Discussing teachers on mums Whatsapp group

[Scrunchieorbobble]

Aibu to feel very uncomfortable about this?

On local mums group (very large group) one mum posts asking if anyone knows ‘Such and such’ teacher, a couple of mums reply saying yes, mum continues to ask if this teacher is good, what is she like etc as she’s just started at her sons school. Cue lots of different mums giving their opinions about this named teacher.

I felt like saying something, but didn’t

I’m an ex teacher, so perhaps i’m being too sensitive? But I really hate this free for all commenting and personal opinions on teachers and how good they are…or not

I work in a school, so my opinion may not be the same as others. You can't stop people talking about whatever they want to talk about. And you can't blame parents for wanting to know this information. As a mum who works in the school that my child is at, the school is very different to what they portray, and teachers are not perfect. You can't blame parents for wanting the best for their child.

Our local WhatsApp parents group frequently discusses / recommends local tradespeople, childminders, schools, vets, museums, activities, coffee shops etc. People are allowed to share their experiences and opinions within their communities, and teachers shouldn’t be immune from that any more than any of the other businesses/services people discuss (obviously with the proviso that nobody says anything untrue - however, people aren’t stupid, and if there’s someone with a vendetta who is intent on slagging off a teacher, it will generally be quite obvious to the rest of the group what’s going on!).

Teachers have a really important job, they have a huge effect on the happiness and attainment of children, so it’s not really that surprising that parents would have an opinion on their performance.

I really hate this free for all commenting and personal opinions on teachers and how good they are…or not

Have you never asked anyone what they think of your doctor/dentist/hairdresser/nail technician?

You’re being sensitive, people will ask what certain teachers are like if they haven’t directly experienced them before. It doesn’t sound the conversation was in appropriate which would be different, but then if it’s not affiliated with the school and just a group of people in a WhatsApp group then people sort of can say what they want at the same time.

Maybe, but answers tend to be quite impersonal, just generally that they do lovely cuts or colours etc, with the teacher ones, whole personalities seem to be dissected

They won't be impersonal if any one of those people is a dick or if any one of them happens to be super nice.

People will comment on others as you well know because this is no different to teachers discussing kids and parents in the staff room.

It's just a bigger group discussion that's all and it happens to be on an app.

Don’t see the issue with people sharing their experiences of teachers 🤷‍♀️

Exactly, it's something parents have been doing in the playground since the first school was built.

Before WhatsApp groups I can assure you parents gossiped about teachers in the playground at pick up! And having worked in a school, teachers also gossip about parents - and each other! It's human nature 🤷‍♀️

I think it’s natural to ask. I always find it strange that I just send my kid off to school on the first of September knowing absolutely nothing about the teacher who will be looking after them.

I think its OK, as long as they keep it as factual and balanced as possible 'Miss S was really kind to Charlie, but she is a bit disorganised' is fine. But I think 'I heard Miss S had an affair with her neighbour and I don't know how she can afford such a fancy car' is personal and irrelevant to exploring how good they are at their job

The only difference is that this is in writing/viewed by a larger audience , but this stuff has been going on for years between parents.

I once had someone come and see me for a consultation because someone in the park told her that I was “the person to see about problematic bums”. What a claim to fame.