I had to resign

[Shea]

For those here who know me, I'd gotten a job this fall teaching high school English. That is of course what kept me away from the forums for so long. I loved being in the classroom and coming up with ways to present material (though some of the students, to my frustration, still didn't get it and refused to care). For the most part, I loved it and will miss it (except for maybe one particular class).

The problem was, I simply ran out of steam. I began behaving uncharacteristically due to pressure. But I don't believe the pressure was caused so much by the students, but really by the school system. Every time I turned around there was this form to fill out, and that accomodation to be recorded, I quit trying to call parents because most of them didn't care. Can you believe that I had a student who was failing my class (nice kid, never talked or disrupted) and then was gone for ten days. When I asked him what happened, he said that it was hunting season so his parents took him on an out of state trip! Talk about needing to sort out priorities!

I never had time for myself anymore or even my family. I forgot to call my parents on Christmas and New Year's because my mind was still at school. Every minute of my life was devoted to school. Half the time was because I didn't have after school hours to do my grading. There was always some kind of meeting that I had to go to. Staff meetings were the worst. My principal, a former English teacher, tended to be long winded about using teaching strategies in the classroom that I had already been implementing, but didn't work.

Anyway, sorry for the bit of rant. I've been offered two, non-sales, no-paperwork, don't-take-the-work-home-with-you type of jobs, so once I make a decision, I'll be able to come back regularly again.:D

[Petrarch's Love]

Shea, I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you. I've always wondered how public school teachers make it through having to deal with everything they do from students, parents, and (worse yet) the bureaucracy. It's a heck of a lot of work, and it sounds like it was particularly hard for you because you really cared and tried to be involved. Wish you all the best in your next job. If nothing else that whole don't-take-the-work-home-with-you thing must sound fantastic after teaching. :D

[Logos]

Sorry to hear teaching didn't work out Shea...but now at least you can say you did it :D
unlike me who would never even contemplate it, too terrifying a thought ~much admiration for those who do or have taught. Other job offers already is great ! :thumbs_up

[Shea]

Thanks. I'll probably go back to teaching much later down the road, but definately not at a public school. I probably did put too much of myself into it, but I felt like if I backed down, I'd be a bad teacher. And yes Petrarch, I look forward to having my evenings to myself! :D

[ktd222]

I'm sorry you had to resign. I remember you being so excited when you got the job. Hope you feel better soon:)

[grace86]

I am sorry to hear that teaching didn't work out. Even sorrier to hear that so many students and parents didn't care.

But I am glad you have other options open for you. You must be going through a serious release of pressure now that you've stopped teaching.

We should all do something we love, but I don't think that it should impact our health so much as pressure goes. At least you did something you dreamt of doing.

Relax. :)

[Shea]

You must be going through a serious release of pressure now that you've stopped teaching.


:lol: Even my mom said I sounded more relaxed on the phone. But that could also be because I've had a terrible cold.:p It's only been a week, but I am much more relaxed. I've even been able to work on a new song on my harp. It's been ages since I've been able to even practice outside of playing for the tearoom.

[Virgil]

Sorry to hear about it too, Shea. It's a hard job. I guess your school didn't have any guidence for you, being that this is your first year? Don't they have some sort of training program? Some sort of support system for new teachers? I guess not. But I'm sure it will be easier next time around, now that you know what's involved.

[Shea]

Sorry to hear about it too, Shea. It's a hard job. I guess your school didn't have any guidence for you, being that this is your first year? Don't they have some sort of training program? Some sort of support system for new teachers? I guess not. But I'm sure it will be easier next time around, now that you know what's involved.

Actually, there was a mentoring program there. I had a wonderful mentor. But even the others I worked with were extremely helpful. Evidently, I showed up in a very bad year. There were veteran teachers who were ready to leave and the only reason they didn't was because they couldn't afford to finacially.

That's another thing that I'll miss, is the teachers I worked with. I'll definately stay in touch with my mentor. She was a great lady.

I'm sure it will be easier the next time around, too. I'd look for positions, but I just got burned out too quick and I think I just need a break from it for a while.

[Shalot]

wow --- I don't teach and I'm not qualified to do so, but was thinking I might like to because it seems like it would be so much better than a regular 9 to 5 40 hour work week job, 52 weeks a year --- guess I was wrong.

It seems like all you would have to do is plan your lessons according to the curriculum, present the material, grade the tests, and take the summers off. I guess that's naive of me

anyway --- I hope you can get back to it sometime, especially if teaching is what you wanted to do. I attended both public and private schools and I have always heard that private schools are preferable from a teacher's point of view (even though the pay is less -- or so I've heard). Maybe you just ended up in a bad school (or a bad school system)

Best of luck.

[kathycf]

Welcome back Shea. :)

[livelaughlove]

I'm sorry to hear that, but a wise person once told me that every time a door closes, a window opens... good luck!

[Shea]

:D That window opened pretty quick! It took me forever to get a teaching job after I got my degree. Now, with my degree, it took less than a week to get two very good offers outside of teaching. I've made my decision. I'm going to be working in the same building as my husband, doing what he used to do before he was promoted (helpdesk). Fortunately, it's a large building and we won't be working close together. As much as I love him, I don't know if I could handle working with him too.

[Stanislaw]

Wow! Thats too bad about the teaching...it seems to me that you were a very good teacher!

...but working with relations...I definitly do not advise it...at all, regardless of how much you love them...it just doesn't work...

But, good luck and bestwishes for your new job! :thumbs_up

[Madhuri]

It seems a pretty good decision to me, and the good part is that you already have alternative jobs in hand.

Agree to the offer which you get absolutely on your merits, it will be more satisfying.

Good Luck! :thumbs_up

[Schokokeks]

Hi there, Shea, nice to have you back :nod:.
I'm sorry to hear about the teaching. I think it's very good that you've stopped now, and didn't feel like you had to drag it on till retirement just because you've started it once. I've met many teachers like that, and they were the worst, because they were not happy and really hated their job in the end.
No one can say you haven't tried :), and I wish you all the best with your new job !

[Shea]

Thanks all. Stan, don't worry, I won't be working with him. In fact I'll probably only see him in the commute (of course) and for lunch everyday. The helpdesk job was more intimidating than the other, that's why it took me a bit of time to decide. It also pays a dollar less an hour and doesn't have the possibility of bonuses that the other has. But, I won't have an hour drive fighting rush hour by myself into work everyday, and Leo can always help me if I get stuck figuring things out.

[Shea]

Yeah, Schok, I remember having teachers that hated teaching. I never learned anything from them. I'm glad I didn't get to that point!

[Madhuri]

Leo can always help me if I get stuck figuring things out.

This is a very big help, I must say, it will make work so much easier for you. You will learn faster this way.

Good Luck, Shea!! :thumbs_up

[Pendragon]

Best of luck with your new post. I'm glad you moved on before the pressure got to you. I wish I had done the same, but "the road behind, not the road ahead is the one forever barred to our footsteps." Have a good one! :thumbs_up :)

[subterranean]

You're one of the first friends I have here, Shea. Good luck and all the best!

:wave: