Running into students/teachers at club or festival

[Year of the Rat]

I'm a newly qualified teacher, and recently ran into a colleague at a nightclub. There was an initial sense of awkwardness because we'd previously only seen each other in a professional capacity at school, and it was clear that we'd both taken ecstasy.

It got me thinking though - if I ran into one of my students (some sixth formers are 18 ) or a very recent student while on the smash, I'd be absolutely horrified, as even if I weren't likely to be in any professional danger, it would undermine me as a professional in their eyes, and the idea of being in the same social situation as one of my students (especially involving illegality and uninhibited behaviour) makes me cringe.

Has anyone ever had such a situation occur, where they were seen on ecstasy by someone entirely inappropriate?

 

[Ella84]

I work in the media (with a focus on music and pop culture) and frequently see professional acquaintances and sometimes colleagues at shows or music festivals and alas, it has happened while I've been pretty off my face. Usually I just wave and hope to avoid speaking to them, but if they do come over and say hi, I'm usually pretty quick to say something along the lines of, 'Wow, this is pretty embarrassing - I'm quite drunk' in the hopes that they will just put my behaviour down to booze. Usually then the next time I see them I'll joke about my drunken behaviour and leave it at that.

I usually try to tell myself that they're probably just as mortified to see me and just as worried about their own behaviour... I hope!

 

[thabart]

Right. That doesn't help the fact though that soon your entire class and maybe parents or coworkers are going to hear that a teacher is going to a rave and may be taking illegal substances. On the other hand, I wouldn't worry too much. As long as your professionalism at work is unflawed it doesn't really matter what rumors say or what people like to believe. Use it to your advantage. Be the cool teacher who doesn't slip and still manages to have fun.

 

[matt2012]

This is the chance you take my friend...teachers all over the world are held to a higher standard than others simply because they are trusted to care for other people's children all day long. if it worries you that your drug use might get back to the people you work for via a former student or a co-worker then take steps to ensure that it does not happen. don't take drugs in public.

it sucks but it is the profession you chose. anything the is seen as breaking the trust between the teacher and student and teacher and community is too much of a risk IMO if you intend to keep teaching. Not that you behavior may ever be discovered but if it is...you can kiss teaching good-bye.

I would skip the clubs an roll at home with close friends if I was in the position.

 

[bongerman]

fuck that party on dude ive run into my teacher at bars being underage and other ones at clubs as long as your not an ass hole teacher there not gonna narc you out dude

 

[matt2012]

said all of the female teachers who had sex with male students...its a different age now with all the bad stuff that goes on in schools. if the school system finds out and does not run you out on a rail....the parents that find out will.

 

[swedger77]

I'm a newly qualified teacher, and recently ran into a colleague at a nightclub. There was an initial sense of awkwardness because we'd previously only seen each other in a professional capacity at school, and it was clear that we'd both taken ecstasy.

This is a great scenario when indeed both folk are clearly on the same level. Instant connection made. Instant bond as you both have to keep the dirty little secret from the rest of your colleagues.

Meeting someone from work who is sober or straight is a totally different situation. Avoid, make as little contact as possible and if you have to speak be very aware of you eyeballs and i always go for the im very drunk routine which can explain any odd...clearly not sober behaviour.

Edit:- I used to be very conscious of this and only frequented clubs where drug taking was the norm. As I have got older the likely hood of meeting folk in clubs has been greatly reduced. I also have more of a "fuck it" attitude. Im 35, in a good job and very comfortable in my own skin and have liberal views on drugs.....folk can just accept that or fuck them.

 

[swedger77]

My friend was a serving policeman and was regularly off his face on MDMA in one of the local nightclubs. It was very oibvious to anyone that he was wasted on MDMA....he never bothered.

 

[MollyFein74]

Avoid photos with the students/colleagues - those glowing pupils... lol

But yeah sure ive run into a teacher or two while out clubbing... underage... before exam time... rolling nuts off on MDMA. Just play it chill, as a student I wouldnt narc a teacher out anyway I think its good when you come accross a teacher who likes to party and is chill with it

But yeah avoid photos etc

 

[RedLeader]

My best advice would be to go raving/rolling/clubbing in different cities where the chances of running into students/colleges would be greatly reduced. If I had to drive a few hours and get a hotel room to go to a rave at a different city, I'd do it if it meant that I could keep both my professional life and my occasional "letting go" in these public settings. Get some of your old pals to go with you if you can (unless you're okay going alone).

I'm not a teacher per se, but I do some private tutoring and plan to go overseas and do a teaching programme in the near future, so I can sort-of relate to what you're saying. I don't have a perfect legal record, so I do have to go to some lengths to still be able to get tutoring gigs without the parents finding out about my dark past. Am I willing to put that extra effort in if it ensures that things won't end in disaster? Absolutely!

Though I will say that I think this is very location-dependent. I went to grad school in a country that's more socio-politically progressive than my current one, and I did trip with a professor from my University (not one that I had ever teach me, just a guy who worked for the same uni) like it was no big deal at all. At least the professor didn't seem like he went to any lengths really to "screen me" or anything before he showed that side of himself to me is what I mean.