May 18, 2007
While this week was hard, I learned a valuable lesson. I though that not getting enough students to come on my field trip might have endangered my job. I have walked through hell since January putting together this trip, and had many cancellations. Needless to say, we’re short a lot of money. My principal made a point of reassuring me that I was doing a good job and that I was a valued member of the faculty. As a teacher, I receive so little positive feedback that this reassurance felt so good. I have a little folder in my email called “happy.” In it, I place all of the positive emails from parents and friends. There are so few that the ones I have are very special.
Filed by rsmith at May 18th, 2007 under Uncategorized
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It’s so not about teaching. If we were able to focus on teaching I think the education system would be more effective.
I drove home today with tears in my eyes. This week has been hard. A parent blames me for the failure of her son, who has not turned in one writing assignment the whole year. I emailed my colleagues an extremely courteous email asking for help in recruiting students to a field trip and was called to the principal’s office because it offended some people. And today, I was scolded for trying to work with a student instead of kicking him out of my classroom.
There is so much pressure involved in teaching. If only I could focus on helping my students instead of the stupid politics involved in the job. I feel so discouraged. What a hard week.
Filed by rsmith at May 18th, 2007 under Uncategorized
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May 4, 2007
[rockyou 67268290]
Filed by rsmith at May 4th, 2007 under Uncategorized
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Think I’m going to write about that one student who gets under your skin, don’t you? This time, however, I want to write about that one student who volunteers, who donates his or her time, who goes the extra mile…
I’m an advisor of an after-school club, and lately attendance has been down. I emailed the group to beg for help, and no one responded… except for one quiet student. This student is bright and creative, and met me in the hallway to say that she could stay after school to help. And you know what? She made my week.
Filed by rsmith at May 4th, 2007 under Education
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April 30, 2007
My posts have been pretty negative lately, so I thought I’d do what I always do when I get down– mentally list the good things about life. It’s harder than you think, because, as teachers, we’re in a pretty negative environment. But I truly do love my job, and, up until this spring, have really enjoyed my school environment. Let’s see if I can capture that feeling again with a list of the Top Ten Things I Like About My School:
1.) Most of the students are good natured, and I enjoy working with them on a daily basis.
2.) There is a small amount of academic freedom in my department that really makes me feel good.
3.) Lunch, while not all that great, is the one time during the day that I can let out a long breath and relax (for ten minutes).
4.) Our library has a lot of videos, and any time I need to show one that relates to a book it’s generally there.
5.) While in pretty poor order, we do have two computer labs to use with the students. I just with the computers were updated.
6.) Even though we’re always stressed out, my dept. is full of caring professionals I feel I can go to for help.
7.) There are few perks to teaching at my school, but they just started offering free Wed. yoga classes, which is so helpful to an overworked teacher.
8.) Joy of all joys, I have my own classroom! And since space is limited, this is a gift for which I am truly thankful.
9.) Most teachers tend to smile back at me when I say hello in the hallway.
10.) Summer is nearly two months long– yippee!
Well, I haven’t shaken off the negative feelings just yet, but I feel a little lighter and a little more positive. I think you have to be positive to be in this profession, don’t you?
Filed by rsmith at April 30th, 2007 under Uncategorized
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