Teacher Boundaries 

ClassDojo is the solution to this. If a parent leaves a message after hours, it will automatically inform the parents that teacher will not answer until working hours the next day. Love it.

Some do try to play that I’m your boss card. In my classroom I don’t celebrate b-days with cake and stuff from home. I do a little something and that’s it. I inform this at the beginning of the year. This one mom asked if she could bring cupcakes and juice. I reminded of my policy. Can you believe she dropped off cupcake and juice in the office? I had the clerk call her to come in and get them. Like lady no- this is my classroom and my policy. IDC what other classrooms do! She spoke to the principal I was called in 🙄and presented my policy letter and the record of her dojo message. Principal asked if she knew my policy yes? Then you were aware - sorry you must take them home! 👊🏼 she was heated! 🤷🏽‍♀️

Awesome video...My policy is, I shut everything down at 4:30 which is the end of my work day when school was in session!!! I don’t check any emails or return phone calls until I return to work the next day. According to my principal we have 24 hours to respond to parents. I’ve had a few parents try to tell me how to run my classroom and how to run my IEP meetings and I politely shut them down. Tfs....Stay safe🙂

I just love me some Miss May. Now I can go watch the rest... I 100% believe in boundaries. I suffered my first two years of teaching because I wanted to be super teacher and accessible to my students and parents at all times but that is not sustainable. SET BOUNDARIES!! Agreed!

" I have a life outside of teaching their precious babies ..." LOL. oh my word.

Just love when parents threaten to tell the principal. My principal knows me. I have a life after work. Thanks for expressing this.

Amen !!! Boundaries also have to set for parents showing up during planning time wanting a conference without setting an appointment beforehand.

As a school librarian with 5 schools, I often do E-mail only. In our school district, library is not a graded-special. Unlike art, music, or physical education.

I used to give parents my personal phone number when they weren’t added to my Class Dojo (even when I had sent them an invite) but I found those who parents who had my number would either text me at anytime of day, or would be very rude versus the parents I had in Class Dojo who were always respectful. I asked my mentor why that happened and he said that when a parent has a teacher’s personal phone number it leaves room for them to be more upfront with the teacher. Since then if a parent was not my Class Dojo I either emailed them or use the school’s phone to call them. No more do I give them my personal number.

I went through this my first year of teaching. I parents who message me or call me after 7,8,9 and 10pm. I didn't know I needed to set boundaries .These are the same parents who cussed me out over the phone and yell at me. My second year I started to set boundaries and I don't give out my personal phone number unless it's 100% needed. I use class dojo and set times on there that after 5:00pm I don't get the alert that I was messaged until the next morning. Setting boundaries with parents and students are extremely important. I've had to train myself to not respond after my hours, because you just want to get it over with.

Boundaries are key to practicing good self-care and mental health for teachers. Here’s what works for me. I NEVER share my cel number with parents! I took my work email off my personal cel phone. I may see parent emails from parents in the evening but don’t answer until the next day during work hours. My teammates leave work TOGETHER at 4 pm. I bring my teacher laptop home each night but leave my power cord at work. If I choose to work on something from home, when the low power mode alert comes on I shut my laptop off for the night...

“I’m gonna email the principal” oh let me go ahead and cc the principal right now for your convenience 😊

Yup. I agree. I don't know which is worse: elementary school parents or 12th grade parents?

As a relative newbie, I appreciate you sharing what you have learned from all of your experience. You give your advice so compassionately. Thank you for looking out for teachers--that makes sure the kids get our best!

I loooooovvvveee those glasses on you!

Thank you for this advice! I'm a 3rd year elementary music teacher and I also use the Remind app. I literally have HUNDREDS of students. I just had my first baby in February.😅 I am definitely going to set stricter boundaries this year for my mental health!! I struggle with separating work from home. Love your channel Ms. May!!! I have been binge watching your videos and getting super inspired for this difficult school year! ❤️❤️❤️❤️😘😘😘

Our school is going to be "open" from 9am to 9pm. Starting virtual, then hybrid, then whatever. We will have classes spread throughout the day, four days a week with Friday being a colloquium day. This is going to be very tough to keep boundaries. I teach high school US History and AVID, which is a college and career readiness course. Suggestions??

I just love you, and I can't imagine any parents pulling the principal card on you. I used to HATE that! I laughed so hard at your comment "More power to ya, you can copy me if ya want!" I had weak boundaries for my first few years, too. I would call back parents in the evenings and weekends, I learned my lesson. I hope you have a wonderful year!

In setting those boundaries, I am forced to set personal boundaries around when to stop working.

Totally appreciated! With distance learning, it is ESSENTIAL that we set boundaries for our mental health. Thanks for the confirmation!😇

I love that you talk about this. Last year I had a mom just complain about everything and she would get other moms to complain as well. The main problem was me not answering after 4pm! When I had clearly specified the schedule for doubts ...

As a parent, especially a first time mom, I appreciate when teachers set boundaries and lay them out right away. My son went to preschool for 2 years and one year the teacher wasn’t well with communicating her hours and I felt like I could never talk with. His second year teacher (when the pandemic happened) right away set down her hours and I was like yes! Thank you! And if I emailed after her hours, I knew I was not going to get a response till the next day and I emailed her knowing this so my question/advice/whatever didn’t require an immediate response. He will be going to a new school for kindergarten so I really hope his new teacher lets us know the ways to contact them and the hours set.

Distant learning made my last year parents change, expecting me to answer whenever. I had to explain I will keep the same hours. They didn’t believe it and I had to end up deleting class dojo off my phone. A parent messaged me at 2 am in the morning and the notification went off!

Excellent tips

Retired teacher here. You offer some great content and excellent advice for new and veteran teachers! Setting boundaries is so essential. Sometimes we sabatoge ourselves in our efforts to be Super Teacher. It just doesn't work! A controlling parent will sense weakness and take advantage, for sure. In my experience, that type of individual already has a reputation with previous teachers and I was fortunately forewarned.

Thank you so much for all your support as I start the school year in an international school. Lot´s of great insights!

Hi Miss May! I’m will be a first year teacher and I am so glad I found your channel! Stay safe and please keep sharing your awesome tips!!

Oh my gosh agree 100%!!! I don't respond after 5 pm to parents unless is something like superrrr important

Hi Miss May, I just want to share that I love your content. I live alone away from family and often find myself in my own head on the weekends with no one to talk too. Since I'm not in the teaching career but have many friends who are teachers, watching your videos gives me the opportunity to think about something else for a while and also allows me to feel empathy for many teachers and how hard they work. Thanks for being you and sharing your positivity!

I just found u, and subscribed. I am a teacher and new childcare provider. I can be a little passive and NEED TO GET OUT OF THAT HABIT! So this video of how to create boundaries w/parents definitely is helpful. Cause parents will try you every time!

Use a google voice account. It routes to your phone and they can text too. It is great!

I had this issue a bit this past year. We used Seesaw and I had a few parents to message me in the evening!! I quickly learned to stop replying. I then sent out an email to remind parents of when I would reply to any communication sent. That helped a great deal, especially being a 1st year teacher and they understood! I love your channel!!

This was my reason for leaving my last job. I felt I was forced to belittle myself for parents.. it was so bad I Question my self worth

I love your authenticity and professionalism. You are so articulate and lovely. The educational world needs more fantastic people like you. Thank you for being so comforting.

Hello Miss May!!! I agree with you. We have phones in our room, but for when we were virtual, I used Google phone. It keeps your cell number private and you can text and call from that number. I appreciate all the great wisdom you share with us. I had to learn that as well. Thank you for all you do!!! I love your heart for God!!!

Hi Miss May, you are so right on the button. I have been a teacher for many years and setting boundaries is one of the things I advise new teachers to do. Oh it so does help for a smoother school year. Love watching your videos and your TPT products. Yes, I do pray and yes Jesus does make a way. God bless you 💖 praying 🙏🏻

I just love you and all your videos. It's so true about boundaries. It's just a must!

Boundaries were really hard when we went to virtual learning last year. I don't give my cellphone out usually, but was using it to call and check in each week. It took some of my parents a couple times to realize it was me calling, LOL, but I did eventually get them all answering. Also, considering so many of my parents were working during our "office hours" I felt bad not answering their Dojo messages during my so-called off hours because that was truly the only time many were available and could message me. It looks like we're going to be at least half virtual to start the new year, so I'm definitely going to have to make sure I let them all know how and when they can contact me and when they can expect a response.

This past school year was my first year as a teacher...I quickly learned that boundaries must be in place with parents. Definitely a lesson learned ‼️

As a new teacher, your words of wisdom are so appreciated. It can be hard for me to know what I need to put up with as a teacher and what it is okay to stand my ground on.

I agree with you completely. It is hard, but we DO need boundaries. I even had a parent telling me when to post her child's work because she needed to know what I was teaching the next day... Thank you, Miss May. 💕 Blessings.

Miss May, do you have a serenity/prayer corner in your house? Just a loving thought for you....boundaries equals more time to provide ourselves with self care!

During remote learning those boundaries were tested for sure!

Can you do a video on setting boundaries with students like rules , policy’s and how to handle defiant students.

Great advice! I think the inquiry from parents may increase due to what is going on. Setting boundaries must be stated. I am a long-time follower and fellow teacher tuber.

You are beyond helpful. Thank you for all you do. I have an interview in 3 DAYS. Wish me luck!

So Awesome! Thank YOu for ALL your Fabulous Videos!!! ❤😊❤

Miss May, you better preach about boundaries. You cans drop the mic. But girlfriend, your hair is giving me so much personality and fierceness. Love it. Keep up the great work and inspiration.

Thank you for your tips! I just finished my first year of teaching and I learned this the HARD WAY! I know better now what to do for the upcoming school year.

I'm a parent and I approve of this message...💯

Thank you very much for the reminder of setting teacher boundaries.

Thank you so much for the recommendations. With so many schools going to virtual or distance learning, boundaries will be very important. Teachers do need to turn off to take care of themselves. We do need a lot of prayers this year. Take care.

Another excellent one! Welcome back ♥️

ABSOLUTELY!! Learned this the hard way too the first few years. Loved this, Miss May, Thank you!!!

I loved this video! The problem is when your administrator isn’t a supportive administrator. I’ve been in a situation where parents were emailing the principal over the smallest issues, and it was never a discussion with me on the issue. The principal ALWAYS took the parents at their word, and I ended up leaving my job, even though I loved my students.

Thank you, miss May! You reminded us this super important thing before we start next school year 💜

Wow, next day response is fantastic... In my previous school (in Ireland) we had 5 working days to reply to emails. I replied to the nice ones the next day but any nasty ones got a response 5 working days later ;) At the same time, I really don’t mind parents emailing me at any time of the day or night/weekends etc. I don’t check them until the next day anyway so it doesn’t disturb me at all.

Miss May, I'm so happy to have found your channel. This year I'll have my first class as a FIRST-year teacher. Your videos have been so inspiring. I have already saved it to my TO DO teaching Playlist! Thank you.

Thank you! I struggled with this during remote learning. Much love! 💕

As a parent, much respect to you , Miss. May🥰❤

I took my work email off my phone last school year. It helped. I only saw emails when I was on my work computer. I do check my email once during the weekend, sometimes I draft a response. I just hate surprises Monday morning if a parent is upset; it’s rough on my mental lol. Most of the families I serve email throughout the day but don’t expect a response until it’s contract hours. It’s in our handbook and most teachers stick to the 24 hour response, so by the time the kids are 5th grade (my grade), they know the boundaries. LOL plz tell on me to the principal. I’ve been in the principal’s office so many times compared to when I was a student. Only one parent has my number (my google voice) because they were helping me organize my classroom closet.

Well said Miss May! Just like you Miss May it took me several years to really set boundaries, but once I did it truly changed everything. I had more time for myself and my family. ❤️

Love this ! I would love to hear how you handle parents who don't believe their child is having behavior issues. It seems that past two years I have had 1 students who may get in trouble at least once a day for hitting or being a bully but when I communicate this to them they get mad at me instead of their child. They threaten the " I want to meet with the director" but then cancel and I get no where with behavior because the parents blows it off like it's me then the child really does not listen!

Thank you! Ms. May, I really appreciate your session on setting boundaries. I was looking over the math standards for 7th grade and something told me to view your video session. When you started to speak on setting boundaries with parents, I began to take notes for personal reflection. Because of your helpful video, I will create a communication plan for myself to follow when speaking to parents. Again, thank you for the video it was a great help.

I just love all your videos and watch them when I am riding my elliptical in the mornings and absorbing all your positive energy Miss May! I usually just watch appreciatively, but felt the need to comment on this video and say that I think most parents send emails and texts when they have a minute to do so and don't expect an immediate response from us. They might work late hours and are able to finally sit down and go over school notices or papers with their kids at 7PM and send that text or email at that time rather than risk forgetting it the next day. It has been my experience that all my parents are fine with a next day response from me after they send me an email or text when they have a question or concern and have an extra minute to let me know. Just sharing my perspective. Thank you and God bless! :)

Very good video! I definitely agree! If you do it once, they’ll keep doing it and get mad when you don’t.

Thank you for this! I needed to remember and LIVE this because there were no boundaries in the spring!

I really should’ve watched this video at the beginning of my first year last year. I have learned very quickly my boundaries this past year with pandemic. I am definitely going to set mine as part of my classroom management during my on boarding.

This is so important! Great video! I've always been a people pleaser and had to work on this when addressing parent demands. I won't answer emails after 3 pm. If I do, it's scheduled to be sent the next day. Before distance learning, I did make calls after school, but after I leave, there is no way for me to answer. And I am discouraged from giving out personal numbers by our regulatory college- it could get us into trouble- but I'm glad because it helps me set boundaries.

Amazing 👏

Thank you so much Queen. Boundaries is definitely something I struggle with as a teacher. I find myself often making boundaries and moving that line for one reason or another. However I understand the importance. Your video simply encouraged me to start again and DO IT this year especially with us possibly being virtual. Thanks Love!

Thank you. Working on setting boundaries.

YES GOD WILL MAKE A WAY

hahaha... this reminded me of a parent who called me at 6PM and he was drunk. lol...

I am beyond grateful for finding your channel! Thank you for all you do.

Hi Miss May! A fellow teacher on Facebook recommended your channel to me, and I just have to say, you're by far my favorite teacher vlogger I've found yet! I think I've watched every single video you've posted, and have been jotting down something that I need to remember and implement from each one! Thank you for the inspiration, advice, passion, and preparation for this next year of craziness! You're the best! ❤ God really does make a way, even through all the hot mess in the world today! Keep posting, because you're FABULOUS! 😊

Miss May is a shining light!

As a first year teacher, this is very helpful to know. Thank you 🙏💜

This is so helpful ☺️ my first year teaching I gave out my personal number. Ugh, terrible decision. Last yea I used a phone number generator and that was much more helpful!

Hello Miss. May!!! Thanks for sharing this content with us and yes setting boundaries is so true! That’s actually what happened 2 me last year and I had to tell the parent my husband is using my phone now so they would stop texting me with random family pictures of the there child with other male family members! Lesson learned!!!! Lol! Love ya girly! 💕💕💕💕

Great advice as usual Miss May!!

You remind me of my 5th grade teacher and I think that's why I like you so much. Can't wait to finish my Edu degree! I'm half way done :)

Hi Miss May, thanks for that video and I had recently got email from parents using that card of principal, that really rude when they didn't take time to discuss. I had the same response, go and complain but Im still doing my way.

Boundaries are so important, thank you Miss.May for the realness. 💕💕

Hi Miss May I am so glad I found your videos, they are wonderful thank you!!!! I really connect with you when you say that you are friendly with parents because I also have always created a very comfortable respectful relationship with my parents, I feel really blessed in that sense but I think I haven't been very good at setting boundaries with my work time and parents have felt that I am available to respond to their emails or messages on remind any time but it has been my fault :( I really don't mind but there is a certain time that I just want to focus on my home my children so I really want to set those boundaries with my parents starting off the new year of school.

I sure do appreciate these videos and reminders to pray! Thank you

☀️Great to see you Miss May. Love the glasses. Looking beautiful as ever. I haven't reached out in awhile. 🥰Just living that teacher life. Stay safe and stay healthy.😷 God bless you.🙏🏽 Have an AMAZING school year.💞 #year28forme #keepgoing

It took me a few years to figure this out. Boy oh boy, it makes such a difference. What about accepting FB friend requests from parents? Sometimes it works out, sometimes it is a nightmare.

You're a boss Miss May, love your videos. Thanks for sharing all this information.

I'm wondering how these parents are the same across the globe. There is a lot of disrespect and boundary crossing with some of these parents.

This is something I need to be better about. I have at least one family every year that abuses the fact that they have my phone number.

Yes! Totally agree!

This is going to be my first year in 1st grade. Thank you for this video. I was just thinking about this today.

Miss May, I appreciate you. Love the glasses look. Thanks for the reinforcement. Going into yr. 2 but also learning from Fab Teachers.

I love your videos. I have come to a point where I no longer answer email or texts with more than a short message or say when can I call you back between this time or that. I find they take the tone wrong so many times in a message.

Going into my second year, and I appreciate your videos so much!

Thank you Miss May!! I’m anticipating an offer for first grade soon, so I’m watching your videos for support. ❤️❤️

Wish I watched this in the spring. I taught college students contacted me at 3am !!!!

Great information that is so important.

Love your channel !!!! Keep being amazing.Thanks for sharing 👍