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Website: https://www.jerekhough.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stumblingthroughwork/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerekhough/
Welcome to Stumbling Through Work where educators figure shit out. I'm your host, jarek Huff, and I'm here to explore and share the complexities of our work and let you know you are not alone. Before we start, though, please follow this podcast and share episodes with others. You can find me on my website, wwwjerekhuffcom, where you can find links to my social media and where I share information and tips for educators. Now let's jump into today's episode. Hey team, welcome to another episode of Stumbling Through Work where educators figure shit out.
Speaker 1:There's a story that I came across, and I said that I'm going to share this with with my team, and I'm just going to read the highlights because I'm not going to get into the weeds with it. A Tennessee teacher has been arrested after she allegedly threatened to shoot a colleague in the preschool at which she worked. Police said so. When I first read this, I'm like what the hell? But I'm going to continue. The person's name I'm not going to read was charged with assault, threat of mass violence at a school and two counts of carrying a weapon onto school property. A staff member says she threatened to quote shoot up unquote the preschool and that she keeps a gun quote on her, unquote. Another teacher overheard her say quote when I start shooting, you better run unquote. When I start shooting, you better run unquote. The police department recovered one handgun from her purse and another firearm in the driver's side door of her vehicle. As of now, she was being held on a $37,000 bond, and let's just break this down. This is really sad.
Speaker 1:Unfortunately, this is the world that we live in and we have to take safety seriously. I know it feels like with us in early childhood, within preschools, that this would never happen, but that's the same thing that people in high school said, starting with Columbine. That's what people in middle school said. That's what people in elementary said it would never happen. And unfortunately it has happened. And I hate having dark conversations, but they are conversations that need to be had because we have to realize that we have to look out for our children's safety. We have to look out for our safety so we can make it home.
Speaker 1:And one thing that I have learned, in my opinion, is that a lot of these heinous acts that happen are from people that lack social and emotional development. They lack those skills, which is what we do in early childhood education. So next time someone says oh, I don't understand what you guys do. You guys are just playing with kids all day. You playing with toys, whatever they may say that's demeaning, whatever. No, we are teaching real skills. We are teaching things that affect everyone. We know this as educators, but people don't realize these people are lacking something. It's something that they do not have, and what they do not have are these skills to be able to cope with their emotions, and they are damaged individuals. But we teach those things and that is what we do. So I'm glad at the good things that we do, but this is one of those disasters that you have to practice on and, like I said, I hate talking about it, but it is something that needs to be practiced throughout your preschool. You know, added into those disaster drills that you have to do to be focused on. It needs something to have real conversation about and what are you going to do and what does that look like? We actually in my school have done them several times. We actually need to do them again. We haven't done one in a while, especially with new staff coming in. So at this point, a lot of people don't, but it's going to be within the agenda really soon, like in the next week because it really is important and it just it's sad that that's where we're at.
Speaker 1:But even though I said, this is a dark story, I'm going to try to lighten it up a little bit. Who argues with someone? And that's your response, your response who says that? Your response, your response? Like, who says that? Like I am now going to be looking at my staff and like I'm questioning, going, are you off, are you? So I'm gonna be looking a little like okay, and what the hell were y'all arguing about? Now, from what I've gathered from the story, this wasn't about children. This was about another colleague. So what the hell were y'all arguing about? And I know these teachers do get serious over their supplies. Okay, you better, you gotta ante up with them pipe cleaners when they say it like I want my stuff, I want my supplies, run it and my kids would not be waiting. So we're not doing that. But you know these teachers get serious about their potty breaks too. Hell, she might have had to pee. She's like you, playing with me. But I just wanted to lighten up the situation.
Speaker 1:But we do have to look at safety within our preschools and our centers and as we talk about this. I really want you to focus on what you can do to make your school, make your center, make your classroom better, and on that note we'll be right back. We all want our schools or programs to be the best and, although every school is different, all successful programs have the same fundamentals. Best Practices for High-Quality Preschool, afterschool and Enrichment Programs by Jarek Huff share standards to foster a high-quality program. These tips will help you put your best service forward, focusing on your children, families and communities. Best Practices for High-Quality Preschool, afterschool and Enrichment Programs by Jarek Huff is available on Amazon and Amazon Kindle. Welcome back.
Speaker 1:I just want to say that anyone who uses a cell phone smart device in your classroom is trash. You are disrespectful, period, and I meant that. How can you truly focus on your class and your children when you are tuned into your device? Now, I know someone's going to say I'm going to use it, I'm using it for my class. We're going to come back to that. We're going to put a pin in that.
Speaker 1:For now, what I don't get is if you are a teacher, manager, any staff member, and you're doing this, why Stop it immediately? Do you even have a cell phone policy? I mean, I hope you do and I hope you're using it. But I have to just start with the basic Do you have a cell phone policy? And that policy should include smart devices, because it's always that person to say well, you said no cell phones, but you didn't say anything about my AirPods. You didn't say anything about my smartwatch. We're not here to play games, don't play with me. You know exactly what I meant. So make sure it says smart devices along with your cell phones. That way you're clear about your expectations in my world.
Speaker 1:When you are on your devices I send you home, let me tell you, the best way to get results from somebody is to mess what they pay. And what I say is oh, I see that you're on your phone and you know that's against our policy and that says to me that you have some business that you need to handle. So I'm going to give you the rest of the day off and let you handle that business so that when you come in tomorrow you'll be ready to work, your focus is on where it needs to be at and everything is handled in your personal life. So you can focus on these children and I see you tomorrow. And that's the end of that conversation. I'm not going to go back and forth with you. I said what I said and that's what I said A write-up.
Speaker 1:Some form of discipline should be in there as well. Don't think that you're just going to do this and come back and do it again. No, I'm not playing, because this is a supervision issue. There's some other things that I can be a little laxed on sometimes, but when it comes to actually watching your children, supervising them, making sure they're in sight and sound of you at all times, I don't play with that. These are human beings that we have the responsibility of watching and caring for and helping with their developmental growth. And if you are not here for it, go somewhere else. Go to Target, go to McDonald's, do what you got to do, but leave these children alone so they can be supervised correctly. To me, it's like being on a ratio. It's like a zero to nine of how many kids are in the classroom. They're watching themselves, you're not watching them. So, basically, you have the children watching the children. So make sure you have these policies and make sure they are written down. Let me be specific.
Speaker 1:Don't do a word of mouth. Write it down. I personally think it's just tacky and it just looks bad. That's my opinion, and my opinion is the one that counts. Now I'm gonna say when I go into any business and I see someone on their phone, it's just, it reeks unprofessionalism and it just reads tacky and it says I have something else that I'd rather do. Now I'm not saying that you don't. We all sometimes be at work and think I have other things to do, but I don't let people know that I don't give the illusion that people are bothering me. I don't give people the illusion that I have things to do. I just think it's disrespectful. It's a little old school to me. Do not be on your phone, just don't. It's just tacky and it's just unprofessional. Please don't do that. But like I said earlier, I'll put a pin in this because someone's going to say well, you know, mr Jerick, what if we're doing it for work? Nope, still don't do it. Nope, not an excuse. Something about the cell phone. It just bothers me.
Speaker 1:I just automatically think that you're on Instagram. I think you're TikToking. You're doing whatever you're doing. That's my first thought when I see someone on their device and they could legitimately be doing something work related. I just don't like the way it looks. So use a different device, and what I mean by that is first, I get it. We do daily notes to parents electronically. We're signing kids in and out. We're doing all the basics that we should be doing for licensing. I totally understand that.
Speaker 1:Use a tablet or iPad. It looks so much better and I get it. Everyone may say I can't afford an iPad, whatever. Get a tablet. You can get them for about $30 at this point. It can run whatever software you need it to do. Do all of your work on a tablet. It just looks more professional. It doesn't look like you're on Instagram. I will even say you might be on something. You got a better chance of getting away with being on Instagram on your tablet than you do with being on your cell phone.
Speaker 1:Now, even with the tablet, though, for me it's about supervision, so I tell my staff to not really be on their tablets and to nap, to nap time, so they can update pictures, put in you know, any kind of notes throughout the day, when, throughout the day should be just signing kids in and out when they're up and active. That way you are supervising, but I get it's kind of the equivalent of writing you know, on a paper and pencil, writing down your roster of who's in and out, kind of the same thing, but do the bare minimum. But nap time, that's when you should be getting all your stuff in on your iPad Let me reiterate that on your iPad. This is something that I will never get past. I'm sorry, it's just the cell phone. I just, I just can't and I'm not going to change and I'm going to be honest. There are some things that I can say, ooh, as I grow and as the world changes with technology, no, I ain't doing that. Shit is not going to happen. So don't look over here for it. I'm not going to do it.
Speaker 1:But if someone truly needs to be on their phone, I do say have them call the school. Every school has to have a phone number. I don't care what state you in, you have to have a landline. And guess what? Before cell phones, that's what people used to do. Cell phones that's what people used to do. I remember having to be at home when I was a kid and calling my parents and like, let me call my mama and ask her now, maybe something stupid, but I would call the work phone and they would say who you're looking to speak for and I would tell them my mama's name and they would say hold on, let me get it for you and they would transfer or whatever it may be. You can do that. I tell my staff, have them so. And so I'm waiting for so-and-so. I hope you put in your work number, because if we're going to have an issue, if your phone rings and you're in the classroom and then you answer, don't even bring your phone to the classroom personally, but people survive for so long without cell phones. It's kind of crazy that people had landlines and they were contacting people. I don't care what you do, you can call on the landline. Hell, you can send a smoke signal messenger pigeons, I don't really care. As long as you're not on that phone, I'm good. But I'm just saying do not be on your cell phones. It is tacky, it is disrespectful. And if you know someone that needs to hear this message, message, please send them this episode and we'll be right back.
Speaker 1:I love sharing information with educators and program administrators. I have had so many successes, but also so many failures in my education tenure. I want leaders to know what not to do, but, better than that, what to do. So I decided to write a helpful guide Best Practices for Center Program and Activity Directors. It's short and to the point. It's a compass to guide education leaders. These best practices will give you a foundation to lead your school program or organization. You can find best practices for center program and activity directors by Jared Huff on Amazon or Amazon Kindle, and we're back. You guys know I love my Reddit posts, so I enjoy reading them and, just you know, trying to help the people. So I'm going to read one to you and I want to discuss my inner thoughts with you all. So this one says parents rotation one weekend on one weekend off. Mom has them during the week. Sometimes dad visits the kids at daycare during the week. I hate the word daycare.
Speaker 1:He is a unique individual. His personality is too comfortable with all of the kindergarten girls in the classroom. This makes the educators uncomfortable. Unfortunately, we cannot stop him from coming to visit, but are looking for a loophole and a way for it to stop or just a way to just visit with his own children. Sorry, guys, she put no commas in here, so it was a little weird. He comes and makes his children cry when he leaves and takes a long time to calm them. Sometimes he will stay for an hour or so to visit. He hangs outside during outdoor play with the kids and just watches or stands at the classroom door frame when inside that's creepy. During his pickup he allows his children to stay and play for long periods of time while he stays and watches. His conversations are uncomfortable with the staff, awkward and strange. We prefer not to converse with him, just come, pick up and leave, no more, just visiting. Is there some type of excuse they can come up with for this or loophole to stop him from this happening? Or has someone dealt in their career? Or, sorry, has someone dealt in their center and has advice on what we could do to cut down on these visits or just stop them? I understand as a parent. Yes, you want to visit with your children, but visit with them, not the other kids or staff. It's quite disruptive for the classroom and staff. He gots to go. I'm sorry he gots to go.
Speaker 1:First I want to break this down and list all of the problems, all the red flags that I've seen. What does too comfortable with the kindergarteners mean the kindergarten girls mean? That rubbed me immediately the wrong way. I don't really know what you meant. I kind of want to know more details because you know that's very uncomfortable. Why are his children crying when he leaves? Are they sad? Did he say something to make them cry? Um, I just kind of need to see what's happening in that classroom to be able to mentor that way. And the time of length that he's there um, I heard him say about an hour, but I just kind of need to know what that is and what does he do that makes the teachers uncomfortable. Does he say something? Is it just a vibe, like the creep vibe that he's given off? Because I've had a few uncomfortable dad situations over the years. It's always the creepy dads.
Speaker 1:Um, recently I actually had a father hitting on teachers and had to call him out. He was talking to every teacher trying to get their numbers. It was like a playground for him. It was quite disgusting. It really was, and it was nasty and he I mean he, he didn't care, he was just just straight out just disrespectful in everyone's face with it. But here's the thing he had a whole wife that would like him and her would pick up opposite. It was really uncomfortable and strange and it was like okay, now I got to have an awkward conversation about why we have to have this conversation and why I'm about to put you out. I will say I'm not going to tell you the details, but it did get a little ugly having that conversation within his home.
Speaker 1:My situation is about what's happening within my school, within my building, within our company. I don't, unfortunately, have anything to do. What goes on outside of it, that's y'all to figure out. Just don't be bringing that here. And you do have to have uncomfortable conversations, because it's my responsibility to make sure that the staff is okay. It's my responsibility to make sure that the teacher's okay. But back to the problem. This is definitely an uncomfortable conversation for the director to have not the teacher. Definitely an uncomfortable conversation for the director to have not the teacher.
Speaker 1:The director should talk about when having the conversation with dad, the importance of routine for the classroom and how to help encourage him dropping off and picking up and how this can be difficult for children. I think, um, and that's why I was kind of wondering, like the amount of time that he was spending, because if you kind of explain to him how drop off and pick up should work, it's harder when you stay longer, when you linger, you make the situation worse. All of us that are in the field we know it's a clean drop off. Tell him when you're coming picking up, be very transparent about it and then leave. When you stay, it makes it worse. And if the family wants to stay longer because of the weirdness of the situation, I'm all about. You know parents coming and visiting, but because of this I would frame in if you need to stay longer, you want to observe the classroom, we can schedule a time schedule that time as a director to be in there as well, so you can, you know, monitor and see what's going on. And you have it on a time frame. We can do 20 minutes, but we really don't want to disturb their classroom, their routine schedule.
Speaker 1:Secondly, that was just about dealing with the children. We have to have that concerns about the staff and having those uncomfortable conversations about how you make the staff feel. Sir, and out of respect, I would say it this way, out of respect for all, we are asking that conversations both ways are about children and school, only to ensure that you know nothing is misconstrued and nothing is said. That's inappropriate, that someone can take offensively. That's a general, blanket way of saying it. That's my PR way of just saying you know, stop being creepy, but it's awkward, but it's a conversation for a director, like I said, not a teacher.
Speaker 1:There are so many other parts that are going on throughout the school. It may be happening in one classroom but not in another, or it happened in multiple classrooms. That's something that the administration, the head person, really needs to be able to have that conversation. Unfortunately, this happens all too often and it's always I. I mean, it's not always the creepy dads, it is sometimes the creepy moms too, but it tends to be the creepy dads. It's almost. It's just nasty. Let's just be honest. It's nasty and nobody wants to come to work and feel harassed and feel uncomfortable and see things and feel certain ways. So it needs to stop. So, dear teacher, tell your director they need to have that conversation and I gave you a few ideas and ways to handle that situation. But if you also know someone that has been in this situation or could possibly be in this situation, send them this episode.
Speaker 1:As always, have an amazing week. I want you all to focus on supervision within your classroom, specifically dealing with cell phones and smart devices. Review your policy If you don't have one, create a policy, make sure that people are watching your babies at all times, and I will talk to you all next week at all time, and I will talk to you all next week. That's it for today. If you like this episode, it would mean so much to me if you left a rating review and subscribe to the show. I'd love to hear from you. You can visit my website, which is in the show notes, to contact me, and I hope you have a great rest of your week and speak to you all soon.