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Bad job..

by or bad career?

Apr 2, 2012

I'm hoping new teachers can offer me some advice.. I HATE my job and am unsure if teaching is for me.

Background: I have a BA in Spanish, chemistry and education.. yup I took over 4 years to graduate :).

My student teaching was K-5 Spanish (which I hated) and science to all grades in a private school.. which I liked.

I did a volunteer stint in Ecuador (using my science skills) and got a visa. I did found a job teaching at a K-12 private school. This is English for non native speakers. I'm replacing an American left because the kids were awful. The other 2 teachers took an extra class for overtime pay and one doesn't want to give that up. Since I want to teach secondary, I asked for older kids. I have 4 classes of them plus a class for school parents.. the school had been wanting to try offering parents English classes. That's 4 evenings a week.

I HATE it, but there are truly unique issues here: The juniors and seniors are TOTALLY out of control.....See MoreI'm hoping new teachers can offer me some advice.. I HATE my job and am unsure if teaching is for me.

Background: I have a BA in Spanish, chemistry and education.. yup I took over 4 years to graduate :).

My student teaching was K-5 Spanish (which I hated) and science to all grades in a private school.. which I liked.

I did a volunteer stint in Ecuador (using my science skills) and got a visa. I did found a job teaching at a K-12 private school. This is English for non native speakers. I'm replacing an American left because the kids were awful. The other 2 teachers took an extra class for overtime pay and one doesn't want to give that up. Since I want to teach secondary, I asked for older kids. I have 4 classes of them plus a class for school parents.. the school had been wanting to try offering parents English classes. That's 4 evenings a week.

I HATE it, but there are truly unique issues here: The juniors and seniors are TOTALLY out of control.. it is absolutely NOT "just me". Starting in November (before I started) there have been mandatory parent/student/teacher meetings to discuss the issues. Their class average is 12.5 on a scale of 0-20.. i.e. 63. (That is bumped up by the fact that this is a Catholic school so they have this stupid fluff "values" class where they have an average of 19/20.) They drink and smoke pot as well as cigarettes on campus. They steal. They stole a teacher's grade book and told the principal "it will re appear when we get our cell phones back". (Cells are prohibited and supposed to be taken from students when found by teachers or adminstrators.) They ADORE one of the other English teachers, yet they steal candy she brings to play games with younger students and eat it in class; they also stole her teacher's book--she ended up paying for a new one because she admits she's disorganized and she couldn't prove one of them took it.

I won't get into describing their behavior, but the bad behavior is not just chatting or goofing off. Two English teachers left because of their behavior-- and both only had 1 class of students this age. Two non English teachers have quit and others say they will not return next year because "we'll still have the juniors and the (numerous) seniors who won't pass/graduate this year". Numerous parents--of students ranging in age from 2nd grade to seniors-- have pulled their kids from the school and told the principal the behavior of these kids is why. Another English teacher is so loved she calls herself a rock star, yet her behavior issues are worse than mine. And she (I kid you not) entered a sham marriage to get legal status to stay here because so many kids and parents begged her and the school to find a way for her to stay.. she couldn't get a work visa.

Issue 2: The textbooks we have to use are unusable. Ms. Rock Star gets around that my teaching content that follows the theme of the book but isn't in the book- -i.e. their was a unit on junior high kids discussing their class preferences so she made a US schools vs. Ecuadorian schools unit herself. But the principal gets upset that more in the book isn't used/filled in--although for Ms. Rock star he doesn't care. (FYI: I love Ms. Rock Star, and she used a grand her parents sent her to travel "for Christmas" and paid for a kid on scholarship to go to the USA on an exchange program.)

We have no other resources.. we have no way to use a computer lab and no way to show movies (or any movies to show).

Issue 3: Both the other non star teacher and I have students who are resentful not to be with Ms. Rock star.. my room is by hers and my students have been known to wander into her room and refuse to come back.

Issue 4: Parents complain constantly.. about all teachers (yes even Ms. Rock star :). My favorite in fact is about Ms. Rock star "My 2nd grader can't write 2 sentences in English as homework". Do you help her? No. Does she ask for help. No.. I just do it for her. Another gem I got was "she cut points for cheating and that lowered his grade". But he did cheat. Oh.. I know. He didn't know the answers on a section.

Issue 5: Non academic serious interruptions of the school day-- preparing for the independence day band march, intramural week, school clean up day-- are constant.

Is this anything like your work environment as a new teacher??

Thanks for reading and replying!

Comment

(5)

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OP again.. warning this is long! One other issue I forgot to mention. I teach from 7-8:15 (parents of students) Monday-Thursday and I find never having a week day evening with no teaching exhausts me and stresses me out. But on the other hand I have more planning time at school since I only have 4 classes.

On 4/02/12, or bad career? wrote: > I'm hoping new teachers ca...See MoreOne other issue I forgot to mention. I teach from 7-8:15 (parents of students) Monday-Thursday and I find never having a week day evening with no teaching exhausts me and stresses me out. But on the other hand I have more planning time at school since I only have 4 classes.

On 4/02/12, or bad career? wrote: > I'm hoping new teachers can offer me some advice.. I HATE > my job and am unsure if teaching is for me. > > Background: I have a BA in Spanish, chemistry and > education.. yup I took over 4 years to graduate :). > > My student teaching was K-5 Spanish (which I hated) and > science to all grades in a private school.. which I liked. > > I did a volunteer stint in Ecuador (using my science > skills) and got a visa. I did found a job teaching at a > K-12 private school. This is English for non native > speakers. I'm replacing an American left because the kids > were awful. The other 2 teachers took an extra class for > overtime pay and one doesn't want to give that up. Since I > want to teach secondary, I asked for older kids. I have 4 > classes of them plus a class for school parents.. the > school had been wanting to try offering parents English > classes. That's 4 evenings a week. > > I HATE it, but there are truly unique issues here: The > juniors and seniors are TOTALLY out of control.. it is > absolutely NOT "just me". Starting in November (before I > started) there have been mandatory parent/student/teacher > meetings to discuss the issues. Their class average is 12.5 > on a scale of 0-20.. i.e. 63. (That is bumped up by the > fact that this is a Catholic school so they have this > stupid fluff "values" class where they have an average of > 19/20.) They drink and smoke pot as well as cigarettes on > campus. They steal. They stole a teacher's grade book and > told the principal "it will re appear when we get our cell > phones back". (Cells are prohibited and supposed to be > taken from students when found by teachers or > adminstrators.) They ADORE one of the other English > teachers, yet they steal candy she brings to play games > with younger students and eat it in class; they also stole > her teacher's book--she ended up paying for a new one > because she admits she's disorganized and she couldn't > prove one of them took it. > > I won't get into describing their behavior, but the bad > behavior is not just chatting or goofing off. Two English > teachers left because of their behavior-- and both only had > 1 class of students this age. Two non English teachers have > quit and others say they will not return next year because > "we'll still have the juniors and the (numerous) seniors > who won't pass/graduate this year". Numerous parents--of > students ranging in age from 2nd grade to seniors-- have > pulled their kids from the school and told the principal > the behavior of these kids is why. Another English teacher > is so loved she calls herself a rock star, yet her behavior > issues are worse than mine. And she (I kid you not) entered > a sham marriage to get legal status to stay here because so > many kids and parents begged her and the school to find a > way for her to stay.. she couldn't get a work visa. > > Issue 2: The textbooks we have to use are unusable. Ms. > Rock Star gets around that my teaching content that follows > the theme of the book but isn't in the book- -i.e. their > was a unit on junior high kids discussing their class > preferences so she made a US schools vs. Ecuadorian schools > unit herself. But the principal gets upset that more in the > book isn't used/filled in--although for Ms. Rock star he > doesn't care. (FYI: I love Ms. Rock Star, and she used a > grand her parents sent her to travel "for Christmas" and > paid for a kid on scholarship to go to the USA on an > exchange program.) > > We have no other resources.. we have no way to use a > computer lab and no way to show movies (or any movies to > show). > > Issue 3: Both the other non star teacher and I have > students who are resentful not to be with Ms. Rock star.. > my room is by hers and my students have been known to > wander into her room and refuse to come back. > > Issue 4: Parents complain constantly.. about all teachers > (yes even Ms. Rock star :). My favorite in fact is about > Ms. Rock star "My 2nd grader can't write 2 sentences in > English as homework". Do you help her? No. Does she ask for > help. No.. I just do it for her. Another gem I got was "she > cut points for cheating and that lowered his grade". But he > did cheat. Oh.. I know. He didn't know the answers on a > section. > > Issue 5: Non academic serious interruptions of the school > day-- preparing for the independence day band march, > intramural week, school clean up day-- are constant. > > Is this anything like your work environment as a new > teacher?? > > Thanks for reading and replying!

Apr 2, 2012

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pixie This sounds really bad but you don't say anythng about the administrators. Where are they in this situation? It sounds like they are not being helpful, but if they are not blaming you for the atrocious student behavior (which happens to so many teachers) then that would be the silver lining in my opinion. Just try to get another job and a decent re...See MoreThis sounds really bad but you don't say anythng about the administrators. Where are they in this situation? It sounds like they are not being helpful, but if they are not blaming you for the atrocious student behavior (which happens to so many teachers) then that would be the silver lining in my opinion. Just try to get another job and a decent reference from this job. If you cannot get another job, try to appreciate the fact that the admin are not on your back all the time blaming you for "poor clasroom management" and planning to fire you.

On 4/02/12, OP again.. warning this is long! wrote: > One other issue I forgot to mention. I teach from 7-8:15 > (parents of students) Monday-Thursday and I find never having > a week day evening with no teaching exhausts me and stresses > me out. But on the other hand I have more planning time at > school since I only have 4 classes. > > On 4/02/12, or bad career? wrote: >> I'm hoping new teachers can offer me some advice.. I HATE >> my job and am unsure if teaching is for me. >> >> Background: I have a BA in Spanish, chemistry and >> education.. yup I took over 4 years to graduate :). >> >> My student teaching was K-5 Spanish (which I hated) and >> science to all grades in a private school.. which I liked. >> >> I did a volunteer stint in Ecuador (using my science >> skills) and got a visa. I did found a job teaching at a >> K-12 private school. This is English for non native >> speakers. I'm replacing an American left because the kids >> were awful. The other 2 teachers took an extra class for >> overtime pay and one doesn't want to give that up. Since I >> want to teach secondary, I asked for older kids. I have 4 >> classes of them plus a class for school parents.. the >> school had been wanting to try offering parents English >> classes. That's 4 evenings a week. >> >> I HATE it, but there are truly unique issues here: The >> juniors and seniors are TOTALLY out of control.. it is >> absolutely NOT "just me". Starting in November (before I >> started) there have been mandatory parent/student/teacher >> meetings to discuss the issues. Their class average is 12.5 >> on a scale of 0-20.. i.e. 63. (That is bumped up by the >> fact that this is a Catholic school so they have this >> stupid fluff "values" class where they have an average of >> 19/20.) They drink and smoke pot as well as cigarettes on >> campus. They steal. They stole a teacher's grade book and >> told the principal "it will re appear when we get our cell >> phones back". (Cells are prohibited and supposed to be >> taken from students when found by teachers or >> adminstrators.) They ADORE one of the other English >> teachers, yet they steal candy she brings to play games >> with younger students and eat it in class; they also stole >> her teacher's book--she ended up paying for a new one >> because she admits she's disorganized and she couldn't >> prove one of them took it. >> >> I won't get into describing their behavior, but the bad >> behavior is not just chatting or goofing off. Two English >> teachers left because of their behavior-- and both only had >> 1 class of students this age. Two non English teachers have >> quit and others say they will not return next year because >> "we'll still have the juniors and the (numerous) seniors >> who won't pass/graduate this year". Numerous parents--of >> students ranging in age from 2nd grade to seniors-- have >> pulled their kids from the school and told the principal >> the behavior of these kids is why. Another English teacher >> is so loved she calls herself a rock star, yet her behavior >> issues are worse than mine. And she (I kid you not) entered >> a sham marriage to get legal status to stay here because so >> many kids and parents begged her and the school to find a >> way for her to stay.. she couldn't get a work visa. >> >> Issue 2: The textbooks we have to use are unusable. Ms. >> Rock Star gets around that my teaching content that follows >> the theme of the book but isn't in the book- -i.e. their >> was a unit on junior high kids discussing their class >> preferences so she made a US schools vs. Ecuadorian schools >> unit herself. But the principal gets upset that more in the >> book isn't used/filled in--although for Ms. Rock star he >> doesn't care. (FYI: I love Ms. Rock Star, and she used a >> grand her parents sent her to travel "for Christmas" and >> paid for a kid on scholarship to go to the USA on an >> exchange program.) >> >> We have no other resources.. we have no way to use a >> computer lab and no way to show movies (or any movies to >> show). >> >> Issue 3: Both the other non star teacher and I have >> students who are resentful not to be with Ms. Rock star.. >> my room is by hers and my students have been known to >> wander into her room and refuse to come back. >> >> Issue 4: Parents complain constantly.. about all teachers >> (yes even Ms. Rock star :). My favorite in fact is about >> Ms. Rock star "My 2nd grader can't write 2 sentences in >> English as homework". Do you help her? No. Does she ask for >> help. No.. I just do it for her. Another gem I got was "she >> cut points for cheating and that lowered his grade". But he >> did cheat. Oh.. I know. He didn't know the answers on a >> section. >> >> Issue 5: Non academic serious interruptions of the school >> day-- preparing for the independence day band march, >> intramural week, school clean up day-- are constant. >> >> Is this anything like your work environment as a new >> teacher?? >> >> Thanks for reading and replying!

Apr 3, 2012

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OP The principal is very nice. I have school provided housing as his neighbor and he takes me (and Ms. Rock star) to school. And I have to give the school credit for trying to deal with the older kids.. many of the parents blame the teachers for most issues, whine whenever the principal punishes the kids, etc. (To be fair to the parents, the school do...See MoreThe principal is very nice. I have school provided housing as his neighbor and he takes me (and Ms. Rock star) to school. And I have to give the school credit for trying to deal with the older kids.. many of the parents blame the teachers for most issues, whine whenever the principal punishes the kids, etc. (To be fair to the parents, the school does punish minor infractions--wearing tennis shoes that aren't the right color, tardies that would be excused in the US, etc.-- severely.) The school also has many teachers who are part time babysitters to do watch and deal with behavior. Ms. Rock star is watched all 3 of her older classes; I am watched for 2 out of 4 and most other teachers have a baby sitter for some classes. But that can be less than ideal, too.. they lecture the kids who just ignore them and take class time, they are in charge of classroom management--not us-- and if they aren't there on time one day it's pure chaos.

Another issue.. this is minor, but it is annoying. There is a textbook manufacturer who at times asks for ESL teacher meetings. He (manufacturer) is very upset that at the moment the teachers know Spanish.. he informed the boss that the boss shouldn't hire Spanish speakers. We tell him weaknesses of the books and he gets pissy; he also wants to start doing classroom observations--although he won't, because the principal does have the sense not to allow that.

I find trying to plan lessons using an awful book only to be unable to do anything in class but stand there and try not to start screaming at the students horrific. Cheating is the norm and grades are awful. The parent meetings for the juniors and seniors are awful to sit though--and go on for 3 or even 4 hours in the evenings-- and the constant interruptions are also unpredictable; we never know what is going on when.

All though my program I heard that teaching is a 100 a week job, you won't have textbooks in your first job, kids scream obsecenities at you, etc.-- but frankly I didn't believe the job could be that bad. Student teaching was not that bad, either. I didn't like K-5 Spanish.. being a floating teacher going into classrooms of small kids isn't for me. But high school science was fine. We didn't--as is claimed-- have 20 meetings a week for issues like IEPS; we didn't have kids standing on desks. We had a decent textbook, parents were almost never unreasonable and I did not work even 80 hours a week.

On 4/03/12, pixie wrote: > This sounds really bad but you don't say anythng about the > administrators. Where are they in this situation? It sounds like > they are not being helpful, but if they are not blaming you for > the atrocious student behavior (which happens to so many teachers) > then that would be the silver lining in my opinion. Just try to > get another job and a decent reference from this job. If you > cannot get another job, try to appreciate the fact that the > admin are not on your back all the time blaming you for "poor > clasroom management" and planning to fire you. > > > On 4/02/12, OP again.. warning this is long! wrote: >> One other issue I forgot to mention. I teach from 7-8:15 >> (parents of students) Monday-Thursday and I find never having >> a week day evening with no teaching exhausts me and stresses >> me out. But on the other hand I have more planning time at >> school since I only have 4 classes. >> >> On 4/02/12, or bad career? wrote: >>> I'm hoping new teachers can offer me some advice.. I HATE >>> my job and am unsure if teaching is for me. >>> >>> Background: I have a BA in Spanish, chemistry and >>> education.. yup I took over 4 years to graduate :). >>> >>> My student teaching was K-5 Spanish (which I hated) and >>> science to all grades in a private school.. which I liked. >>> >>> I did a volunteer stint in Ecuador (using my science >>> skills) and got a visa. I did found a job teaching at a >>> K-12 private school. This is English for non native >>> speakers. I'm replacing an American left because the kids >>> were awful. The other 2 teachers took an extra class for >>> overtime pay and one doesn't want to give that up. Since I >>> want to teach secondary, I asked for older kids. I have 4 >>> classes of them plus a class for school parents.. the >>> school had been wanting to try offering parents English >>> classes. That's 4 evenings a week. >>> >>> I HATE it, but there are truly unique issues here: The >>> juniors and seniors are TOTALLY out of control.. it is >>> absolutely NOT "just me". Starting in November (before I >>> started) there have been mandatory parent/student/teacher >>> meetings to discuss the issues. Their class average is 12.5 >>> on a scale of 0-20.. i.e. 63. (That is bumped up by the >>> fact that this is a Catholic school so they have this >>> stupid fluff "values" class where they have an average of >>> 19/20.) They drink and smoke pot as well as cigarettes on >>> campus. They steal. They stole a teacher's grade book and >>> told the principal "it will re appear when we get our cell >>> phones back". (Cells are prohibited and supposed to be >>> taken from students when found by teachers or >>> adminstrators.) They ADORE one of the other English >>> teachers, yet they steal candy she brings to play games >>> with younger students and eat it in class; they also stole >>> her teacher's book--she ended up paying for a new one >>> because she admits she's disorganized and she couldn't >>> prove one of them took it. >>> >>> I won't get into describing their behavior, but the bad >>> behavior is not just chatting or goofing off. Two English >>> teachers left because of their behavior-- and both only had >>> 1 class of students this age. Two non English teachers have >>> quit and others say they will not return next year because >>> "we'll still have the juniors and the (numerous) seniors >>> who won't pass/graduate this year". Numerous parents--of >>> students ranging in age from 2nd grade to seniors-- have >>> pulled their kids from the school and told the principal >>> the behavior of these kids is why. Another English teacher >>> is so loved she calls herself a rock star, yet her behavior >>> issues are worse than mine. And she (I kid you not) entered >>> a sham marriage to get legal status to stay here because so >>> many kids and parents begged her and the school to find a >>> way for her to stay.. she couldn't get a work visa. >>> >>> Issue 2: The textbooks we have to use are unusable. Ms. >>> Rock Star gets around that my teaching content that follows >>> the theme of the book but isn't in the book- -i.e. their >>> was a unit on junior high kids discussing their class >>> preferences so she made a US schools vs. Ecuadorian schools >>> unit herself. But the principal gets upset that more in the >>> book isn't used/filled in--although for Ms. Rock star he >>> doesn't care. (FYI: I love Ms. Rock Star, and she used a >>> grand her parents sent her to travel "for Christmas" and >>> paid for a kid on scholarship to go to the USA on an >>> exchange program.) >>> >>> We have no other resources.. we have no way to use a >>> computer lab and no way to show movies (or any movies to >>> show). >>> >>> Issue 3: Both the other non star teacher and I have >>> students who are resentful not to be with Ms. Rock star.. >>> my room is by hers and my students have been known to >>> wander into her room and refuse to come back. >>> >>> Issue 4: Parents complain constantly.. about all teachers >>> (yes even Ms. Rock star :). My favorite in fact is about >>> Ms. Rock star "My 2nd grader can't write 2 sentences in >>> English as homework". Do you help her? No. Does she ask for >>> help. No.. I just do it for her. Another gem I got was "she >>> cut points for cheating and that lowered his grade". But he >>> did cheat. Oh.. I know. He didn't know the answers on a >>> section. >>> >>> Issue 5: Non academic serious interruptions of the school >>> day-- preparing for the independence day band march, >>> intramural week, school clean up day-- are constant. >>> >>> Is this anything like your work environment as a new >>> teacher?? >>> >>> Thanks for reading and replying!

Apr 3, 2012

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Sara I'd say you've answered your own question. You liked teaching science in a private school and you taught across many grades - you must have had a lot of preps - yet you liked it.

Your job in Ecuador sounds very challenging - no wonder you don't like it but it will still look good on your resume. Leave if you really hate it and didn't sign ...See More

Apr 4, 2012

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DifferentiateTHIS! On 4/02/12, or bad career? wrote: > I'm hoping new teachers can offer me some advice.. I HATE > my job and am unsure if teaching is for me. > > Background: I have a BA in Spanish, chemistry and > education.. yup I took over 4 years to graduate :). > > My student teaching was K-5 Spanish (which I hated) and > science to all g...See MoreOn 4/02/12, or bad career? wrote: > I'm hoping new teachers can offer me some advice.. I HATE > my job and am unsure if teaching is for me. > > Background: I have a BA in Spanish, chemistry and > education.. yup I took over 4 years to graduate :). > > My student teaching was K-5 Spanish (which I hated) and > science to all grades in a private school.. which I liked. > > I did a volunteer stint in Ecuador (using my science > skills) and got a visa. I did found a job teaching at a > K-12 private school. This is English for non native > speakers. I'm replacing an American left because the kids > were awful. The other 2 teachers took an extra class for > overtime pay and one doesn't want to give that up. Since I > want to teach secondary, I asked for older kids. I have 4 > classes of them plus a class for school parents.. the > school had been wanting to try offering parents English > classes. That's 4 evenings a week. > > I HATE it, but there are truly unique issues here: The > juniors and seniors are TOTALLY out of control.. it is > absolutely NOT "just me". Starting in November (before I > started) there have been mandatory parent/student/teacher > meetings to discuss the issues. Their class average is 12.5 > on a scale of 0-20.. i.e. 63. (That is bumped up by the > fact that this is a Catholic school so they have this > stupid fluff "values" class where they have an average of > 19/20.) They drink and smoke pot as well as cigarettes on > campus. They steal. They stole a teacher's grade book and > told the principal "it will re appear when we get our cell > phones back". (Cells are prohibited and supposed to be > taken from students when found by teachers or > adminstrators.) They ADORE one of the other English > teachers, yet they steal candy she brings to play games > with younger students and eat it in class; they also stole > her teacher's book--she ended up paying for a new one > because she admits she's disorganized and she couldn't > prove one of them took it. > > I won't get into describing their behavior, but the bad > behavior is not just chatting or goofing off. Two English > teachers left because of their behavior-- and both only had > 1 class of students this age. Two non English teachers have > quit and others say they will not return next year because > "we'll still have the juniors and the (numerous) seniors > who won't pass/graduate this year". Numerous parents--of > students ranging in age from 2nd grade to seniors-- have > pulled their kids from the school and told the principal > the behavior of these kids is why. Another English teacher > is so loved she calls herself a rock star, yet her behavior > issues are worse than mine. And she (I kid you not) entered > a sham marriage to get legal status to stay here because so > many kids and parents begged her and the school to find a > way for her to stay.. she couldn't get a work visa. > > Issue 2: The textbooks we have to use are unusable. Ms. > Rock Star gets around that my teaching content that follows > the theme of the book but isn't in the book- -i.e. their > was a unit on junior high kids discussing their class > preferences so she made a US schools vs. Ecuadorian schools > unit herself. But the principal gets upset that more in the > book isn't used/filled in--although for Ms. Rock star he > doesn't care. (FYI: I love Ms. Rock Star, and she used a > grand her parents sent her to travel "for Christmas" and > paid for a kid on scholarship to go to the USA on an > exchange program.) > > We have no other resources.. we have no way to use a > computer lab and no way to show movies (or any movies to > show). > > Issue 3: Both the other non star teacher and I have > students who are resentful not to be with Ms. Rock star.. > my room is by hers and my students have been known to > wander into her room and refuse to come back. > > Issue 4: Parents complain constantly.. about all teachers > (yes even Ms. Rock star :). My favorite in fact is about > Ms. Rock star "My 2nd grader can't write 2 sentences in > English as homework". Do you help her? No. Does she ask for > help. No.. I just do it for her. Another gem I got was "she > cut points for cheating and that lowered his grade". But he > did cheat. Oh.. I know. He didn't know the answers on a > section. > > Issue 5: Non academic serious interruptions of the school > day-- preparing for the independence day band march, > intramural week, school clean up day-- are constant. > > Is this anything like your work environment as a new > teacher?? > > Thanks for reading and replying!

I'm going to give you the best piece of advice: Choose another profession. This profession has gone to hell. I'm a few years in and each year gets worse and worse. You will be micro-managed to death and not appreciated by the students, parents, or administration. The paperwork, which also gets worse and worse with each passing year, will literally consume you. I'm 40 so it's going to be tough for me to start a new career, but I'm going to try. Please trust me on this. Anyone who says otherwise is the rare exception who happens to be in one of the few normal schools that are left. The future is bleak for all though. It will eventually be all charters which equal no union, no pension, and longer hours. Now that's the TRUTH.

May 31, 2012

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