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MsCoffeeLover
06-02-2008, 03:35 PM
You know what? The longer I stay in teaching, the more I realize I can't be the teacher I really want to be. That sometimes the "other stuff" takes away from educating our kids. It has been making me angry for quite some time.

There are just some things I don't get. We had standardized testing two weeks ago with grades having to be in the system several days ago. However, we have to spend at least a week with the kids after that. There is no more grading. I can understand a day or two for incentives and award days, but this is just crazy.

We are now collecting textbooks and assessing damages and whatever, and I am about ready to not use a textbook next year at all just to not have to deal with this kind of stuff. This is just too much. Apparently, I am supposed to assess damages and collect money for them too.

It is really just easier to pass everyone than to keep up with everything. There are too many averages to figure out. There are too many awards to categorize. Then we have to order the award certificates. It is also easier to everything on a scan tron than to ever have short answer or essay questions.

Library books too. I am missing one book that I checked out, but let a child use. That lady is calling me in the middle of class to get that book.

My phone is ringing off the hook to take care of all of this other stuff, and I hardly have a minute to take care of the regular stuff. I just don't get it.

This classroom inventory can bite me. I can't even identify half the stuff on the list. Never have I been more thankful to be a minimalist. Apparently, I am supposed to pack everything up, but no one will tell me where to put it, so it is going into to small closets in my trailer.

At this point in time, I would be willing to keep teaching the kids, get them out of school, and then have a few days to take care of the other stuff. Now I really am babysitting and taking care of stuff I have never taken care of before and do not know how.

I still can't figure out this balance thing, and no one really will help you at all. I don't want to be the teacher that gives multiple choice only tests because they are easier to grade or not use text books because of the end of the year stuff.

All of this other stuff is so overwhelming to me that I feel as though I really can't be the teacher I set out to be. Just to get the job done, it seems as though something has to suffer, and it seems as though I am the one picking up the slack.

I apologize in advance for this post and the rants I seem to be making lately. I just can't figure out how to do this without feeling as though a little piece of me is dying on the inside.

jsfowler
06-02-2008, 04:04 PM
Sorry you are having such a hard time. I can only say that each year I teach, the end of the year "chores" get easier. You are a great teacher...don't give in to the dark side!

Boxcar
06-02-2008, 06:34 PM
I'm sending you lots of positive thoughts here. We're all there with you. Please don't give up! You are a great teacher and the field needs you! Try and focus on the end and not the journey through these last days. I know it is hard.

MissTeach
06-02-2008, 07:07 PM
End of the year 'stuff' is a pain in the backside! Each year you will figure out new ways to make it easier. I understand about the week with students after grades are in; we have the same situation at our school. Over the past few years, I have developed projects and games to use during that time. I also have worked with an elementary teacher at a school next to my school, and my students go to her classroom and work with the younger students. I also work with a teacher across the hall and she takes my students a couple of hours so I can work in my room and then I return the favor. Hang in there! It won't be long until you are relaxing and enjoying your summer vacation!

MsCoffeeLover
06-02-2008, 07:48 PM
Thank you for y'all's support. End of the year stuff is a pain, and this is my fifth school in five years. Now I am in a new county, and this county is the "documentation" county. Since I will be at this school again next year, I now have a better idea for next year, but I am forever amazed at what comes up.

I don't necessarily mind doing the end of the year stuff, but fitting it all in seems to be more difficult. My big fear is that the "other stuff" will take one more moment away from teaching my kids. I want to be a teacher and spend more of time teaching than doing paper work from teaching.

Overall, this has been a great teaching year, and I will try to remember that. Maybe in a few days...when school is out:)

Boxcar
06-03-2008, 07:28 AM
Ugh. I hate the paperwork stuff. I'm not that organized, and it confuses me...

silvana
06-03-2008, 08:10 AM
urghhhh!!!!!!!!!!