Whew! Today was our last day of school. Kids were arguing and bickering all throughout the day. This was my 36th year of teaching. I feel like it was my worst ever.
-I was slapped by one student 4 times (student is on an IEP)
-I was yelled at and called a dumb teacher by another with anger issues.
-I had students tell me 'no' on more than one occasion.
-I had one student who either has ADHD or Tourettes who would continually blurt out or make bizarre noises or screech in the middle of class.
-Many students could not get along with basically ANYBODY. It was a challenge to find a good seating arrangement where they weren't constantly at each other's throats.
I sure hope next year is a LOT better! It will be my last year of teaching, so I hope it's a good one!
Happy Summer, everyone!
Did you have my class? Except for the slapping sounds just like what I went through this year. Here's hoping for a better year! Wow, 35 years! I just hope I can make it to 30. I finished 25 and I know I cannot take another year like this one!
You’re done!! Take all summer to recuperate and rejuvenate. I think we’ve all had THAT class. My year I ended up getting a tattoo that said “misneach” (which means courage in Gaelic). I got it in November. Last day of school, I tore the room down around them while the little cretins watched a looooong movie. School got out at 1:30 and I was out the door at 2:00.
Last night I went down a YouTube rabbit hole, looking at videos all titled “Why I Quit Teaching.” There are dozens of them. All describing the behaviors you mentioned, plus parents who encourage and support disrespect, and spineless admin.
36 years here too and it IS my last. I wanted to go 2 more years, but I do not see it getting any better in the next few. My district is continuing to dump enormous new, very challenging units on us for ELA ( elem school) that are just WAY too hard for these kids with what school has been like the past 2+ years. Teachers are EXHAUSTED!! No thank you.
Last edited by twinmom95; 05-29-2022 at 02:36 AM..
Thank goodness it's over!
I agree with Kelikmom. Reward yourself....starting with a bottle of wine or a large margarita and treat yourself to a day at a spa! You deserve it!
Have a wonderful summer!
"Last night I went down a YouTube rabbit hole, looking at videos all titled “Why I Quit Teaching.” There are dozens of them. All describing the behaviors you mentioned, plus parents who encourage and support disrespect, and spineless admin."
Apple Annie, I went to YouTube and fell down that hole the rabbit hole that you mentioned this morning...wow...
I thought it was odd of me that I didn't even think of it as depressing, as an outrage, which in reality it truly is. I just read it with a sense of detachment, thinking, yep...yep...yep...
So many great teachers being driven out...
I wish with all my heart that the "powers that be" somewhere figures it out and make the working conditions much better.
Congrats on making it through!! I always thought I'd be able to teach for 30+ years, but these last two have put that seriously in doubt. Enjoy your summer and reward yourself for a successful year, even if it was your worst.
Glad you're done! I hope next year is better for you! I said that about this year. Actually enjoyed the last 2 years but this year with the behaviors I had planned on retiring at the end of this year anyway and this year just confirmed it for me.
Enjoy your summer and do the best you can next year.