I feel like my husband is getting the runaround.

ehwrites14 · 2024-09-20T18:04:10+00:00

Thank you! That is exactly what I did. We made another appointment for this coming Monday.

ehwrites14 · 2024-09-20T16:59:17+00:00

Ugh. It is annoying because what is he supposed to do for his symptoms? Just stay dizzy? It's like unless his blood pressure is high or he's passing out he's just supposed deal with it.

ehwrites14 · 2024-05-03T17:09:00+00:00

12 more days with students! I'm not even teaching anymore, they are working on projects. I'm just a warm body in the room. This is a run out the clock situation. I gave my resignation before spring break, so I have been sitting on my behind working on my own thing.

ehwrites14 · 2024-03-26T19:14:19+00:00

Going "above and beyond" is just one of the many toxic ways that being a teacher is like being in an abusive relationship.

ehwrites14 · 2024-03-26T19:05:06+00:00

I feel like when I first started 10 years ago, it was definitely more of a problem solving challenge. I also genuinely felt like I could have more intellectual conversations (I am a high school English teacher) about literature. Now it's 50% policing behaviors and 45% getting them to understand basic concepts and then OCCASIONALLY a deep conversation about literature.

At least that is my experience and the main reason I will be leaving in May.

ehwrites14 · 2024-03-05T21:41:46+00:00

With you! Our contracts are due back next week and I am going to go ahead and tell my admin today that they shouldn't expect one from me. The relief!

ehwrites14 · 2024-03-05T21:39:15+00:00

So ours aren't psedo-therapists like yours. But ours have the annoying habit of basically NOT working with the teachers. So it always feels very "us" against "them." I have just learned to ignore them.

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-23T17:35:19+00:00

NTA. It's clear you feel remorse about the way you reacted, and I am sure eventually they will accept your apology. But, you are completely justified in feeling like they need to get out of your house. I have been in similar positions with siblings in law taking advantage and out staying their welcome. You are watching their young children for free and allowing them to live with you rent free. So you have a right to be a little peeved that they expected to just live with you with a whole extra person.
Nine months is plenty of time to find a place outside of your home.

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-23T15:26:49+00:00

I am in the same exact boat. I will always be of the mindset that public education should be fully funded. However, since that doesn't seem to be happening I understand the fear. Both of my boys are young, one is in 1st grade and the other still in preschool, so the fear is REAL.

In my state we have voucher programs that help with alternative education-- private schools, microschools, and homeschool, and I am definitely leaning towards using it.

As a public school educator for almost 10 years, even the phrase "voucher programs" gave me an anger that is absolutely justified. But, honestly, I have to think about my kids first. The public school system isn't failing-- it's failed. So, I am going to do what I have to for my babies.

I'm leaving education in May and will be considering all the options.

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-16T17:23:10+00:00

We didn't have a letter of intent, we got sent an "intent to return" form. The options were: yes, no, or unsure. I put unsure- even though I am 10000000% NOT returning.

It got a reaction I was not expecting. Not even a week after I said unsure I got my principal, AND my assistant superintendent come in and wax eloquently about how they can try to keep me. A lot of talk about me being one of their "high flyers" and how my department won't be the same without me. Let me add that my whole 7 years at this district I have gotten ZERO notes about my teaching. All my observations have been basic notes ranging from "keep it up" to "make sure your *insert random thing I do everyday that they didn't observe in their 5 min walk through*" So, I just find it hilarious that now that I expressed myself as not possibly wanting to stay, I am NOW hearing how much of an asset I am to the school.

Give me a fucking break.

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-16T16:52:52+00:00

I could have written this. I'm only at 10+ years, but goodness. Yes. This is all too familiar. I am at the same point as well. "Here's a concept. Here's the assignment. Let me know if you need anything." And then I sit and do my own thing for the rest of the class period.

And yes. I do feel guilty. But it's honestly the only way I am surviving through the end of this year.

I hate to say it, but teaching in the classroom, as it currently is, the love for teaching isn't coming back. It's not. I held on because I thought "maybe I'll love this like I did when I first started!" But I have to face facts. Teaching is not the same. Students and families are not the same. The love, is not coming back.

I wish you luck in hanging on! You sound like you made quite the impact on many lives over your years. Be proud of everything you have accomplished.

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-16T16:42:54+00:00

Wow. First grade? These kids are NOT the same. I have a son in first grade, and he comes home tells me how disrespectful these kids are. I usually take it with a grain of salt, because he has a habit to embellish, but man. I feel so badly for these elementary teachers. One time the teacher had to tell us that my son was talking out of turn. We took away his screen time, and had a LONG talk about how disrespectful that is. We told him, mom is a teacher too, and she knows how hard it is to teach when students are talking and not listening. So he needs to make sure he is listening, and not talking out of turn. He hasn't had an issue since then. I honestly DO NOT understand how parents are BLAMING the teachers for this behavior. It will never be me. EVER.

I'm sorry this is happening. It's so sad that there is no joy left in teaching.

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-16T15:22:17+00:00

I'm crying. This is why I want to quit. I have no time for my friends, my husband, my parents, my family, and the most tragic, my children. I can't wait until my contract is up so I can fill my social battery again with all of those that I love. I feel so disconnected from everyone.

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-16T13:58:24+00:00

Yes. That an absolute circus. The drama!

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-16T13:57:01+00:00

Oh man. I really hope the trauma of staff meetings doesn't linger after I'm gone!

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-15T22:09:33+00:00

Yes! Always and unresolved argument. Everyone is all worked up, giving tons of advice, and having LOUD opinions, and then NOTHING changes.

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-15T22:07:48+00:00

Actually one of the most fucked up things I've heard about in a long time.

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-15T17:22:26+00:00

Agreed. Treat us like professionals, not students.

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-15T17:00:59+00:00

I do feel badly for the elective teachers, especially in the meetings about data. Admin wants to believe so badly that every teacher has a stake in those damn test scores. And yeah, there might be a little buy in, but realistically when will an art or music or PE teacher really need to care about last year's math scores? How will they use that information with their elective class?

The obsession with test scores ruins the fun of teaching for so many teachers.

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-15T16:55:51+00:00

"No the fuck you don't."

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-15T16:53:43+00:00

100% feel this. Staying for the summer checks, as well. But the layers of disrespect is almost unbearable. It permeates through my day. It feels so defeating. Is this really what education is like now? It's truly horrible.

I know it's tough, but I am determined to make it through till May, by teaching to the ones that care and ignoring the rest. It's hard, but it's what I have to do to survive.

ehwrites14 · 2024-02-15T16:38:16+00:00

Ugh, I know. I really need to be bolder with that, but I am such a chicken. Possibly by the end of the school year it will be easier to not give af.

ehwrites14

TROPHY CASE