teacher gripe 10

Welcome to my non picture rambling. I walk into the teacher's lounge today and I tell a coworker that I think that I am ready for a career change. Then I rethink about how I would have to work summers and around the holidays so I reconsidered. Today was an exhausting day and I wonder if it is all worth it.

I hate worrying myself at night wondering if Johnny B is learning what a pronoun is or if Sue Lee will reach her reading goal or if Bobby Jo will get her work in before the end of the tri. I am disappointed that some of my students are okay with not handing their work in and getting a failing grade. What am I doing wrong? I hate the fact that it is on my shoulders.I try to build students up but I just can't keep up. I feel like I am losing myself along the way.

So I am just going to keep giving it my all and hope that I can see some growth somewhere someway somehow whether it be me or the ones that surround me.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I believe pursuing a teaching career is one of the noblest things one can do; parents trust you with their children for eight hours a day, and it is your job to make them smart and responsible human beings that will not go onto shoot or harm other people. In addition, as you slowly recall your teachers from elementary, junior high, and high school, you will realize that being a good teacher is not easy. It takes work. Nevertheless, on the plus side, if you do a good job, you really can create a positive impact on your community. What I am trying to say is that being a teacher is a wonderful responsibility, not just an avenue for getting two weeks off at Christmas so you can jet off to the Bahamas. You will not be able to afford it on a teacher's salary anyway. Students learn when they are motivated to learn. If they want to learn, they will. If they do not, you cannot make ‘em. Any successful effort to improve learning will therefore be fundamentally about improving students’ motivation. Motivation is an individual matter. Kids differ in personality, in background and experience, in sociability, in creativity, in intelligence, in their interests. Different things motivate different kids. No effort at motivation will succeed unless it works with these differences. Most Schools are not very well tuned to the differences in students. Teachers may know kids less well today than in the past. Schools are pressed now to be interested mainly in what kids know and can do and less in whom they are. Kids move around; Schools are larger: My belief is most Curriculum materials are not often adapted to individuals.
February 27, 2010 at 4:00 PM
Home by the Creekside said…
Thanks for the post. Being a teacher has it ups and downs. That was a down day on a crappy week. Eric..funny you mention motivation. I talked with my principal about some students that do not do their work and how frustrating it is even if I talk with the parents. He said what do I do to motivate them (students)? I said, "Well, they can have recess, a passing grade, and be able to participate in any fun activities." That is not enough. Now, this weekend I am brainstorming on ways to motivate them. I do get to know my students individually. I eat with them at lunch recess and talk with down on their level. I have some super sweet kids but sometimes those demanding ones take away from those and I have got to find a way to balance that out.
February 27, 2010 at 4:16 PM
Heidi said…
Have you ever read "The Way They Learn" by Cynthia Tobias? Its the absolutely best book I've ever read on learning styles. I was pulling my hair out frustrated with my son for 3 or 4 years because we would just butt heads over school. I read this book and it completely changed the way I handle him. We're both much happier and he's learning faster and retaining the information better. Look for it at your local library.
March 8, 2010 at 8:28 PM
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