So I was in a meeting earlier with the door closed. I was at my desk and my principal and two teachers were sitting in chairs across from me. Anyway, a teacher barges in, looks around, and asks, "Oh, are you busy right now?" I literally paused, looked around, and said, "Yes, (insert first name), I am indeed very busy right now." I would never walk into someone's office when their door is closed. There's a large window in my office door, so she could've clearly seen I was in a meeting. End of rant. Thank you.
Totally understand your frustration. That said, at least they didn't ask you to attend to their problem before resuming your interrupted meeting. I've met people who would figure that since they were through the door, they were entitled to hijack your total attention.
YTG, I think you’re annoyance is perfectly justified. What your colleague did was incredibly rude. I would speak with them in private about that.
I think she got the picture because she walked in today (the door was wide open) and looked around before she asked her daily question. She said, "Just making sure you're free." I don't mind answering questions. It's my job. But when the door is closed and you look through the large window and see me speaking with a large group of people, that should be a signal that you shouldn't enter, no? Ugh! Anyway, I'm over it now. LOL!
Haha, glad you feel better and are over it now. And I’m glad that your colleague is conscientious about “knocking” before entering now.
Right?! The only time I ever interrupted an important meeting was when a light switch started sparking violently in my classroom while I was teaching. I cleared the area first and had a colleague stand watch at a safe distance while keeping students back as I ran and got the principal. My principal looked a little perturbed at first when I barged in and asked while I was not teaching, but understood immediately when I explained the situation and he rushed out of there, walkie-talkie in hand, already in route and in contact with the maintenance crew members. Anyway, short story long, I know when it is appropriate to interrupt and when it is not appropriate, lol!
Did you talk to the person after your meeting was over? I'd be concerned that something is going on either at school (or maybe they are stressed because of personal life stuff) that they would barge in like that. I hope all is well for this faculty member.
She's on the spectrum (her words, not mine). She struggles with social interactions. Super nice lady, but doesn't understand a lot of things that are (socially) common sense to most of us. Her question, on this occasion, was whether or not I can order her a new bookshelf.
Yes, and knock, even when it's open! Culture at my school is, if the door is closed, the person is unavailable.
If I had any question whatsoever about the validity of her interruption, I would’ve never posted this thread. Unfortunately, this is someone who has trouble problem solving on her own (thus, multiple daily visits and phone calls to my office).
That's annoying. If I saw you were busy I would have walked away and emailed you asking to let me know when would be a good time to pop in and talk to you. At least they could have knocked!!
Inability to problem solve, and trouble with social interactions certainly sounds like she is on the spectrum. My question is how does she function in the classroom and with parents? This is more personal curiosity, not a put down, because we have a new teacher this year that seems to be on the spectrum, and I am apparently the new "best friend." Once again, nice, but awkward. I want to be supportive, but not an enabler - our students are had enough without having to teach the teacher as well. I'm just wondering what works best in these social interactions - and I will remember that a closed door doesn't mean the same thing to everyone.
She teaches SpEd (mild to moderate). To be perfectly honest, she does great in the classroom and parents like her a lot. I love the way she speaks to her students: she's kind and compassionate--yet firm. IEPs are tough for me to sit through. She has to go through the entire document--line by line (as though she's reading a script...it's verbatim). We know each other well enough, though, that I have a signal for her to pick up the pace: I look at her and start nodding my head as I'm typing out the notes (probably sounds crazy and awkward, but it works for us and it's not obvious). I try my absolute very best to be as understanding as possible, but there are times when her lack of social awareness tests my patience.
Our faculty office has a sign that we flip if we're having a private meeting. Students will still barge in because they want to use the microwave in there. If we lock the door, they'll knock until someone answers. In both cases, we point to the sign and the offending student looks shocked, as if it suddenly materialized there.
On the plus side - she feels comfortable to walk into your office! I think this says great things about an administrator. (just to see the flip side of things)
Sometimes even signs don't work. I think it would have to be a BIG sign for these kinds of people to catch on.