I was waiting for the “you’re all hired!” Because there are no other applicants and it’s so hard to find someone willing to do a paras work for a paras pay.
I was in a school like that, but they shuffled problem students around & around. NOTHING ever got fixed. When all else failed, they blamed the student's last teacher.
I deal with this all summer as someone who works all year. I get the calls for everyone that is off & I tell them "They are not required to work all summer. They will get with you when they return!"😂
Thank you so much, it is such a stressful time of year. If we would all say a prayer for each other thst would help a lot. God bless all school staff. I miss the kids but the stress is real.
Gerry, I hope every teacher everywhere sees this and acts accordingly. You are so right. Bless every teacher who does answer tough questions with thoughtful, kind responses that do NOT fan the flames of hatred and disrespect of any human. The best responses shut the person taunting down immediately and are served with a smile.
Absolutly! Please remind us of this around the end of September. Most of us are excited going back. Sure last year was awful. Sure the one before nearly killed you, but somehow we all belive this year is going to be so great bc we have all had great years and know it could happen again. Right now we have been on ticktock and Pinterest and we have printed and laminated whole themes from TPT. Our rooms smell like fresh wax and new crayons, and life is good. We have hope in our hearts. It's about late September when reality sets in.
I discovered there was only one, sure-fire way to take PROPER care of my mental health - I retired! It was earlier than planned, but I knew that neither the Education Department or my school admin. could - or would - really look after me. Pity it took 39 long and stressful years of teaching in “challenging” school environments!
My wife called my therapist behind my back and forced an appointment on me for tomorrow as she was worried about me. I really appreciate the sentiment, but I also wish she hadn't.
Reading this & seeing your appt. Is today. That feels intrusive but I hope you went/did the appointment. Therapy is just another tool in your toolbox. Call for yourself - soon.
I tried counseling . . . . . It was $90 an hour for a "50 minute hour". Who can afford those rates for "just talking" to someone? And I wasn't having mental health issues but definitely stress from the job, the marriage . . . . .
You made me cry, Gerry! Teaching through Covid! Teaching post Covid! The last decade in national politics! and our third devastating flood in a year. Mental health is our number one concern for our community. And since their parents and their teachers are going through these same terrible human pressures and sufferings at the same time, kids are immersed in stress. They need us to be grounded and focused and sure. Class room prep always sets the tone for my year. Thanks for reminding me to get myself together so I can best do the thing I love. Teaching year #30 starts in 6 weeks. 💛
Gary, you are a blessing! I am a pastor, and my wife and daughter are both middle school teachers. Thank you for your passion and compassion. You bring me both tears of laughter and stress relief. Just thank you.
TRUTH. The past few years, I closed the door on the last day and did not want to come back until the first day of school. The previous administration and their lack of effective discipline policy had created such a toxic and hostile environment towards teachers. Students were allowed to mistreat one another and teachers with no consequences. Toughest 4 years of my career.
Kind true words. But I noticed just before covid admin strarted self care talks as they added more unnecessary stressful duties to teachers. If they had better snacks for the faculty meeting they were about to roll out new district garbage. Yes we have stressful problems in education and in our home life but often admin adds to it. So all you policy makers think about all the micromanaging that adds to teacher stress. My "growth goal" is to stop stressing about those petty details and do what is really best for the kids. They don't care about my evaluation or hours of PD but spending a few minutes listening to a kid's issues and just talking with the kid coyld be life changing.
So very, very true. The students need to come first, what is best for them, what they need has to be the priority. For sure those at the tops of the totem poles too often don't put the real needs of the students first and foremost.
