Besides the ramifications of breaking my contract and losing my honor, how bad is it? I feel completely overwhemed and alone. This is my first year teaching and I don't have a mentor. I teach at a two room country school with one other teacher. We have been so busy we rarely have time to talk about how my teaching is going. I hate it. I don't know how I can make it for a whole school year. Help!!
2006-10-31 14:44:40 · 13 answers · asked by gergy 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
You signed a contract, and if you break it, you will have trouble convincing every future employer that you will not blow your next contract off whenever it gets difficult. You are a role model for your students. You cannot expect them to behave honorably when you can not.
You don't make it for the whole school year. You make it through tomorrow. Then you make it through the next day. You try to find some good things to be proud of and happy about where ever you can. Try and determine where your opportunities for growth or challenges are. Then call your old professors for advice, or join a web community to get some help and feedback. Your first year at anything is going to be a challenge. You have a choice here, to face it or duck it.
2006-10-31 15:00:33 · answer #1 · answered by TXChristDem 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm a teacher and know EXACTLY how you feel...The interesting thing is this: my first school I loved; I was supported in a positive way and treated well by the administration. This made ALL the difference, even with the students being a bit "difficult." (I was dealing with kids that threw desks, got into fights, etc.) I was then excessed and landed a job at a "better" school which I HATED...due to the administration. I was made to feel like I didn't know what I was doing, I was intimidated, etc...I wound up quitting, I didn't care that I didn't have money to support myself! So, first, figure out the consequences of breaking your contract. Decide if it's something you can live with. Then, keep in mind that if you were to get a job in a different school, the difference can be night and day. In the meantime, as far as the kids, lay down the law: state what is not acceptable. Make the rules with the kids; have them tell you what is acceptable/not. Put some positive reinforcements in place, such as a star chart for each kid; find a kid doing the right thing when they least expect it; the class will never know when you'll give out the next star; whoever has the most at the end of each month will win a prize-I gave out used toys from my own kids; you can pick up cheap stuff at yard sales and they LOVE it. Just keep in mind positive discipline as opposed to negative; never yell at anyone; never reprimand in front of the class like an audience; take the kid out in the hallway and have a heart to heart-don't beat down on them. They love the attention, gain your respect, and want to please you. The biggest problems become your favorite students! It really works... See if you can leave with the possibility of getting a job in a different school in the future; it really can be a completely different experience. Good luck to you, you are not alone...
2016-05-22 23:00:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a teacher who just left her job. I left because my husband got a job transfer. As for your situation, it's hard to say. I believe that teaching is a true calling from God. You love it and know that you are doing what He intended for you to do, even though it is harder than you ever thought...or you hate it and move on. It sounds like you are the latter. The issue is responsibility. You may have very well entered this job with the belief that you were meant to do it, but feel that you misunderstood your calling. That is understandable. The issue is that you have, at the same time, involved a group of children who are depending on you every day. They don't have a choice to "move on" or stay. Being overwhelmed really does (sorry to say) come with the first year. I've never heard a different version from any peer. You could learn a very valuable life lesson, and teach it to some young minds, by sticking it out until June. Phillipians 4:13
2006-10-31 15:01:28 · answer #3 · answered by jamilu 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first year if oftn the most difficult especially if you feel you lack support. If your sanity is at risk, leave. But if you think there is a way through, it may be worth while trying to find some support. Could you tell the other teacher how you feel, and see it there is any support there? Is there a teacher at another school you could talk to? Do you hate teaching in general, or do you just hate the situation you are in right now? Would you return to another teaching position in the future if you left now?
I know I have asked more questions than I answered, but only you know the answers and what is right for you. Teaching IS a very rewarding career, but you need support as you are learning the ropes.
Good luck
2006-10-31 14:50:05 · answer #4 · answered by maggie_at0303 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The first year is tough on any new teacher. It is the year most teachers drop out. If there is no time to talk to other teacher during the work day, ask her for some time on the weekend, even over the phone. Your license as a first year teacher requires that you get some help )
(PI 34) law. Worse case scenario get in touch with the school you graduated from and speak to some of your instructors.
If that doesnt help you may need to quit. If that becomes necessary give your school enough notice to find a new teacher. Try to make it to the end of the quarter or semester.
2006-10-31 16:37:54 · answer #5 · answered by fancyname 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have been teaching in a large city for my entire teaching years,so I can't imagine how your experience is going. I remember my first year of teaching was extremely overwhelming. I felt that Iwas not accomplishing much with the learning process of my students. Actually it turned out better than I thought. Your first year is the hardest one. Try to stick it out. See if your district or local colleges have any workshops that might give you some support. Check out some on-line support .
If nothing works out in the boonies where you're teaching at, maybe try a larger school district. Those areas should have some type of mentoring for novice teachers. Good Luck, Too bad you're not teaching next door to me . I'd help you.
2006-11-01 12:34:01 · answer #6 · answered by robert2 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i wonder if you are one of those who joined the teaching line as a last resort- there seemed to be many of those. And i hope you are not since you are asking this question. :)
if this school proved stressful to you, do have a talk with your principal and ask his advice. surely you would want to have a positive learning experience in your first year-but hey if you survive this, you might just walk away with more experiences than you can ever have!
this is my first year in teaching and i had wanted to quit this place i am at- because i have other teaching offers that are better and more inviting, i must say. but i am staying another year or two because of my interest in seeing how my teaching strategies work on my students.
do you feel for your children?
i think you are really overworked. burn out, to say the least.
take some time off and go ahead and enjoy yourself.
do. please.
2006-11-01 02:25:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anna D 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well I'm actually 17 and ive been threw school when teachers quit in the middle of the year. Its not good on the children considering that not every teacher does things the exact same way, it confuses the kids. But this is just my opinion if it seriously that bad then i would try an talk with them on the phone when you actually have time to. If that doesnt work then go to higher pacedures.
2006-10-31 14:51:01 · answer #8 · answered by blazin_cripz_2006_0wner.sheena 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My first year of teaching was the hardest year of my life. I felt like I was completely out of my element, I was constantly frusterated (privately) and I worked so hard I thought that it would probably have been best to just LIVE in my classroom. But I prayed really really hard and got through it. At the end, I loved my students and my job. And this year...It's a piece of cake in comparison. I work hard, but it's so much easier and I know what to expect. I've learned to manage my workload and am more confident in my abilities. SO. Contract breaking is frowned upon. Hugely. I'd stick with it, at least until the end of the year.
2006-11-01 23:03:05 · answer #9 · answered by sayhello 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You might lose your teaching certification- check with dept. of education.
I sympathize, as I feel the same. TRY to set aside time to look for another school for next year before deciding to quit.Write down all the things that bother you (don't do this at school!) then underline the things which might be at any other school, circle the things that are left. Are they're enough reason to keep teaching or is it time to change jobs?
2006-10-31 16:30:29 · answer #10 · answered by atheleticman_fan 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋