Educational Trends To Say Goodbye To: Teachers are some of the most flexible people, always pivoting and making changes. Every year brings new curriculum, new programs, new technology, and about 1001 new acronyms we’re somehow expected to know by Friday.
We love teaching. We love our students. Many of us find such joy in the little things like new flair pens. 😄 But there are a few educational trends that have many elementary teachers saying, “Can we please just stop doing this?”
While we all know there are parts of our job we simply can’t avoid, these six are at the top of many educators’ wish lists to leave behind.
1. Unnecessary Meetings That Could Have Been an Email
We’ve all been there.
A meeting is added to the calendar, everyone gathers in the conference room, and 30 minutes later you realize the entire agenda could have fit into three bullet points in an email.
Teachers understand that some meetings are needed and helpful. But when planning time is limited, we’d much rather spend those extra minutes preparing lessons, organizing reading groups, or making one more trip to the copier before it jams again.
2. Ice Breakers
If you’ve taught for more than a year, you’ve probably shared your favorite ice cream flavor, your dream vacation, two truths and a lie, and enough fun facts to write your own biography.
Relationship building matters, but most teachers would gladly trade one more ice breaker for practical ideas they can actually use in the classroom on Monday morning. Or here’s a great idea…the time that is saved by not doing the ice breakers- use those precious minutes working in your room!
3. Meetings During Teacher Planning Time
Teacher planning time may sound like a nice relaxing break during the day. But here is what is actually happening: We’re answering emails, grading papers, prepping centers, meeting with parents, organizing interventions, making copies, and wondering if we’ll ever find time to make it down to the restroom.
When planning time becomes meeting time, the work doesn’t disappear. It just follows teachers home.
Protecting teacher planning time isn’t a luxury—it’s one of the best ways schools can support both educators and students.
4. Lunch Duty While Trying to Eat Lunch
A real lunch break shouldn’t feel like an Olympic event…
Trying to eat three bites of a sandwich in between opening ketchup packets, reminding someone to stay seated, cleaning up spilled milk, and answering, “Can I go to the bathroom?”
Even twenty uninterrupted minutes to eat, recharge, and enjoy a hot meal (or at least one that’s still warm-ish) can make a huge difference for the rest of the school day.
5. Educational Buzzwords
Every school year seems to come with a brand-new list of educational buzzwords.
Fidelity. Rigor. Finding your why. Deep dive. Best practices.
These phrases usually start with good intentions, but after hearing them in every meeting, presentation, and email, they begin to lose their meaning.
Teachers don’t need another trendy phrase. They need practical strategies, useful professional development, and the time to implement what actually works for students.
6. Calling Students “Friends”
This one might spark a little debate.
Many educators have moved away from calling students friends and instead use words like students, readers, writers, mathematicians, or simply their names.
Why? Because those words build identity.
Calling a child a reader or a scientist helps reinforce who they’re becoming. It celebrates their learning while still creating a warm, welcoming classroom community. You can absolutely build positive relationships without pretending everyone is best friends.
Teaching has always required flexibility, creativity, and an incredible amount of heart. While these six education trends to be done with may make educators smile (or nod in agreement), they’re also reminders that respecting teachers’ time and professionalism goes a long way.
What would you add to this list? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments—because chances are, you’re not the only one thinking it!
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