Overall, I've made the transition from el ed to Jr high sped with few problems. As we all know, there is always going to be at least one student who drives you crazy; the one that no matter what you do you can't get to, doesn't listen, doesn't care, doesn't pay attention. I don't have a BD program to work with here so mostly I'm going on attention but I don't know what to do. I've reached the end of my level. I so seriously want to go back to early el ed....... I'm trying. I'm lost. I'm frustrated. I guess I need advice and/or encouragement.
I think maybe you just needed to vent. We will always have students that we can't reach, no matter how hard we try. Will you have this student again next year? I know you have high expectations, but are you expecting too much from this student? Can he/she be rewarded with some free choice activities, or something to motivate her/him? What can you change that will be a win win situation for all? Just some thoughts. Hang in there. You won't have this same student for the rest of your life!!
Yes, I do need to vent but I can't do that right now. I'm at a loss with what to do with my one difficult one. But, since I posted my msg., I have also e-mailed my district head of sp ed and the regional sp ed person.
Is there a behavior specialist in your district? In mine, there's one person at the sped office you can call for that one kiddo that nothing seems to work for. Usually, the suggestions are great.
Well, I'm in a better state of mind since my previous messages. I have called in the specialists; we'll be meeting next week. But, I've also been told not to expect much as both have been called in multiple times before with little advice for my one students. I think I could handle it better if this one child didn't impact the entire group. I spend so much time with him that the others are not getting the attention they deserve. And I will have him again next year. I talked with my principal about moving back to elementary and he really discouraged me from trying. Plus, doesn't look like there are any el ed sped jobs to transfer in to and I don't want to leave the district. So, I'll hang in there and hopefully we'll see a major change quickly.
I am sorry you are having a difficult time - I do know how you feel. I am also in middle school sped - 8th gr Language Arts. I found that I was focusing so much on the few with the poor attitudes, class behaviors etc. that I was not giving the other students the attention they deserved. Just the other day, I decided to switch tactics. I feel alot more comfortable when I am rewarding good behavior instead of keeping tract of bad behavior/consequences. I felt like the few students were manipulating me - they are soooo needy and fed off of the negative (behavior/consequences)...so I ignored them and just concentrated on the lesson and the kids that were paying attention. It seemed to work - at least for that day. That's the thing though-what works one day may not work again. BUT, at least I felt better. I didn't go home with the horrible knot in my stomach - feeling like I let the "good" kids down and feeling frustrated about not able to reach the others. Anyway, hope this helps - even a little - Hope it gets better for both of us! NY
I teach spec ed at a school with a very difficult clientele. I was beside myself when I first started and would come home upset and stressed because so many of the kids weren't responding to anything or giving me a chance to do my job. I have to say that since I've changed my own mindset I am happier and more relaxed. Not much has changed as far as my students' attitudes, but I've accepted that this is something I can't control beyond my best efforts. I put in 110% and then let go of what happens after that. I am taking an extremely hardline approach to major disrupters and luckily our school has a few options set up to deal with those types of students before we need to use the office. I use those resources for them and I access them fairly quick. Those who are left know I'm done messing around and the minor players are more willing to get on board and avoid taking it to the extreme. I've experienced more peace in my classes and there is more learning happening. After Christmas I decided that no student was going to pollute my working environment and my classess would be safe, calm places to learn--anyone who doessn't comply with that is dealt with swiftly. I figured, I had nothing to lose because as it was, no one was learning and all I was doing was fighting--now, no more fighting, more learning and less stress.
List the pros and cons of elementary and where you are now. See which area your pros are the longes.t
I know very little about special ed. But I know enough about kids and about teaching to warn you about the "major change quickly" part. Sometimes those major changes DO happen overnight. But, much more often, it's a matter of two steps forward, one step back. (With the occasional "three or four steps back." ) As others have stated: the only things you can change quickly are your own mindset and reactions. The other changes are far more likely to be gradual.
Thank you all for your support. I'm definitely seeing that the problems that I'm having are not going to get better overnight and some will never go away. But as suggested, I'm adjusting my attitude and the way I handle things. I spoke again with my principal today (who is now completely aware of what is going on and getting more supportive every day as he sees for himself the challenges.) Anyway, I told him that I thought that my class today was a success because I didn't walk away either in tears or ready to bang my head. (Most days this would be a hyperbole...but I have had my share of tears..) We accomplished a little and although it wasn't what I would like to see, or what most gen ed teachers would accomplish in 85 minutes, we made it through.
rchlkay, I would do the best I could to "ignore" any behavior that is not severe or a danger to himself or others. I had to do that in a former autism classroom until this kid took it on himself to attack other students when I began ignoring him. I was being ignored when I had pleas for help and said enough and I chose to work with profoundly disabled students. Your career isn't worth your sanity. If you feel like you're not being listened to, move to another site. Sometimes a change will do some people some good. I'm grateful that I decided to move to a brand new site and start all over. I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown at my previous teaching position. aspieteacher
Do you have a para or school Aid who might help you with the child? Does he attend any support services or counseling. what do his parents do to help with the problem. Does he have any interests you might capitalize on to use as assignments in the classroom .Does he have any friends who might work with him on some of the assignments?.Can the staff chip in and buy him a one-way ticket to Greece or anyplace else. WE study to become a teacher,but are never told about the many obstacles we must overcome to be allowed to teach.
