Classroom Practice : Deciphering Teacher Lounge Talk

Beginning of article

There are two kinds of "lounge talk," Mr. Keller points out & and one of the most critical professional skills that teachers need to develop is the ability to discriminate between them.

I REMEMBER the excitement I experienced as a beginning teacher when one of my colleagues came into the lounge to ask for assistance with the student recognition dinner that she was planning. Thinking about two particular students who would be rewarded for their academic excellence, I quickly signed up. Later that day, another colleague pulled me aside, concerned about "my best interests." I needed to be careful about volunteering for these extra tasks. If I wasn't careful, I would become overwhelmed and …