Today I hate my job

[IBrakeforPastry]

Happy weekend, Veronica. Before I got to the "classroom" part of your post, I thought you were describing your co-workers. Some of mine fit those descriptions. I hope you can enjoy your weekend. What flavor Ben and Jerry's?

[uforgot]

I hear you. I feel the same way this year, so I have decided that it's time to retire after 34 years teaching high school math and music. I'm not sure if the kids are different, were they always this entitled? or is it me. Have I changed. Don't even get me started on the parents. 99% of the parents and kids are terrific. It's that 1% that's killing it for me. I think I consumed the same amount of calories last night that you were talking about. I painted this summer, and I felt wonderful. No headaches, overeating, etc. It was physically exhausting, but I think I am ready to just give the stress a break. Pretty sad that I would rather paint an entire house than teach. And up until recently I loved my job. I spent over 30 years looking forward to going to school. Now it's time to move on. My thoughts are with you Veronica.

[Wahine]

V, That sucks. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time.

I don't know what to say that would help. I know that I couldn't do what you do on a daily basis. I would have been imprisoned for murder multiple times over by now. At least if I'm not getting anywhere with my clients, I can discharge them for non-compliance and send them away and I don't have to deal with them disrupting the rest of my caseload.

((((V)))))

[malkin]

I too have co-workers who fit the description of your students.
The world needs great teachers V! Hang in there.

[Veronica]

Thom got up this morning and asked me what I was reading. It was my book on Cooperative Learning. Yeah, I'm already formulating a plan. I'm calling it FATSS. F@#$ Academics, Teach Social Skills. I've got two years with this crew and I cannot come home feeling this way too many more times. They're like puppies who need socialization. I can't really move on to the advanced stuff, until they learn to get along. Their test scores from last year were horrible, and I have been so focused on cramming the academics down their throats because we live and die by our test scores. And I need to just let that go, no matter what my principal says. Although, he has acknowledged that there is not much brain power in my group. Most of my problem kids have been tested for Special Ed and don't qualify because they are working to their potential - 4 out of my 6. The other 2 are new to the school - Program Improvement transfers. Parents moved them from under performing schools to our school.

Veronica

[Crankin]

This is what my school did when they wanted a total change of culture (including the teachers...). We implemented the Responsive Classroom model, which I now believe is called something else. It's a lot more than morning meeting. I loved it and this is actually what made me start thinking about changing careers. Although I really did enjoy teaching writing and literature, teaching social and emotional skills was much more rewarding to me. And most of the other teachers hated this.

[Veronica]

One of our teachers is really into Responsive Classroom. It doesn't resonate as well with me as Kagan's Cooperative Learning. Either way, it's not something you can really "force" teachers to do. They can go through the motions, but if they don't believe in it, it won't be successful.

My plan is step back from the academics a bit and really teach and reinforce the cooperative structures. I need to turn them into cohesive groups of 4. I'll still be doing academics, but the focus will really be about learning to work together.

Veronica