Real Talk
When I was a classroom teacher, I admit that I sometimes wondered what it must be like to be a specials teacher. Though we worked at the same place with the same children and co-workers, in many ways they seemed to have an entirely different job than mine–spending their days singing songs, painting pictures, playing games, or reading stories. It all seemed so…well, special.
Now that I am a librarian, I can tell you that some of what I imagined about the world of specials teachers was true. (It is a lot of fun). And in some ways, I was way off base. (It is not a cake walk). So, to clear up any mystery, here’s what specials teachers like me would like classroom teachers to know.
1. We see the students as “our kids” too.
When I took the job as a librarian, I was worried about not having my own class and building that family bond that happens over the course of a school year. As it turns out, when I have students in the library, I don’t just see them as Mrs. T’s class or Mr. P’s kids. I see them as my students. I feel just as invested in the kids who come through the library as I did in the kids I had every day as a classroom teacher. And although I don’t get to see my little classroom families every day, I still see them as my kids.
2. You don’t have to ask me how they behaved.
If you would like a report on your class’s behavior during their time with me, that’s completely okay. I will give it to you straight. But I don’t expect you to handle the discipline problems that occur when they are with me. I’m not their babysitter. I’m one of their teachers, and as such, I will take care of issues that come up in my class. That said, since I have them for such a short time, my options for consequences are limited. So for particularly egregious offenses or repeat offenders, I might have to ask for your help. Still, as a rule, I’d rather take care of things myself or work with you to improve student behavior rather than merely passing problems on for you to deal with.
3. We want to work with you.
Like classroom teachers, specials teachers have a curriculum to follow and standards to adhere to. But when possible, we are open to working with you to supplement what’s going on in your classroom. Is there a particular author you’d like to talk about but don’t have time? I bet your librarian would be happy to display some of his books and read a few favorites to your class. Are you studying plant life? Maybe your art teacher can do some leaf printing or your technology teacher can create a short research project or online scavenger hunt. Of course, there will be times when our own curriculum has to take priority, but whenever possible, many specials teachers welcome the chance to collaborate.
4. What we do matters.
Occasionally there is a classroom teacher who sees specials as little more than a place to send her kids so that she can get a break. That’s a misunderstanding of what specials are. Whether it’s art, music, P.E., technology, or library time, our lessons are an important part of our students’ education and contribute in meaningful ways to helping them grow into interesting, thinking people. Often, it’s through a specials class that a child discovers his passion or her hidden talent. Sometimes students go on to careers in art, music, sports, or literature, but even when they don’t, their lives can be enriched, their intellects stimulated, and their souls nourished by what they learn and do in a specials class.
5. We want to be included.
Sometimes specials teachers form their own little squad and are able to build relationships with each other. But other times they are fairly isolated from other teachers–with classrooms in remote hallways and basements or in some sort of outbuilding. If that’s the case at your school, remember your specials teachers. Invite them to come to your room and join your group for lunch, or let them know about the happy hour you’re all going to on Friday. Teaching can be a difficult and lonely job, and having teacher friends can make all the difference for everyone.
6. We see you.
It’s true that being a specials teacher isn’t just fun and games (or paints and easels or stories and songs). We are educators who work hard to teach our students valuable lessons. But most of us recognize and appreciate the fact that there are stresses that classroom teachers face that we don’t. We don’t have to worry about our high-stakes test scores. We have fewer angry parents. And we only have to see that kid, the one who drives us up a wall, once a week. So, please know that we see you and all you do. We applaud you and support you.
Being a specials teacher isn’t for everyone, but the classes we teach are important, and like other teachers, we care deeply about our students and our school culture. And just like everyone else, specials teachers need respect, understanding, and an invitation to happy hour on Friday.
