I just started a job 3 weeks ago at a district 75 school, and the behaviors are like nothing I've ever seen. Cursing, constant calling out, complete defiance and refusal to work. The paraprofessionals who are in the room are telling me this is how it has always been, and that I'm doing as well as anyone could under the circumstances. The teachers I see when they push in for certain subjects don't really do that much better.

On the other hand, my mentor, and the teacher who was in the classroom before are both telling me I need to get the behavior under control and get them doing more work. (The only advice they have for how to do this is "use your teacher voice.") They say that the kids are perfectly capable of behaving and doing their work, and that they're just taking advantage of me because I'm new.

Last week, one of the paras was out--the one who has a nice rapport with the students--and the kids were so out of control that the assistant principal as well as one of the deans had to basically spend half the day standing in the back of the room. I asked the AP what I should be doing differently, and she just said I was doing fine.

The same para is going to be out on Wednesday, and I want to touch base with the AP, to give her a heads up, but also to get some clarity around what the expectations are. My teacher friends say this is a terrible idea and that talking to an administrator can only lead to trouble. I feel like if the administration was really hostile, it really wouldn't matter if I ask her for advice or not, plus she seems very down to earth and normal.

That said, I'm new to the DOE, so what do I know. Am I being naive? Should I avoid conversing with administrators at all costs? What's the deal?