Today I started my second year of teaching, but this year I'm at a different school. I teach high school science in the NYC schools. Last year was a bad experience but I thought I'd try again somewhere different once I'd been excessed. Well today I met the kids and I already hate it again. They're horrible, I was strict with them but they were rude, loud, and didn't want to do anything. I had a kid curse and run out of the room 10 minutes before the bell and he never returned. My administrators make me nervous, I'm always getting yelled at already in this school for every little thing. I was given 2 different types of courses to teach and neither one of them has a curriculum done so I have to just make up lessons every day, there's no syllabus for me to follow. I just feel sick and exhausted. It's like taking an emotional and physical beating every day. But I keep telling myself to hang in there but even at this different school I don't like it any better. I'm just afraid to quit or leave because of a few reasons: I studied for years to become a teacher, all my degrees are in teaching and I'm not qualified to do anything else, and though the job ***** my benefits are so good (I have a lot of med problems so I need good benefits) plus I need the money now more than ever. I'm scared to leave and afraid I'd regret it later if I can't find anything else or am unhappy with something else. I just don't know if I can handle this stress anymore. But what's my alternative? I'm so confused and sad tonight, I am dreading going in again tomorrow, it's like last year all over again. In fact I think it's worse. I'm so disappointed. Thanks to anyone who read this whole thing and if you have any suggestions I'd really appreciate it .
Princess92406
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
I read ur post and although im not a teacher i do synpathize with having anxiety about being at a job i hate... im ok now, but my last job before this was hell every morning on the drive there, i would almost turn around every day.. i feel bad cause i know what its like :( i say if youre that miserable you have to be true to yourself... are u making the difference u wanted to make being a teacher in the setting youre in? take it easy..and try to relax..itll work itself out, if youre true to yourself
LBride
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
Ok my first teaching job was a nightmare! I cried every single lunch period, at night... sometimes I would even start tearing up in class... now I love going to work everyday (most of the time), a far cry from where I was 4 years ago. My 1st job was in fifth grade... I quickly realized how much I disliked that age group and got a job teaching first, where I was for 3 years and absolutley loved.... now I'm starting my firstt year in 3rd grade so who knows how I'll feel about that. High school kids are going to be annoying and rude.. maybe it's not the right age for you.... is there a mentor that you can meet with??
luvabul
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
feel so bad ,take it easy, kids are just kids, and teenagers are the worse age group to teach, sorryy
feel better and good luck
dihaus
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
Hi Dee!!
I know what you mean....you know the number to call if you need to talk!...We're both here for you...us second year teachers need to stick together..
Diane
NY031978
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
thats what i was going to say...maybe HS isnt the age group thats for you. Have you thought about going for middle school? HS kids can be rude and care less about what they say or do! I know id never be able to teach that age! I give you props for doing it....good for you!! Dont stress too much, im sure you are a great teacher and in time it will get better. Once these kids get F they will see you mean business....Hell throw them a pop quiz here and there tell them if they cant listen and be young adults they think thry are than this is how their grades are going to have to be!
summer06bride
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
i completely understand where you are coming from...my first two years were spent teaching in an 'inner' city school...and although my own kids were ok it was terrible to be in a school where no one really gave a crap about anything...i was also at my wits end...i made a point to try and find a new school outside of the city and see if it was any better...after sending out about 20 resumes i finally got a job in nassau county and ended up in a great school with great kids...sure of course i have years and classes where kids are a little nasty but that is life...keep your chin up...dont give up teaching but look for something else in the spring and if it is still stinky then think about another career
LImama
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
Can you get someone on staff to help you with suggestions on how they handle the same kids in their classes? Find out what the disciplinary procedures are - call home, detention, etc. I know everyone says be real strict at first, but if these kids don't care that might not be the ticket. Instead of trying to intimidate them, try to get them on your side - hey guys this is a tough course but we can get through it together....Try not to let them see how tense you are. Tell them they all start out with a 100 for class participation, it's up to them to keep it a 100.
Can you come up with something a little fun for part of the period? An investigation, riddles? Have little corny prizes they can earn? Sometimes the toughest kids are the biggest babies. I had a HS class working for stickers one year, I couldn't believe it! Or mini candy bars! These may be the most 'reluctant' learners you will ever meet, you have to win them over. But don't make it feel like a battle, you are in charge, but try to make them partners with you in their own learning. Ask them what they expect from this class this year. If there are just a couple of trouble makers, try to get them on your side privately, outside of the audience of the classroom. Communicate to them that you like them and want to get them through the course.
Does that make any sense? Good luck! You can do it! Keep us posted!
drpepper318
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
Thanks everyone for your support and advice! I really appreciate it I haven't really decided what I'll do yet but just trying to take it a day at a time for right now and if I really continue to hate it this much I'll leave this place and never go back. Best of luck to all teachers, I think it's one of the hardest jobs around.
Ivori
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
Sorry to hear that. You have to make sure you stay strict and NEVER smile. Also you should ask to speak to the chairman of the department. He or another teacher there should be mentoring you. I would also speak to the dean and tell him that you will be sending many kids to detension (if they have it in your school). Ask for help and I am sure they will help. Good luck
MrsD06
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
I'm so sorry This is my second year in a hs and I can TOTALLY relate. I had a really rough time last year. I'm basically doing the same thing as you..giving it another shot this year and then I will decide.
I know discpline is hard with hs kids. They are like wild animals and can smell your fear! Last year it was a lot easier once my students got to know me... they realized that I'm not a pushover & also that I treat them with respect. I think if you are too strict the kids will rebel against that. Most teachers I've talked to say discipline takes a LONG time to master.
I agree about asking your colleagues for advice. Last year I didn't always do this as much as I should have and I remember feeling like the only one who had problems with certain kids/discipline & after the fact I would often learn that other teachers had the same problems.
Definitely keep loooking for jobs during the year. Teachers always leave half-way through or take maternity leave, etc.
daniebc16
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
My first year of teaching was amazing, then my second year I was transfered within the same district to a different school, and it was awful. The kids were fine, it was the adminstration that made me sick to my stomach...they were egotistical, rude, mysognistic, and extremely unprofessional...Needless to say I left after that year which was extremely hard (last night I was crying because I was so nervous and upset that I had to leave even though they were the ones who do not even belong in schools..) My point is, if teaching is what you love to do you are going to go through a lot of ups and a lot of downs. I think that you should stick with it but apply to other schools in the meantime...many schools hire mid-year. What do you teach? I will keep my ears open for you!
Also for now, what you really need to do with tough kids is get to know them on a more personal level, I have found that works with high risk kids, let them know that you really care about their well-being without being too soft...it is a fine line but if you work at it things should get better. Seek out other teachers who do have a good relationship with these kids and learn from them. GOOD LUCK
betani
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
sit down and think about it - what's making you miserable? teaching itself, the age, the administration, the dicipline? if it's not teaching itself, it'd say stick with it and try out some new things. try a different age group, private schools (have smaller class sizes), different out of city districts, there's a lot of factors that go into teaching.
as for dicipline, the best advice i can give you is respect is earned. you have to be stern with them, but still shown them you're on their side and only want the best. once they realize they can't take advantage of you and that you're rooting for them, it'll be a lot easier. and don't engage in power struggles - it's like a game to them. just make your point known, give them a choice (bob, it's either do your homework or detention) and then let them decide. but make sure you follow through with it. and DON'T be so strict that you make yourself unreachable. then they'll hate you and making your life a living he||. be approachable.
good luck!
shelby34
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
I don't have any great suggestions, but I do think you need to do what is best for you. I hated my teaching job last year and ended up leaving before the school year ended. I now work for the autism society and like it much better. Good luck!!!!!
Nikki24591
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
I'm sorry it ***** for you. I am a teacher at a high school that is considered one of the most dangerous NYC public schools. My 1st year it was really tough but there are some good kids mixed in with the bad. There is no easy answer to how to deal with BAD kids and it is really terrible if your administration doesn't back you up. I say give it a chance at this new school. It was only the second day of classes. I used to come home crying too but now it is my fifth year and I love it. Good Luck!
cherilicious16
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Re: teachers ~completely miserable
Posted by LImama
Can you get someone on staff to help you with suggestions on how they handle the same kids in their classes? Find out what the disciplinary procedures are - call home, detention, etc. I know everyone says be real strict at first, but if these kids don't care that might not be the ticket. Instead of trying to intimidate them, try to get them on your side - hey guys this is a tough course but we can get through it together....Try not to let them see how tense you are. Tell them they all start out with a 100 for class participation, it's up to them to keep it a 100.
Can you come up with something a little fun for part of the period? An investigation, riddles? Have little corny prizes they can earn? Sometimes the toughest kids are the biggest babies. I had a HS class working for stickers one year, I couldn't believe it! Or mini candy bars! These may be the most 'reluctant' learners you will ever meet, you have to win them over. But don't make it feel like a battle, you are in charge, but try to make them partners with you in their own learning. Ask them what they expect from this class this year. If there are just a couple of trouble makers, try to get them on your side privately, outside of the audience of the classroom. Communicate to them that you like them and want to get them through the course.
Does that make any sense? Good luck! You can do it! Keep us posted!
In my opinion, this post is dead on!!!!!! The first year at any school and with any age is difficult. Some kids will do anything in their power to break you. It is up to you to try any incentives, motivations or classroom management techniques that show you WILL NOT BE BROKEN. Usually the worst is Sept thru February. One thing I do to get them to start their work straight away is have the DO NOW on the board and those students who come in and get right to work get a raffle ticket they put their name on. I collect the raffle tickets all marking period and then pull out raffle tickets for 'prizes' like drop the lowest quiz grade, 2 free homeworks, computer time, 10 points on a notebook grade or even to be part of a lunch time pizza party. This little trick has gotten the students working and made my life so much easier. You will find things that work for you. GOOD LUCK !!
