New School Disappointment

[Mrs. Stressed out]

I'm not a new teacher, but still a very young one. I recently moved to a new school (by choice) because I thought it was a "better" school system. After the first week of school, I am feeling so homesick. My new fellow teachers are so snotty and unfriendly--they're, in one word, fake. The kids even seem snotty (I am coming from teaching in a high-poverty area to a more afluent one). There are other newer teachers there, and none of them seem to be feeling the same way. It is as if everyone else "gets it" and I'm just stupid. No one helps me, they expect me to know everything right away, and when I ask for help, people look at me like I am annoying them. I am stressed out. I can't seem to talk to anyone about this. I guess I am too proud or I don't want to admit that I made a mistake in taking this new job. No one wants to admit their failures.

Has anyone ever felt like this? :confused:

[orlandoteacher]

Yup! My first year was at a school were everyone thought they were the best thing since sliced bread. I made the best of it and left. My school has more challenges this year, but I feel more at home. That can make all the difference. Sorry you feel so badly!

[Mr. Larrabee]

The year I started at my current school, there were a LOT of new teachers. The administration was very considerate of this fact, and they helped put together a list of teachers who were considered "sages" in each major category of school life. I recall management, school activites, handling discipline to name a few. I understand the way you feel, my second school was very similar, I was the second choice to a hometown girl who couldn't get out of her contract with another district. Everyone knew I was only there for a year, so I can see where you're coming from.

Don't just take it. You'll continue to be stressed, and worse, you'll resent your colleagues. Go to your principal. You don't have to give away all the details, just ask them who they would recommend to help with one or two areas of concern. They'll be happy you're taking initiative to grow, and they'll direct you to the more helpful members of the staff. Good luck and keep us updated.

[Brimir]

Could it be they just seem that way because you are not used to them? I am a pretty kind person, but have had people who don't know me well thank I am snotty. Maybe this is because I am not an overly outgoing person, not too sure. Sometimes you just have to "warm up" to people. Now my firends laugh that they once thought I was like that, because I am not at all.

Good Luck... New jobs are always hard.

[javamomma]

No advice but sending lots of good luck vibes your way.

[joanna123]

I made a professional blunder several years ago by transferring to a different level and building. I did learn many things. I had some great friends there---but there were several seasoned--and I mean seasoned--staff members who felt it was their place to impose their philosophy on everyone. Too many kids liked me and I didn't have behavior problems. It really bothered them that my way worked and they made my life miserable. I am glad that I had some great friends there and especially that parents loved my style. I lasted four years and went back to my old building...it felt like coming home after a very long trip.

My advice? Find someone that you can relate to. There must be at least one or two people that feel the way you do. Give it a year or two. Then, transfer back if you need to.

[teach4life]

I know, how many times have you asked yourself "what was I thinking"????? But get past that and get involved. Going to the principal or if you have a lead teacher and discussing your concerns might aleviate some of the anxiety you are feeling..hopefully, you will see them differently as you settle into the new place...get comfortable...be their for the kids...and good luck....

[hassell]

I have 2 sisters who teach in more affluent schools than I do. We have this discussion alot!!! One of them wears Tommy, Polo, etc to work everyday. That is what is expected at her school. I wear jeans, button up shirts, and on Fridays I wear overalls or sweatshirts. I teach in a 54% free and reduced lunch school. When I have visited my sisters' schools, I know I don't fit in. I couldn't work there because it is not me. Good luck and maybe you can find a "new home" next year.

[Mrs. RTB]

I work in a school that is suppose to be a good school.(first year teacher) However, I have to say it is turning out to be one of the worst experience for me ever. Teachers instead of helping each other, they look to find fault and run to the principal about nonsense. I am in my last year of my masters and having a tought time at the school. The teachers are bitches and the principal is a phony. How bad would it get if I stand up for my rights?

[mopar]

I'd love to tell you that you should go to the principal and stand up for yourself. However, being a first year teacher, if you do this, the principal can let you go. First and second year are hard because the principal really doesn't have to give you a reason-so it could be nothing against you. I caution you not to give him a reason. Unless of course, there is no way you would want to stay there next year anyways. Just remember how hard you worked to land this job.
Maybe talking to your union representative would be helpful. Or looking at other schools within the district to put in a transfer for at the end of the school year. It seems so far away, but the time will pass.
I'm sure that there are other teachers at your school who feel the same way as you. Look for them. Use them as allies. Keep your spirits up and remember you are here for the kids!

[Boxcar]

Try to focus this first year on just doing all you can to look good. Help out at events, offer time to do boring jobs, ect. You might start to get to know the other teachers better and people will be positve sightings of you.

It can be really hard to adjust to change. I would agree that at different SES levels, there are different attitudes and approaches. It doesn't necessarily mean that this new collective presonality is a bad match for yoursef. It just means that you have to give it more time.

[landreth2007]

I hate to hear that things are so uncomfortable for you. I have always taught with people who were willing to go the extra mile to help. Of course there will always be the few who don't. I'm sorry that you have stumbled across more than a few!

Try hanging in there for a year or even two. Go out of your way to share ideas with your colleges. Ask for help when you need it. Surely there is someone there who would be willing to give you the advice you are wanting. Most schools have a mentoring program for new employees. If nothing you try works, then you can say you have done your best. Try to transfer then.

[Chef Dave]

IHas anyone ever felt like this? :confused:

I once moved from a poor rural school to a school in an affluent upper middle class suburb.

I experienced many of the same feelings.

Most of the women who worked at the school were married to affluent executives or doctors or attorneys. They drove expensive cars and wore designer clothing. Most of them probably belonged to the local golf club.

Me - I was a third year teacher who lived in an apartment outside this area. I drove a Honda Civic.

I didn't fit in and the teachers in question were aloof. Having come from a poor rural school, I think some of these teachers were a bit disdainful about my prior teaching experience. Several teachers made a point of telling me "how lucky" I was to now be with this district.

It didn't help that my grade level leader decided that we should "team teach." Although I was hired as a self-contained elementary teacher, I suddenly found myself teaching science and math. Nobody asked me if I wanted to teach science and math. I was male - so "of course" I had the competency to teach these subjects.

My grade level leader subsequently began excluding me from team meetings. I simply wasn't invited to participate and wasn't told when or where these meetings were scheduled.

I completed the year and moved on. I wound up taking a job at an inner city school.

It is my feeling that each school has a different "climate." Some teachers thrive in this climate and others don't.

Just as many teachers have their niche regarding what they're most comfortable teaching, I also think that most teachers are predisposed towards working at certain types of schools.

Please understand that when I say "type of school," I am not strictly speaking of socio-economics. I am speaking more in terms of school climate and how teachers interact with one another.

Teaching is after all not so cut and dry that any teacher with the right qualifications can fit into a given job vacancy. A great deal of how we teach and how we contribute to the overall school climate is based upon our respective personalities.

Some personalities get along ... and some don't.

I have found that I don't work particularly well at schools that are extremely political - with teachers broken into cliques that vie against each other for the administrative ear.

I don't work well at schools with tyrannical administrators who feel a need to micromanage everything.

I like schools with supportive administrators who have a laissez faire (hands off) attitude towards supervising teachers. I appreciate administrators who essentially leave me along as long as I demonstrate an ability to do my job and support school policy.

This is not to say that my building administrators do nothing but sit in their office and twiddle their fingers. My administrators are constantly out and about - keeping their fingers on the pulse of the school without being micromanagers.

I also like the fact that they're both extremely accessible.

So - with regards to your situation, the best you can do is to hunker down and survive the year. If you have questions, talk to your building administrator. If you think your building administrator is accessible and amiable to talking off the record, you might want to bring your concerns to this person.

If things don't get better, you may want to consider a transfer to another school or you may even want to find another district.

Whatever you do - try and stay on the good side of your building administrators because a good letter of reference will help you move on should you decide to leave.

[teach1027]

It can be tough going to a new school, just like when you were a kid you have to make friends. Invite your team to a happy hour or just try to talk with them outside of school. If things still do not get better go to your administratio, because if you need help with school related issues, and you are not getting it from anyone else they should help you. Hopefully things will get better.