tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post4843818006863219334..comments2023-05-22T10:24:47.725-04:00Comments on Re-Learning To Teach: Day 174: DisgustedJustinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13309915942161862912noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-65665986144917067032014-06-08T20:47:51.180-04:002014-06-08T20:47:51.180-04:00Justin, you're not alone. I felt this way 6 ye...Justin, you're not alone. I felt this way 6 years ago. I thought about quitting teaching and getting any other job--anything other than teaching. My wife talked some sense into me: "You love teaching. You're a good teacher. Maybe it's time to switch schools." I took her advice--I changed districts. Amazingly, I enjoyed teaching again the next year. <br /><br />Justin, you're a good teacher. You love teaching. Maybe it's time to change districts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-86539866923915147122014-06-07T17:19:37.345-04:002014-06-07T17:19:37.345-04:00Andy's comments got me thinking about actually...Andy's comments got me thinking about actually asking your students about this year. Not in so much an open-ended way but with some direct questions like...What worked best for you in this class this year, What didn't work well for you...What were your expectations for this school year? Were they met? What do you think my expectations were for the students? Do you think they were met? What was the most challenging part of this class for you? Where did you feel you were most successful?<br />I don't know, I guess you'd have to really think about what would constitute a success for you in their responses. You might get abuse and utter nonsense but there may be students who surprise you. People like being asked for their opinion and students are sometimes people, too, even when they don't show their humanity.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12738337403351667073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-66565366502088035062014-06-07T10:51:25.800-04:002014-06-07T10:51:25.800-04:00The reason I'm asking this is that I think you...The reason I'm asking this is that I think you accomplished most of what you set out to this year as a teacher. One of the reasons I think you're frustrated is that kids are bringing in outside behaviors (beyond your classroom) that you didn't realize they also needed help with. These behaviors are a massive problem to deal with, but if they bothered you as much as they did this year, you might make it one of your explicit teaching goals next year to try to help students adjust their behavior in this area. My point is that you accomplished what you set out to do, but you didn't set out to do what you are now recognizing as a huge need in your school. Accomplishing your goals and discovering new important goals are two big wins for you this year.Andy Pethanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05159258049094512496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-91548747069760301572014-06-07T08:48:34.703-04:002014-06-07T08:48:34.703-04:00I THINK it looks like getting a problem that isn&#...I THINK it looks like getting a problem that isn't cookie cutter and trying different approaches to come to a solution. Even better than that, developing their own problems and answering their own questions. To a certain extent, they did this with the games that they are working on.Justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13309915942161862912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-18021062447369346172014-06-07T08:37:07.194-04:002014-06-07T08:37:07.194-04:00To probe further, what does critical thinking and ...To probe further, what does critical thinking and problem solving look like to you (how do you observe it)? You said you're not exactly sure, but with what you know right now, what observable things would you look for?Andy Pethanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05159258049094512496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-11066441338170265502014-06-07T08:04:15.014-04:002014-06-07T08:04:15.014-04:00I'll start working on convincing the boss! Al...I'll start working on convincing the boss! Although, if we're going to move, I'm thinking somewhere with amazing weather year round would be the way to go. Would you consider relocating to San Diego? Justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13309915942161862912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-64998205741740276072014-06-07T08:02:51.362-04:002014-06-07T08:02:51.362-04:00I think this may be a part of the problem. Other ...I think this may be a part of the problem. Other than "doing well on the tests" I'm not really sure how to assess the skills that I want them to learn. I don't care nearly as much about the content (easy to assess) as I do about critical thinking and problem solving skills. I know there are ways, but I wasn't trained in them and I've been trying to figure it out as I go.<br /><br />I am confident that next year will be better in terms of my knowing what they know.Justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13309915942161862912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-17937470968029720152014-06-07T08:00:08.311-04:002014-06-07T08:00:08.311-04:00I'm so glad to hear about your demo lesson! B...I'm so glad to hear about your demo lesson! Best of luck!<br /><br />The quote is exactly what I've been preaching on Twitter this year. We have to be able to share our failures as well as our successes. As you quoted, we are afraid to because we fear we will be blamed for everything going wrong in the classroom, but I think it's more important not to put a false face on the struggles that we have because we are not alone. Sharing our struggles makes them easier to bear and allows us to empathize with others.<br /><br />At the same time, there is a world of difference between sharing struggles and complaining. I don't know if complaining serves any valuable purpose and only shifts blame around. Failures in the classroom shouldn't be able blame, but about areas of growth.Justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13309915942161862912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-80758598814471055902014-06-07T07:53:20.947-04:002014-06-07T07:53:20.947-04:00Thank you for your comment. I may have to look in...Thank you for your comment. I may have to look into that. I truly do love teaching, but I've been having trouble keeping everything balanced, not putting too much of myself into it that I get lost.<br /><br />I have several plans this summer that I know will be for refocusing, re-energizing, etc. and I can't wait for those.<br /><br />A department head a few years ago told me that teachers, if they burn out, do so between years 4 and 8. This was year 7 in the classroom for me and year 5 in my current district.Justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13309915942161862912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-19636057759463674672014-06-06T22:45:31.343-04:002014-06-06T22:45:31.343-04:00Justin
Wow - two of these blog posts in one day (I...Justin<br />Wow - two of these blog posts in one day (I read WWNTD's as well) is rough. From what I've read here, from the interactions online we've had, from the brief (but terrific) one day personal interaction we had, I am CONVINCED that you are a benefit to this profession and, more importantly, to the children in your care.<br />If you could see relocating to NEPA, I'd be delighted. I almost certainly will be in the hiring mode again next winter/spring.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-73822942086814362332014-06-06T22:14:54.743-04:002014-06-06T22:14:54.743-04:00Justin -- you said "I know that they've e...Justin -- you said "I know that they've enjoyed to coming to my class, but I'm not 100% confident that they learned what I wanted them to learn." If you the time and ability to have an interview+assessment with every student, what things would you be looking for? Would you look for content knowledge/application (the ability to do Geometry problems)? Would you look for a process or way of approaching problems? Are there personal qualities you specifically intended to impact?Andy Pethanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05159258049094512496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-73532925683973777382014-06-06T21:55:11.867-04:002014-06-06T21:55:11.867-04:00What's up, brother from another mother?
Boy,...What's up, brother from another mother? <br /><br />Boy, I have been kind of a stranger, all applying for jobs and avoiding thoughts about teaching by focusing on some volunteer stuff instead ... I still haven't landed a job for next year, although my demo lesson went really well as far as those things go for me. They checked my references! One of my friends who served as a reference went fishing for their impressions of me--He learned that they had concerns about my organization and my management. But clearly they are taking me seriously as a candidate. <br />Anyway, sorry for the tangent. Point is that I really appreciate your honesty, because I get really discouraged too, and it's good to remember there are others in the same boat. <br /><br />Let me quote "Spitwad Sutras," which I have to get you a copy of:<br /><br />"Most teachers, I found, seldom admit to the psychological horrors in their classrooms or to misgivings about their teaching skills to anyone but a few trusted souls. They do this in self-defense because they are so often blamed for anything that goes wrong. This is why many teachers are upbeat to the point of hyperactivity and stay that way until they can no longer ignore the discrepancy between their positive attitude and the darker realities of their profession. That is when they burn out, quit, start selling real estate, turn cynical or fanatically idealistic, write books, run for the school board, or become administrators. So I was relieved when Brother Blake took my confession not as a sign of personal inadequacy but as an objective description of an entirely logical chain of events."<br /><br />I hope that in the future we can be more (much more--we already more than this) than just fellow sufferers; that we can share more successes, more excitement, more passion and energy and joy in this profession together. Or in another profession. It is a hard, no doubt. Darko Mittmerichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04277138678915717582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-31193583890930250512014-06-06T21:48:36.627-04:002014-06-06T21:48:36.627-04:00My heart goes out to you; I'm moved by your pe...My heart goes out to you; I'm moved by your personal account. Teaching is my 2nd profession and by far, the hardest job I've ever had to do. The emotional and mental toll can be overwhelming...constantly.<br /><br />Have a break, maybe? Maybe take a year to try another type of job and perhaps that's enough to recover, re-focus, re-energize? I sense that you love teaching - I found that those who care a lot are more vulnerable to burnout. <br /><br />One year, I was so overwhelmed I did just that. I felt that I was so involved that I had little mental and emotional space for my own kids, let alone myself. That scared and saddened me. I know it was a luxury for me to just walk away from a generally good job and school, but it was also necessary. I went for a part-time maternity leave replacement role (to force me to look for another job after!) and then just casual work after that. 2 1/2 years later, I went back into the classroom. Now, I'm more mindful of the signs of burn-out and try to ameliorate before it goes out of hand. How? By backing off - caring a little less that time...knowing that I will care more again....it's a cycle.<br /><br />All the best.Malynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03817938355737942929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-45018846700298722042014-06-06T21:09:36.013-04:002014-06-06T21:09:36.013-04:00I worry that my temperament is not one for large g...I worry that my temperament is not one for large groups of small children.Justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13309915942161862912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-76816138212144167032014-06-06T21:08:55.250-04:002014-06-06T21:08:55.250-04:00I appreciate your desire to read my blog. I wonde...I appreciate your desire to read my blog. I wonder how much of my burnout this year is due to the 300,000 words that I've written.<br /><br />I would happily teach another grade, another class, another school. Things in this area are just not that flexible. I can put in for a transfer to another building teaching different classes, but ultimately, they put us where they want us. That may or may not be the best place for us, but it is what it is.Justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13309915942161862912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-90076555534590781772014-06-06T21:07:00.262-04:002014-06-06T21:07:00.262-04:00We put in our preferences, but the district decide...We put in our preferences, but the district decides where we go.Justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13309915942161862912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-55029885150625581842014-06-06T21:06:20.420-04:002014-06-06T21:06:20.420-04:00That's a very impressive growth rate! In prev...That's a very impressive growth rate! In previous years, I too have gotten comments from the high school teachers about how they can tell my kids apart. I hope that will be true in the future as well, but I have no confidence that my pre-algebra students will stand out. I tried a different approach this year and I don't know how effective it was.<br /><br />Maybe it was very...Justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13309915942161862912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-29626103980677356902014-06-06T20:36:05.199-04:002014-06-06T20:36:05.199-04:00I have a similar thought to Kate, but in the other...I have a similar thought to Kate, but in the other direction. Ever think about elementary?Tracy Zagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18078005798782089280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-80364335249140107752014-06-06T17:21:21.561-04:002014-06-06T17:21:21.561-04:00I have one suggestion, which would be to try, if p...I have one suggestion, which would be to try, if possible, teaching different classes. (Whether at your current school or a different school. As long as you're looking...) I know we're certified 7-12 math (or whatever) which supposedly means we could teach every course, but of course different teachers have different strengths. Maybe older kids, maybe kids who present different sorts of challenges (they all present some...amirite?), maybe some more sophisticated mathematics would make a world of difference and would be work you'd enjoy more consistently. I hope you stay in a classroom, selfishly, so I can keep reading your blog. :) But not if you're so miserable! Not worth it.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14229054922453438248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-48238617946524504042014-06-06T16:40:28.599-04:002014-06-06T16:40:28.599-04:00Before you chuck it all is there a way for you to...Before you chuck it all is there a way for you to NOT teach junior high next year? SMCRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06515195921561559015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-50949324837848270052014-06-06T16:26:51.487-04:002014-06-06T16:26:51.487-04:00I love the fact you consider me a colleague. Thank...I love the fact you consider me a colleague. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-32431788019998245082014-06-06T16:20:48.153-04:002014-06-06T16:20:48.153-04:00We talked at great length about this Justin, and I...We talked at great length about this Justin, and I know where you are at. I truly hope that you do not leave teaching because you do have a great positive impact on your students, as you have had a positive impact on me. I also found the MTBoS when I truly needed it, I was getting tired and run down by my students and the overall combination of teaching at my school. This past half year has done wonders for me, it has renewed my passion and energy for teaching in a way that 1,000 summer breaks can't. <br />I also have very needy kids, and I have had to cone back to chaos Manu, many times this year. Part of me wonders if it is because of the need of these kids, they can't function without my comforting presence. I hope that is the case.<br />Let me know what you decide, and always feel free to talk with me. One thing I would really be interested in is some type of cross-school projects, I think it would be great for both sets of kids.<br />I was really down when state testing came out, it was an abyssmal year. Then I looked at the data from the fall to now, and 70% of my class had high growth. I can't feel like I am a failure after that, I feel like I did well for them. I am also a perfectionist and want more for my kids, so I put that unwanted pressure on myself. It's a hard balance to find, but I take great stock in the fact that my HS teachers tell me they recognize the difference in my students- that they are much better prepared for HS classes. I will take that critique over standardized test results any day.<br /><br />Bryan<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7363356760450940988.post-86676587044164193992014-06-06T15:59:16.887-04:002014-06-06T15:59:16.887-04:00It doesn't sound like this is an impulsive or ...It doesn't sound like this is an impulsive or quick decision. <br />I, too, left teaching *in the classroom.* It *almost* fit ... like a shoe that almost fits, and it didn't "break in," it just kept wearing worse blisters and then affecting how I walked and... well, I'm being distracted from my app so I won't belabor the metaphor... <br /> I, at least, had found a really good school -- but I was not asked to return after that fifth year. (It was like a painful, amicable divorce. )<br /> I had to take a hard look at my strengths ("What Color is Your Parachute" and its exercises were really helpful) so that my failures didn't swallow me up. <br /> And now I'm back to my app so that that doesn't become a failure... SiouxGeonzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14852040976080951492noreply@blogger.com