As someone else has probably said before, when your mind is consumed with how bad things are at work (crazy decisions from "above", bullying of new teachers called "mentoring", being tested ad infinitum, ...), you have less to give your students (reflecting about the lesson, making sure in a positive way every kid is doing okay, developing new ways to teach concepts). This is the position I find myself in.
It's a never-ending loop in my mind about what I'd really like to say to so and so, what should be done in regards to being a successful math department, how you could make kids succeed. Copy room conversations with other math teachers revolve around the nightmare of this year and what/where they/we will do/be next year. Already 2 teachers have quit midyear. More are planning to leave at the end of the year. I'm sad and frustrated.
On a positive note, I've read some quotes lately that resonate with me, that I find myself referring to repeatedly:
When dealing with yourself, use your head.
When dealing with others, use your heart.
People first, paper second.
Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about events. Small people talk about others.
And from my phenomenal teacher friend from the northeast when dealing with bad situations: Here is where you grow a little.
Sorry to hear things are not so good. When I feel this way I "lay low" and just worry about my classroom. I avoid other people. Your quotes are good. I hope to comment more, I like your blog.
ReplyDeleteAngie
I too am sorry to hear about the current gloom. I read your blog regularly and know that you care very deeply about yout students and your subject. Hang in there - the kids need you.
ReplyDeleteBernadette
I love the, "Here is where you grow a little" quote. It's one I need to hear again and again.
ReplyDeleteI hope you manage to find positive energy to give back to your students.
I love the, "Here is where you grow a little" quote. It's one I need to hear again and again.
ReplyDeleteI hope you manage to find positive energy to give back to your students.
I hope that things start to look up for you. It's so hard not to get in the complaining and whining mode with other teachers -- and there's probably something really healthy about that too -- but when compounds with hard times... yikes... I hope you can keep all of the administrative things at the very back of your mind.
ReplyDeleteToday I was told that tomorrow my small class will be moved to a small conference room which isn't designed to be a classroom. No real advance notice. At first, I was upset. But then I was like: is this worth getting upset over? I think I have to do that -- shrug and laugh at it all -- more often. About everything.
Are you sure you're in Texas?? This sounds exactly like my school, right down to the teachers quitting mid-year.
ReplyDeleteThe administration wants to know what will keep us happy, and then rights us up for not taking a ttendance in a class that they have transferred us out of! I truly don't know whether to be comforted that the situation is the same in other parts of the country - or absolutely enraged that this is allowed to take place at.
Thanks for all your kind comments. I'm still enjoying my students, who are for the most part funny and sweet and hard-working.
ReplyDeleteMs. Cookie