chatboard - Teachers.Net

Join Teachers.Net

Chatboards

Recent Groups

Beginning Teachers

MEMBERS

6 Members

+ Join Group

Pinned Posts

ALLAll Teachers

Teachers.Net LIVE CHAT Support group - Tues eve!

Featured Jobs

Full-timeMontessori Teacher

Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

TemporaryTeachers, rural schools

Peace River North School District

Full-timeHead Teacher: 2nd/3rd Grades – Mills College Children’s School

Mills College

Teaching Jobs on Teachers.Net

Featured Job special only $39!

https://teachers.net/jobs

Become a Teachers.Net sponsor!

Beginning Teachers Chatboard

2nd year teacher needs advice/suggestions (long)

by 2nd-year teach

Sep 26, 2011

Hello, i'm a 2nd year science teacher at a non-traditional tech school, teaching chemistry and physics. i struggled the 1st year like most 1st year teachers do, even having my doubts about whether or not teaching is right for me. the politics and teachers as "scape goats" or "cure-alls" for all our society's woes was wearing on me...which i've managed to "set aside". the issues: again, my 1st year had its struggles, especially classroom management and connecting with some of my students. despite these issues, all my evaluations with my principal were positive; my 1-yr contract was renewed with the statements that she "liked how proactive I was when dealing with issues, and all recommendations are general...what I tell all teachers to work on"...so nothing specifically bad. 2 months later near last day of school, my principal and I get into an "argument", where her final comment is "you didn't have such a great first year". next thing I know I am now on a "performance improvement plan",...See MoreHello, i'm a 2nd year science teacher at a non-traditional tech school, teaching chemistry and physics. i struggled the 1st year like most 1st year teachers do, even having my doubts about whether or not teaching is right for me. the politics and teachers as "scape goats" or "cure-alls" for all our society's woes was wearing on me...which i've managed to "set aside". the issues: again, my 1st year had its struggles, especially classroom management and connecting with some of my students. despite these issues, all my evaluations with my principal were positive; my 1-yr contract was renewed with the statements that she "liked how proactive I was when dealing with issues, and all recommendations are general...what I tell all teachers to work on"...so nothing specifically bad. 2 months later near last day of school, my principal and I get into an "argument", where her final comment is "you didn't have such a great first year". next thing I know I am now on a "performance improvement plan", so I’m assuming what other posts have said, that she figures she can easily find a replacement. So, there’s the issue of “will I get a fair assessment of my performance?” her 1st unscheduled observation ripped me to shreds over simple video, even though I explained what my plan was and how it tied into the previous week’s learning and how I wanted it to just introduce to next week’s. However, I “rocked” in my scheduled observation; she left stating, “I enjoyed your class”. 1st question: for a new teacher still struggling with “the basics”, is this non-traditional school a good fit for me (right now)?” we have a very high percentage of IEP/special needs students, even many “undocumented” who probably SHOULD be, and we have no academic aids. I really do enjoy the actual teaching, and despite their many issues, I genuinely like and/or care about the students, and want them to be successful in life…and I tell them this, and try to model this. But, with so many students with so many special needs, plus being a 2nd year teacher, AND feeling like my principal is looking for excuses to get rid of me, should I try to find a different school? Is the principal the school? Would my job be easier at a school with fewer behavioral/health/emotional/learning issues? 2nd question: I am certified in physical sciences AND integrated math (all in high demand). My practicum was in math, and then I switched to science. I’m finding that science is much harder to plan for and teach; I have to do what all other teachers do, PLUS prepare labs and equipment; and I have to teach not just “how” to solve problems, but the “what’s?” and “why’s” (conceptual). I’m thinking that teaching math would be much easier to plan AND teach. Like many new teachers, I’m struggling to keep up with the work load. I feel like I’m neglecting my family, and myself even. But, if I focus on my family, then some aspect of my teaching slacks, like late grading assignments. Anyone have experience teaching both?

Sorry so long. Appreciate any suggestions/advice.

Comment

(8)

report post

view previous comments

Fanny Phoenix Good plan :-)

On 9/28/11, 2nd year teach wrote: > On 9/27/11, long time teacher wrote: >> Thank you so much for the feedback. I really do appreciate it. > > I still can't quite gauge my principal, except that I've been > observing more and more (as I try to keep my mouth shut), that she > needs to be right, and no matt...See More

Sep 29, 2011

report post

SomeoneSomewhere Though I am not a science teacher, I have some similar experience. I, too, began my teaching career a year ago at a tough alternative school in an impoverished area. I was desperate for a teaching job, so I took it t gain experience. It was a very rough year, yet I made it through. I did not return to the school for a second year, but found a job a...See MoreThough I am not a science teacher, I have some similar experience. I, too, began my teaching career a year ago at a tough alternative school in an impoverished area. I was desperate for a teaching job, so I took it t gain experience. It was a very rough year, yet I made it through. I did not return to the school for a second year, but found a job at a "normal" school, which is where I am currently working. Now, my last job was stressful. This job is just about as stressful. My previous school was an overall negative and toxic place to be. This school is not negative and toxic, but there's a lot of pressure to get students to test well, and it is a very data driven environment. I have no planning time due to daily meetings and cannot find the time I need to grade and plan to my fullest potential.

I feel like teaching is stressful...period. I'm not going to go too much out of my way to create magnificent lessons,have fancy bulletin boards, or give constructive feedback on every piece of student work. No matter how much work you do, there's still going to be more to get done. You can work yourself to the bone, and no one would really care. And as much as people may want to disagree, it may or may not make that much of a difference. At the end of the day, you can work your butt off and still get fired, laid off, or RIF'ed at the end of the school year, or before. Hard work is not a guarantee to employment. I am not telling you to be lazy, but just keep focused on what the important things are. Don't create unnecessary work for yourself; simplify and cut corners where you can. Honestly, everyone I know who's working is stressed at work. Unfortunately, it's normal. People who hated their jobs and now are unemployed envy those of us who punch a clock daily; they feel left out of the adult world of going in to a job every day that makes your skin crawl. I remind myself of this whenever I have a bad day, like yesterday.

Now with your boss. It is very possible that she has it in for you. Since that may be the case, you need to begin looking around for new employment. At least if she does get rid of you, you're in the job search game and will have time to interview and may not be unemployed for too long. You may very well be able to find a position elsewhere. Don't wait for her to fire or sabotage you in any other way if you can avoid it; that may make it more difficult for you to find another position. You have to be the one to take control of your career. I think getting too comfortable at any job is career suicide nowadays.

Sep 29, 2011

report post

old teacher Great advice on this thread. My suggestion: Print out and reread from time to time.

I was fortunate not to have had to face conditions, such as those described. Seems I retired at a good time, but I care about those left behind and still in the trenches.

SomeoneSomewhere also had excellent advice. My suggestion: Print this out and...See MoreGreat advice on this thread. My suggestion: Print out and reread from time to time.

I was fortunate not to have had to face conditions, such as those described. Seems I retired at a good time, but I care about those left behind and still in the trenches.

SomeoneSomewhere also had excellent advice. My suggestion: Print this out and reread from time to time to time, also.

"No matter how much work you do, there still will always be more to be done". In my opinion every teacher should have this engraved on a plaque to be read daily(maybe many times daily).

Are you married? Do you have children? Are these in your plans?

Please do not fall into the trap of making teaching your life, or the number one priority in your life. Teaching is a JOB. A very important job, but a JOB. Maybe this is worthy of a plaque, too.

Best wishes.

On 9/29/11, SomeoneSomewhere wrote: > > Though I am not a science teacher, I have some similar experience. I, > too, began my teaching career a year ago at a tough alternative school in > an impoverished area. I was desperate for a teaching job, so I took it t > gain experience. It was a very rough year, yet I made it through. I did > not return to the school for a second year, but found a job at a "normal" > school, which is where I am currently working. Now, my last job was > stressful. This job is just about as stressful. My previous school was an > overall negative and toxic place to be. This school is not negative and > toxic, but there's a lot of pressure to get students to test well, and it > is a very data driven environment. I have no planning time due to daily > meetings and cannot find the time I need to grade and plan to my fullest > potential. > > I feel like teaching is stressful...period. I'm not going to go too much > out of my way to create magnificent lessons,have fancy bulletin boards, or > give constructive feedback on every piece of student work. No matter how > much work you do, there's still going to be more to get done. You can work > yourself to the bone, and no one would really care. And as much as people > may want to disagree, it may or may not make that much of a difference. > At the end of the day, you can work your butt off and still get fired, > laid off, or RIF'ed at the end of the school year, or before. Hard work > is not a guarantee to employment. I am not telling you to be lazy, but > just keep focused on what the important things are. Don't create > unnecessary work for yourself; simplify and cut corners where you can. > Honestly, everyone I know who's working is stressed at work. > Unfortunately, it's normal. People who hated their jobs and now are > unemployed envy those of us who punch a clock daily; they feel left out > of the adult world of going in to a job every day that makes your skin > crawl. I remind myself of this whenever I have a bad day, like yesterday. > > Now with your boss. It is very possible that she has it in for you. Since > that may be the case, you need to begin looking around for new employment. > At least if she does get rid of you, you're in the job search game and > will have time to interview and may not be unemployed for too long. You > may very well be able to find a position elsewhere. Don't wait for her to > fire or sabotage you in any other way if you can avoid it; that may make > it more difficult for you to find another position. You have to be the > one to take control of your career. I think getting too comfortable at > any job is career suicide nowadays.

Sep 30, 2011

report post

Fanny Phoenix to old teacher How true!

Yours,

Fanny

Please do not fall into the trap of making teaching > your life, or the number one priority in your life. > Teaching is a JOB. A very important job, but a JOB. > Maybe this is worthy of a plaque, too.

Oct 2, 2011

report post

Laura (HS Science Teacher, 2nd year) If you ever have trouble finding a teaching job, come to Las Vegas. We have so many long-term subs in classrooms all year because we can't find teachers to put in there. CCSD.net

Hang in there. I'm in my 2nd year as well, and figured it would be a breeze. I quickly found out that, although it's not nearly as hard as last year, it is still...See More

Oct 16, 2011

report post