Students don't want to be in my class...

[livelovelaugh]

I have a colleague of mine who tends to sit in on one of my classes while I teach and she grades papers for her class. She walks around and helps other students with their work when there are too many questions for me to answer all at once. Some of my students today said they would rather be in her class than in mine, because they want to see her teaching style. Meaning they don't like mine. Why would kids say such a thing when teachers put soooo much effort into every lesson and every class? Dang, kids are mean!!

[seastarmath]

I don't take that comment that the kids would like to be in her class to see her teaching style to mean they don't like YOUR class. I think they just might really be curious.

Remember, kids don't view teachers as being "regular people." So they probably didn't consider how what they say might make you feel. If they DID mean it, it most likely means they want to see if they wouldn't have to work so hard for her, which is really a compliment to YOU.

[Boxcar]

This could also just be curiousity about the grass on the other side of the fence. I don't think your students meant to hurt you. Seastarmath is right about that. Of course, sometimes those type of comments do get to you. That can be really hard. Hang in there. :)

[mercygate]

So what's her style like? What IS the attraction?

Why is she in your classroom anyway?

[Clix]

I have BEEN that teacher, in a couple of different ways: one, during my planning period, another teacher uses the room I use for classes during the rest of the day. I teach English, and it's an Algebra I class, so every now and then I'll take a break from planning or grading or whatever and sit in the back of the class and do their problems. The students really get a kick out of it, and some of them have said they'd like to be in MY class (I guess since I seem so nutty). However, those are the students who DON'T have me for English! ;D

Two, I 'switch off' students who are getting off-task with another teacher in my department. They seem to be convinced that they'd do SOOO much better in my class. Wot Evar. (When I send my students over to her, they tend to tell her the same thing! lol!)

So, I think part of it is the "grass-is-greener" - the allure of something new and different and intriguing. And I think the other part of it is that it's easier to be patient and fun and clever with students when you aren't around them ALL THE TIME. ;)

[teacher5]

I tend to agree with the other responders. There is a great deal of curiosity going on. Also, if you tend to pay attention to a few of these kids and answer their questions in one room, they may think they are going to get that same kind of attention when they come to your room and you have a full class of kids. Don't think so!

[Spectre]

I can see where this might worry you some, but the others are right. It's curiousity, an interest in the unknown....the ole "grass is greener on the other side" thing....

[Boxcar]

You know, I can pinpoint almost to the day and definetly to the week when I stopped being a novelty to my kids and became just another teacher. They started to see that I was going to stick around just like my co-teachers. I was going to discipline and teach and play and I wasn't new anymore. It can be a really wierd feeling to have your shiny newness go, but in other ways it is a good thing. There was also a lot less testing at that point.

[MissTeach]

Students are always saying they wish they could be in someone else's class. Yet, they will come back in a few years and tell you how much they learned from you!

I'm curious; why is that other teacher in your room? I don't mind an administrator or parent or college student observing me, but there is a purpose behind their visit.

[Karenrbw]

I hear similiar comments from students. "I want to be in Mr. S's class. He never checks homework and is so easy." If they want to slide by and get out of the class with no knowledge, I guess that is the way to go. If they want to actually learn something, they need to make that committment.

[Fransisca]

Students' curiosity is good - very good. It means they're thinking.

I always encourage my students to pro-actively seek for more information from other English teachers outside the lesson time. I found it really helpful since perhaps some of them would fit better with other teachers' way of explaining things.

I do believe teachers plan meaningful and various activities for the students. In the end, all of our hard effort is done for the sake of the future leaders who are studying in our class now.

Personally, I wouldn't mind having extra help in my class ;)

[hweber]

I agree, the grass always looks greener, till you find that it is just the same color. Yes, kids are mean, but I think the majority of them don't think teachers have feelings. So, I have tried to grow a thicker skin through the years. Good luck! And, yes, inquiring minds do want to know, why IS that teacher in your room???