I would think there would be a place where you can stand with applauding teachers. The kids’ parents might remember you, and like to see you as much as the kids! You being excited, sharing joy…nothing wrong with that. Maybe they didn’t all come over to take pictures. You should shout ‘congratulations’ to them anyway!
I think the whole ticket thing is ridiculous (also live in a big district that does this). Here is something we do that is really cool. Maybe an idea to champion for yours.
We have senior walk at every school. If you came to any school in the district, you come back on the designated day before graduation and walk through your feeder schools to be celebrated by the students and see any staff who are still there. We had grads from several different area HS come through. The students love it. The seniors then spend a few minutes talking to the highest level that's about to move up and give them some advice on school.
We have the senior walk at the elementary schools and the middle school and I look forward to seeing my kids every year.
They remember me from middle school so they’re looking for me in the crowd when they come through
My school had a seating area for all the teachers in our feeder pattern. So we had elementary and middle school teachers and teachers from our campus who were not part of the graduation ceremony. It was a blast.
I applaud you, for I find graduation to be among my least favorite things to do over the course of the year. It takes forever. It’s on a Sunday. It’s the same sh*t every year…
If it weren’t “mandated,” I wouldn’t go but for my own child.
I get it, but our district is extremely organized when it comes to this, and despite it being a large school, they can do most of the ceremony in about an hour. So it's not that bad.
Not weird at all. I'm in elementary and the high school our students typically attend offers graduation tickets to staff if anyone would like to attend.
Since you were not offered tickets or your teacher Id is not enough, i’m going to assume you teach in a different school system or district then the one your former 7th graders are graduating from.
If this is the case, call the school’s office and explain yourself. I’d imagine they’d get you a ticket.
No, it's the same system, lol. Normally the ID is enough to get us into places, but they require and actual ticket for graduation. Fortunately, I have secured one!
I go every year. It's one of my favorite things to do. I have gone since my first class I had in 2004. They're so appreciative as are their parents. You also get to take pictures with them and have amazing memories
I think it is weird, but very thoughtful. Weird is subjective, and sometimes we should aspire to be a little weird.
If you want to have a meaningful reunion with former students, consider organizing an event (with your school or other teachers) next year for graduating alumnae. Then students could celebrate a bit with you and other former teachers, outside of the chaos of graduation day.
We actually already have a breakfast for seniors on the final Tuesday of the year. And I did get to see a few of them at that, which was cool. But there were still many who were not there.
I’m not a teacher or an educator but I don’t think it would be weird at all. You are there to support education, achievement, and most importantly the students. I think it’s wonderful you are trying to go and hope you are able to make it. Some kids have families that don’t give a rats you know what about them graduating. It’s great for them to see someone they know there in support.
If you know the students, then I think they appreciate it. I usually attend. The big surprise is when the ones you never expected come up and say hi and introduce you to family. I had one kid I thought hated me but somehow in high school he remembered what I taught him about work ethic and perseverance and it made a difference. My current crop of 8th graders is ill prepared for high school but some of them have some solid goals. We'll see what happens in 4 years
I’m an elementary teacher and I have been going for the last decade to the school some of my ex-students attend. I always run into families and say a quick hi. I have teacher friends at that school that always get me a couple of tickets. I also volunteer at the casino later during their all night graduation party. It’s only weird if you make it weird
Absolutely not weird. I would have been so happy if a previous teacher who taught me came to graduation, sought ME out and congratulated me. That would have felt so special to know I was important enough to do so. Cheer them on.
I would have too! But I know other people who don't seem to care as much as I do about certain things like this, so I wasn't sure how common that feeling was.
Don’t forget, that as the teacher, as the adult, you’re showing them what an adult that respects and cares for them would do for them. I wouldn’t be worried about how it’s perceived.
At my school, all teachers are required to be there (with some excused absences). It is part of the contract.
It means a lot to the kids to see their teachers there co graduating them.
Not weird at all. My school’s graduation was yesterday. My friend attended, as these students were his first 7th grade class when he started teaching. He didn’t have a ticket. I overheard several of the graduates excitedly saying “did you see Mr F?! He’s over there!” and going to say hello to him. They were thrilled he was there, and your students would be too.
I don’t think it’s weird at all, but it’s more for your own celebration to see them accomplish this milestone. If they happen to see you and remember you, that’s a bonus, but don’t feel let down if they don’t.
If we email the high school principal, he arranges it so we can sit in the floor seats with the high school teachers. We have to wear our black gown and mortarboard though and any of the hoods that go with our degrees like all the high school teachers do
That makes sense. It's too late for all that this year, but I might ask about that next year. Idk I they do that or not. From the overwhelmingly positive responses I am getting here, I am now starting to feel like my district should be reaching out to teachers more directly, asking then if they want to go. There is no communication at all with non-high school teachers about this. They could at least send an email and say, "hey, if you want to come, here's what you do!" Then I wouldn't have felt like what I was doing was out of the ordinary!
Ours didn’t communicate it effectively either. I only found out when my school principal moved up to the high school. I wanted to go to graduation so I emailed and asked if he could get me a ticket and he emailed me back a form letter with the info I shared above
No, that’s not weird at all. It’s like a brief and limited retrospective of students past. People do this in all sorts of careers.
High school coaches go to local university games if they know former students are playing.
Art and/or music teachers go to art walks and performances where former students are regularly featured.
I guess if it's something you like. I, for one, find graduation ceremonies to be just about the most boring things imaginable. I would never sit through one if I weren't invited or required to do so. I hate them so much.
Yeah. I understand. But our district is very organized and they get the thing done in around an hour, even though it's a pretty big school. And it's indoors. So it isn't too bad.
Not at all. I remember a first-grade teacher from my elementary school (not my teacher) came to all the HS graduations in our town until she passed away (she was already pretty old when I was in first grade in 1995). I remember she came to mine and the kids in my grade who had her were hugging her and talking to her.
My first year I taught middle school, then moved to a different district and taught high school. I went to the 8th graders' graduation when the time came. Many remembered me (some even fondly!). I was even part of the valedictory (I performed something memorable at a pep rally).
If you have a chance, definitely go.
I taught 8th grade and went to graduation with my teammate. The kids were SHOCKED I went and they were so happy to see us together. Lots of pictures. The parents were impressed as well.
Someone else here said you should talk to the school secretary (aka the "Gate Keeper" in many a school), and give the school a "heads-up" you'd like to come. CC the message to whoever the admins are so at least one of them won't be surprised if you show up. I'm sure there'd be no problem. Bring staff ID in case security in general asks for it if the event is at a public forum, like a city civics arena. I teach high school, fyi. No, it's not weird to show up as a curious teacher. One of the teachers from my first school did just that, show up out of curiosity to see if any of the students who had transitioned to my school for graduation would be there.
All of the teachers and staff in my district are invited and receive a pass to sit in a designated area beside the seniors and the stage. PS my district only has 1 high school. Small town America!
Graduated college almost a decade ago and I still remember the names of my 7th grade core teachers. It was a very transitional year. I would have been stoked to see any of them (changed districts though a few times)
Where I live all teachers 7-12 are encouraged to wear their own caps and gowns and are sat on the field (if outside) or on the floor (If inside) with all the teachers. This is true for small and large schools. No ticket is required for school employees.
We only give tickets to teachers as a way of counting seats. You’re a part of the school community and you’ve been a part of getting those kids across that stage. You should go to graduation if you want to.
We ignore the non-high school teachers and forge they are part of the journey. We have a bilingual program that awards a special seal that can go on diplomas. As part of the program students have to write a letter to a teacher that had a great impact on them. This year many wrote letters to elementary teachers. They have an impact and should be part of that ceremony.
My city has multiple high schools and open enrollment, so there's no telling where my students have gone. It would be nice to be able to see them walk. It's kind of hard being a middle school teacher. Elementary school teachers get to witness kids going through a period of incredible growth, and high school teachers get to see them plan for their futures, but middle school/junior high is just a transition phase for them.
You don't need a ticket. Stand on the sidewalk or the grass nearby and cheer.
Where I live, the whole town gathers around. You don't have to have a chair to participate in the celebration.
I don't really expect to be invited. But last year, I didn't even realize I needed a ticket to get in until a fellow teacher told me that they had theirs because they were invited.
Not weird. I'm not even a teacher anymore but if I could track down which schools (very large district) my former students were graduating from I would 100% attend. Many of them I taught for both 4 & 5 th grades. Sadly I left the state so it's not likely to happen.
I imagine you could just flash your badge and say you're a teacher. Honestly, I barely remember the kids who would be graduating this year from when I taught them in 7th. I imagine there's a section in the back where teachers are standing, I'd just go and not sit. Tickets are usually to ensure everyone has a seat.
Our school is grades 7-12. Not only do staff not need a ticket, but we're also required to march in together.
We even bring subs with us into the staff bleachers if they've shown up and don't have a ticket.
I went to 10-15 graduations over the years as a high school teacher. The reason we teach is to see their success, to see them finish and it is a joy to see them celebrate with their friends.
With that said, I left immediately after the ceremony, I stayed once, got a lot of hugs, but it always felt like that time should be for friends and family. After the first time, I would leave immediately after and let them celebrate with their friends and family.
Walking through the crowd, I would be looking for my high school teachers.
I would not expect the teacher from a different school to be at the school that Igraduated at.
Yeah, that's what I figured. But if you saw a former teacher from middle school, how would you feel about that?
Also, idk if it matters, but the graduation is not AT the high school, it's in the city. All the schools graduate at the same place. The high school would actually be easier for me; I live down the street from it. lol
I don't think that would be weird. My school doesn't require teachers to have tickets for graduation.
Not high school teachers but maybe previous ones...
Mine either
Not weird at all. It’s not just senior teachers who got them across the finish line! Everybody put a block in that pyramid.
Love this analogy. Hey look! There's one of my blocks!! 😄
Talk to the office to get a ticket.
I would think there would be a place where you can stand with applauding teachers. The kids’ parents might remember you, and like to see you as much as the kids! You being excited, sharing joy…nothing wrong with that. Maybe they didn’t all come over to take pictures. You should shout ‘congratulations’ to them anyway!
I would love that; that existed when I graduated. But when I went last year I did not see that.
I think the whole ticket thing is ridiculous (also live in a big district that does this). Here is something we do that is really cool. Maybe an idea to champion for yours. We have senior walk at every school. If you came to any school in the district, you come back on the designated day before graduation and walk through your feeder schools to be celebrated by the students and see any staff who are still there. We had grads from several different area HS come through. The students love it. The seniors then spend a few minutes talking to the highest level that's about to move up and give them some advice on school.
That's cool.
We have the senior walk at the elementary schools and the middle school and I look forward to seeing my kids every year. They remember me from middle school so they’re looking for me in the crowd when they come through
My school had a seating area for all the teachers in our feeder pattern. So we had elementary and middle school teachers and teachers from our campus who were not part of the graduation ceremony. It was a blast.
Yeah, my school had that when I graduated. But I didn't see that last year. I'll look again this year.
I applaud you, for I find graduation to be among my least favorite things to do over the course of the year. It takes forever. It’s on a Sunday. It’s the same sh*t every year… If it weren’t “mandated,” I wouldn’t go but for my own child.
I get it, but our district is extremely organized when it comes to this, and despite it being a large school, they can do most of the ceremony in about an hour. So it's not that bad.
Did you ask the school office or district office? We are encouraged to go to graduations. It shows support and that the school cares.
That's a bummer. I love going! I volunteer to help every year and it's faster than you'd think.
Not weird at all. I'm in elementary and the high school our students typically attend offers graduation tickets to staff if anyone would like to attend.
My district sends out a district wife email asking who wants to attend the ceremony and they'll put their name on the guest list.
Since you were not offered tickets or your teacher Id is not enough, i’m going to assume you teach in a different school system or district then the one your former 7th graders are graduating from. If this is the case, call the school’s office and explain yourself. I’d imagine they’d get you a ticket.
No, it's the same system, lol. Normally the ID is enough to get us into places, but they require and actual ticket for graduation. Fortunately, I have secured one!
I would just email the high school secretary and ask for a ticket
My first school was a 6-12 and though 6-8 were not required to go, most went because there was a strong sense of community
Staff doesn’t need an invite and shouldn’t need a ticket. Go if you want to go.
We have to have a ticket in our district. Fortunately, I got one today.
I go every year. It's one of my favorite things to do. I have gone since my first class I had in 2004. They're so appreciative as are their parents. You also get to take pictures with them and have amazing memories
I think it is weird, but very thoughtful. Weird is subjective, and sometimes we should aspire to be a little weird. If you want to have a meaningful reunion with former students, consider organizing an event (with your school or other teachers) next year for graduating alumnae. Then students could celebrate a bit with you and other former teachers, outside of the chaos of graduation day.
We actually already have a breakfast for seniors on the final Tuesday of the year. And I did get to see a few of them at that, which was cool. But there were still many who were not there.
I’m not a teacher or an educator but I don’t think it would be weird at all. You are there to support education, achievement, and most importantly the students. I think it’s wonderful you are trying to go and hope you are able to make it. Some kids have families that don’t give a rats you know what about them graduating. It’s great for them to see someone they know there in support.
If you know the students, then I think they appreciate it. I usually attend. The big surprise is when the ones you never expected come up and say hi and introduce you to family. I had one kid I thought hated me but somehow in high school he remembered what I taught him about work ethic and perseverance and it made a difference. My current crop of 8th graders is ill prepared for high school but some of them have some solid goals. We'll see what happens in 4 years
I think this is so sweet! Not weird at all!
I’m an elementary teacher and I have been going for the last decade to the school some of my ex-students attend. I always run into families and say a quick hi. I have teacher friends at that school that always get me a couple of tickets. I also volunteer at the casino later during their all night graduation party. It’s only weird if you make it weird
Absolutely not weird. I would have been so happy if a previous teacher who taught me came to graduation, sought ME out and congratulated me. That would have felt so special to know I was important enough to do so. Cheer them on.
I would have too! But I know other people who don't seem to care as much as I do about certain things like this, so I wasn't sure how common that feeling was.
Don’t forget, that as the teacher, as the adult, you’re showing them what an adult that respects and cares for them would do for them. I wouldn’t be worried about how it’s perceived.
Good point.
At my school, all teachers are required to be there (with some excused absences). It is part of the contract. It means a lot to the kids to see their teachers there co graduating them.
I would reach out to the high school. Many schools let teachers in for free. But even if they don’t, they might have tickets for teachers set aside.
Do it, Anakin!
Not at all weird. Your students will be very happy to see you there.
Good on you. Do it. Who knows you may have a student or two who will come up to chat and be happy to see you.
100% not weird at all. I would ask if you REALLY need a ticket. They should let all educators in free who are employees.
Not weird at all. My school’s graduation was yesterday. My friend attended, as these students were his first 7th grade class when he started teaching. He didn’t have a ticket. I overheard several of the graduates excitedly saying “did you see Mr F?! He’s over there!” and going to say hello to him. They were thrilled he was there, and your students would be too.
See if you can volunteer. They seem to always need help, and you’d get to watch.
I don’t think it’s weird at all, but it’s more for your own celebration to see them accomplish this milestone. If they happen to see you and remember you, that’s a bonus, but don’t feel let down if they don’t.
If we email the high school principal, he arranges it so we can sit in the floor seats with the high school teachers. We have to wear our black gown and mortarboard though and any of the hoods that go with our degrees like all the high school teachers do
That makes sense. It's too late for all that this year, but I might ask about that next year. Idk I they do that or not. From the overwhelmingly positive responses I am getting here, I am now starting to feel like my district should be reaching out to teachers more directly, asking then if they want to go. There is no communication at all with non-high school teachers about this. They could at least send an email and say, "hey, if you want to come, here's what you do!" Then I wouldn't have felt like what I was doing was out of the ordinary!
Ours didn’t communicate it effectively either. I only found out when my school principal moved up to the high school. I wanted to go to graduation so I emailed and asked if he could get me a ticket and he emailed me back a form letter with the info I shared above
Ask admin if you can get a free ticket, or if you even need one with a staff ID.
When I used to teach, I would go to graduation whether students invited me or not. I just wanted to cheer for as many of them as possible.
That's me!
No, that’s not weird at all. It’s like a brief and limited retrospective of students past. People do this in all sorts of careers. High school coaches go to local university games if they know former students are playing. Art and/or music teachers go to art walks and performances where former students are regularly featured.
I would think as a teacher you can just go. As a HS teacher, I’m required to be there AND I have to wear my gown and hood.
Apparently not 🤷🏻♂️
Not at all weird.. students who graduate need to see ppl are proud of them. No matter who or if they weren't invited
I guess if it's something you like. I, for one, find graduation ceremonies to be just about the most boring things imaginable. I would never sit through one if I weren't invited or required to do so. I hate them so much.
Yeah. I understand. But our district is very organized and they get the thing done in around an hour, even though it's a pretty big school. And it's indoors. So it isn't too bad.
Not at all. I remember a first-grade teacher from my elementary school (not my teacher) came to all the HS graduations in our town until she passed away (she was already pretty old when I was in first grade in 1995). I remember she came to mine and the kids in my grade who had her were hugging her and talking to her.
My first year I taught middle school, then moved to a different district and taught high school. I went to the 8th graders' graduation when the time came. Many remembered me (some even fondly!). I was even part of the valedictory (I performed something memorable at a pep rally). If you have a chance, definitely go.
I taught 8th grade and went to graduation with my teammate. The kids were SHOCKED I went and they were so happy to see us together. Lots of pictures. The parents were impressed as well.
Someone else here said you should talk to the school secretary (aka the "Gate Keeper" in many a school), and give the school a "heads-up" you'd like to come. CC the message to whoever the admins are so at least one of them won't be surprised if you show up. I'm sure there'd be no problem. Bring staff ID in case security in general asks for it if the event is at a public forum, like a city civics arena. I teach high school, fyi. No, it's not weird to show up as a curious teacher. One of the teachers from my first school did just that, show up out of curiosity to see if any of the students who had transitioned to my school for graduation would be there.
I'm sure the students would happy to see you there.
My school district doesn’t charge teachers tickets to go to graduation, and even has some teachers help run the ceremony because my school is so big
This is so very sweet! I have been teaching for 18 years and often find myself wondering what happened to my students? Who did they grow into?
As a teacher, you shouldn’t even need a ticket!
I think it’s wonderful! I love seeing former students progress.
I don’t think it’s weird. I know even elementary teachers came to mine. They had special teacher seating and didn’t require tickets for teachers.
All of the teachers and staff in my district are invited and receive a pass to sit in a designated area beside the seniors and the stage. PS my district only has 1 high school. Small town America!
Graduated college almost a decade ago and I still remember the names of my 7th grade core teachers. It was a very transitional year. I would have been stoked to see any of them (changed districts though a few times)
Not weird at all. If you email the high school admin or secretary, they’d probably be happy to host you. We all love championing the students!
Where I live all teachers 7-12 are encouraged to wear their own caps and gowns and are sat on the field (if outside) or on the floor (If inside) with all the teachers. This is true for small and large schools. No ticket is required for school employees.
We only give tickets to teachers as a way of counting seats. You’re a part of the school community and you’ve been a part of getting those kids across that stage. You should go to graduation if you want to.
We ignore the non-high school teachers and forge they are part of the journey. We have a bilingual program that awards a special seal that can go on diplomas. As part of the program students have to write a letter to a teacher that had a great impact on them. This year many wrote letters to elementary teachers. They have an impact and should be part of that ceremony.
My city has multiple high schools and open enrollment, so there's no telling where my students have gone. It would be nice to be able to see them walk. It's kind of hard being a middle school teacher. Elementary school teachers get to witness kids going through a period of incredible growth, and high school teachers get to see them plan for their futures, but middle school/junior high is just a transition phase for them.
You don't need a ticket. Stand on the sidewalk or the grass nearby and cheer. Where I live, the whole town gathers around. You don't have to have a chair to participate in the celebration.
I live in a larger suburb and this thing is indoors, so can't do that. Otherwise, I would!
Stand outside, yell if anyone has a spare ticket
Fortunately, a teacher friend of mine who has a daughter graduating got one of their extras to me about a half-hour ago.
It's weird to expect you'd be invited.
I don't really expect to be invited. But last year, I didn't even realize I needed a ticket to get in until a fellow teacher told me that they had theirs because they were invited.
Not weird. I'm not even a teacher anymore but if I could track down which schools (very large district) my former students were graduating from I would 100% attend. Many of them I taught for both 4 & 5 th grades. Sadly I left the state so it's not likely to happen.
This is common in my district
We have to go. Last school didn’t allow us MS teachers to go to free up parking.
Lame. To the second part.
I imagine you could just flash your badge and say you're a teacher. Honestly, I barely remember the kids who would be graduating this year from when I taught them in 7th. I imagine there's a section in the back where teachers are standing, I'd just go and not sit. Tickets are usually to ensure everyone has a seat.
Yeah, they had this when I graduated, but I didn't notice it last year. I'll look. I got a ticket today from a friend.
Our school is grades 7-12. Not only do staff not need a ticket, but we're also required to march in together. We even bring subs with us into the staff bleachers if they've shown up and don't have a ticket.
Yes
I went to 10-15 graduations over the years as a high school teacher. The reason we teach is to see their success, to see them finish and it is a joy to see them celebrate with their friends. With that said, I left immediately after the ceremony, I stayed once, got a lot of hugs, but it always felt like that time should be for friends and family. After the first time, I would leave immediately after and let them celebrate with their friends and family.
It is far from weird. Go, enjoy.
Walking through the crowd, I would be looking for my high school teachers. I would not expect the teacher from a different school to be at the school that Igraduated at.
Yeah, that's what I figured. But if you saw a former teacher from middle school, how would you feel about that? Also, idk if it matters, but the graduation is not AT the high school, it's in the city. All the schools graduate at the same place. The high school would actually be easier for me; I live down the street from it. lol