The school campus is a prime place for gossip, and you'll be exposed to it as well. Many times gossip is told over lunch or during planning periods. The best advice you can get as a new teacher is: “Listen, smile, and move on.” In other words, if you do not want to be rude and say something like, “Please do not gossip in front of me,” just listen to what is said without making any judgments at all. Some of what you hear will be true, and some will be false. As a new teacher, you may not have all the background information to make the distinction between the two.

It is in your best interest not to spread gossip around. For one thing, as a new teacher you will not really understand all the inner workings of the staff. There might be teachers who once dated or teachers who are related to each other. If you repeat the wrong piece of gossip to the wrong person, it could really cause a problem. It is best if you just don't get involved.