Asking for teaching file?

amother

Wed, May 15 2024, 9:01 am

I'll be teaching a new subject and want to get files from experienced teachers.

Willing to pay if necessary.

What's the "etiquette" around this? Is it rude to just ask teachers to give me the file they've worked hard on? Do I mention payment up front?

Brooklyn area, if that makes a difference.

Silly question, but I don't want to put someone on the spot.

Please only reply if you have specific experience in requesting or being asked for teaching files in NY. This is probably different in other places and other fields.

Thanks in advance.

TravelHearter

Wed, May 15 2024, 9:04 am

I don’t know about the etiquette, but why don’t you do something like this?
“Hey, I’m actually starting to teach X and I’m looking to buy the curriculum from someone who has been doing this well. Would you or anyone you know be open to it?”

amother

Wed, May 15 2024, 9:06 am

TravelHearter wrote:

Do you mean I should say this to the person I want a file from?
Or other people - which is what I'm doing on Imamother!!

TravelHearter

Wed, May 15 2024, 9:18 am

amother OP wrote:

Do you mean I should say this to the person I want a file from?
Or other people - which is what I'm doing on Imamother!!

You asked for the etiquette on how to ask people for their curriculum, this is how I would ask.

amother

Wed, May 15 2024, 9:27 am

TravelHearter wrote:

You asked for the etiquette on how to ask people for their curriculum, this is how I would ask.

Thanks!
Are you a teacher? Have you ever been asked? If yes, did you feel, I don't know, used? Like you did years of research and prep and now someone just wants to copy and paste?

teachkids

Wed, May 15 2024, 9:31 am

There are Whatsapp teacher groups. Generally someone posts "I'm looking for a curriculum on xyz" and people respond either with their files or information about someone selling one.

I assume you've also looked at chinch.org and walder?

Fwiw I share all my stuff for free on chinuch.org

amother

Wed, May 15 2024, 9:38 am

teachkids wrote:

I've heard of chinuch.org, but not Walder - can you post a link or other info.
I'm not on Whatsapp.

teachkids

Wed, May 15 2024, 9:42 am

amother OP wrote:

I've heard of chinuch.org, but not Walder - can you post a link or other info.
I'm not on Whatsapp.

https://www.waldereducation.org/

Do you want to tell us what subject you're looking for?

amother

Wed, May 15 2024, 9:46 am

teachkids wrote:

https://www.waldereducation.org/

Do you want to tell us what subject you're looking for?

Thanks. Is there an email listserv I could join that is active for high school moros?

I really appreciate the time you're taking to answer my questions!

teachkids

Wed, May 15 2024, 9:47 am

amother OP wrote:

Hilchos Shabbos and tehillim. High School.

There's a great set of hilchos shabbos slides on chinuch, although theyre geared more towards middle school.

teachkids

Wed, May 15 2024, 9:48 am

amother OP wrote:

Thanks. Is there an email listserv I could join that is active for high school moros?

I really appreciate the time you're taking to answer my questions!

I don't teach highschool, so I don't know, but there probably is.

a1b2

Wed, May 15 2024, 9:52 am

In my experience totally fine to ask but offer payment. Some will gladly share for free while others will want to be paid for the effort. Hatzlacha

amother

Lavender

Wed, May 15 2024, 10:02 am

I find chinuch.org is usually better for curriculum type over walder.
Have you tried contacting Torah Umesorah? I work in primary so I don't know what resources they offer for secondary, but I know they had curriculums for a few different kodesh topics.

In terms of asking regular teachers, it's quite individual. Some teachers are very proprietorial and won't share for love or money, some will appreciate payment as there's a lot of work that goes into it, and some will just happily share.
Is this a new subject in the school? What is already in place?

amother

Lightgreen

Wed, May 15 2024, 10:16 am

Also, if you mention payment, send payment. Even if you say it like a question.

tigerwife

Wed, May 15 2024, 10:29 am

I would also reach out to your principal to see what she expects. Maybe she will want you to base it off the previous teacher’s curriculum?

watergirl

Wed, May 15 2024, 10:33 am

Teacherspayteachers.com is one of the best resources. I highly recommend it.

watergirl

Wed, May 15 2024, 10:36 am

amother OP wrote:

Thanks!
Are you a teacher? Have you ever been asked? If yes, did you feel, I don't know, used? Like you did years of research and prep and now someone just wants to copy and paste?

I am a teacher. I would feel really uncomfortable if somebody asked me for my file and then said “willing to pay if necessary”. I would feel respected and validated if somebody asked me if they could buy my curriculum. Then it would be up to me to decide if I wanted to give it for free or to sell it.

There is a huge nuance and difference in how the ask is presented.

amother

Smokey

Thu, May 16 2024, 1:07 am

My friend is an amazing first grade morah who developed and illustrated a curriculum (mostly lashon)

She sells it.

I think you should approach the teacher with, "I heard you developed a great curriculum for xyz. Would I be able to buy it from you?"
Know in advance what the going rates are.