Feeling Discouraged

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Do you ever just have one of those weeks? I teach in an elementary self contained sped room. This week the kids have been completely unmanageable. One kid can set off the entire class. Monday was awful. Yesterday was slightly better, I worked with our counselor and social worker on some strategies for my two toughest cases (the ones that basically set off everyone else.)

Things were going great this morning, then I was working on sitting quietly at a desk with one of my tougher students when he bit me on the arm! He held on for about a minute before I was able to extricate myself and broke the skin. I now have to go through all the testing for blood borne pathogens, I can still see the teeth marks (and a lovely bruise beginning to form), and there is shooting pain in my arm from the bite.

It just feels very discouraging. I met with the other two teachers in the district who have this room (there are three rooms like mine in the district) and they are having just as much trouble as I am. It definitely makes me feel a bit better that I'm not a complete and total failure. And my principal and the rest of the school has been awesome about really standing behind me. But it's definitely not how I imagined my first year. The worst part is that everything was going great this morning, I thought I was finally hitting my stride. Apparently after the incident (I had to leave to go get it checked out so missed the second half of the day) everything went to heck in a handbasket.

[mamacatnv]

[Liberty Belle]

I'm a para in an HSC/TLC and this week has been crazy for us, too. It didn't help that we got a new student and it looks like we'll be getting another any day now. That will be our limit, thank goodness. I don't think the kids can handle another student (and I'm not sure about us, either).

Sorry about the bite. I've had my share (though more gouges/scratches from fingernails). I know it's not fun.

[nkjzmom]

I'm so sorry...you are an extraordinary woman to take on that challenge. One of my sons has Asperger's and we feel the same way sometimes. Just when we think we've found something that works everything falls apart again.

[Inigo]

I had an 11 year old emotionally disabled child throw a chair and then grab my arm in my office yesterday, so I can sympathize.

[honugirl]

Hang in there! It's tough, but I really admire you for being there for those kids.

[bumbershoot]

A friend of mine mentioned that she's burned out on day TWO of her class...she teaches a basic classroom of 1st or 2nd graders, and something about her group this year has already gotten to her!

So something's going around...

[mickey&arielsmom]

My kindergarten class has been hard this week too. We have some tough kiddos, but they are flipping out more than usual.
I haven't been bitten yet, but I've had some things thrown at me.
Hang in there.

[Huggles]

Is there a full moon around now? We used to laugh about there being a full moon at times when the kids would become a real handful but then we checked and there did seem to be some correlation between the situation going to he** in a handbasket and there being a full moon. There was one grirl who was epileptic and yet, despite medication, she would be more susceptable to fitting at that time.

Even if it isn't correct, it always give you something to blame and laugh about. Chin up, there'll be fantastic days too!

[jackemail]

Hey, I taught for 31 years in a self-contained elementary special ed class. Hang in there, the first year is definitely tough and a learning experience. Doesn't take much for one child to disrupt the entire day. I am sure you have a behavior plan in place, and plenty of structure....our days were rigidly structured.

So sorry you were bitten---your bite definitely beats my first year injury. I was stabbed in the shoulder with a fork while stupidly trying to break up a fight in the cafeteria. A bite IS worse.

Keep trying. It does take quite a while to "get the hang" of teaching. Some days are just harder than others.

[minniebeth]

I have my special ed certification too and although I'm not teaching right now, I've been in your position, so I can empathize with you...
like other posters have said, don't let it get you down or discouraged, even though you had a bad few days and sorry about the bite... but it DOES get better, the first year is always the toughest even under the best of circumstances. Each new day is a fresh start, take it one day at a time. It is great that you have admin. support behind you and like you said you can work with them for strategies, etc. It's good to work as a team, rather than taking it all on yourself.
Hang in there! I admire you for doing what you're doing!

[kafitty]

[rie'smom]

School has just started. The kids should start to settle down pretty soon. Good for you for working with the kids! You seem like a caring teacher and the children need that.

[Tinijocaro]

Several things for you to remember. The first year is ALWAYS the hardest year. I've done 3 first years in different districts and I'm always relieved to be coming back for my second year-so much more confident. This will be a tough year for you-not only are you putting into practice all that you learned, you are learning the specifics of the school you are in-rules, regs, where's the bathroom, how to use the photocopy machine, dealing with the secretaries and principal....so much to learn your first year!

Next thing is remember that the kids don't have a routine with you yet-that will take time. You are dealing with a special population-God Bless you for doing that-I know I never could-I teach elementary orchestra-how simple can it get! Be consistent and keep working on the routine and rules-it will pay off big time for you.

Reach out to the teachers who have been at this a while. Learn from them-I've seen so many new teachers who have this "I know" attitude as if they must prove themselves. Let people help you-you aren't expected to know everything your first year and learning from people who have been in the trenches is the best way. No one will think less of you-in fact, it's the new teachers who can't be told anything that are frowned upon and often dont' get asked back. Try to keep your cool and things will get better.

I'm only entering my 6th year of teaching but I know sooo much more now than I did in the beginning. I cried a lot my first year (what could I possibly have to cry about teaching strings?). You can do this-it's what you are trained to do. Sorry about the bite-that must have been very scary. I think you are wonderful for choosing to work with these kids. Keep us posted on how your year is going!

[TLHB70]

I understand. I am a teacher, and there are those days that you feel like you are not accomplishing a thing. My principal gave all of the teachers this story one year. It hung on my filing cabinet drawer until it practically fell apart. I hope the story will encourage you as it has encouraged me so many times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJknJBaaFNM
Each day that you step into that classroom and reach out to a student, you are making a difference!