Calling all teachers..esp. high school

This is my first year as a teacher. I'm having major doubts about it now that I've been doing it for several months but am not sure how much of it is the learning curve, etc. Did you LOVE teaching right away, every time? Sometimes I have a great lesson and it feels really satisfying but most of the time I get SO nervous before a lesson and observations are horrible anxiety and this anxiety is killing me! I thought it was b/c I was so new and not doing great on all my observations but now I'm getting better and getting the hang of teaching (a little, at least!). I just feel like I should LOVE teaching and be SO into it and I'm not I don't hate it, tho and sometimes I like it.
I have friends who are teachers and so I know that when you're untenured it can be really rough..so I'm just trying to decide what I want to do and am looking for some input from people with a little more experience...I would hate to leave it and regret it later
please note I had a crappy day today. .I have many ups and downs which is part of the reason I'm confused!

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

I know exactly how you feel, and I have to tell you, it gets better. This is technically my fourth year teaching, but it is also my tenure year b/c I was a leave replacement. My first year I had panic attacks constantly, never slept, and envied everyone in other professions b/c I thought that mine was sooo stressful and aggravating. However, I don't know when it happened, but it started to get better. I think it was sometime toward the end of last year. I started to calm down, and realized how some of the worst teachers were getting tenure and that I really was a good teacher, and whatever kinks I had, would go away as time goes on. No one is an amazing teacher in the beginning, and everyone has crappy days in every job. The key is that you have to leave it there and use every crappy day as learning experience. You will most likely not make the same mistakes twice and every year you will get better. True, teaching is not for everyone, but it is a really great and worthwhile job. I feel that I make a difference in some way every day and I have met some really awesome kids who have helped me put my own life into perspective. Even better, we do have the BEST deal-- who else works half the time as other people and (eventually) makes a pretty great salary? Stick it out, it WILL get better!

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

Hang in there!! It is really tough in the beginning but every year gets better and better. My first year was a real learning experience of what worked and what didn't and then once I realized it became so much better. The first year really is the hardest. Good Luck to you!!

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

Hang in there. My first year was ok but it was my second year that almost put me over the edge. I just could no longer handle the school I was teaching in. And I wonder what other jobs I might be better at. My third year teaching I got another job teaching in a much better district and things improved And know being a tenured teacher and having seven years under the belt I couldnt see myself doing anything else. yes some days I would like to scream and jump out the windows but I take a deep breath vent to my teacher friends about how annoying the kids are and go on. Each year is different. Some years your kids will be great and other years they won't. Overall though it is an awesome profession that definitely gets better overtime. Good luck!

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

I hated my first year. I hated my second year. I left teaching for a year after that, and went back to another district and still hated it the third year. I left teaching for good, and am so happy with my descion. It was killing me, I couldn't even enjoy my weekends because I would dread Monday.
Its definitely not for everyone. You might want to give it one more year to see how it goes.

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

This is my second year at a high school on long island. I cried almost everyday last year-- until about january. Once i even pulled over on the side of the road and fh had to come get me. This year is sooooo much better. JUst give it some time - you'll find your groove

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

This is my first year.. and I'm a leave replacement in a high school. It is definitely a very stressful situation I walked into, and ofcourse I doubt myself at every turn. But ultimately, I know this is what I want to do Even if this year is the worst experience ever, it's still something to look back on and say 'Remember when....'

I'm hoping it has to only get better.. but I'm realistic that it may not. I do know that if it's not for me, I will not stick around 'just because'...Life is too short!

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

wow, you guys are making me feel so much better. I really thought that I was the only one feeling this way
I have days where I love working with the kids and then some days I never want to see a teenager again!
I am SO on the fence about this..part of me wants to give it another year and part of me doesn't...but it REALLY helps to hear this stuff from you guys..
btw, lemme ask you something..how much time do you spend doing extra-curricular stuff? I feel like some teachers LIVE at school. I mean, that's good..but I don't know if I see myself attending SO many games and activities...I know that sounds horrible..but does anyone just go to *some* things?

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

At first, I thought I had to do everything, but that gradually dwindled as time wore on. I go to some stuff, like concerts, plays, homecoming games, graduation-- to see my kids b/c I want to go, not b/c I feel I have to go. I also edit the literary magazine, but it is fun for me. I was actually the freshman class advisor last year, but I quit b/c i hated doing it. Each school is different, but in my school, i remember when I first started, they made it seem like you had to be a superhero to get tenure, but in reality, that is so not the case, There are people who can't teach, go home at 2:30 everyday and do no extra-curricular activities and still get it.

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

I'm right with ya... tough time for me too. I work as a math specialist in the school... I work for an organization that places us in at-risk 'watched' (NCLB) schools and I am in what's called a 'dumping ground' school. So I have 12th graders who can't read etc... So it has been very tough.

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

I teach 9th and 10th grade math. My first year was stressful b/c I had to prepare for each lesson. This is my 3rd year now and I have it all under control. My lesson plans are done and filed so i reuse them and perfect them each year. I love the mentality of high school kids..i couldnt do any grade lower than 9th I have no patience. But some kids can give you a hard time. I teach an inclusion class for math 9th grade...this is SO challenging, it isnt that they cant learn they also have TONS of behavioral problems and the mainstream kids that are in that class too have behavioral problems as well...they just fig throw these kids in here...since there are 2 teachers. So I mean it depends on the cards you are dealt with as a class. My 10th grade regents classes are perfect, I love everyone of them. I have been lucky to get great regents classes all the 3 years I have been teaching

Hang in there it gets better as you teach year after year....but if you feel this profession isnt for you look for another nothing is worse than hating your job. My friend was a teacher and after her first year she said she didnt like it. Turns out they didnt ask her to come back and she was glas b/c she didnt want to be there

Teachers should love their job. If you dont then it can reflect in your teachers and the kids can read you so quickly and make your year miserable. So I hope the rest of your year goes smoothly and things get better for you but give it another year if you can it does get easier

HTH

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

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Posted by lauren721

At first, I thought I had to do everything, but that gradually dwindled as time wore on. I go to some stuff, like concerts, plays, homecoming games, graduation-- to see my kids b/c I want to go, not b/c I feel I have to go. I also edit the literary magazine, but it is fun for me. I was actually the freshman class advisor last year, but I quit b/c i hated doing it. Each school is different, but in my school, i remember when I first started, they made it seem like you had to be a superhero to get tenure, but in reality, that is so not the case, There are people who can't teach, go home at 2:30 everyday and do no extra-curricular activities and still get it.

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That's the kind of stuff I go to and want to go to for the rest of the year but I was just told I'm lacking tenure-wise
I guess I'm trying to figure out if I will be doing TONS of stuff forever or if I just need to do it to get tenure..which to me sounds horrible..hi kids, I love you, but only until I get tenure! (I would do the stuff you mentioned forever) ..
Also, I feel like the continuing ed hours needed for permanent certification is a LOT. Again, it's a good thing, and I never thought teaching was easy or an 8-3 job, but I didn't forsee taking classes every summer...I knew you could..but for some reason I'm a moron and didn't notice this when I applied for certification (it's the new rules)

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

As others have said, the first year is definitely the hardest, and it does get easier and less stressful from there. You should definitely only do the things that interest you. If you try to go to every game, event or club, it isn't real. After five years, I am still very involved in my school, but I only do the clubs and sports I enjoy, or that my students ask me to come see. I love teaching, but if I didn't, I would not stay in the profession. It is a very demanding job that is definitley not 8 to 3. Non-teachers often do not understand the hours of planning, grading, and stressing that occur outside of the school day. I say give it a little time, but ulitmately if it isn't what you want, find what makes you happy!

Good luck!

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

Hang in there! The first year is definitely the worst. I can only promise you that it gets better. It helped me to create a definite seperation from my home life by leaving all work at school. Also, I try to make as much time for myself as possible. Sometimes that means not having the best lesson or not offering after-school tutoring, but it keeps me sane.

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

The first year is so hard. It is natural to question your choice to become a teacher. It takes time to find systems and routines that will work for you. I tried my hardest my first year to do as much work in school as possible so I don't have to take any home. That meant I had to work through lunch and limit socializing, which is so hard in a school. I also made sure that I left when the bell rang every Friday. I never stayed late. Even now, 4 years later, I only stay when I absolutely must. I only attend extracurriculars when I want to, not because I feel that I have to.

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

I must say that I really enjoyed reading everyone's response. You girls offered a lot of good advice and encouragement.

I am currently doing my student teaching. I am getting my certification in ESL & Childhood(elementary). I graduate with my masters in May. Then hopefully I will get a teaching job.

I have to be honest that I am so scared for my first year of teaching. I am so scared that it makes me cry. I know that the first year is going to be very challenging. Not only that it will be my first year as a wife. But I can't picture myself working anywhere else. I am not the type of person to sit in a cubicle and infront of a computer all day.

I truly believe that teaching is the most rewarding job there is. Sometimes being with the kids is what gets me through the day.

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

This is my second year teaching. I felt just like you last year when I was teaching. This year I feel a lot more confident and comfortable. I used to work in an office environment so teaching was a whole new ball game for me. I really like it now though. For some people though, it just might not be thier calling. Give it some time though. Enjoy the breaks!! Take vacations!!

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

Hey this is my sixth year teaching. I remember the anxiety and what not of first year. I WAS TIRED BEYOND BELIEF. Up until 1 in the morning. I thought the teenagers were out to ruin my life.

But now....it's a job...a well paying job...and I really love it. I think it's hard to LOVE anything that makes you sweat it out that much. I think it'll get better for you. Hang in there.

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

thanks ladies you are truly the best

now, what about the whole continuing ed thing? I think under the new rules (not sure what the old were ) it's 150 hours over 5 years to get your permanent certification? I've been certified since Feb '04 and just started teaching this year so now I have a little less than 150 over the next 3 years...about 50/year. Is this a lot? Will I be in class during all my vacations? When do you guys do your continuing ed credits?

Re: Calling all teachers..esp. high school

I used to teach high school math. I quit after 2 years and went back to college. I am so happy that I did that. Sure, it's cool to have summers off, but I DREADED going back all summer,so I didn't even enjoy it.