I spent 20 years helming a high school classroom, so when I saw the headline asking, “How to keep Arizona teachers?” I thought I might help out.

While there are certainly obvious answers—like paying teachers reasonable salaries for the important, difficult, and time-consuming job they do—there’s one other thing I’d like to suggest. Can we do something about the endless meetings? Looking back, I feel like I spent almost as much time in the classroom as I did in meetings.  Now I don’t generally have a problem with group presentations, it’s just that often I couldn’t see the direct connection said speaker had to improving my teaching skills. I always found myself wondering about all the things I could be getting done—grading papers, planning lessons, meeting with kids and parents—if I’d had more time, so sitting in meetings got rather annoying, as you can expect.

One particular gathering stands out. My fellow teachers and I were asked to report to the cafeteria, where we were to sit with our department members at tables that sported cards: English, History, Math, Science, Languages, Music, Phys Ed, etc. I passed groups of teachers huddled around their tables chatting amiably as I looked for my own subject: Journalism. As I was the only person in my department, I felt like the kid no one wanted to eat lunch with.

It turned out that this meeting was about, um…holding meetings.

“It’s important that you run meetings properly,” said the tiny, high-voiced woman at the podium. “Everyone must feel engaged and heard. So, we will discuss best practices in regard to holding a meeting.”

I squinted at the empty chairs around my table and did my best to play along, but without meeting members to practice on, it was tough, if not laughable.

I sat there for an hour, watching the little woman move from group to group giving suggestions. Finally she arrived at my lonely little corner.

“I’m the only one in my department,” I blurted out already frustrated with the whole affair.

“I see,” she smiled sweetly as if talking to a second-grader. “But it’s important that you learn how to be an effective leader.”

I blinked. “I’m pretty good at telling myself what to do,” I said trying to hold down the sarcasm. “I can make me do anything.”

She frowned, perhaps considering the absurdity of me holding a meeting with myself.

“Can’t I just go back to my classroom and get some work done?”

She shook her head. “No, you have to stay here like everyone else.” Again that elementary- school teacher vibe struck me. I considered grabbing my little paper Journalism sign and stomping off, but I did not. I decided instead to practice something I’m not very good at. Patience. Note that I’d gladly attend a meeting to improve my chops in that slippery area.

That said, to those of you who are concerned about the current lack of teachers—it’s estimated that roughly 200,000 classrooms nationwide are without certified instructors—perhaps you could think hard before scheduling mass meetings, so they have more time to do their jobs.

Just a thought.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

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