NWR: FIRST YEAR TEACHING

I just needed to vent/ask for advice.

I'm a first year Special Ed teacher who is teaching 5th grade ED/LD students. I am feeling SOOO deflated and stressed lately. I feel like I am NOT doing a good job and I feel like I am being constantly berated/watched.

Is it normal to feel this way during your first year of school? I feel like I made the wrong choice by becoming a teacher.

I hope it gets better for you!

I am getting Masters right now in Special Ed/Early Childhood and I am getting nervous as I have heard some nightmare stories about the first year.

Hang in there!!!!

im a sub in BOCES so I know how you feel to an extent. Teaching these children is very hard! it takes a lot out of you as far as feeling like your not doing a good job, I doubt that! These children need us I too feel like sometimes I might not be cut out for this..its so demanding and I feel like I might not be good enough...when this happens remember why you decided to do this in the first place... it might help

Thanks everyone!!!!

Kmiller--I will be completely honest with you, it's VERY difficult your first year, but there are ups and downs, just like everything else. For example, I was SO upset this morning but now I feel better.

But thank you for the words of advice everyone. I will try to hang in there. Less than 50 days left!!!

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Posted by FutureMrsLV

im a sub in BOCES so I know how you feel to an extent. Teaching these children is very hard! it takes a lot out of you as far as feeling like your not doing a good job, I doubt that! These children need us I too feel like sometimes I might not be cut out for this..its so demanding and I feel like I might not be good enough...when this happens remember why you decided to do this in the first place... it might help

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Suffolk BOCES? If so what school? I worked at the one in Dix Hills for a while....


It is hard your first few years but it gets easier!! Hang in there!

I am only a second year teacher and I feel like that still. Last year was different for me, I loved every minute of it and all my students. This year, the end can't come fast enough. My 7th graders are so horrendous that I actually stopped that class a couple of weeks ago to 'chat' with them and told them that they really make me question my choice of profession sometimes. I guess it depends on the group of kids. My eighth graders are angels and I am sad to see them leave for the High School.

Good luck to you! It will get better. Next week is vacation and then only 43 more days..but who is counting?!?!!

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Posted by mcbride62009

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Posted by FutureMrsLV

im a sub in BOCES so I know how you feel to an extent. Teaching these children is very hard! it takes a lot out of you as far as feeling like your not doing a good job, I doubt that! These children need us I too feel like sometimes I might not be cut out for this..its so demanding and I feel like I might not be good enough...when this happens remember why you decided to do this in the first place... it might help

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Suffolk BOCES? If so what school? I worked at the one in Dix Hills for a while....


It is hard your first few years but it gets easier!! Hang in there!

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Im at nassau BOCES at the rosemary kennedy school

The first year is always the hardest!!

I am a fifth year teacher and I have to say it DOES get easier. But I still get stressed sometimes and I also ask myself if I am in the right profession but the thing that bothers me the most is . . .
I'm good at it! (not to sound conceited but I know I am & I;ve been told)

However, do people tell you that you are doing a bad job? And if they are who are they? Why do you think you are doing a bad job? It's very hard especially with special education - often you don't feel like you are making an impact but you are! I am sure you are doing a great job.

I know you may not want to hear this but this time of the year is the worst! Kids are getting spring fever, they want to be outside and hang out with their friends and as much as we are looking forward to summer, they are too. School work is the last thing on they want to do (for a lot of them - this happens all year).

Just stand your ground with them. . and just remember 'they are only KIDS'!!

oh god, my first year of teaching... .

i seriously thought that the kids would have been better off with ANYONE else as their teacher. it's totally overwhelming and draining on a person's confidence.

hang in there it get's better. i promise!

Awww..this is my fourth year teaching, but first in this district and I feel the same way. I promise you once you get all your plans together, develop a routine and really get your school's CSE system under your belt you'll be great. The first years until tenure are tough. Hang in there, summer is around the corner!!!

Thanks sooooo sooooooo much!!! You guys really just made me feel so much better!!

I don't think I am being told that I am doing a bad job as much as not really being told I am doing a good one!!! My colleagues all tell me how wonderful I am doing for a first year teacher but my administration is pretty quiet and unsupportive. I guess there has been a lot going on lately especially that have made me question how supportive they are. Two weeks ago one of my students CURSED ME OUT and they didnt' even want to suspend him!!

But anyway....thanks for listening guys.....you rock and I WILL hang in there!!

hey there..

Im a third year music teacher. I teach both gen ed and special ed. Today I had one of those days where I came thinking 'I can't do this.' There are days that everything just clicks and there are days where you can't get it right. I have a few kids this year who really give me a run for my money. They make me so angry and sometimes make me wonder if I am in the right profession. It does get easier but it will never be such a cinch. This reflection and concern for 'am i doing a good job?' is what will make you an excellent teacher. hang in there and keep workin hard!

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Posted by MrsDrinkh20

hey there..

Im a third year music teacher. I teach both gen ed and special ed. Today I had one of those days where I came thinking 'I can't do this.' There are days that everything just clicks and there are days where you can't get it right. I have a few kids this year who really give me a run for my money. They make me so angry and sometimes make me wonder if I am in the right profession. It does get easier but it will never be such a cinch. This reflection and concern for 'am i doing a good job?' is what will make you an excellent teacher. hang in there and keep workin hard!

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That's really EXCELLENT advice..thank you.

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Posted by Aristotelina

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Posted by MrsDrinkh20

hey there..

Im a third year music teacher. I teach both gen ed and special ed. Today I had one of those days where I came thinking 'I can't do this.' There are days that everything just clicks and there are days where you can't get it right. I have a few kids this year who really give me a run for my money. They make me so angry and sometimes make me wonder if I am in the right profession. It does get easier but it will never be such a cinch. This reflection and concern for 'am i doing a good job?' is what will make you an excellent teacher. hang in there and keep workin hard!

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That's really EXCELLENT advice..thank you.

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Youre welcome!

...My colleagues all tell me how wonderful I am doing for a first year teacher but my administration is pretty quiet and unsupportive. Two weeks ago one of my students CURSED ME OUT and they didnt' even want to suspend him!!


Welcome to the board of ed. I'm a dean, and teachers get cursed out daily at my school. Unfortunately all I can do is tell them to call home or talk to their AP's. ONLY if the problem continues, 'maybe' we can give him/her detention. If the kid curses out 'every' teacher, then we can move for a suspension.

Most of the time when a kid curses out a teacher, administration blames the teacher...'well, what did the teacher do to provoke the kid?' ....it's pretty sick. I don't agree w. it. ESPECIALLY if it's always the same teacher complaining about diff. kids. Then the teacher is seen as a person w. classroom management problems.

But don't feel bad. It's not your fault that these kids have no manners. But def. call the kids house and speak to his parents. Whatever you do...do not show the kid that you were offended. Whenever a kid said anything bad to me, I would just tell him/her, ' blablabla... u done yet? Feel better? great, now give me your id. ' LOL. They would get so mad, b.c it really didnt bother me.

The opinion of your colleagues is what really matters. If they are supportive and tell you that you are doing a great job, it's for a reason. Give yourself some credit girl!

The thing with special ed kids, especially ED kids, is that you have no clue what's going on at home. I had a crazy day with one of my ED kids but I know his home life is completely effed up. Dont worry about people looking over your shoulder. If you're waiting for a thanks or good job from them, you'll be waiting a long time. Instead, watch the way your kids respond to you - thats often the nicest 'thanks' you can get. Stay strong and remember you're only four days away from a vacation!

Hang in there....I've been teaching for 7 years and you will always find it has its ups and downs. I have to say though, this year has been very stressful for me too...mainly because of wedding plans. I can't imagine being a first year teacher and planning a wedding...I give you a lot of credit for doing both. You're kids need you....don't give up.

Thanks so much ladies!!

Lauren and Angela, thank you for the FM's!! You got mail btw!

Mrs. Larrea--OMG, are you serious? Now that you give me that perspective I guess I was LUCKY to have him suspended!! I mean kids nowadays have very little respect as it is, but I always keep in mind that my kids are ED. I mean, I let him slide A LOT, but I had it when he physically threatened me. I just wanted him to realize that even verbal threats HAVE CONSEQUENCES!! Ya know what I mean?

p.s.--I love the 'blah blah blah' line. I use it too!