Any Teachers Out There? - Page 3

Missam05 · #1 07-29-2008, 10:55 AM

Any 4th or 5th grade teachers out there? Looking for advice, tips, etc.

My principal wants me to move me up but I REALLY don't want to.

lovehaiku84 · #2 07-29-2008, 05:10 PM

Not a teacher in your grade level, but I am a new teacher here, so I thought I'd just say "hey". I'll be teaching Kindergarten Special Ed. If anyone here is in sped, I accept any and all advice that you have to give!

DarkEnglish · #3 07-30-2008, 01:15 PM

I was a K-12 teacher for seven years. Taught grades 5-8 for two years, and grades 9-12 for five years. I wanted to remain in the classroom for at least two decades, but life had other plans for me.

I'm now a graduate student instructor (also known as a teaching assistant) in my university's school of education. I have supervised student teachers and pre-student teachers, and taught multicultural education, as well as children's literature.

Missam05 & others, my dissertation is actually about classroom management. PM me if you want to talk more...

I loved K-12 teaching! The reason I went back to graduate school full time was because I live in a state that is going through a severe budget crisis (Michigan). I got tired of being laid off & called back.

Is anyone else planning to be at National Association of Multicultural Education (NAME) in New Orleans, or National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) in San Antonio this fall?

Missam05 · #4 08-18-2008, 10:28 PM

Sorry I'm late. Thanks for the response.

So I won't be moving up which I'm happy about but it's a brand new team so that'll be an issue to deal with.

I won't be at any of those conferences. I'm a Math/Science kinda girl..lol

Senusret I · #5 08-18-2008, 10:42 PM

I miss teaching sometimes.

joviaDST · #6 08-22-2008, 07:02 PM

Hello,

Its been a long time since I last posted (3 years to be exact) and this thread caught my eyes. Although I'm new to the field (my second year), I'm still learning. As of today, I wish that someone would have told me what to expect in the profession. Professors tell you what turns out to be make believe and then you get into the class and its like walking into a parallel universe. Take everyone's advice and do your research. Also, there's a book called "The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher" that you may want to read. It's not going to give you all the information, but it's a help. Good luck.

KAPital PHINUst · #7 08-22-2008, 07:19 PM

I don't know if this thread is only for teaching at grades K-12/13, but FWIW, I got hired on to teach basic business office classes at Columbus State Community College starting this fall. I'm actually looking forward to it.

I'll keep you posted on my progress and my opinions on the teaching profession.

Missam05 · #8 12-24-2008, 04:38 PM

Just like I thought this year is the worst of my early career. (Year 3) I could go on and on about the problems but I'm working to work through it and survive. I love what I do and I will NOT let some negative people stop me from doing what I love.

How did everyone else's first semester go?

DramaQueen42401 · #9 12-28-2008, 07:58 PM

Sigh...it's been challenging. It's not even my class that is the stress giver. It's the leadership. My school isn't the best managed school it could be. My principal wants to be an A school so bad that she is copying everything from A schools except their leadership habits, which is what she should be looking at. Every school and its staff and family demographics are different. You can't just snatch up something that one school did, dont take the time to tailor it to your population and just push people to use it.

Also, we haven't met AYP (annual yearly progress) for the past 5 years. Our school letter grade dropped from last year. We've become a focus school for the district and state, who have been doing visits. We got good feedback but we have to wait and see if we meet the goals at the end of the year. If we do, great; no changes to our school. If we don't, we get restructured and the district or state guts out our school and rehires positions.

I almost want it to be restructured so we can get better leadership with proper organization skills. But, I also like most of my co-workers and would hate to see some let go and not offered a position back.

It's a do your best and see what happens situation.

MeezDiscreet · #10 01-02-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DramaQueen42401

Sigh...it's been challenging. It's not even my class that is the stress giver. It's the leadership. My school isn't the best managed school it could be. My principal wants to be an A school so bad that she is copying everything from A schools except their leadership habits, which is what she should be looking at. Every school and its staff and family demographics are different. You can't just snatch up something that one school did, dont take the time to tailor it to your population and just push people to use it.

Also, we haven't met AYP (annual yearly progress) for the past 5 years. Our school letter grade dropped from last year. We've become a focus school for the district and state, who have been doing visits. We got good feedback but we have to wait and see if we meet the goals at the end of the year. If we do, great; no changes to our school. If we don't, we get restructured and the district or state guts out our school and rehires positions.

I almost want it to be restructured so we can get better leadership with proper organization skills. But, I also like most of my co-workers and would hate to see some let go and not offered a position back.

It's a do your best and see what happens situation.

After reading this, I wonder if we work at the same school. I promise this describes my school perfectly!

DramaQueen42401 · #11 01-02-2009, 10:16 PM

Really!? Well, I will pray for you and your school too.

lovehaiku84 · #12 01-03-2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeezDiscreet

After reading this, I wonder if we work at the same school. I promise this describes my school perfectly!

I feel the same. Winter break is ending far too soon

Chosen*Vessel · #13 01-06-2009, 08:06 PM

Wow, after reading the threads here I'm extremely thankful for my position, my building, and my district. I teach in Fairfax County, VA, and I absolutely LOVE teaching. I've been teaching since 99. I've taught high school business for 7 years (in the middle of my 7th now), and I did 3 years in a 4th grade classroom.....had a brief moment of insanity (lol). I love education. I'm preparing to start work on a Ph.D in Education.

It's a job that you HAVE to have a love for. There is no middle ground. Looking at the growth in my kids from year to year excites me. Knowing that I'm making a difference, even on the hard days, encourages me.

Senusret I · #14 01-06-2009, 08:08 PM

All things considered, who wouldn't love teaching in Fairfax County?

PrettyBoy · #15 01-06-2009, 08:16 PM

I'll be teaching again this semester. I taught intro to trans last semester, but I'll be teaching a mini trans class this semester. It's only part time though. I work full time at my regular job.