I had great health benefits at my public school. I was making the point that although I took a massive paycut, at least I still have health insurance and less stress.
This is the first year I feel like I'm not myself at school. For me it is a list of contributing factors. Age is one of them. I no longer get mistaken for 30's. A haircut and letting my gray show has made me unrecognizable to myself in the morning! All my students used to know I was in a rock band. Now, I don't look the part and rarely share this side of my personality. Also, due to pandemic, I have played very few live shows over the past year. Rocking out has always been my workout that kept me physically and psychologically young. I work at two buildings and have two classrooms. The environments were once fairly similar. I LOVE going to the calm and quiet building. I feel I can relax and be myself there. The behaviors at the other building have been deteriorating. This is the other thing that has been a real buzz kill. These kids are more wild, the building is more noisy, and there is a group of serious behavior kids. I'm uncomfortable, edgy, guarded, and waiting for a "bomb" to go off in my classroom. We share our feelings and many of the staff feels helpless and at a loss for solutions. I feel like I'm turning into a crabby teacher at this building.
I am lucky to work in a somewhat affluent district, but not so affluent that the kids and parents feel entitled. The behavior is pretty good and our principal frequently tells us that the kids only have to be told once to follow rules and they do it. That is actually true for the most part. I used to be a band director and also taught music and theatre arts at times in my career. I currently work as a teaching assistant for a retirement job so admittedly I don’t have the stress I might have if I was still a regular teacher. I know the teachers were stressed last year when we spent the first five month remote then went back and they had to teach students both in school and remotely. By the way, I also have a band, but a jazz band. Because it is small, we have been playing gigs all summer. I know larger groups are struggling.
Not audibly, but there's a good chance I've been getting cussed out under kids' breaths the last couple days for enforcing breakfast rules. It's Friday, right? No? Ok... fine.
Seriously though. I just had two short weeks in a row because of conferences and end of quarter, which thankfully were non-duty days for classified staff, but even with two 3-day weekends back to back I was not ready for work yesterday. Today was better, but it's been a LOOOOOOOOONG two days.
I wasn't planning on it, but decided today I really could use a day off. Luckily was able to put in for a day off tomorrow
We have three teachers at our school who have been out since the first week of school (start of August). I know two are due to mental health reasons, not sure about the third. Their spots have been filed with subs which has increased the load on the rest of us. At the end of last year, our entire lit department left. On top of all that the teacher next door to me committed suicide just before the pandemic. Teacher burnout is real and it seems only classroom teachers are acknowledging it.
Wow! I am so sorry! I have heard from old friends who are still working and they are stressed. I hope teachers quit before it gets that bad. There is life outside teaching. I stayed 2 yrs too long, but I am so thankful I got out.
I just applied for a curriculum development position today. I don’t know yet if I’m ready to leave teaching, but I’m leaning toward pursuing curriculum development or instructional coach jobs more than classroom teaching
I had a 3 day weekend because I took a personal day on Friday. I don't think I realized how badly I needed it!
Wow - I don't remember posts like this years back - We are stressed! Non of you are people who complain easily. I thought it was just me. Ha! Whizkid - that is terrifying to hear. I'm so sorry for your loss. Stress really is bad news. And we are all in it. up to our necks. I am focusing on doing no harm. I know I'm at least a decent teacher. If I'm not brilliant right now, I am really ok with that. I don't think all my effort makes me any better anyway. I was going to go for my national boards this year and told all my friends and coworkers - to keep me going I knew it would be hard for me to stop if I told everyone. Then I realized nope, added stuff not worth it right now. Gotta say - looking at the board standards for my area actually helped focus me. But not following through. Too much.
I'm going to look at the calendar and take off a day before Christmas. I won't be able to make it until vacation LOL
Probably Monday since my last one was Friday. It also works out because my class has specials so I'll be able to leave less work.
No fights (I teach in elementary) but I have 3 kids in my homeroom class on behavior charts. There are more who could probably use it, but I'm prioritizing those in greatest need lol.
I have a side hustle that makes more than teaching so I am able to get away with a different mindset as opposed to those who have everything riding on their school paycheck. Still, I very much sympathize with those who are getting dragged down more and more and it seems like most are starting to adopt a "I don't give a F" mentality as a way to cope.
Parent conferences all day this Wednesday. Once I get through those, I can relax and start looking forward to Thanksgiving break
The one thing that has gotten me this far this year without losing my whole mind is my resume: multiple business degrees, administrator license in three states and my tech certifications knowing I won't be here next year being taken advantage of for crumbs when I don't have to do it anymore. The short drive to work isn't worth it anymore. I just came from a mini vacation and the peace I have not being at my current job is just more motivation to keep applying.
I've reminded myself that I did not earn all of these credentials to keep taking crumbs when others are making more with fewer credentials.
More teachers need to have back up plans imo. It gives them the option of doing something else if needed. Somehow having choices makes everything easier to cope with b/c you know you are not stuck w/out hope if it gets worse!
