I have to be honest and blunt here and tell you all that I am SUPER excited that I will be heading to a school who shares my educational philosophy. I am looking forward to next school year with excitement. Though I've tried to keep a positive attitude over the last year, there were times I questioned if I was cut out for teaching. As a started looking for a new job, Daniel encouraged me to be very picky- to find a school I would love. He feared that if I had another experience like this year I would not return to teaching.
Let's be honest. It's just not me to change grades based on parent demand. That was asked of me this school year, though I wanted to paint a rosy picture of it and not admit that was exactly what was happening. The school didn't want to fail a particular student because of his parents' involvement, so I excused many missing assignments to get to a passing grade. This was a student who had 26 missing assignment in one semester! He needed to learn from his lack of effort. What he learned was not responsibility or accountability. Instead he learned that he will be excused because of his name. It frustrates the day-lights out of me! This is only one example of how my personal philosophy clashed with that of the school.
I'm teaching summer school in the same district but at a different campus. I am SO glad they dragged their feet on hiring me officially and getting a contract in my hand! I would almost definitely be out of teaching by this time next year if I had stayed there. My students are rude, they do not follow directions, and no amount of classroom management skill has been effective in changing their behavior. Again, administration makes excuses instead of changes. Supposedly these students are misbehaved because they are from other countries and don't understand our system. The worst child, though, has been at the school since Kindergarten and has a reputation for being difficult to handle. Hmmmmmmm..... I also found out that the teacher I would be replacing is leaving due to the behavior issues that could never get under control.
The new school is based on the principles of leadership outlined in "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." Based on information I got they truly stick to these principles. The teachers and staff live the seven habits as well as teaching them and expecting students to do so as well. I can't WAIT to get started in the new school year. I start training on July 1, and school starts July 30.
6 comments:
So happy for you, yay to better things for you guys.
It must be very hard as a teacher to go against your principles. Shame on that parent and the school - what are they actually teaching this child by allowing this sort of behaviour?
That is such a sad situation where you came out of from teaching; I can't imagine the principal basically asking you to turn the other cheek and give this student preferential treatment and excuse his missed assignments. The sad thing is the child is the one who is losing here, yet no one is willing to stop the madness (I realize you would have wanted to stop the madness but your hands were tied by what what told for you to do by your superior). I am glad you are out of that situation.
betty
I am so happy for you! I know how hard it is to remain at a school where you have to do things that go against your principles and philosophy. I probably spent my entire teaching career at such places. I am in a place now where I will be very picky.
Best wishes on next year!
I'm glad you found a new school that fits in better with your philosophy. I wanted to be a secondary teacher but changed my mind because I just couldn't see myself compromising my values. I switched to teaching pre-k and was much happier with that! :)Good luck.
Susi, that's really sad that to teach what you want you know you would have to compromise your values. I'm glad you are happier with Pre-K. I know even in that there can be some political game playing. Argh! Education is so rewarding at times and frustrating at others.
It seems like a lot of the time as long as the student and/ or parents are getting what they want (the grades handed to them), they are happy. It's not about the process or learning life lessons anymore. I am SO excited to be heading to a school that really understands that education is about more than just the grades.
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