Let’s just say it: we love each other… but also… we need to talk.

Because while teaching is already chaotic enough, there are certain things colleagues do that make the rest of us collectively sip our cold coffee, stare into the void, and shake our heads in exasperation. 

So in the spirit of growth, healing, and just a wee bit of venting… here are 10 things teachers do that can get under our already fragile skin. 

1. Stealing an “Unassigned” Assigned Parking Spot

Cmon, teachers. You know we have been parking in the same spot since the late 90s’. How can you have the audacity to just… take it?  Don’t be surprised if a cone appears tomorrow. Or a passive-aggressive note. Or both.

Stay in your lane already. 

2. Being late to pick up students

Being late to pick up your class from specials might seem harmless… until the specials teacher is standing there with 25 kids, staring at the clock like it personally betrayed them.

Now they’re doing the mental math: Do I wait… or do I send out a search party?

Meanwhile, another class is lining up, and that teacher is giving the “I’m missing my prep” look.

This can all be avoided by setting an alarm on your iPhone.

3. Being the “Cool Teacher” with Zero Management

We get it…you let them have phones, talk whenever, roam freely, watch YouTube, call them, “Friends.” You’re the fun Dad. You’re adored.

Meanwhile, the rest of us are trying to re-teach basic human behavior and responsibility when they come to our classrooms. Awesome.

4. Self-aggrandizing questions and comments at staff meetings 

There is always that teacher. The one who hears, “Any questions or comments?” and thinks it is open mic night to deliver a TED Talk.

“Well, this is what IIIIIII do……….”

“So, I just want to clarify,,,,,,” and restates everything the speaker said, only adding extra syllables and inflections. 

Staff meetings have two rules: Listen and leave.

5. Ignoring the No Cell Phone Rule

You are not doing anyone any favors by letting students use their phones when the policy is clearly no phones.

Because the very next thing every other teacher hears is:
 “But Mr. Blankety Blank lets us…”

Oh, does he? That’s great. Love that for him.

Meanwhile, the rest of us are now the villains for simply following the rule, trying to get kids to actually listen and learn, and not wanting a room full of scrolling, texting, TikTok-ing chaos.

So yes… Mr. Blankety Blank is, in fact, a blankety blank because he just made every other teacher’s job ten times harder.

6. Printing From Your Room Like It’s 1999

There is always that one person who sends 87 print jobs to the shared copier from across the building… and then doesn’t pick them up for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, there are people who actually need to use it during their prep time.

So… sorry if we accidentally hit cancel. Truly. Completely by accident.

7. The “No Good Morning” People in the hallways

Look, we’re not asking for a full conversation. Just… a nod? A grunt? A basic acknowledgment of human existence? We are colleagues. A little human decency does a lot for school morale. 

8. Gossiping During Meetings (While Complaining About Meetings)

We all want meetings to end quickly. So why, just why, are we talking, laughing, and whispering while admin is literally presenting?

 It’s giving “we despise this behavior in students, but are now modeling it perfectly.”

9. Being a Martyr on the daily

“I stayed until 9 p.m.” “Oh yeah? I haven’t slept since August.” 

We should not be competing about how much we do. In fact, the real MVPs are the ones who find ways to cut corners and have a work-life balance. 

10. Staff Room Chaos  

I’ve often heard people say to just stay out of the teacher’s lounge; nothing good ever happens there. And honestly? That might be the most accurate professional advice anyone has ever given me.

You walk in just to grab a quick cup of coffee… and suddenly you’re in the middle of a conversation about Johnny’s grandma, who went to prison for who knows what. 

You leave with your coffee cold, three new anxieties, and a renewed commitment to eating lunch in your classroom forever.

We are on the same team. 

At the end of the day, we’re all on the same team… even if sometimes it feels like we’re playing different sports.

We’re tired, we’re busy, and we’re all just trying to make it from the first bell to dismissal without losing a student, our patience, or our last functioning pen.

So, let’s all just laugh more and try to irritate each other less. 

That’s it. That’s the dream.

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