Haha, my fellow teachers and I frequently go into eachother's rooms and ask if anyone has some vodka in their desk. Ahh, the life of a teacher. I'm dealing with a new principal who seems determined to alienate the entire staff. Kids are actually very good this year (the ones I was warned about don't scare me at all- I find the quite endearing). Sad that it's the adults that can make it so difficult. >Sigh<
Well, I understand. I have quite an interesting class as well..and it's really become the norm, atleast in our school. So many challenges and needs to accomodate it can be so frustrating. What grade do you teach?? I'm guessing a lower grade? I teach 4th/5th and have 26 students in my homeroom, 29 in math...with a huge range of abilities and issues.
I do know my coworkers and I have found great comfort in Friday night happy hours! We generally don't talk too much about kids, but it's a place for venting and support (rather than bashing). We truly love the kids and what we do, but gosh darnit, sometimes you just want to scream.
I say you have to have high expectations and push them to do their best, but every year is a different group and you have to be careful to assess them that way and make adjustments so you don't drive yourself crazy trying to elicit the impossible out of them.
"I have yet to get through an entire math lesson (new series- Everyday Math- and I hate it), and I sent home several failing papers tonight, the first actual grades any of them have gotten."
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Haha, my fellow teachers and I frequently go into eachother's rooms and ask if anyone has some vodka in their desk. Ahh, the life of a teacher. I'm dealing with a new principal who seems determined to alienate the entire staff. Kids are actually very good this year (the ones I was warned about don't scare me at all- I find the quite endearing). Sad that it's the adults that can make it so difficult. >Sigh<
Hope your year improves quickly!
Michelle
I don't think it's gonna.
Well, I understand. I have quite an interesting class as well..and it's really become the norm, atleast in our school. So many challenges and needs to accomodate it can be so frustrating. What grade do you teach?? I'm guessing a lower grade? I teach 4th/5th and have 26 students in my homeroom, 29 in math...with a huge range of abilities and issues.
I do know my coworkers and I have found great comfort in Friday night happy hours! We generally don't talk too much about kids, but it's a place for venting and support (rather than bashing). We truly love the kids and what we do, but gosh darnit, sometimes you just want to scream.
I say you have to have high expectations and push them to do their best, but every year is a different group and you have to be careful to assess them that way and make adjustments so you don't drive yourself crazy trying to elicit the impossible out of them.
Anyway, good luck!
Michelle
I teach third grade.
"I have yet to get through an entire math lesson (new series- Everyday Math- and I hate it), and I sent home several failing papers tonight, the first actual grades any of them have gotten."
I HATED Everyday Math when I had to teach it.
I haven't heard anyone say they like it, which is why I wonder how it's still around.
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