I want to refocus on the positive because if I don't I will go crazy. I plan on staying in teaching for a while, so I need to get rid of my negative thinking and make the most of my career. I am just really down - not so much with my students or parents or administration... it's top down... the testing (6 benchmarks this year plus the test!!! Do they expect the students to care by the real test???? How much information do we need, for pete's sake?), the rules that go with the testing (more and more each year), the number crunching, the special ed inclusion (where needs are not being met for regular ed or special ed), the changes every year (additional responsibilities, technology, documentation,etc), lesson plan changes (if we wrote them the way we are supposed to, we'd be working on them for hours every day!), pacing calendars, state curriculum requirements and changes, walk-throughs, evaluations, merit pay, committees, meetings, meetings, meetings, district micromanagement, etc... How are we supposed to have time to enjoy our students, our colleagues, our community, and most of all our own families? I am overwhelmed. By the way, I am not new to teaching. I have been at it for over 13 years!!!
So, teachers, what makes you feel good? What keeps you from being overwhelmed? I know I am not the only one who has these things going on and know there are teachers who have more to deal with than I do, yet they stay happy. I have many blessings - I just need to regroup and appreciate who and what I have in my life. Veteran teachers of 20 - 30 years, what keeps you going? How often in your careers have you hit a slump? How did you stay positive?
Sometimes it is hard to stay positive. I feel like you are feeling when I feel like I have too much to do. Especially report card time and testing time.
What helps? More sleep, vitamin D (I take extra in the winter),drinking more water, taking walks, reading a non education book, listening to music, writing.
In class what helps is taking the time to teach and do some of the things I actually enjoy teaching. A cool writing project, a teamwork game, an Art project, a readers theater, music. (None of which are on the TEST- so obviously MUST be a waste of time) Heaven forbid we do something that would let the kids actually enjoy school!
Another thing that helps is organizing something in my classroom. Helps me feel more on top of things.
There must be more things I do to have kept me enjoying what I do for 30 years. Just realizing that no matter what THEY say, I teach kids, not a stupid test, and I have a chance to make a difference in their lives. Good luck.
I know what I am going to say is unrealistic but why can't we as teachers object to all of this stuff. Just everyone stop doing it. WE all know all the testing is of no value except to puff someone up but not children. I was so happy when 17 school in our district didn't make AYP. Of course it was in the local newspaper. I hope more schools "fail" because they really are not.
Our education "system" if education should be a system at all, is way out of whack. Learning should be a stepping stone not a wall.
I don't have positive things to say. I am sorry. I am very sad myself. I just earn a paycheck and put up with frustration. I have been teaching for 20 years.
The last few years have really knocked me down.
I hit slumps all the time and you just have to drag yourself through it and remember you are there for the kids.
I hear changing grade levels is a great way to rejuvinate yourself ~ I've yet to have the courage to do it!!!
I mix things up all the time in my class. Although I teach 2nd grade and everyone says you have to have routine, routine, routine. I have no set routine!! My kids know we are going with the flow of where we need to head. If it's a rough math lesson, we are planning it for 1st thing in the morning. If they walk in the door tired, we push it off later in the day until they are ready to handle the tough new concept.
I incorporate technology as much as I can. I learn what new stuff is out there and I try it out and use it as much as I can. It's a passion of mine and it seems to motivate kids.
I try to not read the same books for read aloud year after year. I try to mix it up so I don't get so bored with the same stories year after year. That doesn't work for reading groups; however, for read alouds it is nice.
During recesses or P.E., every now and then go play with the kids. I play tether ball or soccer with them often. I also push them on the swings and hearing them laugh and squeal is a blast. We even play tag together. Don't forget to save time in the classroom for some fun too ~ watch silly videos to intro or wrap up themes, play silly games every now and then. Just have fun with the kids.
Take time for yourself ~ either reading books, going to movies, or out to eat. Do things for yourself to keep you from being too involved in the classroom. You have to give yourself time away from the class. When I go in to work on weekends, I always take a DVD series or movie I enjoy watching and play it while I work. Mind you, it has to be one I've seen so many times I know it by heart and don't really have to watch it ~ just listen to it.
been teaching for 5 years and last year I had had it. I wanted to walk out and not come back. I cried almost every day. There was so much crap put on us for everything and my students could care less. I made a deal with myself last year that I would not have another year like that. Everyday on my way to work I say to myself, I'm going to be happy and have a good day no matter what! Then I sing like crazy all the way there. So far it's helping. I have also stopped taking a ton of work home with me all the time. I hope I can keep this up.
11-02-2009, 09:01 PM
, and garden--- 3 of life's simple pleasures.
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