This is my 5th year in the trade, and up until this year it hasn't been too bad. I have started at a new school this year becausse we needed to be closer to home. It is a low income school, and nothing like I had taught before in the past, (little parental support, etc...)So ANYWAY,today my principal calls me into her office and asks me if I enjoy teaching? Says I have been barking at my kids several times...Well...I THOUGHT it was going ok...I mean, yeah I raise my voice, once in a while, but no more than the other teachers on my team. And yes, I look forward to being able to stay home with my daughter in a couple years...but...now I don't know what to think...I LOVE to teach kids when they listen...I don't when they act a pain...she seemed so "concerned" that she upset me over it, that it was "constructive criticism"...but it felt more like I was being shown "other options"...I mean...who wouldn't start to doubt themselves? I promised myself I wouldn't become a burnout statistic!
2007-02-09 11:19:26 · 4 answers · asked by cartoon queen 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
Perhaps it was both constructive criticism and giving you your options. It may not just be your ' barking' at the kids but your overall attitude.
Hard teaching in a school where apapthy is rampant with the parents but particularly the kids. You start to doubt your ability to teach and your raison d'etre ( reason you why you teach).
However these are probably the kids who will need you the most because of the low incomes and parental apathy.
Your prinicpal may just be concerned about your mental health, whether you really intend to continue teaching there. If not she may need to start looking for a teacher to replace you.
Admit you're finding it hard to adjust, probably isn't the first time she's heard that. Are there any courses or workshops you could take over the summer which might re-ignite your enthusiasm.
Maybe over the summer totally revamp your room, your bulletin boards , the teaching methods you use, even how you look at your students. Instead of thinking how awful it is use the law of attraction and think of ways you can inspire them to be better , to do better, to think more critically.
What you fear perservers, look for abundance and integrity and joy instead, in other words revamp your attitude into a more positive one and you just may get it back in spades from your kids.
2007-02-09 11:31:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like you need to take a good hard look at your priorities. If you Find you can balance being a mom and teaching then you should. But, CAN YOU give 100% and do both? If you took a sabbatical from teaching till your kids were in school themselves, you could always go back. What about substitute teaching? That way you could stay in the field, yet have more time at home as well.
I also am hearing that you find a more challenging environment a little more commitment than you are willing to give at this time. Be honest with yourself in your decision. Those kids who aren't getting the parental support, and are in a "low income" school, are already at a disadvantage and your job as a teacher DOES require more from you. How committed are you willing to become? I pray you make the right decision because those "less privileged" kids don't need lukewarm teachers. They need teachers who are willing to give that little bit extra to make a difference in their lives that they may not get anywhere else.
2007-02-09 11:54:47 · answer #2 · answered by Laura Marie B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a tough one. I taught for 8 years before I got out. My reason for leaving was because I wanted to stay home once we had children. But to be honest, I don't think I would have lasted long either way. Teaching has to be the toughest, most stressful job there is. You have many children with you all day long who unfortunately don't have any parents really raising them. I had parents tell me when I called them to discuss their child's poor behavior, that it was "my job" and that I needed to figure it out. On top of the lack of parental support, you have TONS of paper work, lesson plans to be made, extra curricular activities to attend and chaperone, tests to grade, and the list goes on and on and on!!! My point is this: even with all those struggles, being a teacher is a calling. When you really get through to a child, it is the best feeling in the work. If you feel that you are truely meant to do that the rest of your working days, then I would stick with it. I think all of us have at one point or another, "barked" at the class. I think there would be a lot less of that if parents were made responsible for their children, and children were made to understand that learning is a right that everyone has, but if they are causing others to not learn because of their poor choices, then they will be removed. You need to have a great support system (principals, etc...) I think if I were you, I would really take some time and look at all the pros and cons.
2007-02-09 11:36:05 · answer #3 · answered by FLmom3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work in a middle school. Our teachers don't yell. How do you know that the other teachers yell on your team? You've only been in it for five years - you need to stop yelling at the kids. If they are a problem in class, pull them out - have the principal deal with them.
2007-02-11 03:21:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anne B 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋