Job Vent

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I'm sorry, I know I've mentioned my classroom on here too many times before, but I just really need to vent.

I thought I had finally hit my groove with the room, things seemed to be going well. Then the last three days have been atrocious. Nobody will listen. Thursday my car keys went missing and have never turned up. I strongly suspect they made it home in a backpack. I ended up having to have my car towed to the dealer to get a new key made because my only spare is in another city (long story). They were very off the wall and just no cooperating.

Friday was even worse. Five of them were supposed to be going to a grade level room for an activity. They came back with the para and four out of five were screaming and crying at the top of their lungs. One flipped a chair and threw his glasses proceeding to break them. I had to call for an escort, and when they got there they couldn't tell which kid needed it- it was that bad. Today we went on a field trip and they did okay. But on the bus home one of my kids started screaming things at me that are not for polite company. This was on a bus filled with kindergartners. By the end of it, I was bitten, scratched, and hit.

I know a lot of it is the sudden nice weather and the turmoil in their home lives. It also doesn't help that I just finished my alternate assessment (my kids don't take the normal state assessment. I have to design, score, and write up theirs). I'm just at my wits end and it's only Monday. Hopefully we can get it together for the rest of the week.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[kamikazecat]

I am so sorry. I hope things start looking up for you.

 

[minkydog]

Definitely sounds like spring fever. Sorry it's so tough. I know you have a hard job. Are you going to sign a contract for next year?
Maybe this isn't the day to ask...

 

[mlittig]

From a fellow teacher, I am so sorry What grade do you teach and have you been in this school for long? Try to hang in there

 

[stm61]

I'm sorry, I know I've mentioned my classroom on here too many times before, but I just really need to vent.

I thought I had finally hit my groove with the room, things seemed to be going well. Then the last three days have been atrocious. Nobody will listen. Thursday my car keys went missing and have never turned up. I strongly suspect they made it home in a backpack. I ended up having to have my car towed to the dealer to get a new key made because my only spare is in another city (long story). They were very off the wall and just no cooperating.

Friday was even worse. Five of them were supposed to be going to a grade level room for an activity. They came back with the para and four out of five were screaming and crying at the top of their lungs. One flipped a chair and threw his glasses proceeding to break them. I had to call for an escort, and when they got there they couldn't tell which kid needed it- it was that bad. Today we went on a field trip and they did okay. But on the bus home one of my kids started screaming things at me that are not for polite company. This was on a bus filled with kindergartners. By the end of it, I was bitten, scratched, and hit.

I know a lot of it is the sudden nice weather and the turmoil in their home lives. It also doesn't help that I just finished my alternate assessment (my kids don't take the normal state assessment. I have to design, score, and write up theirs). I'm just at my wits end and it's only Monday. Hopefully we can get it together for the rest of the week.

Thanks for letting me vent.

I can definately relate! I just spent a week writing 9 week tests, our district is into torturing kids every quarter with what would amount to final exams in high school. I just started our state's alternate assessment, thank God I didn't have to write that one! And I spent the last 2 days wrestling with a 150 lb 8 year old. Yes, 150 lbs. I didn't believe him until the nurse put him on a scale. I spent most of the day repeating "I love my job, I love my job" over and over again lol. At least my assistants haven't quit yet.

 

[hanutedmansionmomma]

I'm a teacher too

I think there was a full moon last week...

Is spring break soon?

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I teach K-5 self contained special ed for kids with cognitive disabilities. My kids have adaptive behavior needs (self care skills, attention, etc.) but I have several that also have some more significant behavior needs including aggression.

I was not prepared for that aspect when I took the job. I am a first year teacher and I remember when I was doing my student teaching being horrified when I thought one of my kindergartners was going to punch me. Now I look back at that and laugh at how naive I was. If a kindergartner punching me is the worst that happens- it's a good day!

I really felt out of my element at the beginning of the year. I had hit my groove (or so I thought) and was feeling so much better about it this semester. Things were a lot quieter today (of course, three of my students were absent, so that helped.) Spring break is W-F of next week, and I'm really looking forward to the chance to recharge.

Minky: I am going to sign a contract for next year. They're not bad kids, and I feel like I have learned a lot and vice versa. Aside from the horrendous job market, I would feel guilty leaving my kids. If I'm not willing to teach them, who is? I can't just abandon them like that.

 

[minkydog]

Well, my hat's off to you then. Every rabbit has it's hole and I'm sure you do a fabulous job with the kids. They're lucky to have you.

 

[PattnFmly]

Yes, good luck to you! I admire you! We have issues with DS#1 and just trying to keep him focused and in a learning mode is difficult enough! I can't imagine a whole roomful!

 

[tennvalgirl]

Hey! tennvalgirl from the Twilight thread here.
I have always wanted to ask you, what is a para?

 

[RangerPooh]

I have always wanted to ask you, what is a para?

A Para (Paraprofessional) is an Teachers Aid/Assistant or Instructional Aid/Assistant. From what I have noticed they go by different terms depending on the district or state. Back in Wa we called them Para's, here in Md IA's (Instructional Assistants).

 

[RangerPooh]

I spent the last 2 days wrestling with a 150 lb 8 year old. Yes, 150 lbs. I didn't believe him until the nurse put him on a scale. I spent most of the day repeating "I love my job, I love my job" over and over again lol. At least my assistants haven't quit yet.

That sounds like me at times. I teach in an Inclusive Pre-K program and one of my little people is a recently turned 4yo who weighs 70+ pounds. He's a strong one with some behavior issues including agression. My aid and I switch days working with him, and I find it to be a good day if I don't get backhanded (above the shoulders) more than a couple of times. Same with him throwing tantrums on the floor that take 2 people to get him back on his feet, or running away. I do like my job and kids but there are days that I wonder what I got myself into? I ahve learned that there is a running joke where the person who use to head the program was known for bending the truth about the kids/job to new hires.

 

[Liberty Belle]

It seems like every time you mention your class is being difficult, ours is, too.


It helps me to be calm and firm if I keep remembering they're just little kids and they really do want to be good. I firmly believe that about every child I've ever met.

 

[stm61]

That sounds like me at times. I teach in an Inclusive Pre-K program and one of my little people is a recently turned 4yo who weighs 70+ pounds. He's a strong one with some behavior issues including agression. My aid and I switch days working with him, and I find it to be a good day if I don't get backhanded (above the shoulders) more than a couple of times. Same with him throwing tantrums on the floor that take 2 people to get him back on his feet, or running away. I do like my job and kids but there are days that I wonder what I got myself into? I ahve learned that there is a running joke where the person who use to head the program was known for bending the truth about the kids/job to new hires.

mine are self-contained grades 1-6, supposed to be EMD but honestly 3/4 are really TMD but too social to classify that way. Most of them are really sweet kids, it's the other few that cause issues. I finally had the nurse wrap my wrist in an ace bandage after lunch, the arm and hand were so swollen she kept asking if my wedding band was cutting off circulation. Not sure exactly what I did to it but I think it happened while I was attempting to pull him away from the assistant he was trying to punch out. Same kid sent the other assistant for x-rays 2 weeks ago after he bent her wrist backward when she tried to break up a fight in the gym bleachers. He almost knocked the social worker over when he didn't get his way, guess she won't wear heels next time she comes to check on him lol. I consider it a good day when nobody's bleeding or about to leave for the ER. The people that hired me definately left out a few things during the interview, but I don't feel bad because they told the new principal less then they told me lol.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

sthat'm61: My interview was the same way. The principal told me "adaptive behaviors". I was expecting kids who needed help with hygiene and self care skills, and maybe some attention problems. And in all fairness to the principal, the three who have to be restrained were not in the classroom when I took the job.

I was amused today. We had a presentation from the counselor called "I am the Boss of my Body." Of course all one of my kids got out of it was "I am the boss." He ended up with the principal after trying to run away. Then the gym teacher decided to teach my class to fence. I helped out in the o beginning because I was a Junior Olympics fencer in college. Thankfully he was using foam noodles and not real swords. Still, I ducked out quickly. It was chaos. I'm not sure teaching my class to stab accurately is a good thing.