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Beginning Teachers Chatboard

Reflecting and regrouping over winter break

by David Ginsburg

Dec 18, 2011

Article about the importance of resting and relaxing over break, but also reflecting and regrouping so that your classroom is a better place in January.

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Switching Subjects

by subteacher86

Dec 20, 2011

Well,

I'm certified to teach English to 6-12, but I haven't been able to find a position in English anywhere. Everyone seems to want math and science teachers. To switch subjects without teaching experience, though, I would need to major in a whole different area. Is it worth it? Should I pursue a second bachelor's degree so that I might ...See More

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my opinion-please don't If you had loved science and math to begin with, you would have majored in them. Don't waste your money on another program that still might not get you a job in teaching.

Keep trying to find any job that pays the bills and think about your options. Could you go to school at night? Accounting majors are in demand now and make good money. Ta...See More

Dec 22, 2011

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Math Teach I second "My opinion's" opinion.

I don't mean to be blunt, but your motivation should be beyond "getting a job"- you should love the subject matter.

I'm a graduate student in math, and have my B.A. in math. Obviously, I have a passion for the subject. I literally do Laplace and Fourier transforms at the dinner table (my napkins ca...See More

Dec 23, 2011

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130 cool activities for any teacher

by Tolo Taylor

Dec 29, 2011

These are ready to use or follow the instructions to create your own. VERY COOL!

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130 cool activities for any teacher

by Tolo Taylor

Dec 30, 2011

Hi

Use these as they are or follow instructions to create your own.

Go to teacheractivities.co.uk

Thanks

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End of New Year

by Mia Edmondson-Ochoa

Dec 30, 2011

This year has been rough! I did find temporary employment as a long term substitute but it ended a bit before it was supposed to. I was informed I was being replaced due to a low fail rate. I was only there for almost two months and I have different expectations than the permanent teacher. I graded harder and had less sympathy for seniors who did n...See More

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Texas Teacher Where I teach, we are not supposed have a failure rate of more than 20 percent. Some teachers have no failures. Some have more than 20 percent. The teachers who have more than 20 percent failure rates are watched very carefully. Their grades and graded papers are monitored. If an athlete is failing, your first requirement is to notify the coach so ...See MoreWhere I teach, we are not supposed have a failure rate of more than 20 percent. Some teachers have no failures. Some have more than 20 percent. The teachers who have more than 20 percent failure rates are watched very carefully. Their grades and graded papers are monitored. If an athlete is failing, your first requirement is to notify the coach so that he can get that student to tutorials. We have tried to raise expectations for our students. The kids will not raise the expectations for themselves. If the students refuse to do what you want, then you must change your teaching to make sure they get that 70. If they don't do the work and fail because of that, document that. Remember if you are teaching in Texas, there is a state law that says any student who fails an assignment has the opportunity to redo that assignment or retake that test. There is no limit according to the law how many times he can redo or retake the test. Also, if you have inclusion kids in your class, you must modify their assignment regardless of what your expectations are. Also have you ever heard this statement: A good teacher modifies assignments for everyone but you have to modify for special ed.

On 12/30/11, Mia Edmondson-Ochoa wrote: > This year has been rough! I did find temporary employment > as a long term substitute but it ended a bit before it was > supposed to. I was informed I was being replaced due to a > low fail rate. I was only there for almost two months and I > have different expectations than the permanent teacher. I > graded harder and had less sympathy for seniors who did not > give a care about the quality of the work they turned in > nor about the seriousness of preparation for college. I did > notice some things while I was there: for instance, my > classes were filled with athletes. Those athletes did not > fair well in grades so the grades I finalized were below > 70. I later found that their grades were changed to 70 so > they would be eligible for play. The head of the English > department was not as supportive as I was led to believe. > He actually failed to communicate with me during final > exams and I ended up giving a final the perm gave last > year.After some searching, I emailed my mentor and was put > straight. Even if it is true, I should find employment with > a school that is willing to invest in development of my > skills and who can invest in my success.

Jan 8, 2012

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reasonable request?

by Kit

Jan 8, 2012

I have a question. I just want to know if I am being unreasonable. I teach 160 9th graders and have a parent that wants me to sign off daily on her child grades and if she turned in her homework and daily work. Also, did she complete all the daily work and what her quiz or test grade for the day was. I called the parent and told her that it was som...See More

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Sara On 1/08/12, Kit wrote: > I have a question. I just want to know if I am being > unreasonable. I teach 160 9th graders and have a parent > that wants me to sign off daily on her child grades and if > she turned in her homework and daily work. Also, did she > complete all the daily work and what her quiz or test grade > for the day ...See More

Jan 9, 2012

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amber I had a student my first year who's parent wanted weekly updates. She also wanted to be informed if their child did not turn in an assignment or miss behaved that day. This was fine with me. I set it up that I would send an email on Friday about the week. I also gave her a heads up when there was going to be a test.

On 1/09/12, Sara wrote...See MoreI had a student my first year who's parent wanted weekly updates. She also wanted to be informed if their child did not turn in an assignment or miss behaved that day. This was fine with me. I set it up that I would send an email on Friday about the week. I also gave her a heads up when there was going to be a test.

On 1/09/12, Sara wrote: > On 1/08/12, Kit wrote: >> I have a question. I just want to know if I am being >> unreasonable. I teach 160 9th graders and have a parent >> that wants me to sign off daily on her child grades and if >> she turned in her homework and daily work. Also, did she >> complete all the daily work and what her quiz or test grade >> for the day was. I called the parent and told her that it >> was something I really didn't have time to do and that I >> wasn't comfortable signing off without completing my weekly >> grades. The parent insisted that I was the only teacher >> that was being unreasonable and that it shouldn't take any >> time to do. > > First off, I'd check with my colleagues and see if that's true. > Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. > > Regardless, I'm bad at this and I don't teach as many kids as > you do - I just plain forget at the end of class to ask for any > particular student's assignment book. I wouldn't have any idea > as to how to do a daily grade. > > Is this a student of concern? If it is and if you give nightly > homework, then a caring parent is going to want to know if the > kid is handing in the homework and daily work. How do you check > 160 papers every day? > > I'd talk to my building colleagues about this and find out how > they handle it. It's not fair to a family to not know how their > kid is doing - if it's a student of concern. On the other hand, > it's only possible for you to do so much. > > I offered her to visit the class and let her >> know that I have duties between classes. I also suggested >> that the better idea would be to send a weekly email on >> Monday about the progress from the week before. I also >> suggested a parent conference with the assistant principal >> to come up with a plan that would work for both of us. She >> declined. So how would you handle the parent? Thanks for >> any advice.

Jan 9, 2012

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Should Teachers Assign Homework?

by Ted C.

Jan 14, 2012

I've been told that I assign too much homework. I found an article about the pros and cons of homework. I believe in assigning homework but not too much. What do you think?

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Asst Principal is a nightmare

by anonymous

Jan 14, 2012

I'm a .. art teacher in a small school. I have had numerous issues and it just keeps getting worse. I hate my AP and I feel like he's looking to get me to quit my job. When testing came around we were told to not "NEVER" let students out of the room. I had told students to go to the bathroom beforehand and was told by my AP that I "have no common s...See More

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teacher who's been around the block for 30 years think is right and then it's thrown in my face. I've been >> told to follow the handbook and then when I do I'm told >> "it's not black and white. Not every infraction has the same >> punishment." It's like they tell you one thing and then when >> you do that you're told it's the wrong thing. I honestly >> feel like sc...See Morethink is right and then it's thrown in my face. I've been >> told to follow the handbook and then when I do I'm told >> "it's not black and white. Not every infraction has the same >> punishment." It's like they tell you one thing and then when >> you do that you're told it's the wrong thing. I honestly >> feel like screaming. I was a student teacher before this, a >> substitute, a waitress, etc. I have never been so >> disrespected or made to feel so small. My AP has this smirk >> like he's laughing inside when he calls me into the office >> to speak with him. I am tired of being brought to tears and >> unsure of what to do. >> >> I love teaching but hate my AP... What would you do?

----> Sorry to say this but this is what teaching is often like in many schools. Your AP probably isn't really smirking at you but under a bunch of pressure and handling it extremely poorly. Not an excuse for your AP but it helps to put it in perspective in terms of how you see yourself if you realize your AP is in over his head.

You will be disrespected in teaching...that's a given..by students, parents and administration. So it's best to develop a very thick skin that will allow you to stay calm through all this. (and it takes time and experience to get your skin nice and thick).

In this case after the AP got it all their system I probably would have calmly asked "How best should I have handled the situation? I went by the handbook but maybe I missed something and there's a better way?

btw....I'm willing to bet loads of money you're not the only teacher going through this. Unfortunately teachers tend to clam up and take it personally when administrators act like this. But I bet as you search around for some good mentoring (that suggestion previously was excellent) you're going to find stories of it happening to others. That also will help you get this in perspective.

Good luck and keep in mind you WILL develop the skills you need to survive admins like this. It just takes time.

Jan 15, 2012

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Prof Phil On 1/15/12, teacher who's been around the block for 30 years wrote: >>> think is right and then it's thrown in my face. I've been >>> told to follow the handbook and then when I do I'm told >>> "it's not black and white. Not every infraction has the same >>> punishment." It's like they tell you one thing and then...See MoreOn 1/15/12, teacher who's been around the block for 30 years wrote: >>> think is right and then it's thrown in my face. I've been >>> told to follow the handbook and then when I do I'm told >>> "it's not black and white. Not every infraction has the same >>> punishment." It's like they tell you one thing and then when >>> you do that you're told it's the wrong thing. I honestly >>> feel like screaming. I was a student teacher before this, a >>> substitute, a waitress, etc. I have never been so >>> disrespected or made to feel so small. My AP has this smirk >>> like he's laughing inside when he calls me into the office >>> to speak with him. I am tired of being brought to tears and >>> unsure of what to do. >>> >>> I love teaching but hate my AP... What would you do? > > > ----> Sorry to say this but this is what teaching is often like > in many schools. Your AP probably isn't really smirking at you > but under a bunch of pressure and handling it extremely poorly. > Not an excuse for your AP but it helps to put it in perspective > in terms of how you see yourself if you realize your AP is in > over his head. > > You will be disrespected in teaching...that's a given..by > students, parents and administration. So it's best to develop a > very thick skin that will allow you to stay calm through all > this. (and it takes time and experience to get your skin nice > and thick). > > In this case after the AP got it all their system I probably > would have calmly asked "How best should I have handled the > situation? I went by the handbook but maybe I missed something > and there's a better way? > > btw....I'm willing to bet loads of money you're not the only > teacher going through this. Unfortunately teachers tend to clam > up and take it personally when administrators act like this. > But I bet as you search around for some good mentoring (that > suggestion previously was excellent) you're going to find > stories of it happening to others. That also will help you get > this in perspective. > > Good luck and keep in mind you WILL develop the skills you need > to survive admins like this. It just takes time.

I am in higher education, so it is different than K-12, but I think the advice above is well stated. What is common to all education is basically poor leadership and too many big egos. If you want a career in education, you have to mature and develop a thick skin. You need to develop a network of peers that you can lean on and use for mutual support. The experienced teachers know how to cooperate, but also how to keep what is good and discreetly reject advice that will not work. Sometimes it is persistence on your part that will ease the problem. In my 40 year career (10 as an engineer and 30 as a professor) I found that waiting things out worked a majority of the time. I have worked with some good administrators, but the farther people get from the classroom, the more they seem to lose track of reality (e.g. adding time-wasting requirements to teachers and/or micromanaging).

Jan 16, 2012

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Blending courses with your districts LMS platform

by Dr. Craig M. Levan

Jan 16, 2012

Is your school district requiring you to learn how to blend courses with your current LMS program. Register at : [link removed].

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Beginning MatureTeachers

by Glynn Scott

Jan 18, 2012

I am interested in gathering material for an article about teachers who were at least 40 years old when they started teaching. Any information any one is willing to share as to challeges, fear, disappointments, and successes are more than welcome. Thanks.

Glynn

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Texas Teacher I started teaching close to 40. I got my degree in the 60s and my first teaching job in the late 80s. I was told many times if I had gotten a degree in elementary ed. I could have gotten a job easily but I majored in Spanish and history and minored in secondary education. I did go back for elementary certification. I was hired on emergency for bili...See More

Feb 26, 2012

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LJ Eight years of part and full time teaching and I've come to the painful conclusion that becoming a teacher was by far the worst decision I've ever made in my life. I have never been more humiliated, lied to, manipulated and used than I have since becoming a teacher. The administrators are scared and cutthroat. I have lost all faith in people. I use...See More

Mar 23, 2012

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