Being a successful teacher is not just about delivering accurate content to students. It also includes having good character and discipline outside the classroom. There is need for every teacher to follow ethical and professional values in their interactions inside and outside the class. One place a teacher needs to observe a professionalism is the staffroom. In the list below, you will find top staffroom etiquette rules that you should abide by as a teacher.
1) Dress decently: Teaching is a profession like any other; so teachers should observe a decent dress code. The clothes you wear as a teacher should not be too revealing and tight.
2) Be Punctual: Every teacher should come into the staffroom on time. Coming early helps you to prepare for your lessons and work together with other teachers to supervise school programs. If you are used to being late, you might develop a negative relationship with the administration and/or other teachers.
3) Behave well in meetings: when you are in a meeting with other teachers and school administrators, you should act with integrity and diligence. Do not speak before it is your turn to speak during a meeting, and do not speak with anger. Choose your words carefully and avoid causing chaos during the meeting.
4) Professional communication with other teachers: when you share emails or any other form of communication with other teachers, make sure you use a professional language. For instance, when writing an email to a fellow teacher make sure you write something that you would feel comfortable even if the administration would read it.
5) Discretion and Confidentiality: when speaking with fellow teachers in the staffroom, exercise discretion especially when talking about your students. It is easy for a teacher to fall into the trap of gossiping in the staffroom. However, as a teacher you must avoid talking about people in the staffroom – discuss ideas instead.
6) Do not form Cliques: it is common for school teachers to form cliques with team leaders and unprofessional behaviors. Try to get along with all teachers effectively in the staffroom.
7) Choose your topics well: when discussing issues in the staffroom, you must be careful in choosing the topics to talk about. Sometimes when you talk about personal issues you may cross the professional boundary and engage in inappropriate behaviors. For instance, you should avoid talking about students as much as you can, unless it is appropriate.
8) Using social media appropriately: it is okay to communicate with other teachers through the social media. However, it is not appropriate to use it in the staffroom when it is a working time. Furthermore, you should avoid talking about school issues through the social media.
9) Respect other teachers and school leaders: You should respect other teachers in your words and actions. Do not question other people’s opinions; get along well with others because you may need their help any time. The school secretary, cooks, and janitors deserve your respect and support.
10) Don’t use mobile phones in class: Unless for official use, you should never use your mobile phones when teaching.
