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My first year was a rough one. I am teaching art at an
inner-city elementary school. I am a really soft
personality. The kids basically walked all over me in year
1. I went back for year 2. The beginning of year 2 was
sooooo much better. I knew kids' names and knew what I was
in store for. However, my classroom management has still
been struggling greatly. I always knew this would be my
biggest challenge because I am just too soft and not
naturally a commanding person.

For some reason the past couple of weeks have been
particularly bad. I almost feel as if I am back in my first
year. I am dreading waking up in the morning, I am crying
about school, and struggling through each day.

I am working with veteran teachers at my school who are
nice enough to try to help me out with my classroom
management. I know what I am supposed to do: be consistent,
but fair, have solid rewards and consequences, be firm,
show the kids I care.

I know all of this, and I try, yet I am just seriously
floundering. I keep changing my consequences each time they
dont work, therefore not keeping consistency. I try my
hardest to be firm, but it is not natural for me, and the
kids can read right through me. They have had me for almost
2 years now, and they know they can take advantage. They
see my class as recess time.

I am just sitting here dreading tomorrow and wondering if
teaching will EVER be for me. I know it's natural to still
struggle in my 2nd year, but I didnt think it would still
be this bad. Am I too soft to teach? Am I in the wrong
school? I hate feeling like I am terrible at what I do. I
am so confused. I feel stuck, because even if I want to
leave teaching, I dont know what else I would do. I already
went BACK to school to get certified and I cant go back
again.

Just looking for words of wisdom from anyone who can
relate.......

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