Robyn asks:
How do I get go about this sticky situation? I share a room one period with my department chair who stays in the room at least half of the period. She is sitting at the front of the room at her teacher desk directly next to where I am standing and conducting class. Sometimes she is working, but sometimes she’s texting on her phone! So while I’m teaching a class, my students are seeing not just me at the front of the room, but her. I have no problem if she/anyone wants to observe my class, but I find this behavior day after day to be completely rude and distracting. There is a teacher lounge or another teacher’s empty classroom that she can go to during that period. Since she’s my dept head and it’s my first year in the building, do I say something to her or to my principal who sets up the room share schedule? I’m wondering if I should just hold off until I find out if I’m asked back for next year.