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Need advice- I got the job!!!

by Katie P.

Dec 17, 2009

I just got an offer for a teaching position in a third grade class. I am SOOOO excited!! I graduated a year ago and have been working hard to find a position and it finally happened. I start in the beginning of the year! Along with the excitement I am nervous. Naturally, this is my first class that is truly mine and I want things to go as well as p...See More

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Zodea I don't teach elementary so take my advice with a grain of salt!

I suggest you read to the students. Find a good book and read to them. Maybe read several a day. Often students will be quiet and listen to a story when they won't be quiet for anything else. Once they are quite and attentive, you can move onto something else. Gives them some...See More

Dec 24, 2009

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Leah Reading to students can not only teach listening skills, but it can be a reward at the end of the day.

Also, you may find the following short articles helpful:

Elementary Classroom Rules and Management; Reward in the Classroom; Getting to Know Each Other Activities, part 1, 2, and 3; and 75 others for teachers.

Just cl...See More

Dec 29, 2009

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Special Ed. Teacher Kicked Out of University in Last Semeste

by Catlin

Dec 27, 2009

I was in Chapman University’s master’s/credentialing program in Orange, California.. I graduated in May 2005 with my master's degree and only needed to complete my student teaching in September of that year to get my credential. However, I was expelled from Chapman with only this one semester left to go. I had an argument with two professors re...See MoreI was in Chapman University’s master’s/credentialing program in Orange, California.. I graduated in May 2005 with my master's degree and only needed to complete my student teaching in September of that year to get my credential. However, I was expelled from Chapman with only this one semester left to go. I had an argument with two professors regarding where I would be doing my student teaching and I walked out of the room. They accommodated every student there but me when it came to placement in their student teaching. The next day I called the Dean of the department to let him know what happened and he informed me that I was being expelled. That professor and her close associate wrote a total of eight pages of complete slanderous lies about me. It went before the Student Review Board-which was made up of four professors who work intimately with these two professors. How biased was that! The next day they voted on my expulsion. I then appealed to the provost, but to no avail. I then went to the Dean of the department who gave me an offer: "If you voluntarily leave the program I will pull the letters from your file." I told him that those letters of lies should not even be in existence. I told him I would not voluntarily leave. He said “Sorry” and I was expelled. When I first went to the student review board I came not only with my pastor but with all my documents that disputed everything these professors wrote, plus I had a 3.6 GPA, recommendations from two other professors, and was never in trouble academically or socially, but it meant nothing to them. Those professors’ lies were gold in their eyes. I was not able to afford a lawyer but have called many to see if I could get one on a contingency, but so far no such luck. I have called many schools to see if I could do just student teaching, but they all said that I have to at least take 65% of their classes and have a letter of good standing from my university before I would be allowed to student teach, which is not possible if you were expelled. Chapman University in Orange , California has destroyed my career. I am $44,000 in debt and just turned fifty-one. When I attended Chapman University I made the mistake of revealing to one of the professors who wrote the negative letter about me that I had a documented learning disabilty from tests I took at Saddleback College 's Disability Services. From that point on that professor would make every attempt she could to dissuade me from continuing in the teaching program. In her negative letter about me she states that I have a hard time in class and that she told me her class would be difficult and that I should rethink taking it. Also, when I went to disability services on campus for accommodation they would not honor the documents from Saddleback College . They said I would have to be retested by an outside agency for $500. When my disability was revealed it was all downhill from there. I was treated as if I were an idiot and Chapman could not wait to find a way to get me out of their program. This, I believe was why they were placing me in a district out of the perimeter of Chapman University and far from my place of residence so I would not bring any shame on Chapman University. All the other students there that were doing student teaching were pretty much placed locally.

I cannot believe this happened to me. I did nothing to deserve this. The one teacher I had the argument with was the head of the Special Education department and that was enough to expel me. If they felt I was not teacher material why did they wait till I started my very last semester of the program and then expel me? Also, whenever I request an official transcript for the M.A. I earned at Chapman it states “expelled” on it. Why would it have to state that when I was expelled out of the teaching program and not the master's? Some people say that I must have really done something wrong, I did not and I have proof that backs my innocence. I have wrote to senators, newspapers, and even President Bush, to no avail. I guess private schools basically have autonomy and can destroy any life of their choosing. For awhile I wrote what happened to me on the back of my truck with an email address and had many people who wrote that they could not believe it. I had one individual who even started a blog for me. I am not slandering anyone and have proof that proves it. Plus, I know that if enough people were to know my story I would have justice. When I wrote the newspapers they did not want to publish he-said- she-said stories. It really makes me think of all the people in the world who are hurt by someone stronger and have no recourse to justice. What really is so painful and visceral is how this hurt my mother. I cried like a baby at the student review board because the words those professors wrote were an affront to the person who always was by my side and encouraged me while attending school. I dropped out of high school because of a learning disability and did not attempt school again till I was thirty-three. It took me eight and a half years to get my AA and BA. Now my school journey ends like this ! Does anyone know what I can do with just my M.A. in Special Education besides teaching in public schools? I would still love to work with teens and young adult who have trouble learning but I do not know where. Any help would be so, so, greatly appreciated. Thanks to all who read this, Catlin

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East End Long Islander You need to reconsider hiring an attorney and suing the school for slander, libel and whatever else applies. If you truly completed all your academic work with good grades, it makes no sense that you were "expelled" from the school. How can you have a degree when you were expelled? Something is amiss here in what you are telling us. Don't give up o...See More

Feb 5, 2010

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DK Caitlin I would love for you to contact me. Something very similar happened to me with one of the Cal State schools. Please contact me ASAP. Thank you.

Sincerely, D. [email removed]

On 12/27/09, Catlin wrote: > I was in Chapman University’s master’s/credentialing > program in Orange, California.. I graduated in May 2005 ...See MoreCaitlin I would love for you to contact me. Something very similar happened to me with one of the Cal State schools. Please contact me ASAP. Thank you.

Sincerely, D. [email removed]

On 12/27/09, Catlin wrote: > I was in Chapman University’s master’s/credentialing > program in Orange, California.. I graduated in May 2005 > with my master's degree and only needed to complete my > student teaching in September of that year to get my > credential. However, I was expelled from Chapman with only > this one semester left to go. I had an argument with two > professors regarding where I would be doing my student > teaching and I walked out of the room. They accommodated > every student there but me when it came to placement in > their student teaching. > The next day I called the Dean of the department to > let him know what happened and he informed me that I was > being expelled. That professor and her close associate > wrote a total of eight pages of complete slanderous lies > about me. > It went before the Student Review Board-which was made > up of four professors who work intimately with these two > professors. How biased was that! The next day they voted on > my expulsion. I then appealed to the provost, but to no > avail. I then went to the Dean of the department who gave > me an offer: "If you voluntarily leave the program I will > pull the letters from your file." I told him that those > letters of lies should not even be in existence. I told him > I would not voluntarily leave. He said “Sorry” and I was > expelled. > When I first went to the student review board I > came not only with my pastor but with all my documents that > disputed everything these professors wrote, plus I had a > 3.6 GPA, recommendations from two other professors, and was > never in trouble academically or socially, but it meant > nothing to them. Those professors’ lies were gold in their > eyes. > I was not able to afford a lawyer but have called many > to see if I could get one on a contingency, but so far no > such luck. I have called many schools to see if I could do > just student teaching, but they all said that I have to at > least take 65% of their classes and have a letter of good > standing from my university before I would be allowed to > student teach, which is not possible if you were expelled. > Chapman University in Orange , California has > destroyed my career. I am $44,000 in debt and just turned > fifty-one. When I attended Chapman University I made the > mistake of revealing to one of the professors who wrote the > negative letter about me that I had a documented learning > disabilty from tests I took at Saddleback College 's > Disability Services. From that point on that professor > would make every attempt she could to dissuade me from > continuing in the teaching program. In her negative letter > about me she states that I have a hard time in class and > that she told me her class would be difficult and that I > should rethink taking it. Also, when I went to disability > services on campus for accommodation they would not honor > the documents from Saddleback College . They said I would > have to be retested by an outside agency for $500. When my > disability was revealed it was all downhill from there. I > was treated as if I were an idiot and Chapman could not > wait to find a way to get me out of their program. This, I > believe was why they were placing me in a district out of > the perimeter of Chapman University and far from my place > of residence so I would not bring any shame on Chapman > University. All the other students there that were doing > student teaching were pretty much placed locally. > > I cannot believe this happened to me. I did nothing to > deserve this. The one teacher I had the argument with was > the head of the Special Education department and that was > enough to expel me. If they felt I was not teacher > material why did they wait till I started my very last > semester of the program and then expel me? Also, whenever I > request an official transcript for the M.A. I earned at > Chapman it states “expelled” on it. Why would it have to > state that when I was expelled out of the teaching program > and not the master's? > Some people say that I must have really done > something wrong, I did not and I have proof that backs my > innocence. I have wrote to senators, newspapers, and even > President Bush, to no avail. I guess private schools > basically have autonomy and can destroy any life of their > choosing. > For awhile I wrote what happened to me on the back of > my truck with an email address and had many people who > wrote that they could not believe it. I had one individual > who even started a blog for me. I am not slandering anyone > and have proof that proves it. Plus, I know that if enough > people were to know my story I would have justice. When I > wrote the newspapers they did not want to publish he-said- > she-said stories. It really makes me think of all the > people in the world who are hurt by someone stronger and > have no recourse to justice. What really is so painful and > visceral is how this hurt my mother. I cried like a baby at > the student review board because the words those professors > wrote were an affront to the person who always was by my > side and encouraged me while attending school. I dropped > out of high school because of a learning disability and did > not attempt school again till I was thirty-three. It took > me eight and a half years to get my AA and BA. Now my > school journey ends like this ! > Does anyone know what I can do with just my M.A. in > Special Education besides teaching in public schools? I > would still love to work with teens and young adult who > have trouble learning but I do not know where. Any help > would be so, so, greatly appreciated. > Thanks to all who read this, > Catlin > >

Oct 23, 2011

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Win Free License for Online Vocabulary Building Program

by Nell Kauls

Dec 30, 2009

Attention Teachers!

Win A FREE LICENSE for The First 4,000 Words for your Class and your School!

The First 4,000 Words is an interactive web-based program used to teach the 4,000 most frequently used English words to English Language Learners and struggling readers in grades 1 through 4. This research-based and field-tested progr...See More

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Job Satisfaction

by Latoya

Jan 16, 2010

I'm doing a school report on teachers and job satisfaction. I could really use your input. I need to know what is your current level of job satisfaction? Are you happy with the way things are going? Why or Why not.

Also what workplace conditions do you find most frustrating and stressful?

Thank you so much

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CityTeacher Current level of satisfaction: fair Happy with the way "things are going"- No. Why? Over the past four years, a new principl arrived with no plan or desire to discipline students. To this day, there's NO PLAN for taking care of students who harass, bully, call others names, steal, vandalize, hit teachers, storm out of classrooms cursing and throwin...See MoreCurrent level of satisfaction: fair Happy with the way "things are going"- No. Why? Over the past four years, a new principl arrived with no plan or desire to discipline students. To this day, there's NO PLAN for taking care of students who harass, bully, call others names, steal, vandalize, hit teachers, storm out of classrooms cursing and throwing things....need I say more? Nothing is done. The only "disciplinary action" that takes place is against the teachers who 'mention' that we have no discipline policy, and that we might need one. Secondly: Year after year..... classes of 37+ students from the ghetto........Again, can't say or do ANYTHING for fear of being on the "teachers who need to be written-up list." Why did I say "Fair?" - I have good benefits, and an OK salary (I'm at about 50K after 22 years) On 1/17/10, private school teacher wrote: > On 1/16/10, Latoya wrote: >> I'm doing a school report on teachers and job satisfaction. >> I could really use your input. I need to know what is your >> current level of job satisfaction? Are you happy with the >> way things are going? Why or Why not. >> >> Also what workplace conditions do you find most frustrating >> and stressful? >> >> Thank you so much > > > I'd suggest you ask your respondents what grade they teach > and what kind of a school they teach in - otherwise your > results won't make sense. > > I teach middle school in a private school, for example. I > work under very different conditions than do many teachers > though my pay scale does not compare to public school > teachers. (you should be asking that question too - how much > do you make and what are your benefits? We all get happier > with our jobs no matter how bad they are if they pay well...) > > I make almost $60,000 - I will draw no retirement pay - we > have no common fund for that. This is a non-union school. My > class size is always under 25. I have seen many changes but > overall I am very satisfied with my job. > The workplace conditions that I find stressful are the chaos > of this place because it is not well-run. My principal never > leaves his office and when he runs a faculty meeting, it's > clear he's really still just in his office because he lets > the meetings ramble on for hours, accomplishing nothing but > taking up time. Any meeting at which he is present is the > most stressful part of my job. > And the endless complaining of some of my colleagues who have > never taught anywhere but here and think this is a really bad > place to teach.... and they complain constantly about the > kids and the parents.

Jan 17, 2010

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Public School Elem. Response I love my job! I truly look forward to going to work, and I am happy with the way things are going. Most days, I feel creative, valued, respected, and that what I do matters. I have worked in quite a few different places, so I appreciate the good ones. I particularly appreciate working environments where colleagues and admin are truly student-cente...See MoreI love my job! I truly look forward to going to work, and I am happy with the way things are going. Most days, I feel creative, valued, respected, and that what I do matters. I have worked in quite a few different places, so I appreciate the good ones. I particularly appreciate working environments where colleagues and admin are truly student-centered, and willing to try new things, but not every possible new thing.

Things which frustrate me are mostly related to micro-management of things I feel are unimportant--like nitpicking about room decorations, or format of submitted lesson plans, or dictating precisely how lessons in every subject area should go.

On 1/17/10, CityTeacher wrote: > Current level of satisfaction: fair > Happy with the way "things are going"- No. > Why? Over the past four years, a new principl arrived with no > plan or desire to discipline students. To this day, there's NO > PLAN for taking care of students who harass, bully, call others > names, steal, vandalize, hit teachers, storm out of classrooms > cursing and throwing things....need I say more? Nothing is done. > The only "disciplinary action" that takes place is against the > teachers who 'mention' that we have no discipline policy, and > that we might need one. > Secondly: Year after year..... classes of 37+ students from the > ghetto........Again, can't say or do ANYTHING for fear of being > on the "teachers who need to be written-up list." > Why did I say "Fair?" - I have good benefits, and an OK salary > (I'm at about 50K after 22 years) > On 1/17/10, private school teacher wrote: >> On 1/16/10, Latoya wrote: >>> I'm doing a school report on teachers and job satisfaction. >>> I could really use your input. I need to know what is your >>> current level of job satisfaction? Are you happy with the >>> way things are going? Why or Why not. >>> >>> Also what workplace conditions do you find most frustrating >>> and stressful? >>> >>> Thank you so much >> >> >> I'd suggest you ask your respondents what grade they teach >> and what kind of a school they teach in - otherwise your >> results won't make sense. >> >> I teach middle school in a private school, for example. I >> work under very different conditions than do many teachers >> though my pay scale does not compare to public school >> teachers. (you should be asking that question too - how much >> do you make and what are your benefits? We all get happier >> with our jobs no matter how bad they are if they pay well...) >> >> I make almost $60,000 - I will draw no retirement pay - we >> have no common fund for that. This is a non-union school. My >> class size is always under 25. I have seen many changes but >> overall I am very satisfied with my job. >> The workplace conditions that I find stressful are the chaos >> of this place because it is not well-run. My principal never >> leaves his office and when he runs a faculty meeting, it's >> clear he's really still just in his office because he lets >> the meetings ramble on for hours, accomplishing nothing but >> taking up time. Any meeting at which he is present is the >> most stressful part of my job. >> And the endless complaining of some of my colleagues who have >> never taught anywhere but here and think this is a really bad >> place to teach.... and they complain constantly about the >> kids and the parents.

Jan 26, 2010

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$125,000 Salary for Master Middle School Teachers

by TEP Charter School

Jan 19, 2010

: $125,000 Salary for Master Middle School Teachers

Earn a $125,000 salary and join a team of master teachers at The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School, recently featured on the front page of the New York Times: ([link removed]).

TEP is a new 480-student 5th through 8th grade middle school in the Washington Heights neighborhood o...See More

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interview

by south

Jan 20, 2010

i wanted to know should i take an interim position as an assistant or should I hold out for a full-time position in a grade level that I prefer?

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south On 1/20/10, vet teacher wrote: > On 1/20/10, south wrote: >> i wanted to know should i take an interim position as an >> assistant or should I hold out for a full-time position in >> a grade level that I prefer? > > Take the job - it's a job. Don't be silly. In these times, > take the job you're offered. There are many...See More

Jan 20, 2010

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vet teacher On 1/20/10, south wrote: > On 1/20/10, vet teacher wrote: >> On 1/20/10, south wrote: >>> i wanted to know should i take an interim position as an >>> assistant or should I hold out for a full-time position in >>> a grade level that I prefer? >> >> Take the job - it's a job. Don't be silly. In these t...See More

Jan 20, 2010

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Planning with Para/Special Ed Teacher

by Amy Robinson

Jan 21, 2010

Hi, I am in my Masters program and we are discussing teaming and collaboration. My question is, do you team/collaborate with your paraprofessional and/or special ed teacher that comes to your room? If so, when and for how long. If not, what are your reasons?

Thank you for all of your insights and help! I am a first year teacher teaching th...See More

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East End Long Islander There's a big difference between a push-in or co-teacher and a paraprofessional. And in different districts, there is a big difference in paraprofessionals.

In our schools, for example, the spec-ed teacher who's a push in (or pulls students out for help) works on his/her own, sometimes asking what the student is studying to coordinate spe...See More

Feb 5, 2010

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Summer work

by need2work

Jan 22, 2010

I know that it just January but I am currently an unemployed teacher. I can sub and accept interim positions during the academic year but what employment opportunities are out there during the Summer?

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Sara On 1/22/10, need2work wrote: > I know that it just January but I am currently an > unemployed teacher. I can sub and accept interim positions > during the academic year but what employment opportunities > are out there during the Summer?

Where are you? Camps. Day camps need teachers. Music teachers, Nature teachers, gym teacher...See More

Jan 22, 2010

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next school year

by looking for work

Jan 25, 2010

I recently completed my teacher licensure program and am now looking for a teaching job fresh out of school. Since it is January, jobs seem to be slim pickings. I was wondering how much different will my job-hunt be when the next school year begins? I apreciate any insight and comments.

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IN teacher Be willing to relocate. MI and IN are laying off teachers due to their budgets. Many here are also offering buyouts and not replacing those that take the cash.

Look far and wide!

On 1/25/10, looking for work wrote: > I recently completed my teacher licensure program and am > now looking for a teaching job fresh out of schoo...See More

Feb 2, 2010

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I'm looking into becoming a teacher...

by Kasey

Jan 28, 2010

I'm eighteen, and I've always had trouble in finding a carreer that genuinely intrests me. But after alot of thinking I've decided that teaching would be a career I'd really be motivated to pursue. I've done some research but nothing beats first hand expirence. I'd much appreciate any wisdom relating to things like training and financial assistance...See More

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DHart Hello, Well, when I began teaching I was inspired. I planned to bring to the classroom creativity, an opportunity to support kids, and above all, I would teach subjects I love - English & Art. My student teaching went well, but of course, the sponsoring teacher was always present.

But the reality of teaching middle school for 10 years...See MoreHello, Well, when I began teaching I was inspired. I planned to bring to the classroom creativity, an opportunity to support kids, and above all, I would teach subjects I love - English & Art. My student teaching went well, but of course, the sponsoring teacher was always present.

But the reality of teaching middle school for 10 years in the public schools with the pressure of No Child Left Behind almost did me in. Count on grading and correcting papers at least one weekend day, and two additional evenings a week, and possibly more. Nor will any student pay much attention to all that grading unless you make them redo the paper. Plus every afternoon, a good teacher is either meeting with a student, a parent, or calling a parent about a discipline issue, or cleaning up a littered classroom. Family life will be interrupted and put on hold. I found myself putting the needs of my children behind the needs of my students (sad).

The biggest issue will be discipline. No longer are teachers dealing with a few fidgety kids in the back row or a passing quarrel. Last year, I had 35 students in an English class: 6 were special ed with Individualized Lesson Plans and all sorts of attending behaviors (even though this number was illegal with no aide present), 3 were ESL students who needed adapted lessons and Spanish books (and I don't speak Spanish), 6 acting out boys who would mentally gang up on me and try to control the classroom with comments, laughter, tawdry remarks, and rowdiness. I was constantly interrupting the class, sending them out, and the Administrator would bring them back in. While they were away, the counselor had nice, long chats with them, and back they came. No better discipline was offered than "give them detention" and "you must inspire them" - even though their reading and writing abilities were far below grade level. I tried tutoring some students after school, but most middle school students will not willingly stay after school. I couldn't call on the help of volunteers or aides because there were none -- although, down the street there was a picket line with at least 30 retired adults protesting abortion - I would love to have had them in my classroom. But they are your students, and you are responsible for their learning. Not only that, the results of their standardized test scores will determine if you have a job the following year. Count on many students having no homework, no binders, no paper, and no pencils on a daily basis. But believe when I say they all have expensive tennis shoes, ipods, and a wide assortment of computer games. In fact, some students told me they spend at least 3 hours a day playing computer games, if not more. You will have students who have no bed time and fall asleep in your class, students who call you every name in the book (and you must stay calm because you are their only role model). I regularly had 8th graders who were high on various drugs and alcohol, not to mention a few teens who were already sexually active at 13. I kid you not.

And, don't think teacher meetings are for teachers. They are not, in fact, you will never be asked to add an agenda item, or rarely will you be asked to share a lesson idea. Faculty meetings are for disseminating information from the higher ups. Most faculty meetings are about assessment and meeting No Child Left Behind standardized testing and how to do it. I haven't had a discussion about inspiring students since I left college and student teaching. Nor will you have a regular lunch, most teachers work through lunch on a regular basis - they have to just to keep up. On occasion, I would get that rare mix of kids and real teaching would occur, like the year I set up centers to explore cultural diversity in literature, complete with music and crafts. That was a great year, a rare year.

So what did I do? I left the larger classroom behind, and am now teaching reading in small groups, a better choice. Over the years, my daughter has watched me struggle, receive little respect, and bring home the personal problems of my students. No, she will never be a teacher, she says. All that ails our society is magnified in the classroom. . .bullying, violence, lack of attention span, poor parenting, divorce, and oh, did I say poor parenting? You name it. . .if you become a teacher, you will have to be a stand in parent, counselor, nurse, and sometimes a referee as well

Jul 26, 2010

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joe As you can see from these worn out folks, teaching is not a career for everyone. You really need to have a strong personality in order to inspire. Sadly, many folks simply do not have that and are better suited to be pushing papers in an office. I know it sounds harsh, but the fact remains that you can walk into any building and there will be at le...See MoreAs you can see from these worn out folks, teaching is not a career for everyone. You really need to have a strong personality in order to inspire. Sadly, many folks simply do not have that and are better suited to be pushing papers in an office. I know it sounds harsh, but the fact remains that you can walk into any building and there will be at least a few teachers who do not have these massive management problems that some others seem to have. Sure, if you are in the inner city you really need to be good, but hey that's life.

The really sad thing about this is that these sad sack posts are from real teachers who are staying in just for the benefits and time off. If they had even an ounce of honor/good will, they would step aside and find a career so we could let more talented people into the field.

The unions protect these sad, miserable people, and there are many of them. That is why, in general, private schools are always better schools for kids. They hire people who model leadership behaviors and stray away from the victim-type thought process that pervades most American public school systems.

Also, one last note...NCLB is a miserable excuse that almost all teachers who are afaid of change use. What?!?! You wouldn't have to correct papers or manage your classroom if not for that? Also, your school is obviously still open if you have a job, so you must not be swaeting it that much.

On 7/26/10, DHart wrote: > Hello, Well, when I began teaching I was inspired. I planned to > bring to the classroom creativity, an opportunity to support kids, > and above all, I would teach subjects I love - English & Art. My > student teaching went well, but of course, the sponsoring teacher > was always present. > > But the reality of teaching middle school for 10 years in the public > schools with the pressure of No Child Left Behind almost did me in. > Count on grading and correcting papers at least one weekend day, > and two additional evenings a week, and possibly more. Nor will any > student pay much attention to all that grading unless you make them > redo the paper. Plus every afternoon, a good teacher is either > meeting with a student, a parent, or calling a parent about a > discipline issue, or cleaning up a littered classroom. Family life > will be interrupted and put on hold. I found myself putting the > needs of my children behind the needs of my students (sad). > > The biggest issue will be discipline. No longer are teachers dealing > with a few fidgety kids in the back row or a passing quarrel. Last > year, I had 35 students in an English class: 6 were special ed with > Individualized Lesson Plans and all sorts of attending behaviors > (even though this number was illegal with no aide present), 3 were > ESL students who needed adapted lessons and Spanish books (and I > don't speak Spanish), 6 acting out boys who would mentally gang up > on me and try to control the classroom with comments, laughter, > tawdry remarks, and rowdiness. I was constantly interrupting the > class, sending them out, and the Administrator would bring them > back in. While they were away, the counselor had nice, long chats > with them, and back they came. No better discipline was offered > than "give them detention" and "you must inspire them" - even > though their reading and writing abilities were far below grade > level. I tried tutoring some students after school, but most middle > school students will not willingly stay after school. I couldn't > call on the help of volunteers or aides because there were none -- > although, down the street there was a picket line with at least 30 > retired adults protesting abortion - I would love to have had them > in my classroom. But they are your students, and you are > responsible for their learning. Not only that, the results of their > standardized test scores will determine if you have a job the > following year. Count on many students having no homework, no > binders, no paper, and no pencils on a daily basis. But believe > when I say they all have expensive tennis shoes, ipods, and a wide > assortment of computer games. In fact, some students told me they > spend at least 3 hours a day playing computer games, if not more. > You will have students who have no bed time and fall asleep in your > class, students who call you every name in the book (and you must > stay calm because you are their only role model). I regularly had > 8th graders who were high on various drugs and alcohol, not to > mention a few teens who were already sexually active at 13. I kid > you not. > > And, don't think teacher meetings are for teachers. They are not, in > fact, you will never be asked to add an agenda item, or rarely will > you be asked to share a lesson idea. Faculty meetings are for > disseminating information from the higher ups. Most faculty meetings > are about assessment and meeting No Child Left Behind standardized > testing and how to do it. I haven't had a discussion about inspiring > students since I left college and student teaching. Nor will you > have a regular lunch, most teachers work through lunch on a regular > basis - they have to just to keep up. On occasion, I would get that > rare mix of kids and real teaching would occur, like the year I set > up centers to explore cultural diversity in literature, complete > with music and crafts. That was a great year, a rare year. > > So what did I do? I left the larger classroom behind, and am now > teaching reading in small groups, a better choice. Over the years, > my daughter has watched me struggle, receive little respect, and > bring home the personal problems of my students. No, she will never > be a teacher, she says. All that ails our society is magnified in > the classroom. . .bullying, violence, lack of attention span, poor > parenting, divorce, and oh, did I say poor parenting? You name it. . > .if you become a teacher, you will have to be a stand in parent, > counselor, nurse, and sometimes a referee as well

Aug 15, 2010

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