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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be furious to see one of dd's teachers smoking outside the school gates in full view of school-children arriving

298 replies

pcworld · 16/12/2008 14:13

I appreciate that it is a free country and people have the right to smoke. The teacher in question is not smoking within the school grounds. However ... surely there must be somewhere else for school staff to smoke that is out of view of the children? I am very upset about this! What do others think? I'm unsure how to handle it. I would like to say something to the head - along the lines of suggesting that an appropriate place is provided for staff to smoke in. And at the same time praising the teachers, who we have been really pleased with. Any comments?

OP posts:
stillenacht · 16/12/2008 20:52

I don't think its unprofessional personally. Sure its not a great thing to do but unprofessional...surely thats having sex with a pupil (of course i am talking about 6th former/staff relationships here) or cheating in exams etc

twinsetiscrapatflouncing · 16/12/2008 20:54

Scottishmommy I could not disgaree more with the idea that teaching is only a job and not a vocation.

To me and most other teachers I know , teaching is a vocation.

stillenacht · 16/12/2008 20:56

Of course its a vocation but its not my entire life

I adore my subject and i adore getting kids enthused about it

I guess i am not a whole school type teacher - i find PSHE dull (don't do it any more as am not a form tutor) and i am not that fussed about the wider community side of the school

Ronaldinhio · 16/12/2008 20:58

smoking what?

tiredsville · 16/12/2008 20:59

crack

stillenacht · 16/12/2008 20:59

lol!

clam · 16/12/2008 21:00

Have I missed something? Has smoking outside become illegal in this country?
The OP "was very upset about this" ??? Seriously??? Sorry to say this, but I think you should get a life, I'm afraid, and find something more worthwhile to get upset about.
I do not smoke, never have done, hate the smell, think it looks unattractive, do not allow it in my house, think smokers are idiots to waste their money and good health on cigarettes..... BUT IT IS NOT (yet) A CRIME.

And my kids (at the moment, at 10 and 12) think it is a vile habit and would not be impressed if they saw someone they knew smoking, but neither would they be traumatised. it's just something that some people do. It's part of life.

twinsetiscrapatflouncing · 16/12/2008 21:03

I teach PSHE and do very much see myself as a whole school teacher.

While teaching may not be my whole life is is bar my immediate family the most important part.

I do see it as unprofessional, not something to get sacked for but certainly not a positive.

I am sure there is something in my contract about not behaving in a way that brings my school into disrepute, but I am quite anal and could have possibly made that up.

stillenacht · 16/12/2008 21:05

I don't think i have recently seen my job description (but saying that it might be in staff network under file 'boring rubbish we have to do but noone reads')and my contract is one A4 sheet which just states my hours.

Having said that i do love many aspects of my job.

I have had year 11 pupils tutting at me after school as i am having a cig...mmmmmmmmmmm...its all a bit mixed up really

Ronaldinhio · 16/12/2008 21:06

God, how do they deal with you being into anal?

stillenacht · 16/12/2008 21:07

hahahaha - loving it R

thebrain · 16/12/2008 21:07

spicemonster - I was not in uniform and was not meant to be in school at the time.

Ronaldinhio · 16/12/2008 21:11

why did you flounce twinset?

Glad you're back

hf128219 · 16/12/2008 21:11

God you think the teacher had a bong or a crack pipe - get a life.

louii · 16/12/2008 21:16

We used to go for a fag cig break with our teachers, not at Primary school though.

What if you took your child out for lunch and teacher was there having a glass of wine, would you be equally horrified?

MadamDeathstarOverBethlehem · 16/12/2008 21:22

In senior school the geography teacher used to go to the staff room in the middle of a double lesson for a smoke. She stank when she came back. That was a serious deterrent. What 14 year old wants to smell like a kippered 60 year old lady?

spicemonster · 16/12/2008 21:26

You should have told him it was none of his business then thebrain

thebrain · 16/12/2008 21:31

It did cross my mind spicemonster

ManIFeelLikeAWoman · 16/12/2008 23:29

Loving the fact that everyone here is speaking from experience about the comparative hardships of giving up smoking and heroin.

I was not aware that so many heroin addicts had beaten the monkey on their back, reformed their lives and brought children into the world.

I mean, it's not likely anyone would preach at others from a position of experience if they had, in fact, only experienced one side of it, is it? So well done to all you ex-addicts.

To reiterate my earlier point, too - primary-aged smokers are very rare in this country. It is fair to conclude, I think, that, while primary school teachers are role models in many ways, smoking is one area where their actions count for very little one way or the other.

I can't even remember whether any of mine smoked, though I'm sure many of them would have, proudly and openly, back in the 70s.

cory · 17/12/2008 07:25

Man makes a valid point. Most children do not take up smoking until they are at secondary school- by which time it is unlikely that they look up to their teachers.

(If my dd looked up to her history teacher and believed every word she said, I should lose the will to live...).

ChoChoSan · 17/12/2008 11:01

I think it's a bit of shame that the teacher did not see it as a bit unprofessional, but it's probably hard for them to have a fag unseen as they can no longer smoke on school grounds.

But the bottom line is that you dont own the teacher's life, and kids are going to be faced with people smoking throughout their lives, and have to learn to deal with it, fact of life, I'm afraid.

spokette · 17/12/2008 12:35

Why on earth should someone be considered unprofessional just because they smoke? I work with several people who smoke and they are the epitome of professionalism.

There is a lot of nonsense spouted on this thread.

I'm just waiting for someone to post that they were outraged that their precious off-spring is being taught by someone who is a size 20 and is clearly lazy, unhygienic, lacks self discipline and is unprofessional because they let themselves go.

LiffeyCanSpellGeansaiNollaig · 17/12/2008 12:38

It is 'not professional' to 'not care' if young children, the same young children you are being paid to teach, see you smoking.

Part of teaching is leading and setting an example and being a role model. Not every child has the luxury of wonderful role models at home. It is vital that a teacher prioritise their young pupils OVER their need for a puff.

spicemonster · 17/12/2008 12:44

Luckily you're not in charge liffey - while most of my friends who are teachers take their role of providing pastoral care to the children very seriously indeed, that doesn't extend to feeling they have to be a role model 24/7.

daftpunk · 17/12/2008 12:54

yabu..if i had to teach in some schools i'd have cigarettes coming out of my ears.