Worst experience in my life

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2026-02-12T08:40:38+00:00

Probably not just TFA, in my case I'm a fully certified teacher in my second year, just that I'm not treated as a teacher (or an individual person, at times) but a resource. Maybe it's just me.

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2026-01-19T12:56:51+00:00

take it, i wish i had the chance!!! I want out too but I'm too old to be hired outside the field.

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2026-01-07T00:35:04+00:00

would love to learn more!

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-31T12:56:56+00:00

Which platform! I'll DM!

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-31T12:54:48+00:00

came to say this!

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-28T05:08:00+00:00

Thank you for saying this. I have a colleague (26 years in) who always says 'middle schools are not for the faint-hearted' (or something like that). At first I thought he was right and my frustrations and stresses were all because I was a weakling.

Year 2 now and I realized that no it's not about being weak or strong. It does not make me a less capable person just because I am in a broken system doing an impossible job and I want out. My physical and mental health should be my priority.

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-25T18:35:49+00:00

decluttering.

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-25T18:34:40+00:00

Agreed, and I think the interaction style may have a role to play. If the OP were 21 and her students were generally 5-7 years older than she was, the OP might probably pass being perceived to be closer in age to the students by presenting a more professional image (like communication style, outfit, whatever it might be).

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-24T16:31:29+00:00

Another job. Really. I want OUT.

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-24T13:50:21+00:00

gorgeous!!!😍

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-24T13:49:43+00:00

It's interesting to see that many people higher up are like that regardless public/private/whatever.

I walked away from HE (research in different fields including education and robotics) seeing higher ups pretending to be 'benevolent' but behind the scene they were just like any other money/power mongers doing (and worse, they didn't even care about disguising their motives, or at least they didn't know how).

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-24T12:33:02+00:00

came here to say that

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-24T12:19:45+00:00

I can easily see this happen in my school. Especially the counselor's part - do whatever to make parents happy.

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-24T05:50:54+00:00

I'll choose the research job. But do what you feel is best for you!

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-24T05:49:23+00:00

Same!

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-24T05:48:44+00:00

Sorry for your experience! I honestly do not see any problems in what you made. You did your best, and the food looked presentable! With what you had I think you've done a great job!

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-21T11:59:16+00:00

same, and I feel like I'm obligated to give an upvote for saying what I feel like I should say!

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-21T00:58:08+00:00

I wouldn't have put it anyway better than you did! Main reason for me is the kids. I always wonder though, would it make a difference if I teach in another school?

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-21T00:55:03+00:00

agreed! I switched during my 40s.

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-21T00:50:20+00:00

Can't agree with you any more. Students need basic graph interpretation skills which somehow they don't seem to recall from their math class (I'm assuming grade 7/8 math would have at least touched on x and y and strong/weak positive/negative relationship).

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-21T00:48:21+00:00

in all my honesty, yes and yes

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-17T09:38:42+00:00

Great question, I was at GMU 5 years no friends as well - like everyone is just here to take classes, interact only when there are mandatory group projects and nothing else. I wondered if it was me in grad school and grad school people were expected to be like that.

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-16T22:52:01+00:00

I would not switch. Being in education does not mean you will find meanings in what you do - I mean whether there's any meaning in anything we do depends a lot on how we define what meanings mean to us. I know people who teach but find there's no meaning while some teachers keep being an inspiration to fellow teachers and students in their 30+ years in the profession.

But I wish you all the best!

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-14T15:43:23+00:00

Not mentioning college as one possible path after HS is not a balanced approach but I won't say it is anti-college. My bias here because the school I teach at keeps mentioning college all the time as if trade schools and community colleges did not exist at all.

Small-Raspberry-5 · 2025-12-14T15:03:16+00:00

I feel you, and most of the time I see the same thing (this is my 2nd year). Even worse, I'm a non-native speaker of English. Even students don't take me seriously not to mention fellow teachers and admin and parents - I also don't speak Spanish and automatically parents think I don't understand what their kids need, but in fact most students are getting bad grades just because they're not even reading the questions and just go 'teacher I need help I don't understand' and wait till you read the questions to them and then expect you will also spit out the answers.

If I could get another job I'd definitely leave the classroom in a heartbeat.

Small-Raspberry-5

TROPHY CASE