For teachers only. Are there any teachers out there who quit or wanted to quit teaching because of the...?

Question

discipline/classroom mangement problem? If you thought about quitting, but worked it out somehow, what did you do differently to keep your classes under control? I taught for 3 years and gave up because of the constant interruptions/discipline problems and lack of support from administration/parents.

Answer 1

I taught for three years at an inner city school. I hated every day because of the discipline problems. I would cry at night. It was so rough I left teaching for a year.
I moved to a smaller community (for my own kids - get them out of the city). I am now working in a smaller school with a small town feel. I am loving it! The administrators actualy care about our opinion and are wanting tp send us on every kind of training possible.
Discipline wise, I set clear rules the first day and am sticking to them. I let all the parents and students know what I expect and what I will and will not tolerate.
Are you thinking about getting back in? If you are, research a district and find out from other teachers what they think of the school.

Answer 2

I never thought about quitting- I'm one of those teachers who is in it because I truly do love it and am good at it (and not because I couldn't do anything else...I'm not saying you're like that either, lol). I did, however, change schools because of it (but if they ask, it's ONLY because I wanted to work closer to home). I worked in a school where over a third of the students got free lunch and over half of the students' parents were divorced. Racism was becoming a problem because minorities were moving into the area. Discipline on a school-wide level simply didn't exist. We had students vandalize school property with no consequences (8 year olds, mind you). It often took mailed letters home threatening to go out to the home with social services to get some parents into the classroom. I DID make a home visit with a social worker for one of my students. Parental support was just not there, and administrative support was a joke. It was my first year teaching. I could handle it, I really could. I loved the students with all my heart and did the best I could with what I had. I put up with outbursts, the fights, the horrible parents who should have been sterilized when they turned 15. But it just wasn't for me. I transferred to another school where parents are active participants of their children's education and the administration handles discipline problems in a relatively consistent manner. My students' parents even pooled their money together and bought a VCR/DVD player for my classroom! The change of scenery has REALLY helped me to hone my craft, and I'm much happier as a result. There are still children to love and to help, but I don't torn down emotionally every day from the lack of support. Maybe when I've matured more as a teacher I'll go back to a school like that (because those children certainly need positive influences in their lives too), but it won't be anytime soon. If you're still serious about teaching, consider changing locations and see if that helps.

Answer 3

Yes, I quit the ordinary school system because of student behavior. I worked from August to December then submitted my resignation. I truly spend 85% of the time working on student behavior and less time teaching. When I sent the kids to the asst-Principal's office, he talked to them then they came back to class with little or no improvement. When I attempted to call parents, I got no call backs when I left a message and when I did contact parents they said they couldn't control their child either or the parents didn't care.

Today I'm teaching at the worse place one could work. I work in a juvenile corrections education department. At least here, if kids act up, they have consequences to pay. Because of the consequences, 95% of the kids behave properly.

What really burns me up and tells me that some higher-ups don't know what the heck they're talkiing about is that school districts and specifically teachers are held accountable for students achievements. These are students who don't care, don't want to care and whose parents don't care either. Teachers have little support but are held accountable. Some teachers barely manage, others just do what they can do to survive in class. The bottom line is that our country is becomming a society of mostly educated and non-educated people. All you need to do is look at the postings on this Q&A forum to see how bad students write. Those with an edcation will most likely do well, find jobs and be responsible.

Those without an education will continue to be a burden on society with either welfare payments going their way or they'll be fed by the government while they are in prison.

To solve this problem I think that teacher pay increases should be immediately stopped and each classroom should have diciplinary monitors to assist teachers with behavior problems. That way teachers could teach in a safe environment and student would be able to learn more.

TX Guy

Answer 4

Many moons ago. I was ready to chuck it when I thought about myself as a student. What would I do if I had me in the classroom. I also thought about what was all tried on me. Through this I moved toward humor to point out interruptions, etc.(hope you are not an English teacher, me using only one item before the etc.). The upshot--today I am the Dean of Students, discipline is my major job. Cut to the quick (no BS) and laughter (with them of course), then let them know you still have to deal with the problem (the problem, not them).

Answer 5

I left the previous three years ago due to the lack of support from the school principal.She had the three strike policy.
If a student had a fight three times then it was a trip to the office or if a student was disruptive,backing talk,or other behavior problems.The teacher had to document the incident three times before the student went to the office.The students quickly caught on.
The principal got mad at me when I filed assault charges after a student hit me in the face.
I now work with an administrator that will back up the staff !

Answer 6

This is my third year of teaching. My first year was HORRIBLE. I would cry because it didn't matter what I did, the students didn't listen to a THING that I said. I was ready to quit. For some reason I figured I'd give it one more year. I went into the year with the mindset that I was going to set down some clear rules and no matter what happened, I'd be consistent. My second year was so great, I can't even compare the two. I just tried to reach out to the students so much better. If you respect your students, they will respect you. I took the time to go to all activities and school functions, to talk to the students, to get to know them and their heartaches, to pray with/for them, to just encourage them, and to discipline them when needed...with them understanding that the discipline was to correct the PROBLEM not the STUDENT.

Like I said before, I'm in my third year, and I love it even more. My advice is to simply stick to your guns, love the students unconditionally, and realize that most of the time, when a student is acting out in class, he isn't just doing it to rebel or to annoy you to death, there usually is a deeper problem. Reach out to your students. Love your students. Have passion for what you teach. Be CONSISTENT at all times. Smile alot. I guarantee this will make a difference. It did for me.

Answer 7

I use procedures and follow the advice found in "The First Days of School" by Harry and Rosemary Wong. This eliminates most behavior issues. I also belong to a professional organization-Kappa Delta Pi- and I subscribe to Edutopia magazine.

Answer 8

Don't give up. My second year was HELL. I only learned from it. It's my 8th year and I feel I am a very good teacher and classroom management is now my best quality!