Teaching is full of the unexpected, wouldn’t you agree? No matter how carefully a teacher plans her day (I’m going to sound like a weather forecaster now), there’s a 90% chance that the unexpected will happen. The crazy part of my personality gets a tiny rush from this—the logical part, not so much!
Just this past weekend, my boss’s teenage daughter became trapped in the bathroom of a beach rental. Not something you’d expect to happen. It’s a hilarious story with a happy ending; thank goodness teenage girls carry their cell phones everywhere. As for me, I certainly didn’t expect that time a student of mine refused to leave the lavatory. I had to pull the parent card for that one. “Well, that’s perfectly fine, Nathaniel. Make yourself comfortable while I give your dad a call.”
My best advice for the unexpected is to remain calm, act like the situation is under control, and try to think logically. Oh yes! And when a little one is racing toward you with wide eyes and both hands clasped to her mouth—grab a trash can!
What’s your best advice for handling the unexpected?
Smiles,
Diane
It’s so funny what you said about the trash can. I have had kids throw up in class more times than I can remember. The worst was when we were right in the middle of taking the FCAT exam and a boy threw up all over his test! Yuck!
I think your advice about remaining calm is right on target. If it’s something like an unexpected fire drill, I will just pretend like I forgot about it. I’ll say something like, “Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you all that we have a fire drill today. Same routine as always, boys and girls.”
The key is to get right back on track as soon as possible as to make it seem as if nothing is out of the ordinary.
Ohhh how I can relate to the throwing up. Sadly preschoolers rarely make it to the bathroom or a garbage can.
For working with preschoolers my motto is always expect the unexpected, stay calm and smile. And never ever tell. Then go home and laugh.
I would say on the average of once a week one of my beloved preschoolers will say something about Mom and Dad that 1. they would not want told. 2. That is really inappropriate. I never react in front of the child of course, but I sure do laugh at home.
But I also have to wonder what did my sons tell a teacher about me.
Remaining calm gets me through the unexpected. I have seen too many teachers (at many different grade levels) lose their cool when something unexpected happens. There is no reason for it. Remain calm, smile, and handle the situation. That’s all that needs to be done.
The paraprofessional I work with is very good at remaining calm, too. I couldn’t ask for a better person to work with. He is truly the best!
Monitor and adjust should be the official motto of all teachers.
Unexpected events are perfect teaching opportunities. We have the chance to demonstrate flexibility, patience, and calm to students. For some students, these moments may be few, so make the most of them.
The unexpected can often be positive as well! Once in a while…
-The principal calls you to the office because the local radio station is going to honor you as “teacher of the month”.
-The PTO arrives at your door with left over cake for the entire class and you are able to celebrate a child’s summer birthday who would otherwise not have had a treat to share.
-You receive news that your proposal or grant application has been accepted.
Stay flexible and the next unexpected event may just be a good one!
I’ve had some really good teaching moments from the unexpected. Like when one of my students wanted to know how our pricipal got in the tv for the morning show. We went down to the media center and our media specialist gave us a very informative tour and put us on tv. The children loved it!
Expect the unexpected and sit back and enjoy the ride. When working with younger students you never know what is going to be said or what is going to happen. I have had the principal show up with a new student that I knew nothing about and had nothing ready; a student threw up on my lap; and there was an intruder alarm and the school went into lock down- I paste on a smile on my face and say a little prayer. Freaking out is not going to help, so take a deep breath and sing your favorite song. You can always vent later if needed or swing by Starbucks if it was an over the top day.