Would u ask the new lonely teacher to eat lunch with you? UPDATED

If you sat with a group of friends and there was a new teacher on your grade who went to the classroom, closed the door, and ate alone everyday, would u ask her to join you?
The teacher is a little quirky and likes to talk a lot.



Update-

Okay ladies, I come clean. I in no way meant to deceive people here, but the lonely . teacher sitting alone is... ME I made the post the way I did to see if other teachers would ask the new teacher to eat with them because I am not experiencing the same level of decency in my school, unfortunately.

I started out eating with a small group of teachers but I can't help but feel extremely awkward sitting with them. They will talk to each other and completely leave me out of their conversations (despite my attempts to join in- which ends in eyes rolling and changing of topics). It's like they asked me to join them just to feel good about themselves for "doing the right thing". I don't eat with them anymore but there are a few others groups of teachers on my grade (it's a very large grade) and they are nice to me in passing but see me eating lunch alone and never ask me to join. I am not the type to ask if I can join other people because I always feel like they will say yes to be nice, but not really want me there- and I will become a pest.

I apologize again for the way I phrased the post. I thought if I just made a long post venting about how I sit alone for lunch 40mins/day then it would come out as a cry for pity- which is definitely not my intent! ... It is nice to see that others out there would be welcoming- as would I ...... but right now I feel like the cheese that stands alone and a bit sorry for myself that after 5 months, I still don't have a steady lunch group. Any suggestions? I'm so shy.

Message edited 1/29/2009 11:28:27 PM.

Re: Would u ask the new lonely teacher to eat lunch with you?

sure why not... she probably is nervous. I was so nervous when I first started at my job. I didnt want to go to the cafeteria and sit by myself.

Ask her and maybe she will take u up on that offer.

Re: Would u ask the new lonely teacher to eat lunch with you?

Sure its nice, but maybe she's being prodcutive and getting work done on her lunch hour.

I don't socialize during lunch except when i pop out the room to go in the office for maybe 5 mins.

However the invite would be sweet, I wouldnt turn it down if someone offered.

Re: Would u ask the new lonely teacher to eat lunch with you?

I would send her an email, so youre not putting her on the spot if you ask her in person.

like a friendly email offering any help she may need, and to please join you all at lunch.

Re: Would u ask the new lonely teacher to eat lunch with you?

I would...and have...offered lunch, etc. to new teachers because no one really did it for me and I remember how bad it felt..asking in passing doesn't put her on the spot but lets her know you are welcoming..it's nice of you..

Re: Would u ask the new lonely teacher to eat lunch with you?

100% yes.

Just pop in her room and say "If you're interested in joining us, we eat lunch in blah blah's room (wherever)."

At least she knows the invitation is out there. I can't imagine any reason you WOULDN'T, to be honest (I see this as a "do unto others as you'd have done to you" situations).

Re: Would u ask the new lonely teacher to eat lunch with you?

100% yes.

i remember those days.... you're shy, don't know everyone yet and use every waking hour, including your lunch hour, to prep. and plan.

I would think she would appreciate it. grade level colleaugues should be supportive. worse thing she could was turn you down, but i think it's nice to be supportive and welcoming.

Re: Would u ask the new lonely teacher to eat lunch with you?

Absolutely!

Re: Would u ask the new lonely teacher to eat lunch with you? UPDATED

you could always ask the friendliest teacher on your grade if u they had a few mins at lunch time becuase you want to share some lesson ideas that maybe u need help with?

Just as a side note, I'm very social have alot of friends etx and talk to coworkers BUT i'd rather get much needed work done during my lunch hour....but thats just me

Good luck, im sry youre feeling leftout

Re: Would u ask the new lonely teacher to eat lunch with you? UPDATED

I would because this was done to me my first year. I was never invited by anyone to have lunch and it made me really depressed

Re: Would u ask the new lonely teacher to eat lunch with you? UPDATED

I have experienced this as well. Schools can be very cliquey places - not just for the students! You may just want to drop by with your lunch in hand one day with the excuse that you have a question for one of them - and then casually join them! If you are treated warmly then you know it is cool for you to drop in again. They may think you are using your lunch to work, as many teachers do (especially new ones). It's hard to join a group that is already bonded and in a routine. But eventually you will find your own niche.

Re: Would u ask the new lonely teacher to eat lunch with you? UPDATED

I agree with the PP and am sorry you feel that way! Unfortunately, I have been there and can only offer since you don't work in my building!

Re: Would u ask the new lonely teacher to eat lunch with you? UPDATED

Well to be honest a friend of mine felt the same way last year. I had already been teaching with these girls before so I had established a friendship. When she came along, she felt the same way ...that people did not pay attention to what she had to say and rolled their eyes. She also said they just don't get her. But,..she kept trying and now they all are friendly with her. I say go back in to the lunch you were invited too...and give it a go! h

Re: Would u ask the new lonely teacher to eat lunch with you? UPDATED

Awww hon, I have been there too. My first year was so hard. It was my first year in the building, I was the only new teacher, I had a tough class and I felt so overwhelmed. Not having friends just adds to the frustration and sadness. Luckily one teacher reached out to me and I just made sure that no matter how busy I thought I was, when she wanted to talk or eat lunch I did it anyway. If it meant doing extra work afterschool, I just did it anyway because sometimes the social aspect of your job is just as important as the "work" part of it. Now this is my fourth year and I have my "clique". It does get better! But here's lots of in the meantime.