These interruptions really cannot be avoided. I would just inform my students that interruptions are always going to be a part of the day, but we have to stay focused as much as possible. I would try to keep the interruptions as brief as possible. If a teacher comes by to bring some papers I would not spend 5 minutes talking about the faculty meeting that afternoon. We would get to the point of the interruption and move on with the lesson as soon as possible. The important thing is that the students always have your attention and the interruptions are limited in any way possible.

The way I would solve this problem is to set up a mail box just inside my classroom door. There would be two slots, one for urgent messages and one for regular messages. There would be a note on the outside to leave messages in the mailbox and to not interrupt the lesson. The reason for the mailbox to be inside the classroom is just in case there are confidential messages being delivered.

This is a tough one. You cant avoid these distractions but you can go about them a different way. Setting up a different system in which you receive the messages can completely fix your problem. Setting up a mailbox or talking to the other teachers about sending you messages via email. There are many different things that can be done.

When students come from other classes with a note in their hand and I am instructing, I will not stop my lesson, walk around to the door and collect the note. If they need to speak with me, I will pose a question to students, walk over to the "interrupter" and quickly speak with them while keeping my eyes on my students to manage the classroom. Afterwards, I will ask for responses. Interruptions from the office and other classrooms are an annoyance yet are necessary.

Outside interruptions can be a pain when administering a test, quiz, or important lesson. If it is one of those days where you can't afford to have interruptions, communicate to those who you might expect interruptions from. Other than that, a sign on the outside of your door is always a good way to communicate to others that you wish to not be interrupted.

Both of these interruptions can ruin the flow of a lesson. A sign outside the door during testing is useful, but if put up too often, may be ignored. Sometimes interruptions are unavoidable. Instead of trying to prevent the interruptions, maybe time is better spent teaching students how to act when an interruption happens. Practice and reward students for not being distracted by the interruption.

To keep the class calm and quiet during office interruptions, I have seen teachers tell their students to put both hands on their head. This works surprisingly well, and the students flow right back to the activity without talking to their partner for 20 minutes. If the other class messages bother you, have a discussion with the teachers. Put a mailbox outside of the classroom for students and faculty to leave notes while you are teaching the "uninterrupted" reading block, or testing.

There is a fine line when it comes to keeping your students calm when the class is interrupted. However, as the teacher, you need to set a standard for how you want your students to behave at certain times and discuss the procedures for when you get a class phone call, a teacher comes in, or a misbehaved student is sent your class for time-out. If your students know what you expect from them, and they know what the procedures are, something as simple as a reminder can keep them in line. Plus you have to remember that kids are kids and every now and then a distraction may get them a little riled. But a simple reminder of the procedures and the standards you have set and your students should be proud to get back on task. It has been my experience that students like to show off to other teachers how well behaved they can be for you, so make a fun challenge out of it. Challenge them to "show off" by continuing to be well behaved and staying on task.

I would want to communicate to the office and other teachers that the constant interruptions are starting to take away from the students' learning and that I would appreciate or not interruptions during my instruction time. I will tell them when my planning period is and tell them they can reach me then or they can email me and I will get back to them as soon and I can. I can also post on the door a do not disturb sign so my students are not distracted from the interruptors.