I quit
After many tears, hours on the phone with people in the field, talks with my family and friends, and some soul searching, I quit my teaching job.
I am sure there are many on here who have been in terrible teaching situations and I commend you for sticking it out. Had I started in September, I think I could have but given the situation I walked into and the reprehensible behaviour of the students, I know that this was not the place for me. I do not need to be disrespected every second of the day and treated like garbage. There was absolutely no teaching going on and worse, there was very little hope that I would ever be teaching given the issues and problems with these students. If I am going to make it as a teacher, it will be with students who respect what I have to offer -- which is passion and knowledge of my subject matter and my concern for the students. I cannot offer that to students who are truly apathetic. The apathy was the hardest part and impossible to overcome.
The saddest part was talking to other first year teachers. After only 2 quarters, they were already burned out. They told me that to get through it, I would have to just not care and 'if the kids do not kill anyone during your period, you have done your job.' I am a caring, hardworking individual who wants to teach because I care passionately about students and the subject matter. To remain in this specific job, I would have had to change who I am, and I am not willing to do that for any job.
What makes this decision much easier is that I know in my heart I made the right decision, and the support of my family and friends made it much easier. It is just awful to see what these schools have been reduced to, and it is frightening to see what students are like today. Hats off to those who are truly trying to make a difference. I will do so in the right place for me, where I do not feel fear, anger, and dread every second. Now I just have to find my place...
I am sure there are many on here who have been in terrible teaching situations and I commend you for sticking it out. Had I started in September, I think I could have but given the situation I walked into and the reprehensible behaviour of the students, I know that this was not the place for me. I do not need to be disrespected every second of the day and treated like garbage. There was absolutely no teaching going on and worse, there was very little hope that I would ever be teaching given the issues and problems with these students. If I am going to make it as a teacher, it will be with students who respect what I have to offer -- which is passion and knowledge of my subject matter and my concern for the students. I cannot offer that to students who are truly apathetic. The apathy was the hardest part and impossible to overcome.
The saddest part was talking to other first year teachers. After only 2 quarters, they were already burned out. They told me that to get through it, I would have to just not care and 'if the kids do not kill anyone during your period, you have done your job.' I am a caring, hardworking individual who wants to teach because I care passionately about students and the subject matter. To remain in this specific job, I would have had to change who I am, and I am not willing to do that for any job.
What makes this decision much easier is that I know in my heart I made the right decision, and the support of my family and friends made it much easier. It is just awful to see what these schools have been reduced to, and it is frightening to see what students are like today. Hats off to those who are truly trying to make a difference. I will do so in the right place for me, where I do not feel fear, anger, and dread every second. Now I just have to find my place...
