I saw a comment last night in a group about teachers who love certain resources and how, when those resources are criticized, the behavior of the group is cultish. It made me ask myself: am I in a cult?

Checklist:
– Do I own a matching T-shirt? OMG I have like 6 Huellas tees, two Garbanzo tees, and tees with Xoli
and Leo from my readers!
– Do I talk about it at dinner parties? No
– Do I say “you just have to try it?” Um… ok, yes I do…

So the commenter noticed something real. I just think there is a better explanation than cultish behavior! Teachers CAN jump fast when someone criticizes a resource they love. I have done it myself. From the outside, that can totally feel like “you can’t say anything negative here,” and that is probably not the message any of us want to send.

What I think is really happening though is more than just a devotion to a product, I think that, as teachers, we are so seldom really HEARD or CARED for that when we find a resource and message the creator and immediately receive an answer, it impacts us more deeply than it would in a world where teachers were honored more. When it’s a textbook, you can’t just email the authors or the company with questions, concerns, or suggestions and really feel like they are listening.

Another strong reason people hold so tightly to the teacher created resources they love is that they get free updates. The pricing of textbooks is SO outrageous. You can get a teacher created, digital curriculum for a fraction of the price and it doesn’t go out of date every 5 years or require a yearly online subscription to the book. As these digital products are updated and improved, teachers receive updates at no cost so the product is truly theirs for the life of their interest in using it!

Teacher creators WANT to create a product that works well with real students! We are often using them in our own classrooms. When our suggestions shape our curriculum, we feel like co-creators not just customers. And we defend what we help shape!

In so many cases, the creator has been (or is still in our shoes)! You wouldn’t believe how few people in textbook company executive positions don’t even speak a second language! Teacher created materials are made by people who really “get it.” They know what it feels like when 6th hour (after lunch) is not able to handle certain games because they consume too much caffeine or what the first week back to school does to our energy. That shared experience builds trust and the trust leads to us defending what we love. We know that the creator is tired, we’re there being tired alongside them… but they’re still creating stuff to make life easier!

Unlike textbook companies, many teacher authors have a whole Facebook community around their products encouraging sharing, growth, and support. We go there to trade ideas and find our people. And when people find a like-minded group, they tend to defend it! Teaching can be so isolating, finding our people really matters!

When someone criticizes a resources, devoted users often hear it as a criticism of the support and community they’ve found. They don’t see it as just a criticism or question about the PRODUCT. Those two things become linked. I think we could all take a moment to stop before we react negatively to criticisms and think about how we can sound less “cultish” and more “don’t yuck my yum.” It’s like if I told you about my friend Adela’s restaurant and how much I love it. If you came back and criticized it, I might get defensive… not because I don’t think she could never make a bad dish, but because I love her so much I associate the restaurant with her as much as with her food.

Loving a resource doesn’t mean it’s perfect or right for every classroom. As creators, we WANT critical feedback because that is how we know what to update and improve. We love your support of us and our materials, but also think about ways to disagree kindly on BOTH sides! I am a teacher and creator, I created Huellas Your Way BECAUSE of your feedback. Your opinions matter good and bad!

Verdict: Am I in a cult? No, it’s a community of teachers who listen, keep improving, and remember what the classroom is really like. Although… if this is a cult, could someone bring snacks??

Comment with a teacher made resource that you’d defend and why! 🙂