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Mississippi Teachers Chatboard

Resigning then getting out...?

by makeitstop

Sep 18, 2008

So, I'm utterly frustrated and the principal at my school has already talked me out of resigning (can we say "guilt trip?"), but it is just not getting any better. I am a first year band director, and the past couple years have apparently been *play time* for this school's band program. These kids can't read music, ALL of them only want to drum, and I can't convince them otherwise. All they know is SWAC marching band...no concert season. I lose it at least once a day. I can't do this anymore...would it be hard to get a job outside of the state if I were to resign from this position? I still want to teach, just not here. I know they can freeze your license in the state of mississippi, but what about other states? Would they just "look down" on it? On top of everything, I'm not always the most mentally stable...so the mental frustration has not only made me physically sick, but I've also contemplated, how should I say it...*ending it all* numerous times...I know if I quit and get a regul...See More

makeitstop Just thought about something...anyone out there looking for a band director job? This honestly may just need someone who's lived in the area all their life...I'm from Missouri...big culture shock. These kids just need someone who's more of a disciplinarian...I'm more of a heart-to- heart kind of teacher, which they don't respond to. And if I could ...See More

Sep 18, 2008

Bo Band Teacher, my heart goes out to you. What about going to your doctor for your mental health needs and getting a statement from your doctor that you need to be let out of your contract for medical reasons. That might help. Even if it meant losing your certificate, you cannot let these kids kill you. I have seen situations in classrooms that not e...See More

Sep 18, 2008

agreeing with Bo On 9/18/08, Bo wrote: > > Band Teacher, my heart goes out to you. What about going to your > doctor for your mental health needs and getting a statement from > your doctor that you need to be let out of your contract for > medical reasons. That might help. Even if it meant losing your > certificate, you cannot let these kids kill ...See More

Sep 18, 2008

been there... You know, you just described the school I work at and the band problems I imagine our new director has to face with them.

I love my school, but you mentioned several things that make your position unique (even if you aren't our band director, the positions seem so similar). It's a very small school, so a very small program. They have had ...See MoreYou know, you just described the school I work at and the band problems I imagine our new director has to face with them.

I love my school, but you mentioned several things that make your position unique (even if you aren't our band director, the positions seem so similar). It's a very small school, so a very small program. They have had very little stability with band directors, so like you said--it's not been consistent and they aren't learning what they should. It's viewed as an elective, so they are more likely to cut up. And yes, high numbers of students want to play only the drums.

Our band director also has to split himself between our middle and high school, which I can only imagine would make the job even tougher. It's a low income population being served and many of them don't know how to feel about band.

When I said I've "been there"...I had a very difficult first year assignment. I worked in a district at a school where I was teaching a grade I was uncomfortable with (kindergarten) and working with staff that was the opposite of supportive. I felt very much like things were out of control and overwhelming in the classroom and like you, I thought about ending my misery.

PLEASE know that this is ONE year in your life (or less if you can get out) and--this is the key--try not to take it personally. Try to remember that they probably haven't had a decent band director ever and that means they don't know what expectations you need from them.

In the time that you are making your decision, can you find anyone who is supportive at the schools? Just someone to vent to or talk to? Maybe bounce some ideas off of?

At my school, I know the kids pretty well. I've been teaching in that area for 5 years now and I've learned-- quickly--that even the ones who cut up...they aren't bad kids, they just don't know how else to act sometimes. Maybe by having another teacher to brainstorm with or just vent to would help?

If there's not anyone you feel comfortable with at your school, maybe online? I would be glad to be a sounding board for you, since I know exactly the kind of situation you are talking about.

Until you reach some kind of decision about leaving or not, you need to a) see a doctor and b) find someone to vent to and plan survival strategies with. You need an outlet! I was blessed to have my family as my outlet at home and I was never exactly happy where I was, but I was able to release some of my stress and make it through the year.

Five years later at a different school and a different grade level, I love my job and I can't wait to go to work every day. That's where you need to get.

Sending you prayers,

Victoria

[email removed])

Sep 20, 2008

skylark2868 On 9/20/08, been there... wrote: > You know, you just described the school I work at and the > band problems I imagine our new director has to face with > them. > > I love my school, but you mentioned several things that make > your position unique (even if you aren't our band director, > the positions seem so similar). It's a ...See MoreOn 9/20/08, been there... wrote: > You know, you just described the school I work at and the > band problems I imagine our new director has to face with > them. > > I love my school, but you mentioned several things that make > your position unique (even if you aren't our band director, > the positions seem so similar). It's a very small school, > so a very small program. They have had very little > stability with band directors, so like you said--it's not > been consistent and they aren't learning what they should. > It's viewed as an elective, so they are more likely to cut > up. And yes, high numbers of students want to play only the > drums. > > Our band director also has to split himself between our > middle and high school, which I can only imagine would make > the job even tougher. It's a low income population being > served and many of them don't know how to feel about band. > > When I said I've "been there"...I had a very difficult first > year assignment. I worked in a district at a school where I > was teaching a grade I was uncomfortable with (kindergarten) > and working with staff that was the opposite of supportive. > I felt very much like things were out of control and > overwhelming in the classroom and like you, I thought about > ending my misery. > > PLEASE know that this is ONE year in your life (or less if > you can get out) and--this is the key--try not to take it > personally. Try to remember that they probably haven't had > a decent band director ever and that means they don't know > what expectations you need from them. > > In the time that you are making your decision, can you find > anyone who is supportive at the schools? Just someone to > vent to or talk to? Maybe bounce some ideas off of? > > At my school, I know the kids pretty well. I've been > teaching in that area for 5 years now and I've learned-- > quickly--that even the ones who cut up...they aren't bad > kids, they just don't know how else to act sometimes. Maybe > by having another teacher to brainstorm with or just vent to > would help? > > If there's not anyone you feel comfortable with at your > school, maybe online? I would be glad to be a sounding > board for you, since I know exactly the kind of situation > you are talking about. > > Until you reach some kind of decision about leaving or not, > you need to a) see a doctor and b) find someone to vent to > and plan survival strategies with. You need an outlet! I > was blessed to have my family as my outlet at home and I was > never exactly happy where I was, but I was able to release > some of my stress and make it through the year. > > Five years later at a different school and a different grade > level, I love my job and I can't wait to go to work every > day. That's where you need to get. > > Sending you prayers, > > Victoria > > [email removed])

Dear Makeitstop,

Do you have a band booster group? If not, you need to get your most supportive parents to form one. I am a teacher, but I am also a band parent. My daughter is now 22 years old, but she joined the band when she was in 6th grade. That same year, I joined the band boosters. She earned enough scholarship money by winning top awards at Lions Band and Northeast Ms. Honors Band to pay for the first 3 years of college. I did not have to put in a cent. The band boosters that I was part of did a lot of work - we ran the concession stand at the football games; we arranged the buses and found the drivers to drive them to off games and the band competitions; we made sure the kids had their uniforms on correctly (black socks, cords on the correct shoulder, etc.). Probably our most important job was making sure that our band director knew that we appreciate his w ork with our kids. True, there were students in the band who had no disciple, who didn't practice their instruments, and who caused all sorts of problems. But, there were the good ones, too. Do you have any of these? Every year in my class I have students who are hoodlums, won't do work, don't want to learn, but I also always have a small group who are in school because they want to learn, they want to get ahead. They are the reason I return to my classroom each year - this year is my 31st year. Look for the good in your band. Find youself some supportive parents - even if it is just 2 or 3. It can help you make it thru this year. Oh, the school I teach in is a small rural school. The school that my daughter attended is not this school, but a school in a small town. Here we differentiate between the two - one is the "city school" and the other is the "county school". Good luck. Band is one of the best things that can happen in a school.

Sep 20, 2008

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