Teacher smoking outside school gates

[Omzlas]

I've been pondering over this since Friday and thought I'd consult the MN gurus

There's a teacher at DC school who smokes, fine. The school is almost at the end of a dead end road and I've seen her before, smoking at the very end of the road at the end of school. She was well away from the gates but lots of kids walk that way on their way home, she'd often be chatting to a mother etc and I've never given it that much thought

On Friday, she was stood less than 3ft away from the school gates, smoking. All children would see her as they came out of the gates as you can only turn left or right as you exit and she was stood between the gate and white railing (the kind put in place to stop kids running out of the gate and into the road).

My AIBU: surely this is an appalling message to send to children? I'm an ex smoker and wouldn't begrudge anyone a cigarette if that's how they want to live, but surely not smack outside the school gates? Do I speak to the head or am I being precious? I completely understand that children are likely to see their parents smoking but... at school? A teacher?

I don't know whether I'm overreacting or if my concerns are valid and I should speak to the head. It's a small school (one class per year) but the head isn't that approachable, should I just bite the bullet and speak to her? Mind my own and ignore it?

Nothing a teacher does would be seen as cool. Probably the best anti smoking message you can have

I'd be a lot more concerned about the clouds of diesel smoke pouring out of the school run cars, than a single person have a quick cigarette.

Maybe it's time to reassess priorities?

Drinking is legal, but you wouldn't condone a teacher standing outside the school swigging from a bottle of whisky

Well no, because they'd be steaming drunk in charge of children which didn't seem to bother anyone when I was at school did it Mr Carter?

It's not nice to look at, I see that point. But ffs teachers are human, I fail to see how it affects how they teach?

Why is it precious?
A teacher is doing something damaging to health and increasingly socially unacceptable within feet of the School gates. Children look up to them, they’re role models. Stupidity isn’t something for pupils to aspire to.
Report to the office, someone will have a quiet word.

MoistMolly

“I'd be a lot more concerned about the clouds of diesel smoke pouring out of the school run cars, than a single person have a quick cigarette.”

Perfectly possible to be concerned about both.

As for affecting how they teach, I wouldn’t want to put up with the stink of a smoker as they knelt down to assist me with my work, sure my kids wouldn’t either.

I like the smell of tobacco smoke. I realise that's weird. Cigars are even better. Mmm

This though..
there would be no end of questions from my DDs, who, believe it or not, have never seen anyone smoking before
Do you keep them chained in the basement? Because that's probably worse than smoking.

Perfectly possible to be concerned about both.
As for affecting how they teach, I wouldn’t want to put up with the stink of a smoker as they knelt down to assist me with my work, sure my kids wouldn’t either.

I must have missed the topic that the Op started for this.

Do you keep them chained in the basement? Because that's probably worse than smoking

I'm chuckling at people look up to teachers. Been a while since you went to school then....

As an ex-smoker and ex-teacher I have some sympathy for her need for a gasper but I do think it should be done away from the children because it sets such a poor example. However, I’m often a bit bemused by the Stasi-informer instincts of some MNers - they seem to relish the opportunity to report teachers to the authorities whenever possible. Ofsted must be kept very busy.

I think if you feel strongly about this - and it’s fair enough that you do - then speak to the teacher adult to adult.

I wouldn't be bothered if my dc knew the teacher smoked. They know family members smoke, ds 1 telling his nan how bad it was actually made her give up. I am also an ex smoker. I don't like anyone smoking right by the school gate though, we all know the dangers of second hand smoke.

I wouldn't report though.

If she was shooting up at the school gates you’d have a point but she’s doing something which is perfectly legal. It’s funny how times change, a couple of decades ago almost everyone smoked.

I am also a teacher although in a college rather than primary school. Some of my colleagues smoke and stand with students in the smoking area talking. Should I report them to my boss?

I'm a smoker and although I go outside and have never smoked inside where there are children, no way would I smoke when in a professional capacity with children.
I used to be a Children's entertainer and would go to extremes not to be caught. If not possible I'd wait.
YANBU.

No I don't keep them chained in the basement, we don't even have one.

I don't know how it's happened that they haven't seen anyone smoking, but that's how it is. There really isn't anyone in our circle of friends who smokes.

I smoke. I don't think this is ideal at all. I'd probably not actually do anything about it though but she should hold off until the kids have dispersed and is far enough away.

I am not a teacher but I work with people, running groups and one to one support for adults; many of whom smoke. I wouldn't join them for a smoke.

Back in the days before the smoking ban, you would see people smoking in pubs, restaurants, and other public places, these days you don't.

My DH is asthmatic so we do avoid places where there are likely to be smokers so this does play a part of course.

At my dc's old primary school the teachers and staff would congregate at the main gate entrance at any time during the school day and I hated it. No, I didn't think it would suddenly make my dc want to smoke I just thought it looked so unprofessional. I can't say I've seen it at any other school I've been past either or at the primary school my dc now attend.

I have never saw a Teacher smoking at the school, I have wondered if any of them do, where do they go, just out of curiosities.
I imagine some do, Our head principal used to smoke his pipe in the 80's.
I wouldn't complain, lots of parents smoke too.

It’s funny how times change, a couple of decades ago almost everyone smoked

Not all. A couple of decades ago the majority of people did not smoke. The difference a couple of decades ago is that smokers were more visible, as there were fewer restrictions on where you could smoke.

I am also a teacher although in a college rather than primary school. Some of my colleagues smoke and stand with students in the smoking area talking. Should I report them to my boss?

Daft question.

If the students are under 18, then yes, of course you should. If over 18 then it is irrelevant as they are all adults.

I'd be pretty too. I wouldn't report it, but I would expect the school to not be best pleased.

There's signs all over the university campus reminding them smoking is banned and they have to be 10m clear of the land (eg in public park next door) I'm pretty sure schools have similar rules (hospital does, all the nurses smoke out on the street)

It’s funny how times change, a couple of decades ago almost everyone smoked

This is an exaggeration. I was a young person back then and a lot of us didn't smoke. What is true is that there were a lot of people my age who would smoke socially when out at the pub.

God sake leave the woman alone, smoking isn't illegal, do you keep them away from adults having a drink and getting a bit drunk, does all the crap coming out of car exhausts outside the school not bother you, i would never report a teacher for smoking OUTSIDE school gates, i have other things to worry about.

I'm a teacher who smokes (secondary) and whilst I don't smoke close to the school gates all my students are aware for obvious reasons I smoke. In fact it works wonders for me as I can speak honestly to students in terms of the addiction and if I've been smoking for 30+ years and can manage in the day then there is no excuse for them being late to a lesson as they've sneaked off for a quick fag.

If it becomes illegal then you have a point, but we are human and have a life outside of school because it is a job not a way of life

MoistMolly: 10IAR raised the point about how it affected their teaching. I was replying to that, not directed at you. Sorry for the confusion,