some great things here. P.S. Beautiful classroom!"

Personally, I thought she would've been escorted by one of my administrators. I also thought we should've gotten some sort of warning via email. Something simple like, "We've got a new board member who'll be visiting classrooms today."

I dunno...maybe I'm asking for too much.

The buzz around campus was, "Did you have some lady walk into your room and watch?" I guess some teachers didn't have time to speak with her when she walked in, so they had no clue who she was.

Your thoughts?

[Caesar753]

I think I'd talk to my supervisor and request clarification on the policy regarding visitors.

Did this woman have a school district ID badge?

[smalltowngal]

That's weird. I would definitely talk to your principal.

[YoungTeacherGuy]

No school ID, no visitor pass--nothing. It was so bizarre!

[Caesar753]

In that case, I might have politely said that our school policy is that visitors sign in at the office and wear a visitor sticker. She honestly shouldn't be able to get upset with you over that, plus it helps ensure the safety of your class (just in case she's a whack job).

[KinderCowgirl]

I have a weird sense of humor. But wouldn't it be funny if some retired teacher did that for fun? Just went around classrooms leaving kind sticky-notes!

We have been told repeatedly that the higher-ups (above our admins) would just walk campuses unescorted-they want to decide what to see on their own. They would however, have district badges on.

[ecteach]

I had this happen once. I had no idea who the woman was. Turns out she was from DPI, and she was also doing walk-throughs. I bet this wouldn't happen in any other profession. Imagine...a nurse is putting an IV in, and the head of the nursing board just stands there and watches.....

Sometimes I feel like we aren't given any respect.

[JustMe]

I don't like this sort of thing.

In my last school, I regularly had college students just walk in while I was teaching. Of course I also asked, "May I help you?" and they would respond, "Oh, I'm here from ABC University doing observation hours." Nice. When I was a student, we rightfully had to coordinate our hours with teachers or the college did on our behalf.

[monsieurteacher]

I understand why she might want to come in unannounced, but she SHOULD have some sort of visitor's badge, and should have checked in at the office. I think I would send her to the office for a visitor's pass if she wanted to spend any time in my classroom.

[YoungTeacherGuy]

I can't wait to hear my principal's explanation tomorrow (couldn't catch her today).