Well-Being of School Community: Icebreaker Critiques

With the beginning of the school year approaching, educators shared their disdain for icebreakers and highlighted their concerns. While many value the opportunity to build connections with colleagues, they address icebreakers that may be problematic (asking personal questions, involving food, etc.) or exclude newer staff. Educators also shared they prefer organic opportunities to get to know their peers and prefer to use their PD time more wisely.

  • “What are legitimate alternatives to icebreakers that get school staff involved and facilitate communication and camaraderie?” —High School English Teacher in Texas
    • “On food as icebreakers: Some ppl have anxiety eating around others. Some people have specific dietary needs that are rarely met at all-staff meetings. And, like for me, some people still don’t feel comfortable eating because we’re still trying not to get COVID/long COVID.” —High School English Teacher in Texas
    • “We start out with an all-district back to school breakfast. Everyone who works for the school in any capacity is there. The conversation starts flowing naturally & there are door prizes donated by local businesses. We also get matching shirts that everyone wears. Got mine today.” —Middle School Teacher in Missouri 
    • “Last year my school did a team based scavenger hunt around the building. Teams were assigned, sounded cheesy, but ended up being the best team building / get to know you activity we did all year long. During this, we engaged with all departments, had treats, took pics. So, so fun.” —Elementary Educator in Nevada
    • “Legitimately let adults socialize when & how they want. We complain that schools are about control for children & yet, adults are trying to control how other adults interact w/each other. I don’t get it. Let ppl be. Don’t we have enough meetings to cover the socializing aspect?” —Math Educator in Indiana
    • “We did a poll  in my department last year and it turned out that every type of icebreaker had at least one person who liked it and one person who hated it. So my suggestion: somebody will always hate it so people should be a bit open to it and maybe next time they’ll get their turn.” —High School World Language Teacher, N/A
    • “Dear admin. Read the replies. Listen to the teachers. Use our time wisely.” —STEM Educator in Texas
    • “Let teachers work on their work. Don’t waste their time with icebreakers or unnecessary PD that make most of them uncomfortable.” —Educator in Florida
  • “So…I am a big icebreaker hater. I never enjoy them. My only ask is that if you’re planning one please think about how they could exclude staff or new staff. Any activity where there’s a year involved or a ‘guess who’s __ this is’ can exclude people.” —Early Education Educator in Washington 
    • “One year we were asked to pull a penny out of a box and then come up with something that happened to us that year. Younger staff had to redraw pennies, some older staff felt weird that new staff weren’t alive with the year they drew. One year everyone had to submit a song and then staff had to guess who’s song it was. New staff didn’t even know the staff’s names yet, let alone what they listened to (I was in year 2 and couldn’t really play the game). Thanks to all those planners who are trying to do less terrible icebreakers. It will never be ‘eat breakfast and chat’ authenticity that I like, but I appreciate those doing very intentional planning.” —Early Education Educator in Washington 
    • “I can’t stand icebreakers! I was an aide for 4 years, so constantly being shifted around and an outcast. Now I’m a teacher for the very 1st year, at a new campus. I know no one and I’m already dreading the PD icebreakers.” —Elementary Math Teacher in Texas
    • “Treat us like professionals, please. Our ‘icebreakers’ should be uninterrupted breakfast and lunch. Thanks.” —Elementary Teacher, N/A
    • “Honestly, if admin wants to do an icebreaker, they can provide breakfast, split people to tables randomly, then provide conversation starters. You want teachers to get to know one another? Do it as organically as possible.” —Teacher in Washington, D.C. 
    • “One thing my new school has done that I love is making the lG group games neutral (standup map of where we live in the city/are from, song association, silly games we play with the kids) once we got into departments they got more personal and it’s worked great for us!” —Teacher in Louisiana 
  • “3 different posts about staff back-to-school meeting ice breakers & activities remind me of the introduction to ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) survey. Staff was asked to fill it out with no explanation. Asked very personal Qs that brought up my horrific childhood.” —World Language Teacher in Washington
    • “So this time each year, my mind starts reliving that trauma when ‘ice breakers/meeting activities’ are brought up. Please consider the ramifications of compelling us to participate. Offer alternative activities for those who don’t want to put shoes in the circle. No guilt trips.” —World Language Teacher in Washington
  • “Today’s #education #QOTD is about icebreakers. #edutwitter – are you a fan of icebreakers in pd/classroom?” —Social Studies Educator in Texas
    • “You needed a ‘maybe’ or ‘it depends’ option. Not all icebreakers are created equal.” —High School ELA Teacher in Missouri
    • “Many good icebreakers relate to teaching goals, e.g.: Share one thing you learned yesterday with a partner and then with the entire class; Discuss an interesting question or solve a puzzle in small groups related to the curriculum; Think-pair-share activity; etc….” —Educator in Pennsylvania
    • “I didn’t do ‘icebreaker’ games per se, but I did a ‘Question of the Day’ for the first week to help me with roll and get to know the students. We also did ‘2 Truths and A Lie’ via our asynchronous online discussion tool to learn functionality, reply, etc.” —Social Studies Educator in Alabama
  • “Someone in a leadership Facebook group I’m in asked about ice breakers when teachers return. This was the first comment- ‘Best icebreaker: go work on whatever you need to. Mingle authentically around campus. Don’t force anything. Make it organic. Relax!’” —Elementary Principal in Virginia 
  • “Now I have a question for teachers. Are there any icebreakers you’ve enjoyed? If so, what are they? What are some icebreakers you never want to do again? Your honesty is appreciated!” —Elementary Principal in Virginia 
    • “My question would be, ‘why do people do ice breakers?’ I’ve never received a good answer. It’s like we do them just because we think we’re supposed to start meetings with icebreakers. I personally hate them.” —Educator in Wisconsin 
    • “I recently did a teacher scavenger hunt that I found on Google. I changed some of the  questions to fit my staff and gave a prize to the person who completed all of the tasks first.  They really enjoyed it and it was a great way for my staff to learn about one another.” —Educator in Georgia
    • “I read about a school where they painted rocks (small brushes, small rocks). The idea was to accomplish a small task, and allow teachers to have time to talk and bond while they did it. Nothing forced – just conversation.” —Educator in Illinois 
    • “I always prefer the ice breakers that do not force you to share information – not because I did not want to participate, but because I typically can never come up with anything to say on the fly in front of all my colleagues.” —Middle School Science Teacher in Virginia
    • “I really really don’t like ice breakers especially ones that involve dancing and groups that get together and perform to a theme. Just let us introduce ourselves to our peers! Basic info and a silly question. All that other stuff makes me want to run right out of the building!” —Elementary Art Teacher in Virginia 
  • “What IF…. we DIDN’T do icebreakers this year for pre-service? A lot of the adults I know absolutely hate them. We hate scavenger hunts. We hate word of the year. We hate minute-to-win-it. Two truths and a lie – ick. How about… just  letting us meet our coworkers organically?” —High School English Teacher in Texas
      • “Caveat: if you insist on icebreakers, maybe make them purposeful and content-specific. As an English teacher, I always want a book recommendation. Or something that tests my content knowledge. But run-of-the-mill icebreakers just don’t align with what we know about andragogy.” —High School English Teacher in Texas
      • “ADULTS don’t want their time wasted. They want whatever information you have to give them so that they can get on with their day. When you plan extravagant icebreakers, know that most of your staff are just humoring you.” —High School English Teacher in Texas
      • “With the climate in education being what it is, please reconsider whatever ‘fun’ you have planned for pre-service this year. Everyone I know is not feeling it. We just want to know what you expect from us. Preferably in writing. And then we just want to get to work.” —High School English Teacher in Texas