In a preschool with a no-smoking policy, what is the most appropriate action when a veteran teacher sees a new teacher smoking after school?

• A. reminding the new teacher about the school policy
• B. leaving a copy of the no smoking policy in the staff lounge
• C. notifying a school administrator about the new teacher's behavior
• D. ignoring the new teacher's behavior since it occurred after school hours

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is using a direct, appropriate peer intervention to reinforce school rules. In a preschool setting, staff model the healthy behaviors and policies the program wants for children. When a veteran teacher sees a new teacher smoking after school, a brief, respectful reminder about the no-smoking policy communicates expectations clearly, supports adherence, and gives the teacher a chance to correct the behavior right away without making it a formal issue. This approach upholds accountability and preserves a positive professional relationship, while promoting a safe, healthy environment for kids.

Leaving a copy of the policy is too passive to address the immediate behavior, and notifying an administrator is typically more appropriate if the behavior continues after a reminder or if there’s a safety concern. Ignoring the behavior isn’t acceptable because it allows policy violations to go unchecked and undermines the example teachers set for students.