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I've been an English teacher for a while and am starting to become lethargic. Does anyone have any suggestions for motivating myself? I recently read two good books that helped somewhat, Educating Esme and Searching for a Savior. Is there anything else I can try,maybe taking a year off?

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Early Birdy Depending on your teaching style, this might not help you. I normally do a lot of "direct teach." When I get burnt out I switch over to a more "project oriented" set of lessons where the kids are taking the lead in creating skits, or presenting. It is relaxing to act as facilitator and let them come up with the idea to research or pursue. I am alwa...See More

Nov 15, 2011

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Vet Teacher too On 11/15/11, EnglishTeacher wrote: > I've been an English teacher for a while and am starting to > become lethargic. Does anyone have any suggestions for > motivating myself? I recently read two good books that > helped somewhat, Educating Esme and Searching for a Savior. > Is there anything else I can try,maybe taking a year off? ...See More

Nov 16, 2011

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Fellow Teacher Requesting Guidance

by Mary Smith

Nov 17, 2011

Good Afternoon Fellow Teachers: I have been a Spanish teacher for 12 years, and could use some help. First of all, I love the Spanish language. I am not a Native, but, many Natives have thought that I was. I come from a line of excellent Educators. I have always tried to instill the importance of learnng a second language in all of my students. I f...See More

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Mary Smith Good Morning, Thank you for replying to my post. I have been teaching for 12 years, and have never reached tenure. All of the districts have had issues with their budget, many have had multiple FL teachers, and being the last one hired, I was the first one to go. It has been absolutely ridiculous as to being let go. Many of the Administrators have ...See MoreGood Morning, Thank you for replying to my post. I have been teaching for 12 years, and have never reached tenure. All of the districts have had issues with their budget, many have had multiple FL teachers, and being the last one hired, I was the first one to go. It has been absolutely ridiculous as to being let go. Many of the Administrators have been nice and haven't wanted to do this. You're right, it is apparant that they do not want a good FL Dept. I have: written Curricula, extensively researched for Textbooks and sought approval via board, and have also discovered other additions to the Curricula, Workshops etc..Yes, it is November, and I was let go as of October. I thoroughly do not know what to do. Every single year, I go into the year with SO much excitement, increase the Program, worke SO hard, and this is what eventually happens. And, I'm even optimistic. I literally am speechless, clueless, and exhasted.

On 11/17/11, questions wrote: > On 11/17/11, Mary Smith wrote: >> Good Afternoon Fellow Teachers: >> I have been a Spanish teacher for 12 years, and could use >> some help. First of all, I love the Spanish language. I >> am not a Native, but, many Natives have thought that I was. >> I come from a line of excellent Educators. I have always >> tried to instill the importance of learnng a second >> language in all of my students. I feel that all of my >> classes are extremely versatle. I feel like many of my >> students have learned. I have always worked extremely hard >> each and every day. Very often, I am one of the last >> teachers left in the school. My Observations are >> excellent. I have written Curricula. I feel like I am a >> excellent Spanish teacher. I would be the first to admit >> the contrary. And yet, I have had the "extreme luck" in >> finding Districts which do not have the knowledge or desire >> to have quality Foreigh Language Programs. I am then let >> go. > > So you're saying you don't achieve tenure? How many districts > have you been let go from? > > That asked, it's baffling as to why they let you go. Your post > suggests they let you precisely because you're good and they > purposefully don't want a good Foreign Language department. > That's hard to understand. They let all of their foreign > language teachers go or just the good ones? > > And it's November - are you teaching this year? Or are you in > between jobs? > > I am mentally exhausted. I work trememdously hard in >> every single area, remain very optimistic each year, and >> this is what happens. This has been happening to me for >> the past 10 years. I am only 40 years old, and have been >> severely exhausted for the past 5 years, but, due to my >> optimism, have continued on. > > > > Due to this, to me, Districts >> would look more favorable towards other teachers. But, >> none of this has been my fault. What is going on here? >> Why is a 40 year old teacher, of a valuable language, >> considering retirement, for the past 5 years? Help!

Nov 23, 2011

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Sara On 11/23/11, Mary Smith wrote: > Good Morning, > Thank you for replying to my post. I have been teaching for 12 > years, and have never reached tenure. All of the districts have > had issues with their budget, many have had multiple FL teachers, > and being the last one hired, I was the first one to go.

Administrators have ...See MoreOn 11/23/11, Mary Smith wrote: > Good Morning, > Thank you for replying to my post. I have been teaching for 12 > years, and have never reached tenure. All of the districts have > had issues with their budget, many have had multiple FL teachers, > and being the last one hired, I was the first one to go.

Administrators have no authority to increase the budget on their own nor can they raise school taxes. If this is purely budgetary and a sign of the times, then there's nothing to do. The times are not good and they're not getting better. You will always have been the last one hired and thus it will always be you that's let go.

How long have you been teaching in your current district? I trust you weren't just hired in September - how do they do know now they have budget issues already for the coming year?

And as it's budget and a matter of low person on the totem pole with the least seniority, it doesn't matter how strong your resume is and that's the way it is. Districts will not let someone of longer standing go before you - they would have an outcry from the union if they did and an outcry from the faculty if there was no union to cry out first.

What to do? Try private schools that have no union is one thought that comes to mind. Private schools can more often predict their budget though they too have had budget issues of late with families too strapped to keep their children in private school.There's a book called Peterson's Guide to the Independent Schools and you can find a list of the private schools in your area in that book. Try parochial schools and pre-schools too. Neither of those will pay as well but preschools abound and good ones can offer Spanish as a subject. Community colleges are another thought - though you might have to start as an adjunct but jobs can open up.

I don't know where you are but around here they are always hiring Spanish language speakers - for court translators and for social service outreach work.

Much good luck to you - I truly hope you find your perfect place.

Nov 23, 2011

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Interview for Intervention Position (Help)

by Lisa201

Dec 5, 2011

Hello! I am hoping someone on here has suggestions/help in my preparation for an interview for an Intervention position interview I have tomorrow. I'm currently a 1st grade Para (with my K-8 Teaching Degree), the principal and assistant principals know I have my teaching license and have been asking me to apply for this position, which I did. Today...See More

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Young principal

by TPP

Dec 13, 2011

I am a veteran teacher at my school. Being one of the oldest I would also be considered a teacher leader.

We have a young, inexperienced principal. Her goals are on target, and she has good, out of the box ideas. The problem is she lacks people skills. Many issues are left unaddressed to avoid conflict. Any concern is taken as criticism o...See More

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been there done that Hi,

I am a teacher of 40 some years. (Guess that makes me a veteran teahcer.)

I have a fantastic DIL that is now an administrator...not yet thirty.

Her desire is to serve her teachers to make them feel that the are valued and that they are the best they can be.

I think, if she were in the position of your young ...See More

Feb 25, 2012

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TPP Thank for your valuable insight. I think my principal and I are doing just what you suggests, having meaningful conversations. She does listen, and then makes the best decision for our school.

I did tell her that all teachers wanted was to be appreciated and to know that she knew how hard they are all working. We do have teachers that wor...See MoreThank for your valuable insight. I think my principal and I are doing just what you suggests, having meaningful conversations. She does listen, and then makes the best decision for our school.

I did tell her that all teachers wanted was to be appreciated and to know that she knew how hard they are all working. We do have teachers that work really hard to meet the needs of their students. She has tried to do things that will make our jobs a little easier, and has been attentive and a good listener to all, even those who would not normally seek her out.

Little by little she is silencing the naysayers and bringing others around.

On 2/25/12, been there done that wrote: > Hi, > > I am a teacher of 40 some years. (Guess that makes me a > veteran teahcer.) > > I have a fantastic DIL that is now an administrator...not yet > thirty. > > Her desire is to serve her teachers to make them feel that the > are valued and that they are the best they can be. > > I think, if she were in the position of your young > principal...she would hope you would reach out and have > meaningful conversations...not demanding or directing, but > caring and informative. > > I know my DIL would listen, evaluate, and then do what she > felt was "right"...but she would have been smart enough to > have consider another professional's input. > > Try to give support to the young principal...I know sometimes > it just seems "impossible!!!"...but it also sounds like you > can handle it!!!! I wish you luck.... > > > > > On 12/13/11, TPP wrote: >> I am a veteran teacher at my school. Being one of the >> oldest I would also be considered a teacher leader. >> >> We have a young, inexperienced principal. Her goals are on >> target, and she has good, out of the box ideas. The problem >> is she lacks people skills. Many issues are left >> unaddressed to avoid conflict. Any concern is taken as >> criticism or a complaint. Bottom line, she is insecure in >> her abilities. >> >> The effect is that teachers are not supporting each other. >> Some are trying to control and correct what they see as >> needing control and correction. In other words, those who >> are not in charge, are taking charge, and other teachers >> resent that or join their ring of negativity and >> principal/teacher bashing. >> >> My question: how do I as a teacher leader turn this around? >> How do I support our principal, while at t he same time, >> help her to be a better principal. She is reaching out for >> help, but I don't know how to offer that without offending >> her.

Feb 26, 2012

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