Comments on: Why I Hated Teaching During My First Two Years http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/ Providing HOPE for educators since 2007 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:59:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Terryhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-7274 Terry Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:14:54 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-7274 I am a struggling first - year. I left a lucrative career to go into the inner city schools and teach. I am miserable. I cry every day. I hate it. I am trying so hard to stick with the job because I know that I am a good teacher and these kids could use one. It feels good to get that out. The district lied to me about the requirements of the job and I haven't gotten paid in six weeks...I know a lot of people are going through the same...I don't know why anyone would stick with this job...thanks for your website... I am a struggling first – year. I left a lucrative career to go into the inner city schools and teach. I am miserable. I cry every day. I hate it. I am trying so hard to stick with the job because I know that I am a good teacher and these kids could use one. It feels good to get that out. The district lied to me about the requirements of the job and I haven’t gotten paid in six weeks…I know a lot of people are going through the same…I don’t know why anyone would stick with this job…thanks for your website…

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]]> By: JADhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-5968 JAD Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:02:11 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-5968 Hey, Carolyn, I feel your pain. I've taught high school English for ten years, mostly in the trenches. I don't care how consistent a teacher's routines are, how much the lesson plans are aligned with the state standards, how differentiated the curriculum is. Students care less and less about learning, unless it's a "fun" class. Of course, we must always keep evaluating ourselves and looking for ways to keep excelling. But the best teacher in the world can't stand up to a kid continually refusing to do homework and talking smack in class (and knowing s/he can get away with it because admins won't appropriately punish). One of my favorite reasons for kids not doing any work? They've chosen to fail a semester - heck, the whole year - and re-take it in summer school so they don't have to babysit their siblings. No joke. Hang in there! Hey, Carolyn,

I feel your pain. I’ve taught high school English for ten years, mostly in the trenches. I don’t care how consistent a teacher’s routines are, how much the lesson plans are aligned with the state standards, how differentiated the curriculum is. Students care less and less about learning, unless it’s a “fun” class. Of course, we must always keep evaluating ourselves and looking for ways to keep excelling. But the best teacher in the world can’t stand up to a kid continually refusing to do homework and talking smack in class (and knowing s/he can get away with it because admins won’t appropriately punish). One of my favorite reasons for kids not doing any work? They’ve chosen to fail a semester – heck, the whole year – and re-take it in summer school so they don’t have to babysit their siblings. No joke.

Hang in there!

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]]> By: Carolynhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-5811 Carolyn Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:19:43 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-5811 You're first 2 years are a description of my past 8 years. I must be that teacher who starts his first year "27 times." It makes me feel totally worthless, but for me, financially, I can't quit this job. My only solution is to improve. I've tried many things, maybe this site will help... You’re first 2 years are a description of my past 8 years. I must be that teacher who starts his first year “27 times.” It makes me feel totally worthless, but for me, financially, I can’t quit this job. My only solution is to improve. I’ve tried many things, maybe this site will help…

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]]> By: siobhan curious: classroom as microcosmhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-5726 siobhan curious: classroom as microcosm Wed, 13 May 2009 14:11:30 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-5726 My difficulties began when I started teaching CEGEP, the interim college that all students in Quebec attend before going on to university. I went into this job expecting students to be mature and motivated, and to have a certain basic level of language and cognitive skill. The wake-up call was gradual, but I eventually descended into such a pit of anxiety that I seriously considered quitting. I'm now writing a series about how I pulled myself out and learned to love my job again. It began yesterday, and will continue over the next few weeks. You'll find the introductory post here: http://timesonline.typepad.com/schoolgate/2009/05/introducing-guest-blogger-and-teacher-siobhan-curious-and-her-first-post-how-she-saved-her-teaching-.html#comments I love your blog - my only complaint is that I can't possibly find time to read all your useful posts... My difficulties began when I started teaching CEGEP, the interim college that all students in Quebec attend before going on to university. I went into this job expecting students to be mature and motivated, and to have a certain basic level of language and cognitive skill. The wake-up call was gradual, but I eventually descended into such a pit of anxiety that I seriously considered quitting.

I’m now writing a series about how I pulled myself out and learned to love my job again. It began yesterday, and will continue over the next few weeks. You’ll find the introductory post here:

http://timesonline.typepad.com/schoolgate/2009/05/introducing-guest-blogger-and-teacher-siobhan-curious-and-her-first-post-how-she-saved-her-teaching-.html#comments

I love your blog – my only complaint is that I can’t possibly find time to read all your useful posts…

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]]> By: Joelhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-5281 Joel Fri, 01 May 2009 02:45:11 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-5281 Katy: I'm sorry you're in that situation. As hard as it is to remember, the parents really just want the best for their children. I would encourage you to get to a situation where you have a really supportive administration and read my article <a href="http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/questions-that-will-save-your-career-an-overview/" rel="nofollow">Questions That Will Save Your Career</a>. I'm also posting this comment on the blog. Katy:

I’m sorry you’re in that situation. As hard as it is to remember, the parents really just want the best for their children. I would encourage you to get to a situation where you have a really supportive administration and read my article Questions That Will Save Your Career. I’m also posting this comment on the blog.

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]]> By: KATYhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-5276 KATY Fri, 01 May 2009 00:30:13 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-5276 I'm a first year teacher, and the only things keeping me going are: I need the money, and I have made friendships with fellow coworkers. What I hate the most is PARENTS. The parents who feel that their child does no wrong- that their child is not responsible for their actions. I would honestly quit because of them. Sorry, "servant" and "personal assistant" are NOT written on my forehead. Next year may/may not happen for me. I’m a first year teacher, and the only things keeping me going are: I need the money, and I have made friendships with fellow coworkers. What I hate the most is PARENTS. The parents who feel that their child does no wrong- that their child is not responsible for their actions. I would honestly quit because of them. Sorry, “servant” and “personal assistant” are NOT written on my forehead. Next year may/may not happen for me.

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]]> By: CALLIhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-3115 CALLI Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:36:56 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-3115 I hated teaching so much after 4 years that I went back to school for a second master and am now working in a completely different career. I found that I couldn't stand 2 things: 1) the lack of accountability that seemed to abound among the parents of my students 2) Coming home exhausted every night - I hope to some day have my own children, and didn't feel that I would be able to function as a parent if I kept teaching. After I decided I was done, and while I was in my second master's program, I taught preschool (for 2 years), which I absolutely loved. I felt at that age the kids might actually appreciate me as an educator (and care-giver) - which they did! It was fun and rewarding, but again, very exhausting. I hated teaching so much after 4 years that I went back to school for a second master and am now working in a completely different career. I found that I couldn’t stand 2 things: 1) the lack of accountability that seemed to abound among the parents of my students 2) Coming home exhausted every night – I hope to some day have my own children, and didn’t feel that I would be able to function as a parent if I kept teaching. After I decided I was done, and while I was in my second master’s program, I taught preschool (for 2 years), which I absolutely loved. I felt at that age the kids might actually appreciate me as an educator (and care-giver) – which they did! It was fun and rewarding, but again, very exhausting.

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]]> By: Mr. Maestro.http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-1921 Mr. Maestro. Sat, 05 Apr 2008 02:53:19 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-1921 You know, there was another thing that was VERY distressing in my first year. Like a lot of people, I went to work right out of college. The transition from care-free college student to full time teacher was traumatic. Suddenly I had no "me" time... I was spending every waking hour preparing for the next day. It felt as if the job were swallowing my life. No time for friends, barely enough time to keep my relationship going. It scared the hell out of me. Also, I didn't like the whole waking-up-at-6-a.m. thing (I was used to... well, you know a college kid... ) Then one day as I was lamenting my early morning commute, I looked around on the freeway and suddenly realized how many people there were on the road with me. That's when I told myself to shut up and act like an adult. Well, here I am fourteen years later, and I guess the job DID become my life, and the students, staff and community became like family. I'm really comfortable with it now. I moved my wake-up time back to 5 a.m. to get another hour in before school (and became a regular at Starbucks) and pushed my go-home time to 5 or 6 p.m. (at least). Yeah, I'm a pretty happy workaholic these days. You know, there was another thing that was VERY distressing in my first year. Like a lot of people, I went to work right out of college. The transition from care-free college student to full time teacher was traumatic. Suddenly I had no “me” time… I was spending every waking hour preparing for the next day. It felt as if the job were swallowing my life. No time for friends, barely enough time to keep my relationship going. It scared the hell out of me. Also, I didn’t like the whole waking-up-at-6-a.m. thing (I was used to… well, you know a college kid… ) Then one day as I was lamenting my early morning commute, I looked around on the freeway and suddenly realized how many people there were on the road with me. That’s when I told myself to shut up and act like an adult.

Well, here I am fourteen years later, and I guess the job DID become my life, and the students, staff and community became like family. I’m really comfortable with it now. I moved my wake-up time back to 5 a.m. to get another hour in before school (and became a regular at Starbucks) and pushed my go-home time to 5 or 6 p.m. (at least). Yeah, I’m a pretty happy workaholic these days.

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]]> By: Joelhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-1864 Joel Sun, 30 Mar 2008 01:04:32 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-1864 @Venrice Welcome to SYWTT! I'm glad you're here and I hope you find some useful stuff on here. You talk about a low self-esteem and kids having a sort of defeatist attitude. I recorded my band on Thursday and they sounded really good for where we are at this point. I played it yesterday and asked them what they thought. Some of them heard a few wrong notes so their first response was "we suck." I had to correct them, remind them how much progress we have made since the beginning of this month, and try to encourage them. My district has a large number of people below the poverty line also. It's amazing to see what these kids can do when they see a light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully they will really turn up the energy the next two weeks as we finalize our preparations for our competition! @Venrice

Welcome to SYWTT! I’m glad you’re here and I hope you find some useful stuff on here. You talk about a low self-esteem and kids having a sort of defeatist attitude. I recorded my band on Thursday and they sounded really good for where we are at this point.

I played it yesterday and asked them what they thought. Some of them heard a few wrong notes so their first response was “we suck.” I had to correct them, remind them how much progress we have made since the beginning of this month, and try to encourage them. My district has a large number of people below the poverty line also.

It’s amazing to see what these kids can do when they see a light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully they will really turn up the energy the next two weeks as we finalize our preparations for our competition!

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]]> By: Joelhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-1863 Joel Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:59:43 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-i-hated-teaching-during-my-first-two-years/#comment-1863 @Mr. Maestro I don't think that most people have any clue all of the administrative work that goes into music programs. Even those who are in college studying to be music teachers! I was fortunate that I was able to build up a private lesson studio of over 40 students in seven different school districts by the time I got around to student teaching. I used the time that I was in schools to talk with band directors and got to see them planning trips, collecting fundraiser money, having parent meetings, organizing private lessons programs, scheduling concerts, putting together programs, etc. I even stayed after school one day (free pizza is a beautiful thing) and helped out with office work while a director was going over her budget proposal for the next year. @Mr. Maestro

I don’t think that most people have any clue all of the administrative work that goes into music programs. Even those who are in college studying to be music teachers! I was fortunate that I was able to build up a private lesson studio of over 40 students in seven different school districts by the time I got around to student teaching.

I used the time that I was in schools to talk with band directors and got to see them planning trips, collecting fundraiser money, having parent meetings, organizing private lessons programs, scheduling concerts, putting together programs, etc. I even stayed after school one day (free pizza is a beautiful thing) and helped out with office work while a director was going over her budget proposal for the next year.

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