NWR: UGHHHHH...Work Vent...Anyone a teacher?

JaimeD727

Ugh...so I am just so fed up with my job. I complain to FI ALL the time...I feel bad, so I'm going to complain to you guys!

I've been teaching (high school English) for 7 years. I swear it gets worse every single year. The kids are horrible. Our district basically encourages us to give points to kids who do nothing (to improve our failure rate). Next year we are going to a new grading system where there will be no such thing as a 0. Even if kids are absent (and believe me, there is no attendance policy in my school, so I have kids who have more than 35 absences). Next year, I will not be allowed to give them 0's...really?

The kids are not held accountable for anything they do--from homework, attendance, behavior. They are just horrible, and the support from the top does not help.

I'm so frustrated. I've had years before where I had a really bad group of kids--mean, bad attitudes (I work in a low-income school, so are kids are what some may consider "ghetto" for lack of a better word). But this year, the kids aren't even bad; it's the change that the government is making in education. I don't know if anyoen else is a teacher, but these common core standards are running everything, and all anyone cares about are standardized tests.

I'm in grad school right now (masters in English)--I'm halfway through. I'm so mad that I went this route, because it won't help me out of the classroom. I wish I would have chosen something that would provide me with more career options. Ugh...maybe I'm just stressed...work, wedding, grad school...I just feel "trapped" in regard to my job and I feel like I don't have any options other than "to teach."

Thanks for listening...I feel kind of better after ranting...

[Deleted User]

 I feel ya... I left teaching... to be a banker! LOL.

I understand totally how you feel. The structure of school systems now makes it harder for teachers to do what they are supposed to do... teach. I had to leave the and find something else that wouldn't drive me to drink. 
I have thought about from time to time going back to teaching, but when I hear stories like this one.... I just remember what it was truly like in the classroom. Good Luck to ya girl.. take it one day at a time and hold on to the "good things" about teaching. There is always college level if you want to try something different.

mancila60

Is there any way to move to a new school district or a private school maybe? I'm not a teacher so I don't know what it's like to be in your shoes and I won't even pretend I do know. But I have several friends are and I remember being in high school and how our teachers were. I truely feel sorry for teachers now days I do wish you the best and I hope things get better for you!

Sorry you are having a bad time!

carlowgirl10

Im an unemployed teacher...and JUST had a crying session cuz i cant pay my bills..UC wont give me money...and I have $1000 in student loans...im mad that i went to school for teaching..i love kids..i love the idea of teaching..but the idea of it..and what it actually is...SUCKS...

:-(

littleshrink

I am sorry you are going through all of this.  I was a grad student back in the day and I can relate to how your life seems to take on this sort of numbing quality!  It is competely exhausting.  I was in grad school for guidance counseling and it just turned into a nightmare.  The schools wouldn't hire me because my mom works for the district and thought it a conflict of interest.  We live in a very small rural community, so there is really no hope of getting a job in that field while my mom works there and I am certainly not in a million years going to ask her to stop!  So now I work in the finance world too.  The school systems (and government) have such a disillusioned vision of what is important anymore and it stinks for both staff and students. 

Hang in there, and perhaps after grad school look at another district or another grade.  I was terrified of the middle school age and ended up loving working with that group of kids.  Just food for thought. 

JaimeD727

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_may-2012-weddings_nwr-ughhhhhwork-ventanyone-a-teacher?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:f0ca0bc1-9255-4120-8042-b40e7f3e99c5Discussion:d291f361-0f0c-48a3-895d-c2b41297e958Post:c137db59-fe5e-4454-ac93-835b18fd0806">Re: NWR: UGHHHHH...Work Vent...Anyone a teacher?</a>:
[QUOTE]I am sorry you are going through all of this.  I was a grad student back in the day and I can relate to how your life seems to take on <strong>this sort of numbing quality!</strong>  It is competely exhausting.  Posted by littleshrink[/QUOTE]

Spot on! I feel very numb!

What do you think of counseling? How was your grad program? I've been wishing I would have looked into human services before I started my masters in english... I think it would be great working as a career advisor. I don't think I'd want to be a counselor in a high school though.

Tully16

I'm a teacher in an inner-city school is well.  It's only my 3rd year though - props to you for doing 7 years!  Teaching where I teach (especially my 1st and 2nd years) is the most difficult thing I've ever done in my entire life.  My first year I had severe depression.  I cried every morning before I went to work because my job was so horrible. 

This year it's been much better even though my kids are the most difficult group I've had yet.  I think I've just gotten more adept at creating a boundary between my work life and my home life.  I don't let myself take home work anymore and I don't think about my job unless I'm there.  I also just feel more confident in what I'm doing, which helps.

I often think about different careers, but I believe very strongly in what I do.  I'm striving for social justice and I hope to make a difference in these kids lives so that they don't raise their own kids in poverty.  This is what I constantly remind myself on difficult days or when working with difficult students.  Their home lives are absolutely horrific.  I pray for patience and understanding and hope that I'm doing enough to make even a small impact in their lives.

Tully16

Also, it is March.  My roommates (who are both teachers) and I call this time of the year "Marchuary."  It's a never-ending hell-hole where you've had your kids long enough to get on your nerves, but the end is still several months away.  I know what you're feeling is probably worse than just a case of "Marchuary," but just wanted to throw that out to keep everything in perspective.

mandi921vh

I am so sorry! FI went to school to be a PE/Health Teacher, and when he did his student teaching the high school kids were AWFUL! It was hard for him because the kids were very close in age with him and thought they could be "buddies" and get away with stuff. FI felt weird "telling" on them to the older teachers and even when he did the school didn't do anything! The kids basically ran the school, it was awful!

I seriously LOATHE when school systems do not hold students (especially high school age students) accountable for their actions!!!!!

alainakw

I'm a teacher too, but in the elementary level. I understand all the stresses your under right now. I finished my masters over the summer while planning my wedding and teaching. Its a lot. Believe me the stress will be much lighter once you finish your masters and the wedding is over. As for school...the common core is kind of annoying right now. Its all about the test and in my state its about accountibility. It sucks!!!! Hang in there though. You will get through it!

SunshineShades

I am a supply teacher in Ontario.. for 5 years now. It is impossible to get a job around here. It is incredibly frustrating and makes me start to think I may need a new career.
I totally get you on kids not being held accountable for anything. It makes it incredibly hard sometimes to make it through the day when the kids dont listen and there really isnt a point in sending them to the office.. since often they get sent back.

arisia

Good luck ladies. I hated teaching so much I quit after less than a semester. It wasn't worth my sanity.

Laurie109

yikes!! i'm getting my masters...to be a teacher!!