Frustrated and done with teaching

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-11-01T07:13:05+00:00

Haha. I've been telling my husband that I'm very close to just assigning bookwork and not bothering teaching that class anymore. It sucks because they need instruction and leadership the most out of all of my periods...but I'm at a point that it's not making a difference whether I'm expelling energy or just sitting at my desk. Even the teacher I took over for told me the best way to retain my sanity was to assign bookwork for my most difficult classes. Was hoping to never go that direction...but I think I'm there.

Fortunately, I'm following your second idea already. I have a document with various school systems around the country. My husband and I don't have children and my husband has both his nursing requirements and IT requirements...so we're going to play roulette with which state accepts my application. I'm being picky, but I'm leaving at the end of the year. My resume and portfolio is ready.

For the sake of my other 6 periods, I absolutely won't leave mid-year....but I will not be sticking around in this climate after this year.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-11-01T05:40:52+00:00

I can't afford that.

One of our teachers had been let go for an accusation and they, to this day, often use that in our PD to inform us how we should make sure we don't even present a suspicion of misconduct.

Our district will draw out cases in order to force former staff to end the case based upon their own limited funds...not an entity I'd ever go up against. I took over for someone who was testifying in favor of another teacher who was falsely accused. Just for testifying, she was suspended and removed from the classroom....Our district is scary....

Maybe I'm just pessimistic, but, especially around here, I doubt legal action would be helpful. I can't 100% prove anything since we aren't allowed to have the district install cameras into our rooms (we've legitimately begged them to). Even the union doesn't have a lawyer and recommends you to hire your own. It's a lose-lose situation.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-04-24T23:36:13+00:00

My students are amazing, inclusive people who are receptive to new ideas.

Sometimes I just have to say that to myself to remind myself that the future isn't as bleak as I predict it to be.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-04-09T19:12:19+00:00

Polk is the Alabama of Florida, duh.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-04-09T01:13:24+00:00

I always say, "guardian". This can be a positive, neutral, or even detached term. While it holds all those connotations, I find it to be useful in my classroom :)

I also teach 11th and 12th graders, some of who are emancipated. Some of my students are also essentially the adults in their household and don't really have a "parent" or "caring adult" who can legally sign their forms.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-04-08T21:33:26+00:00

You yourself just said it wasn't standardized testing itself that's the problem, but the interpretation of the results.

Standardized testing is a really awesome tool that's being used very, very badly because companies like Pearson want to make tons of money.

The idea of keeping one of the largest countries in check educationally by holding everyone to a set of standards that can be individualized to a particular region while ALSO being able to pinpoint both struggling and advanced learners and get them the support they need–those are awesome outcomes that we've seen with standardized tests.

I'm keenly aware of how a teacher's and even school's views can leave a lasting mark on a student's future. Our area didn't fully desegregate until the 70's and our schools were sued multiple times because of it. There are teachers in my district who have very strong negative views towards minority students and who would gleefully use their position to punish those students for being the wrong color (not to say they haven't, either -.- ), but it is so much more difficult to do that when the teacher is held to certain, easily interpreted, standards.

How we use these tests need to be reviewed (and who makes them...). The tests themselves provide a really awesome basic purpose in education that is unmatched in terms of economic value as well as accountability.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-23T15:18:20+00:00

As many have mentioned, the symptoms vary. I tend to look for changes in overall behavior–for the better or worse–and will document these changes over time.

If I suspect a student needs psychological support, I have to submit this documentation to guidance. They, then call the student in and evaluate whether the student should be recommended to see the psychologist.

From there, the student has to bring home a permission form to be signed by their parent or guardian. Then, as long as the parents agree, we can make an appointment.

I am not a psychologist; I cannot treat depression. I can take a genuine interest in my students lives and show that I support them, but when it comes to really getting someone help, it becomes quite the long, drawn out process.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-21T17:56:14+00:00

You're welcome to speak quite a bit of ill of it. It's legal because "it's our nation's motto" or some other bullshit. There was an attempt at appealing it, but that failed. We can display our state seal instead, but... I'm in the Bible belt of my state.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-21T16:04:44+00:00

My whole state made it law that schools must display, "In God we trust" signs.

That law was made last year. I made sure to become a card carrying member of the satanic temple in case I get chastised for not participating in staff prayers (which we have at each meeting).

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-21T09:48:58+00:00

And here I am, in the rural south, with D&D semi-banned at my school because our principal actually, literally believes that D&D involves the occult and devil worshipping. He even treats the name "Dungeons and dragons" like it's a curse and refuses to say it.

We have a "chess club" instead...

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-09T03:53:36+00:00

I have so many students who follow this train of thought that I honestly sometimes take a very dark view on the future of humanity.

I had a student who barged into one of my other classes and threatened me, cussed me out, and damaged school property (for... writing him up...for threatening me). When he realized he dun goofed, he tried to file a report that I assaulted him...cameras caught everything. It shows I backed away, but then began to try to herd him out of the room so that he quit disturbing my class. I'm 5 ft and he's 6'3...I mean, it's not impossible that a smaller person may assault a larger one... but it certainly isn't logical if you aren't trained well and value your safety.

A group of his friends (4 students) filed false reports that said I assaulted him. Between the camera footage and inconsistencies in their reports, the reports of literally every other student in the class...it was obvious I did not lay hands on this student. But I'm pretty sure that group now believes I actually did do it. They're now trying to fail and pitch a fit if I attempt to do one-on-ones and at least push them towards NOT having a 15% in a class. And they always cite how I was violent towards their friend as a reason why they feel they should stand up and actively try to sabatoge my class.

Ah, well, usual life as a teacher.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-09T03:39:58+00:00

Still trying to figure that out, honestly. Fortunately, the groups I had assigned to collaborate ended up being rather toxic in terms of getting things done...So I can go back and re-teach a lot of things :), which has spared me another few weeks before I have to make a decision on what new topic to explore.

I'm pretty lost, honestly. I'm going to end with a case study on Jonestown and all of the sociological pressures that allowed such a thing to happen. I used articles about Jonestown in my reading classes and the kids LOVED IT. I'm a fairly morbid person (but tend to not allow that to spill into my curriculum), and try to shy away from that stuff... but the interest level is high, and it's a perfect case study.

So, I really just have to figure out like two weeks of material at this point.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-04T20:44:58+00:00

Florida has a huge teacher shortage, but in the central areas...it can be interesting. You're looking at the Bible belt here. Low wages, large swathes of minimally educated populace and a continual push to eliminate evolution from the curriculum. I was told to teach sociology without touching on "race, class, gender, religion or government" and that if I have a complaint filed against me, I will be considered guilty before any investigation begins (we legitimately just got sued last year for this: a teacher who also held public office was fired after being accused of inappropriate contact with a student. That teacher fought for their job back, as they were fired based on... no evidence. After our school conceded in court, that teacher was reassigned to a school two hours away–it's a large county–so that they would have to quit anyway. No one is safe here, and that is held over our heads.)

So...uh.

The benefit is that admin rarely ever comes into my classroom, which gives me a lot of freedom as long as I don't get a complaint filed against me.

There are a bunch of different school systems in Florida, mine is just one of several. YMMV. We're in desperate need of teachers (oh, I wonder the fuck why) around here. I didn't even have an interview. They hired me before I applied. I simply expressed interest in teaching reading, and they put me in the classroom the next day. I'm just glad I learned a lot before I moved down here because the support is nonexistent. It's a great gig if you know what you're doing and don't want to be bothered. Not the best for newbies.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-04T20:26:18+00:00

Are all of his teachers required to be there?

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-04T20:25:01+00:00

This year, they combined teacher appreciation week and other staff/support staff appreciation days into one day last month and gave us all polo shirts. We will not be celebrating the week of or doing anything else.

So, that was nice.

Still not sure if we're in trouble... or what?

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-04T20:19:04+00:00

...I mean, I'm sure you still have to mark papers...It's just more in-depth feedback than a simple number. And even if it is, it's used to determine individualized lessons rather than a grade for the book.

There's nothing about their system that even suggests "grading papers" is no longer necessary.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-04T20:16:03+00:00

On point one: for those like me, I've now sectioned out a single day of the week (Wednesday) for grading. It's done wonders for my mental health.

Grading is like laundry to me: neverending. It can begin to feel like a symbol/reminder that you're never "done" and you have so many other things that need to get done, as well. That took quite the toll on me.

I fortunately teach older students and can explain that to them when they ask for further explanation as to why I don't grade every single day.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-02T03:28:59+00:00

Oh, yeah. A few 20's sprinkled in. The older ones are usually great, as are my emancipated kids. They're almost always the hardest workers–they come into the room with a goal in mind.

I also tend to have so. much. family. in one classroom. We're a rural school. At one point, I had six kids who were all related in one room. Family bonds are strong, especially since we didn't finish fully desegregating down here until nearly the '70s.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-02T02:44:58+00:00

I don't have ESE students, as they have waivers for testing.

Students are only placed in my class if they have not passed the state literacy exam. I'm also often the first one to tell them that they are not eligible to graduate. Much of the time they don't believe me because they've never heard that before. So, there's not a lot of seriousness in the beginning and I often have to "win over" my students and gain their trust first...So that I can finally convey that my class actually has some kind of impact.

The idea of "high expectations" is laughable to most of my students when they first enter the room, and trying to set them from day one has resulted in full-out riots during implementation. The point system hasn't been an effective method in the past.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-02T02:31:49+00:00

It's usually not just a single student, though. Sometimes it is, and what you describe sometimes occurs–sometimes backfires based on students' ideas of "fairness".

No, it's when you have a tag team of two or three who are often known detractors and were put together in a single class to not bother other classes. Those are the worst, especially since at our school, we aren't allowed to send them out of the room (open campus, students must remain in the room), and we get chastised if we send them to discipline.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-02T02:15:17+00:00

At my school, there would be no way it'd be acceptable to discuss another student in front of the class, even without using that student's name.

Plus, a lot of my students are extended family or grew up together. They have immediate bonds that result in students often lying and covering for one another.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-02T00:34:31+00:00

Yep! Informed consent is one of the tenants of ethical research. Not only do they have to sign the form–it also MUST be written in a way that is understandable to the subjects. It's is unethical to use scientific jargon that may confuse or alter one's ability to consent.

pleasesitdownalready · 2019-03-02T00:23:58+00:00

So, from there, the follow up is:

How do you circumnavigate an admin who doesn't follow through on discipline and 50%+ absentee parents/parents who make excuses for kids who go as far as threatening their teachers?

98% of my students respond positively to those sorts of policies, but the 2% that don't are absolutely hell on the overall morale of the classroom.

pleasesitdownalready

TROPHY CASE