How to Deal With Toxic Teachers

We all have them in our schools. Heck, every profession has toxic individuals. Those people that just... irk you. Drive you nuts. Make you question your entire existence from time to time. Just like different kinds of people, teachers, especially toxic ones, come in many forms. I have dealt with four different types of toxic teachers, and here is how I cope...

The Complainer

We all vent and have our frustrations with the education world. It’s totally different when someone constantly moans and groans about their problems with no intention of solving them. And when this teacher is proposed a solution, nothing is EVER good enough. They just shut down any advice, citing some BS like “it’s too much work” (for something that may take no more than 5-10 minutes of their time) or “I/my students could never do that!” (uh, yeah you can if you try!!!!) The WORST is the combination of complainer-martyrs (see next paragraph) - the ones that do entirely too much and complain that they get nothing in return or are taken advantage of. Sometimes it’s best to avoid these teachers altogether for your own sanity. Pretend to listen to their “venting” (read: overly complaining) and keep it moving. Avoid engaging in their narratives because they’re looking to suck the positivity out of anyone who has any left.

The Martyr

This one is usually well-intentioned, for the most part at least. They are the first ones in the building in the morning and the last ones out in the evening. They are “in it for the outcome, not the income.” Many believe these are the best teacher, but they are the first to fall short because of burnout in the classroom. If they don’t fall short in the classroom, you bet they are in their personal lives (if they have one...) Unfortunately, as well-intentioned as their efforts are, these are the people who keep our wages low by working until their physical or mental health won’t let them anymore. They come in sick because the kids “need” them. They miss time with their own families and friends because they’re volunteering at a school event. Never ever compare yourself to these teachers. Everyone has a choice in how they view and prioritize their careers. Absolutely no one is holding a gun to their head to do extra. THEY make the choice to dedicate every waking moment to their job. THEY choose to give away their time and efforts for free. Keep your own priorities in check and be the best teacher that you can be without giving up your entire self. Make sure to spend quality time with loved ones when you’re off the clock. Find outside hobbies or a fun side hustle. Martyr teachers are out of style in this economy anyway.

The One That Makes Us All Look Bad

Have you ever had a colleague whom you wondered who in their right mind gave them a license to teach? Or that colleague that has no boundaries with their students? Or the one that doesn’t think any directions or rules apply to them? This person is the reason the ENTIRE staff gets called for a last-minute after-school meeting about expectations. And for whatever reason, it at least appears from the outside that they get off scot-free. We will, unfortunately, see more of these with the nation’s teacher shortage, as districts will just be happy to have an adult with a pulse in a classroom. Just like the complainer, AVOID unless you want the same target on your back that they might have. Do not engage in their antics and don’t be a snitch unless they do something highly illegal. Chances are, they know someone of importance who can blackball you that they’ve managed to stay for this long.

The Anti-Tech Warrior

I’m (not) sorry, but this is a toxic teacher in the 21st-century world. Paper and pencil have their place, however, we are doing our students a huge disservice when we entirely ban the use of Educational Technology in our classrooms. Long gone are the days of paper and pencil in many areas of life. College papers are written on laptops. Businesses are increasingly using tablets to take and process orders. Emails and texts are regular forms of communication. Using EdTech regularly helps students to develop the proper computer literacy skills needed to be successful in the 21st century. By being high and mighty about using paper and pencil, these students will not be able to compete with others who will leave high school knowing how to properly type, navigate the internet, and use electronic devices safely. Also, these teachers are wasting so much time jamming the copy machine and grading assignments than can self-grade. These teachers are likely stuck in their ways, but with district initiatives to be EdTech-friendly, they may have no choice but to change their tune. Be a supportive colleague and help them in the adjustment.