Any teachers??? I need to vent.

tcnoble

So I'm a 5th grade teacher. This year we are piloting a new blended learning program - my other teacher dropped out mid summer so we scrambled and replaced her with someone who has great proven CRT scores in Math. He has also proven to be the biggest waste of space and pain in my ass. I'm 99% sure he gives zero fucks about our kids, which FWIW we teach in a school with 87% free/reduced lunch, 93% ELL population, our kids have a lot stacked against them already and they don't need teachers who don't believe in them.

We also get paid a nice stipend for this program because it requires us to work a lot of extra hours. Which he doesn't do.

So that's just my day-to-day annoyance.

Today I had to sit in an IEP (this was the third time we reconvened - I spent 9 hours total on this IEP) and my other teacher dude was out, and we didn't have a sub pick up the job. So one of our (IMO) best teachers offered to cover his class. She walked away saying how god awful disrespectful the kids were in his classroom - which doesn't surprise me. He has zero classroom management, they have no structure, it's horrible.

So now all my fifth graders look like dicks - which let's face it, sometimes they are - but I feel like this all reflects poorly on me. And if my principal says it doesn't, that's great, but I feel like all this bullshit and having a horrible other person on my team makes it really REALLY hard for me to do my job well.

Then I come to find out that the other grade level doing this program is trying to get my (totally awesome amazing) lab assistant to go to their grade next year. They've already been in talks with my principal about it. Thanks you assholes - you know this year has royally sucked for me, and now you're trying to recruit the ONE person on my team I don't hate, and leave me shit out of luck for next year???

I am definitely my principal's "go-to girl" and she has used that to her advantage. I always do it with a smile, and go above and beyond for her. We have always had a great relationship, but I feel like I'm getting the raw end of the deal. If she takes my assistant from underneath me, I will just pack up and go work somewhere else. I am a damn good teacher and I am just over this bullshit.

And then she tried to guilt me about the time off I'm taking before my wedding. BYEEE FELICIA.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

decembergrl2014

I'm also a teacher, so I know how you feel. The teachers in my school do behind the back shit to each other and to me all the time. It's all the cliquey shit. My principal?? Don't even get me started on her!! Lol. I don't know if I'm helping you or not, but just do what I do, focus on your kids. They need you. IMO the ones who don't give a shit and have the whole, "day is over at 3:00, summers off" mentality never last anyway. They'll either quit or get fired, and teachers like you and me can point and laugh, but then get back to the kids we love and bust our asses off for every day.

tcnoble

It's just really disheartening. Workplace morale is in the toilet here - I really do like the teachers I work with but I can't help but feeling like we are in high school all over again.

I think winter break is just much needed by ALL of us...

decembergrl2014

I know EXACTLY how you feel. How much time are you taking off? I only took 3 days. We get three personal days a year here, but I got them approved back in October. We're saving the big honeymoon for August. The break can't come fast enough!

larrygaga

Not a teacher but both my sisters are (one is now a principal) and I can tell you they get no respect and not enough money. Bless you for doing a job 99% of us are not cut out for. 

WinstonsGirl

I know it's hard, and sucks, but focus on you and your kids.  Your work and relationship with them will speak for itself, and if you have an even half decent Principal, they will notice.  Don't give them any excuse to think you're doing sub par work or that your kids aren't your number 1 priority.  You know your kids will respect you for it too.  It sounds like you're already doing this anyway, so, only 1 more day till a well deserved break!!!

CMGragain

I am a retired teacher, and my daughter taught for 11 years before taking off to stay home with the baby.

Six years ago she had the year from hell.  She was assigned the most "at risk" kids in the school and was leading a team of three to intervene and try to help these kids.  She stayed with these kids for four years, following them from grade to grade.   Her two teaching assistants quickly bonded, and worked against her. She did all the work and preparation.  They had coffee.
She actually overheard one assistant telling a child that was being disciplined that she didn't have to obey Ms. Teacher, and she could go ahead and go out to recess!  The other assistant telephoned a parent (without consulting anyone) and told the parent that Ms. Teacher was touching the children inappropriately!  Daughter had a meltdown in the Principal's office.  I had a lot of tearful phone calls that year.
Next year, surprise!  Both assistants were gone!  When one little girl had a tantrum and screamed that she hated Ms. Teacher and she wanted Ms. Assistant back, the NEW assistant said "Do you see either of those ladies here in this school?  No?  But you do see Ms. Teacher, who is trying to help you.  What does that tell you?  Think about it." 
It was rough, but I know she helped those kids a lot over those years.

tcnoble

decembergrl2014 said:

I know EXACTLY how you feel. How much time are you taking off? I only took 3 days. We get three personal days a year here, but I got them approved back in October. We're saving the big honeymoon for August. The break can't come fast enough!

We get married the day Spring Break starts, and leave the Tuesday of Spring Break... purposeful planning! haha. I'm taking off the 5 days before and 2 days after... I have 2 personal days, a flex day, and I'm using some sick days. We have field day the last day before Spring Break, and much like this week before Winter Break, that week is mostly a wash anyways with unfocused kids. 

I didn't take any personal time off last year, and no other days this year besides the wedding. We have so many family and friends coming in to town, I want to enjoy spending time with them. It's hard because it's often more work to be gone from the classroom than to just show up, but I'm forcing myself not to feel guilty about taking the time off.

FiancB

Sorry dude. My husband is an 8th grade teacher working with similar demographics and deals with a lot of the same bullshit. 

wandajune6

I can't commiserate but I can tell you that you're appreciated.

I'll just say this- as the (step)parent of a kid who has one of those incredibly complicated IEPs, we recognize the work that goes into them. We can tell the difference between those teachers who care and those who phone it in. We fight to get The Kid into classes with teachers like you.