wondering why I decided to become a teacher...

[2006teacher]

Ok, this is my 4th year as an 8th grade special education teacher. I wonder if the kiddos are making any progress at all in my classes or if I even know what the heck I'm doing. My kids are between a 1st-3rd grade Math level and 1st-4th grade reading level and I am expected to teach them regular 8th grade curriculum. They stay between frustrated and bored all the time and I wonder what I can do to get this material to their level. I am beginning to forget why I spent years in school to be torn between loads of paperwork and trying to teach the curriculum instead of truly teaching the kids. Any suggestions?

[scrivener]

HI, 2006Teacher, and welcome to TTC. I hope you'll find here a community of sympathetic ears and sage advice-givers. Having expressed this hope, I now confess that I have no advice.

Getting kids "up to grade level" is a hopeless task. The best you can hope for, I believe, is to keep them on pace so they don't fall further behind. I also believe this is TOTALLY worth it. Kids who keep learning turn into grownups who keep learning, so don't give up. What's much, much, much, much more important than the amount of math students can do (despite what NCLB might be communicating) is what their approach to learning is, and how they continue to develop from one year to the next. If you can keep them coming to school and maybe keep them interested, you're doing the right thing, in this rebel teacher's opinion. Screw the dang tests.

I feel a sense of hopelessness lately, at least on a grand scale. We like to think that we do this job to make the world a better place, but I've been doing it for ten years, and I don't think the world is any better than it was when I started. If anything, the world is worse, and I'm a pretty dang good teacher.

So hang in there, and maybe we can help you out, at least with that "bored" part.


ps: have you seen this thread (http://www.theteacherscorner.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2791)? :)

[AAA Teacher Forum]

Ok, this is my 4th year as an 8th grade special education teacher. I wonder if the kiddos are making any progress at all in my classes or if I even know what the heck I'm doing.

I am in my eleventh year of teaching and still question myself. So, you need to stay confident and believe in yourself! As scrivener mentioned, our goal is to always try and make the world better. We also have o keep the big picture in mind...there are usually many more things going against us then for us.


My kids are between a 1st-3rd grade Math level and 1st-4th grade reading level and I am expected to teach them regular 8th grade curriculum. They stay between frustrated and bored all the time and I wonder what I can do to get this material to their level.

I'm wondering why you have to teach the regular 8th grade curriculum? Who is telling you this? And are you talking about 8th grade standards and expectations, or 8th grade subject areas (e.g. American History)? As Special Edu. students, they should be expected to work towards the goals that are appropriate for their abilities, whatever grade level that may be. I assumed that was an aspect of all IEP's...those specific expectations should be written in the IEP.

If you are having to focus on 8th curriculum in science and social studies, that should be fairly easy to modify. It's obvious that your students won't learn exactly what the other 8th grade students are, but they should be able to get some of the basic concepts.

I guess this would be my big question (and I'm not sure who you would ask)..."Why are these students expected to learn 8th grade skills when they don't have their 3-7th grade skills?" What is the purpose of an IEP if the students aren't working toward different and/or modified goals?

Jennifer

[Dreamline]

I know what you're feeling. I, too, am wondering why I became a teacher. I have taught now three years (am in my fourth) and I have no desire to do it anymore. It's not discipline problems. It's not even the administration. I just do not want to keep banging my head against the wall.

I've firmly come to believe in the idiom: "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink." I have been leading horses for three years and I'm no longer satisfied with only a few of them bothering to take drinks.

I can't even see myself completing this year of teaching. If I could find a better-paying job, I'd leave. Unfortunately, it feels like my education has pretty much closed me off to the majority of the hiring world. My education seems to be so education centered that I can't be anything but a teacher. I can't go back to school because of money, time, and child issues (my wife and I discussed it). So, I'm stuck struggling.

I want to quit. I'd love to get fired so I could collect unemployment. Is this jaded?

I think I've stopped buying into the rhetoric that teachers always talk about. I'm just disenfranchised with the whole educational system and I want to move on in life.

[AAA Teacher Forum]

Dreamline-
First, I want to say that I'm sorry you feel so frustrated. Here's a thought - Stop and ask yourself why you became a teacher. Write down your reasons. Next, write down the reasons you want to stop teaching. Finally, write down what would have to change in order for you to stay in teaching. Critically evaluate all of your lists.

Second, I want to remind you about all of those children you are currently responsible for. I'm not sure what grade you teach, but that doesn't really matter. You have to remember that whether they "take a drink" or not, THEY are counting on YOU...even if you don't realize it.

From a comment in your post I am assuming that you have kids of your own. How would you feel if you knew that your child's teacher was intentionally doing things to get themselves fired? Is it fair to your current students to transfer your frustration on to them? I think you owe it to your current students and teammates to put all of your effort into finishing this school year. As teachers we talk about focusing on the strengths of our students...so instead of focusing on those students that "don't bother taking drinks," maybe you could focus on those that do.

Finally, after you complete this year, don't stay in teaching just to stay in it. It doesn't do anyone any good...you, the students you will teach, or the people you work with. Look for careers that provide on the job training. Or look for a career where your frustrations may not have such serious consequences. If you really want out, then find the way...one that won't harm the kids.

Jennifer