Michigan Teachers Chatboard

(3)

view previous comments

Dean On 2/16/16, Discuss retiree wrote: > On 2/15/16, Drowningdowntown wrote: >> I am a middle school math teacher in my >> second year at an urban charter >> environment. Our school day is from 750 >> to 400 with 2 hour math blocks. My 7th >> graders have nearly broken my foot, called >> me vile names with no repr...See MoreOn 2/16/16, Discuss retiree wrote: > On 2/15/16, Drowningdowntown wrote: >> I am a middle school math teacher in my >> second year at an urban charter >> environment. Our school day is from 750 >> to 400 with 2 hour math blocks. My 7th >> graders have nearly broken my foot, called >> me vile names with no reprecussions, draw >> on the walls flood the bathrooms and tear >> tiles down. I have left my room in tears >> not once but twice this year. I admitted >> to administration (two achievement >> specialistd two deans of discipline, >> principle, overseeing discipline manager, >> curriculum manager) for help. Their >> solution is to observe me three days a >> week tell me i am ineffective, yet when >> shown videos of students fighting that >> another student recorded, nothing is done. >> (There was a sub in my room that day) no >> one cares about these kids. Worse i feel >> like an ineffective teacher especially >> since they keep shoving test scores in my >> face. They record me so i can reflect and >> then discuss my weak areas. Yet still >> children can turn refocus forms onto paper >> airplanes and draw male reproductive >> organs on the wall without consequence. I >> have 2 hours and some days cant complete a >> 35 minute lesson. Am i a horrible >> teacher? I dont want to resent my job or >> my students, what do I do?

I've worked in a charter downtown Detroit as a part time employee. I now work at another school but same charter. Some schools just might not be the best fit, as in the kids don't respond to you. I think its helpful that admin is recording you to give you something to review so see if you can see any faults and other routes you can take with addressing class behaviors. It's not easy and if you personality isn't the kind that doles out the type of discipline some bad students respond to your job is going to be difficult, not to mention not having admins support. To be honest they (admin) may look at you as someone who needs to be toughened up so they don't help out. Just my experience in teaching for a few years and working in some difficult schools. Anyways long story short i'd look for another job, new school to get into. As for if your a horrible teacher, I can't comment but the fact that your concerned about improvement is a plus.

Feb 23, 2016

cnn You wouldn't be the first person to not fit well in an inner city school. It is a very difficult environment. This is why the Rochester school district has more applicants than they can handle and Detroit is usually hiring, for at least some positions. Quite frankly, you're miserable and should look for something else. I can't say if that should be...See More

May 2, 2016

Hi, I've been trying to for two years to land a special ed job in southeastern (Detroit area) suburbs. I've worked in a suburban school out of state as a cognitive impairment teacher for 1 year, 1 year as a resource teacher at a charter school in Detroit, and 1 year as a suburban substitute teacher. Over the summers I typically get 3-4 interviews b...See More

Special Ed jobs

by Mike

Dec 28, 2015

Tom K On 12/28/15, Mike wrote: > Hi, > I've been trying to for two years to land a special ed job in > southeastern (Detroit area) suburbs. I've worked in a suburban > school out of state as a cognitive impairment teacher for 1 year, 1 > year as a resource teacher at a charter school in Detroit, and 1 > year as a suburban substitute tea...See More

Dec 28, 2015

Wow. At first I felt empathy towards you for the trouble you are having getting a job. Many of us have been there and done that. Michigan teachers have gone through lots of hardships from our politicians trying to destroy our salaries, pensions, benefits, unions, etc., so we understand your frustration.

But to badmouth Michigan drivers, ou...See More

Re: Screwed by State!

by Barb

Sep 22, 2013

(4)

view previous comments

Pure Michigan... Been there, done that on the contacting the college. Long story short: my program is generalist-oriented. My university trained me to teach all "special ed" categories and that is how the state certifies us. We also train in either elementary or secondary... very rarely is anyone K-12 special ed. Another stumbling block in this state.

I ha...See MoreBeen there, done that on the contacting the college. Long story short: my program is generalist-oriented. My university trained me to teach all "special ed" categories and that is how the state certifies us. We also train in either elementary or secondary... very rarely is anyone K-12 special ed. Another stumbling block in this state.

I have taught students with LD, ED, Autism, and Cognitive Disabilities in resource, co-teaching, and self-contained environments. However, because my college didn't have very many classes that focused only on one category, "Methods of LD" for example, I am apparently qualified in none according to the state of MI. I have some regular ed endorsements in this state, but there is no demand and that's not where my passion is.

My wife got the job in MI in June, so I knew there would be some time when I wasn't teaching. I thought I might be able to snag a mid-year position or long-term sub job particularly in one of the Charters in Detroit. I imagine that lovely city scares a few new teachers away in the first couple of months. However, it is not to be. We'll be moving next summer.

As far as insulting Michigan, I was mad... However, I stand by my Detroit and roads comments. I have sat with people born and raised here who have plenty to say about Detroit. I spoke with one guy who grew up in the City of Detroit and he seethes with hatred and disgust for it's current condition, both financial and physical.

The roads: it's not the weather's fault. With the exception of 4 years in the military stationed in Texas and Florida, I have always lived in northern climates. I've lived in Minneapolis for a time, which makes Michigan look like the Bahamas, and their roads seldom have a pot hole, and if they do, it's permanently fixed in the spring with poured concrete. I roll over pot holes and ravaged roads daily in Michigan and I haven't lived here during the winter. As a matter of fact, I've lived in almost every state that touches a Great Lake, and Michigan roads are third world compared to the rest of those states.

I was deployed to Bosnia in the 90s, which had fought a civil war for 5 years. I mean, they had artillery shelling daily in some areas, and I saw fewer chewed up roads than Michigan. Yes, Sarajevo at the end of a 4-year long, military siege had much better roads than suburban Detroit. MUCH better. Artillery shelling and a failed state, and they had MUCH better roads, and they had winter too. Think about it.

Drivers. Yes, there are bad drivers everywhere. This is true. However, Michigan does have a healthy share. Trust me, I've driven on three continents. Daily, I have people drive on the opposite side of the road. Daily. Granted, they're probably avoiding pot holes, but still...

Go Oakland!

Oct 1, 2013

Sunny On 12/30/13, Jacob L. wrote:
> On 9/25/13, Fred W wrote:
>
>> I know that applying for a Michigan teacher licensure
>> from out of state can be difficult, I've done it myself.
>> The only difference is I happened to be accepted but not
>> without some work. It was requested that I send in a
>...See More

Dec 27, 2015

CATAMARAN

by TOM

Jun 20, 2015

AM I THE ONLY PERSON HAVING TROUBLE WITH CATAMARAN? Because I haven't been happen since leaving MEDCO

Sharon J. Stevens On 6/20/15, TOM wrote: > AM I THE ONLY PERSON HAVING TROUBLE WITH CATAMARAN? > Because I haven't been happen since leaving MEDCO Until Catamaran gets you into their computer system; and until you fulfill all the requirements needed for controlled substances ... you are going to have delays in getting your subscriptions.

I also have h...See More

Oct 10, 2015

MTTC English Tutor Needed

by Velena Stephens

Jun 24, 2015

I am looking for a tutor to help me study and pass my MTTC English test. If anyone is available please email me at: vstephe1@emich.edu

Victoria Welch On 6/24/15, Velena Stephens wrote: > I am looking for a tutor to help me study and pass my MTTC > English test. If anyone is available please email me at: > [email removed]

Wayne State University offers many programs to help prepare students for the MTTC test. I'm thinking that Eastern does as well.. Is that where you attend? Ther...See More

Sep 30, 2015

5th grade teaches Needed

by Kelly

Aug 15, 2015

If you or anyone is looking for a 5th grade teaching job please email me for details. My school is looking to fill these spots ASAP! The school is located in Ann Arbor. Email me at [email removed]

These students are "Way More Than Grease Monkeys"

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Jul 2, 2015

In this class, the kids are way more than "grease monkeys."

Advice About Consent - Teachers and Student Privacy

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Jun 26, 2015

The digital world presents new issues of privacy for schools, teachers, students. The author of this article presents solutions and suggestions.

sick days

by concerned

Mar 29, 2015

Are schools in Michigan required to give teachers sick days? Or are some teachers required to choose between coming to school super sick or not getting paid?