1st year teacher yells at substitute teacher for using the teacher's lounge, claims that substitute teachers aren't staff and don't count: 'I didn’t know what else to do, so I just walked away and went straight to the principals office'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Jan 31, 2025 8:00 PM EST

If you don't think teachers get enough respect, you'd be shocked to hear the kind of treatment that substitute teachers get. I remember all of the memorable substitute teachers from my school days, most of them because of how badly the students would treat them. We had a sub in 5th and 6th grade named Mrs. Smallings, and because this is how the universe works, she was an incredibly Rubenesque lady. She was surly and irascible constantly, probably because a bunch of horrible children were making fun of her weight 40 hours a week. The other memorable sub was nicknamed "Mrs. Please and Thank You" because, you guessed it, she dared to ask high school students to use basic manners in school. There was the occasional memorable sub who wasn't treated terribly (I recall an old man who gave us cute little toys until middle school), but those were few and far between. 

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  • If substitute teachers didn't already have enough to put up with from students, they also have to deal with disrespect from their fellow teachers. One substitute who was just minding her business going to a staff room got accosted by a 1st-year teacher who had a massive chip on her shoulder.

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    Cheezburger Image 10462334208
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    Teacher yelled at me.

    Today, while working at my favorite school a teacher yelled at me for using the staff lounge on my lunch break. I've been subbing at this school off and on for going on 3 years now. She's a new teacher who started at the beginning of this school year. This is how the conversation went:
    via u/Altruistic-Exit6006
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    Me: about to walk into lounge Teacher: Umm that room is for staff only. Me: I know, I'm on lunch and don't have my own room today opens the door
    via u/Altruistic-Exit6006
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    Teacher: reaches around me and slams the door back shut I don't know what you don't understand about it being staff only. YOU. ARE. NOT. STAFF. SUBSTITUTES DO NOT COUNT!
    via u/Altruistic-Exit6006
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    Cheezburger Image 10462334720
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    I just stood there dumbfounded, I didn't know what else to do so I just walked away and went straight to the principals office to tell her what happened. I have NEVER had any problems at this school, that's why I applied for a
    via u/Altruistic-Exit6006
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    full time position for next school year but this honestly shook me a bit. I go out of my way to be nice to EVERYONE at that school whether it be students, staff or the occasional parent I come across. I just don't know how to feel about it.
    via u/Altruistic-Exit6006
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    Edit to add: Thank you to everyone who has commented, I am trying to read them now. I just got off work (second job) and was able to get back here. To answer some questions:
    via u/Altruistic-Exit6006
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    The principal said she would watch the cameras and take care of it, I fully believe she will. Like | had said earlier, this is my favorite school and I've never had any problems with any staff members. They are all very friendly, usually. Yes, substitutes are allowed to use the lounges whenever they need. For those of you that don't
    via u/Altruistic-Exit6006
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    Cheezburger Image 10462334976
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    think this is real, unfortunately it is. If you look at the comments multiple people have shared similar stories. I am still going back tomorrow because I have a job to do and I'm not going to let one person ruin my day.
    via u/Altruistic-Exit6006
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    siimplycraziie I hope she gets her a chewed out! How incredibly ride. Hope she never needs a sub, bc I surely wouldn't take a job for someone like that.
    via u/siimplycraziie
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    tsar 784 I realize I'm basing this statement on only what info OP provided, but as a parent. I wouldn't want a person that can so quickly without provocation and for no real good reason act this way to another person. And do have potentially done so in a place where students may have seen. This isn't chewing a to me. This is your suspended for awhile to reflect on how to be a better example to the students your charged and trusted with educating.
    via u/tsar784
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    SnooMemesjellies2983 you think she doesn't flip out on students just as fast you're kidding yourself.
    via u/SnooMemesjellies2983
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    astrosota Our school is dependent on good subs. When you are there, you play for our team. There are only two teams: staff and students.
    via u/astrosota
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    Unhappy_Traffic_6297 Something must be off with her―-of course substitutes count!! Where else are you supposed to go?? I eat at any open spot in the staff work room and no one has ever made me feel like I'm not welcome.
    via u/Unhappy_Traffic_6297
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    rellyks13 genuinely curious to know what she thinks substitutes are if not staff? they are literally staffing the building like? what???
    via u/rellyks13
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    Critical_Wear1597 Substitute Teachers are staff with all the responsibilities and none of the rights of permanent teachers.
    via u/Critical_Wear1597
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    Friendly-Channel-480 Substitutes are grown ups. Grown ups are allowed in the staff room.
    via u/Friendly-Channel-480
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    Eastern-Support1091 Just look that person in the eye and calmly ask, "Are you done yet? Did saying that make you feel better about yourself?" Then stay silent.
    via u/Eastern-Support1091
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    shoemanchew This is one of those scenarios I practice in the shower
    via u/shoemanchew
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    MissSaucy_22 Yeah that teacher was definitely trying to be spiteful and for what?! She's new and doesn't know you and who tf is she to say you can't use the staff restroom.... You are staff, you're not a student....these teachers are losing their mind by the day!!
    via u/MissSaucy_22
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    OutdoorLadyBird she's probably regretting being a teacher and lashing out
    via u/OutdoorLadyBird
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    cheerluva42 This reminds me of a time I was a floating sub and asked one of the other teachers where the staff lounge was so I could eat lunch and she legit told me to go eat lunch with the students?? It was so weird. I went to the office and was like hey I'm on my scheduled break where is a good place for me to eat my lunch? And they directed me to the staff room lol
    via u/cheerluva42
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    Jessicak1988 Is this like a brand new teacher? It sounds like she has a chip on her shoulder. I'm sorry you had to deal with that. It's not cool!
    via u/Jessicak1988
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    Altruistic-Exit6006 OP She is a first year teacher so I guess she's trying to not be the low man on the totem pole?
    via u/Altruistic-Exit6006
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    oceanscout That's hilarious. At my fave school the teachers go out of their way to include me in their special treats like Starbucks coffee & donuts for teachers days etc. That chick has ISSUES I would've laughed at her and went in anyway because they give me KEYS to the entire building
    via u/oceanscout

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school elementary school middle school at school teachers awesome teacher teacher substitute teacher workplace high school Terrible Teacher teachers lounge substitute
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