- {Ask a Teacher} I'm an Assistant Principal But I Want to be Promoted! - November 15, 2012
- {Ask a Teacher} Help! I Need Materials for My Classroom! - November 6, 2012
- {Ask a Teacher} I Feel Like I'm Stuck In the Teaching Profession! - October 31, 2012
- {Ask a Teacher} Help! I'm Overwhelmed! - October 22, 2012
- {Ask a Teacher} A Parent is Ruining My Reputation! - September 25, 2012
- {Ask A Teacher} Help! I Want to Use Social Media In My Classroom! - September 18, 2012
- {Ask A Teacher} I Want to Be A Teacher But I Don't Know What To Do! - September 11, 2012
- {Ask A Teacher} I Hate My New School! - September 4, 2012
- Consistency is Key: 4 Tips to Ensure a Successful Learning Environment - July 20, 2012
Question #4- I'm stuck. Literally stuck. This is my 12th year teaching and because of the pressure of kids passing tests, unruly students, privileged parents who are insanely rude to the teachers--I rarely want to come to work. I've considered quitting but ultimately my students will suffer. How can I get through this year without walking out?
Many professionals have been in your shoes. There comes a time in all careers where the demands and pressures from the top seem to be so much that individuals feel as if the “real work” isn't being done for the sake of paperwork and quotas.
You sound like you really care for your students, but you must take time for yourself. If you are not in good mental and physical health, your students will suffer. If you need to take a personal day every few months, take it. You’re a veteran teacher, so I know you realize that it’s often easier to be at school than to call in, due to all of the extensive plans you must make for the sub. However, the extra time to yourself will pay off by leaps and bounds once you return to the classroom refreshed.
Even though time for yourself is of the utmost importance, you should find a friend or colleague with whom you can vent all of your frustrations. Complaining isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes I just need to let out every single frustration I have, and once I do, I really do feel much better. These venting sessions should not be every day or even every week, but enough so that you can diffuse, maybe even swap ideas with someone else in the same boat, and move on without projecting your frustrations on your students or family. At the three schools where I have worked in my fourteen year career, there is always a group of teachers that meets at least every payday Friday at a local restaurant right after school. Try attending (or starting) a POETS (Put Off Everything; Tomorrow’s Saturday) club. Laughing, eating, and drinking with like-minded individuals who experience the same trials you experience may also be a good way to maintain your sanity. Teachin’ ain’t easy. But you love it, or else you would not have written to The Educator’s Room. Just stay focused on your personal health and sanity and the achievement and happiness of your students, and this might just turn out to be your best year ever. Best of luck to you, and please keep The Educator’s Room informed about your progress.
At our school, we call these out-of-school-get-togethers BASS meetings [bitch about school stuff].
Attitude makes all the difference. Reality trumps attitude, though. This teacher's reality is perhaps intolerable. Education has become a pressure cooker environment where there are not excuses for failure and little encouragement for improvement. Hostile, punitive and judgmental actions are wearing teachers down to where they can't see the forest for the trees. The big picture is interrupted by constant distractions from test-addicted thinking. Focus on the students and your mental, emotional and physical health. Put blinders on everyday. Embrace your beliefs and speak up about them, even though you will face outrage and ostracism, even from fellow teachers. Parents will welcome the honesty and outreach from you. Trust in the nature of children and their desire to learn. Don't expect anyone else to feed your needs except yourself. If you were born to teach, then that is what you must do. If it is not your passion, move on to another profession. Teaching is not for wimps.
I would like to move on from teaching but no one will hire me ...it's like I'm typecast and no one thinks that a teacher has any useful skills. And after 20 years, no other district will hire me because I "cost too much", so even if I wanted to change schools to have a better working environment, I can't. Talk about stuck!
I agree with Doris. I have a masters in another field in hopes of getting out, but can't get hired because I don't have any experience in the other field. I am so tired of the disrespect from the parents, students, and administration. I work 60-70 hours a week. I barely have time to use the bathroom. I never see daylight except on the weekends. I work on " vacations". I have to be on board with every new thing that comes a long. I feel like I have to perform on stage and do dog and pony tricks to make everyone happy. I have no time or energy for a social life. This job is killing me.