[Mrs.CLB]

OK-- this may just be due to spring-time and the upcoming standardized tests, but I feel like an inadequate teacher these days. No matter how well-planned my lessons are, when it comes time to teach them, I seem to have a hard time remembering exactly what to do and say. I sometimes have trouble making things come out as I intend. It is very frustrating.

Also, I am becoming increasingly impatient with my students. I feel like they are not being nearly as attentive or respectful as they should be during lessons.

I think part of the reason is because I am overwhelmed! I feel like I am running out of time to get everything adequately covered and I think it is making me stressed. Can anyone relate?

[SusanTeach]

It sounds to me like you're just having normal pre-test stress. It's very common. Ask yourself these questions:
*Did I teach what I was supposed to this year?
*Did I reteach anything the majority of the students didn't understand?

If you can answer yes to those, then you've done what you could. Don't let the state test stress you out. When it comes down to it, you've done your job. The kids have to step up and do their part now. We can't take the test for them. Do some review in the weeks leading up to the test, and then resign yourself to the fact that they're as ready as they're going to be.

[MrsG]

You are a product of NCLB, also known as No Teacher Left Standing.

I'm feeling like I didn't get everything in, and I know I worked those kids like dogs!

[JulieG04]

Mrs. G...and I thought NCLB was for No Child Left Untested!

[intheloonybin]

...not miracle workers! As long as you know you have done your 50%, you are FANTASTIC! It's up to the students to give the other 50%. Together we can make that 100%.

Negative attitudes are really BIG at my campus. It spreads throughout the kids almost like wildfire. Some of them are "just joking" and I know they do they're best. But the others pick up on it and take it seriously.

Just do what you can with what you have. We cannot change the world.

YOU ARE A GREAT TEACHER!

[Mrs.CLB]

Thank you for all your comments. I appreciate the sympathy and understanding! Deep down, I do know that I'm a "good teacher," but here lately I just feel like the Wicked Witch of the West!

I hope it improves soon. Thanks for the comforting comments.

[Katrinas20]

I felt the same way too for most of the month of February! All the teachers on my team say it's normal to hit a slump after Christmas. I just felt like no matter what i did the students weren't getting anything out of it. My mentor reassured me that I was doing a fantastic job as a first year teacher and she would definitely let me know otherwise if need be. That made me feel much better. I got re-energized to teach and feel much better about myself after receiving lots of encouragement and compliments from my colleagues. I am sure you are a wonderful teacher and just need some kind words from those around you and you'll be back in the game in no time. Good luck with the rest of your year!! Remember: Rome wasn't built in one day. Take things day by day!!

[BirdSong]

but wouldn't wish these feelings on anyone. We are all stressed at my school. We haven't had anough time to cover all of our curriculum since they moved the testing date up. We are also told that we can't review the week of testing- which is no big deal since we already knew that anyway - but we also can't keep teaching....YET we are to maintain normal routines and schedules around the testing times. How do you do that wehn you can't teach? It makes no sense. So, we are doing a novel study.

[suem]

I think spring has something to do with it too. We have had warm weather since February, and I live in the north. The kids have almost quit mentally. Last Thursday was such a bad day for me, I basically didn't do anything in the afternoon. Half my kids were gone and I just didn't feel like teaching. Luckily I have a very understanding principal and we watched a movie in the afternoon.
The kids and I both know we will need to keep working hard. We have just under a quarter of school left. Taking the day off helped us all get things back into perspective.

[MrsG]

We are also told that we can't review the week of testing- but we also can't keep teaching....

You can't teach anything new and you can't review? What are you supposed to do? Watch movies and play games all day?

[Fiddle4Fun]

Last night was the first really bad night I've had this season. I could not stop thinking about the things that I haven't even touched on this year, let alone done well. And I kept comparing this year with last year, already thinking about open house, the weedy school garden, end-of-the-year field trips, an upcoming IEP meeting, and... EVERYTHING. It's all coming to a head again...

And yes, the kids are more challenging than ever. Nice weather, spring break coming... I guess it's only natural to check out.

As far as students not being allowed to review what they've learned all year: isn't that just good teaching to do that? I don't get it. You teach, move on, and then come back and review what you've learned. It's silly to NOT do that.

I've heard that some schools hold weekend test prep sessions sponsored and led by parents, complete with really great prizes for kids who attend. Another reason there's a gap between the scores of the haves vs. the have-nots, I guess.