Hello, everyone. I hope you had a relaxing and wonderful summer! I was wondering if I could have some advice from veteran teachers. I’m about to open up to you about my past trauma. I hope this post doesn’t trigger or offend anyone. I got a job at a district that’s reminding me so much of my past. Let me start from the beginning. In 2017, I got hired at an urban school where I was traumatized. The students were violent, aggressive, and mean to me because of my faith. My boss hated me and failed all my observations, giving me 2.3’s and 2.5’s for no reason. She told me she “hated Muslims” to my face. I was so afraid of getting fired that I let it slide. It got worse and worse though. I had a student threaten to rape me after school, and when I called security to send him out, my boss sent him back to class. I even had a student almost attack me when I told him not to use the word “gay” as something bad. I feared for my life on a daily basis, and the union wouldn’t help me. I had colleagues that were out for blood and would not help me or listen. Anyway, I left that bad school to pursue a career in college teaching, but I realized how much I missed teaching high school. Therefore, during Covid, in 2020-2021, I got a job at a fabulous, beautiful district. I was so happy. But they didn’t rehire me. So, I got a job at the school I’m at now. My current school is RIGHT NEXT DOOR to my traumatic school. I don’t know why I applied to this district, but I thought it would be different. It was voted a top-20 school in New Jersey. However, my students are still from impoverished areas and a lot of them are a little rough. I vowed to stay the year, but if I leave this school to find a fifth one, will that look bad on my end? I don’t want to keep moving, but I need to find the right fit for me. I know I’m creating problems that don’t exist, but I’m terrified of repeating my past. That traumatic school ruined my life, and I’m still in therapy and on medication because of the night terrors I get. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. I’m so sorry for this long post. Thank you so much, everyone. ❤️
What are you looking for exactly? That might help you decide whether to stay put or move again. No school is perfect, and no two schools are the same even when they have similar demographics.
Really? There are no buildings in between the traumatic school and the school you are now working in? That is absolutely amazing if it isn't LOUD hyperbole. My advice, don't create problems that don't exist. Your previous posts show you have already determined for a myriad of reasons you won't be happy at this school. Mentally you are setting yourself up for failure. Your history of posts also show you are always unsettled and looking for something different: PhD program, Masters, Special Ed endorsement, gap year, etc I agree with Ima. These schools are in different districts as well. Have you considered teaching in a private school where the student population is more to your liking?
While I appreciate your attempt at answering my question, I think I need to stand up for myself. There is truly no need for you to patronize someone with a simple question. But I take it as a compliment. After all, I am an English teacher, so I appreciate a good hyperbole. However, if I were to show you the link to where my school is and the traumatic school, you would see that they are, indeed, separated by one road, right next door to each other, with no buildings to separate them. You seem to strike me as the aggressive, bullying type, all high and mighty behind a screen. I really am sorry that my post offended you, but might I suggest therapy? It might help you, as it's done wonders for me. That way, you can get your anger a bit more situated. While I'm not sure why you mentioned my interest in gaining higher education, I will tell you that I have several teacher friends who completed alternate route and found their education to be insufficient for the job. That's why I felt the need to go back for a master's in teaching. I am also a college professor, which explains why I want a PhD, a program that would take place online and after school. Not sure why you felt the need to mention all of this, but okay! So, I'm guessing from your suggestion at a private school that it would be okay to get a job at a fifth district? It was kind of hard to read your reply.
Hi, Ima. Thanks for your reply! I guess it's just complicated because I am transferring from an affluent school to one with a lower graduation rate. The kids just seem so checked out and not interested in learning. I worked my tail off at my traumatic school, and there was nothing I could do to engage the students. I worry if that's going to be the same case here. The two districts are literally next door to each other, so the kids are pretty much the same.
Let me start by saying that it seems like a poor decision to accept a job right next door to your prior problem school. Let me say that you may find that students are struggling to be engaged this year after a year where most were at home with distance learning. Consider that as a factor.
Thank you so much, Vickilyn. I guess I was just so desperate to find a job. There was an incident in class today where a student got verbally aggressive with me, and it was definitely the wake-up call that I needed. I'm going to put in my resignation on Monday and sub at another district until I can find something else. I really appreciate your response.
As I said, that is really amazing. Not something that happens often. I would say the same thing to you if we were all in a room, and by all I mean everyone who participates on the threads you have created. I would give you the same opinion, and I would also say from all of the past discussions, you sound very unsettled. I will also be direct here, it would be ok to go to school number five, if that school is what you want - a population of students who want to learn what you want to teach. Even more ok since you will not be thriving at the current school based on later responses in this thread. I wouldn't have suggested immediately, but since you already decided you will be putting your resignation in Monday, good luck on your job hunt. I really hope you find something that works for you, and you can feel settled and secure. It would be nice to see a series of posts from you where you are happy and thriving.
Bottom line, get the PhD. Go be a full time college professor. I think that's a tough road to follow in your field. But it appears you have experience already, so you should know your prospects. You may be able to find a high school that's a good fit. That PhD probably wouldn't hurt getting into a higher end private school. Still, seems like college prof would be your target. At least in education. Have you looked outside education? I try to avoid giving advice like this. It usually isn't the best thing to do given the limits on information and lack of personal knowledge, within the context of a forum like this. My best advice is, you know you and your circumstances better than anybody here. Filter advice accordingly. Ok. Should I delete this comment? Probably. But, nah. You did ask
Thank you for your help, everyone. The sad thing is that I knew, from the bottom of my heart, that this was a bad school. But everyone around me, like family and friends, convinced me to try it, that it would be great. I need to listen to my intuition more. I don’t know what I want, to be honest. I love teaching, but maybe I should leave the profession. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life having a panic attack every morning before work. Or maybe I’m better suited towards teaching college. I did apply to some PhD programs for Fall 2022. I’ll see how it goes.
I see from another thread that you have decided to take a break and get treatment. That's probably the best decision you could make and now you will be able to look for another job knowing your medical history will be private.
