Fed up with my first job, or fed up with the profession?

[senseijoao]

Like all the statistics I read before completing my program, I am now thinking about leaving the profession. On a bad day. On the good day, I think it's just my first job. Some background is probably in order.

I took this job out of state while finishing a grad program as a math teacher. It was an MS program with a certification attached to it, and as someone who was paying their own way by programming full-time for the University, the burnout was heavy. I took one of the first things that came along so I could plan a trip off in the summer.

I came back to an assignment that, one year later, I can say is a miserable failure. My colleagues are impossible, the administration is incompetent, and the students are mostly just a bunch of little thugs. I can't justify giving half of my classes more than an F, and that's mostly because half of my classes are remedial algebra. They try to put it on me, of course, but I'm not buying it. I've yet to see a student try to raise their grade and fail my class - most of them, as usual, are just lazy.

No one stays at the school if they have to, and the district knows it, putting the more experienced teachers on the transfer lists long before the newer ones. At the end of the year, I can say for sure though that it has affected my teaching severely.

They gave me one day's notice to move my class last semester, and while I was back at home at a funeral out of state, they did the moving for me. During this they threw out an entire semester's worth of my 4 prep semester. At least 40 pounds of paper and over 150 hours of work, filling an entire file cabinet. Last week, a student threw an orange at my face and he's still on campus, with a mere 5-day suspension because "they can't prove he did it intentionally". In the middle of all of this, I get reprimanded because students were bullying me one day to turn down the heat in the room and I refused because I told them I was going to finish the 5 minute lesson first.

So that's it for me, at least at this assignment. Here's my thing:

1. I keep hearing experienced teachers tell me that if I leave after the first year, it shows a serious lack of commitment. I love some of the kids, but I feel like I've married a troll here, and I have just plain got to go. They gave me a satisfactory recommendation and are asking me what classes I should be teaching next year. To hedge my bets, I answered it, but I'm not making it through another year at this place without a some really really strong meds. If I leave this assignment, will it hurt my career? If I stay, does anyone know a good psychologist in Bakersfield, CA?

2. Enter the interview season. I have five in the Bay Area, where I really would like to be. They're this weekend. Should I mention this drama at interviews? How should I present it? Finally, if these employers know that I have only completed one year, why are they soliciting me? Is it just because I teach math?

3. I know the characteristics of a good school, but the principal or administrator is not going to tell you if they don't have them. What are some good interview sleuthing techniques you can use that the online stats won't show?

Thanks for reading my book,

J

[FrazzleDazzle]

I don't have answers to all of your questions, but on #2-- don't mention the current drama. That would be what they call "burning your bridges." Not to mention that you don't know if any of the interviews are friends with anyone in the school administration where you are now.

[Boxcar]

Okay, here is my two cents.

In my opinion, I wouldn't look at someone badly if they left after a year. I have very strong feelings about a teacher not leaving in the middle of a school session. This has to do with follow through and whatnot. However, it is easy to explain leaving after a year. You can say something like "I experience a certain type of school, and now I am interested in exploring something new."

Hey, look at it this way. If you can't bear another year but stay, you are not going to do well or be succesful. You may make a stupid mistake, snap, ect. I'd look long and hard at myself to see exactly what I can handle and what challenges I can overcome. If you think you can do it, fine. If not, leave now before you make yourself sick by staying. It won't help anybody if you don't want to be there and can't be there.

Don't ever diss a school or its workers at an interview!!!! It is a bad idea. You can find eloquent ways of stating that problems were had. This is only if you feel it is absolutely neccessary to disclose the struggles you faced. You might say that the student population presented you with many learning oppertunites and challenges. You may say that you witnessed communication patterns different from your own. You know, stuff like that. Put a non-judgemental spin on it. You can even say that the administration encouraged independence rather than interdependence. That basiclly says you had no support, but in a nice way.

Ask about veteran teachers. You can phrase this as though you are wondering if the school provides mentors. Teacher turnover is a big indicator of good vs. bad schools. Say something like "Do you have many veteran teachers?" or "Are there any veteran teachers who mentor new teachers?" Well, that needs work. I can't remember the exact phrasing to use, but you can fit it to your needs. Also, I'd ask about things such as what percentage of the population has special needs. Ask to observe a classroom or for a tour. Keep your eyes and ears open. Additionally, ask to see the student and teachers handbooks. The rules set down will give you a good idea of what policies and procedures are. The areas the books that have the greatest amoount of focus will tell you something. Also, pay attention to how you feel. It will tell you something. if you think the interviewer is too eager, trying to hard, or sounds like a used-car salesman, run for the hills.

[Chef Dave]

The interviewers will be looking at your qualifications but they'll also be looking at your attitude. You want to be positive. You want to demonstrate some passion for teaching. You want to look like a team player.

FrazzleDazzle and Boxcar have the right of it. Naysayers will be a turn off to the interviewers ... so don't talk about how your students are thugs. Talk about you interest in seeking challenges beyond that of teaching remedial algebra.

Emphasize the positive.

You have an MS in math! You completed the school year. If you have a portfolio, include some of your more creative lesson plans.

Avoid the drama. Be as professional as possible ... and remember that you most definitely have an edge. Qualified math teachers are in short supply.

Don't undermine yourself by being negative.

Best wishes!

[ChocolateNewOrleans]

I had the same types of classes that you do now during my first years of teaching. It's part of the trial by fire that new teachers must go through. You mentioned that more experienced teachers are transferred out long before newer ones and that is the way it should be. Pay your dues, get through the tough classes, and when you finally get that dream class, you will appreciate it that much more.

I served 3 years in teacher prison (the worst of the worst classes) before I got my dream position, and I'm still in that position today. But I was to the point that, if I had to teach one more year in a class like Dangerous Minds, I was leaving the profession. So I know how you feel. The only difference was that after 3 years, I felt I had sufficiently paid my dues and if I couldn't get out of that class, I wasn't going to teach. You have only taught 1 year, so don't think that you are entitled to just as much as some other teacher who is allowed to transfer when they have 5 more years experience.

[Boxcar]

I forgot to wish you "good luck"...

Good luck. I know it can be challenging!

[senseijoao]

Thanks a lot. Definately some food for thought for that long ride to San Fran this weekend!

[senseijoao]

Okay, here is my two cents.

In my opinion, I wouldn't look at someone badly if they left after a year. I have very strong feelings about a teacher not leaving in the middle of a school session. This has to do with follow through and whatnot. However, it is easy to explain leaving after a year. You can say something like "I experience a certain type of school, and now I am interested in exploring something new."



For sure, I would never think about leaving in the middle of year. I've heard in CA, you lose your credential! I fully understand and support that decision after doing my student teaching in a school who fired a teacher mid-semester. It's impossible to re-staff, and the kids cause total anarchy.

[MissTeach]

You have been given some great advice. Be positive and don't say anything negative about the school you are at now. I would also like to encourage you by telling you that I have been in five schools and none of those schools were like the one you are at now. There are better teaching environments out there!!!!!

[Ms.Champion]

I def. know where you are coming from, sense. I am a first year teacher too, teaching in what I LOVE to call "6th grade prison." I am at my wits end. I think there was great advice given. I really needed that advice as well. Good luck with whatever you decided to do.

[wtrafton]

There are better teaching environments out there!!!!!

I started out in a school with a great environment. A couple of negative teachers turned it into a not so great environment. I got caught up in it for a while, realized what was going on, tried to be part of positive changes and ended up taking a chance and leaving. I found a school that does have it's negativity, I think we all have some, but we have enough positive staff members that tend to stick together and try to keep things as positive as we can.

[RazzleDazzle]

I too know what you are going through! I am a 1st year teacher and moved to a new state to get a job. A lot of what you have said goes on in the school I am at and it's an elementary school with only 3-5 grades! I at times didn't think I would make it but there was no way I was going to leave in the middle of the year either. I am now looking elsewhere but here in NC it seems to be more acceptable for teachers to move around and the district I am at has a reputation for losing teachers and a very high turnover almost every year not just because of our "rough" students, but the staff, administration, parents, etc I could go on but I'm exhausted and have to power through 15 more instructional days! :-)

Good luck with your job search and try and be as positive as possible. If you have it in your heart that you really do love teaching and interacting with students then you should stay in the profession just keep searching for the school that fits you.