Stressed out teachers unite!

[LuluLovesDisney]

Any other stressed out teachers out there?

It's "Valium Season"!

I always think it will get easier next year, but it seems each May, the stress is overwhelming- the biggest problem being- how in the world am I going to fit all of this in by the end of June?????

At my school, we are being inundated with so many other things on top of that! I teach seniors, and it is just CRAZY! Between prom, early excuses, final exams, failure notes, parent meetings, etc. I am ready to drop! I have spent my entire weekend (except for shopping for Mother's Day and birthday presents) attached to my computer doing schoolwork- grading, planning, letters, tests, etc.

Well, graduation is on my birthday this year (June 26) so I can promise you, I will be celebrating!

Is it just me? Any other teachers need to vent?

 

[LVSWL]

I am not a teacher, but as a very grateful parent and a room mom and volunteer I would like to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for everything that you do for your students My children really would not be the people they are if not for incredible people like you.

 

[Pinnie]

I am SO stressed right now. I am trying to schedule IEPs for outgoing and incoming students and on top of everything my DH is having a heart cath tomorrow which means I have to take off tomorrow and Tuesday. I have to finish assessing and get report cards done.

pinnie

 

[JoyG]

Well we don't have as many end of the year requirements as you all in the upper grades, but this is always the hardest part of the year....

Spring fever has hit and the kids are bickering with each other and not focused these days.

We're all ready for summer vacation!

 

[Bbgrizzle]

The most stressful thing I'm worrying about is Kindergarten Graduation. My students are very squirrely though, they just don't want to buckle down and take school seriously. They want to talk play ALL the time. It gets frustrating sometimes, but I love my kindergartners!

 

[Talking Hands]

The most stressful thing I'm worrying about is Kindergarten Graduation. My students are very squirrely though, they just don't want to buckle down and take school seriously. They want to talk play ALL the time. It gets frustrating sometimes, but I love my kindergartners!

Sounds like they are normal kindergarten children. Kindergarten graduation is May 24 and I am looking forward to it.

 

[momm2four]

I'll give a big AMEN to that!

I teach 7th grade math, and we have three more weeks to go.

I think what makes it hard is that we had TCAP testing about three weeks ago, which gave us 5 weeks after testing to teach. Well, it seems that once testing is over, everyone's attitude is "school's over, let's just survive until the end"

We do have a trip to Six Flags (GA) planned for the last full day of school. If a student is placed into ISS or is suspended, they are unable to go on the trip. If they have paid, they receive a refund, and we go without them. I think that has helped curb their "youthful enthusiasm" a little bit.

I'm not feeling too stressed right now, but last THursday, whew, I was NUTS!!! I was in charge of planning our new Beta Club's induction ceremony, which was on Friday. WHile doing that, I also had to make sure all Six Flags money was turned in (for seven classes), plus get a count for tickets, call that in, go get balloons for the lunch on Friday, take up money for the celebratory field trip (Beta Club) and get ready for a sub (since I wasn't in the classroom on Friday.) After school, I went to get the decorations for the stage for the induction, set that up, all the while trying to keep my four boys from running all over the school. Whew! Friday afternoon, I felt so relieved.

I am taking tomorrow off to go on a field trip with my 6 year old, so it's a good feeling going to bed knowing I can sleep in until 7 tomorrow morning.

Good luck to all my fellow teachers out there!

Lori P.

 

[jpmandan]

Kindergarten Graduation, High School Graduation (with MANY seniors that I taught in Kg! ), and the biggie ....... MCTs this week! Our state testing has us all on pins and needles! I teach at a top-rated school and we'd like to stay there. No Child Left Behind has really turned up the pressure during these tests. I'm so proud of our students and staff, we always seem to do well!

All of this will be a memory on Memorial Day when we load up the car and head down to WDW for ten days!

 

[Danauk]

Ohhh me, me ,me can I join in? I teach year 6 in England. Next week we have government testing for year 6's which is my class. Basically our schools place in the league table rests on my class and their performance next week. No presure for us then!!!!!!!

But the good news is that after that we get to do lots of music and craft projects. Plus we have a day out at our local amusement park to look forward to (the kids are already arguing over who will be in my group and they know I am a rollercoaster freak and they all want to ride the coasters with me!!) Also our schools transfer day is on my birthday which means my class will be out at their high school for the whole day and I just have to teach my new class for an hour (which means 4 lessons free!!!!)

I have to admit though I envy you guys. We don't break up for summer until July 21st!! I do have a week off in 3 weeks time though.

 

[disney junky]

12th grade as well....kids don't think they should have to do anything....it's their senior year. fun and games. commencement is one month from today, and next year is a new year. that is one thing i love, a new start every year!

 

[paigevz]

Yes, yes, yes! The last progress report grades had to be in on Friday last. I still have some make-up math to grade and try to throw it in early tomorrow (they run the report about 8:30).

I am trying to fill out their literacy cards for all those who were ever under goal during the year and what we did about it.

We have to meet to decide the classes for next year, and one teacher always pushes her kids where she wants them and won't compromise, so I am not looking forward to that.

Meanwhile, the 1st grade teachers are making their lists, and I keep hearing my name in connection with the most difficult children (they say it's because I get more from them..........well, why should I be punished every year for doing my job right?).

We have just been told that ALL teachers will box up their rooms this year because we WILL be moved over summer. That means there's no chance I'll get off early on Friday, the 26th, to try to get ready to fly out the 27th.

Meanwhile, my kids are choosing this time to go completely haywire. My behavior problems are more problematic, those who weren't before are acting up now, the kids are stressed and coming in crying in the mornings, because it's also moving season for our area........bills and CPS calls have piled up and they are escaping now before they get sanctioned..............also, those who were doing okay, are churning out Fs, those who were doing well are churning out Cs, and the kid I have already sorted out to retain has suddenly started churning out As!

The teachers are fighting with each other over possible moving scenarios, kids who didn't get into GT, which kids should go on which lists (I keep my mouth shut), and some giving very not so subtle hints to others to ask for transfers.

The parents are also panicking over their kids' recent behavior uproars and grade downslides, and little stuff that happens at this time of year, and which class they want their kids in next year (they can submit requests in writing to the principal, but they know the teachers make the lists), and those who have moved but don't want us to know it...........really, they can end the year with us, and why would you want to drive over from Grand Prairie all next year?

Thanks for the vent!

 

[Laz]

14 MORE SCHOOL DAYS FOR ME!!

I teach 9-12 and let me tell you, the freshman this year are a handful!

After this year is over, I am going to have a nervous breakdown. I've worked for it, I've earned it, and I am going to have one!

 

[jimmiej]

I'm a middle school band director. Our end-of-the-year concert is on the 13th. Honestly, the concert is fun, but I'll be glad when it's over. Summer vacation is going to feel good this year!

 

[pooksma]

Me too me too me too!
Our school doesn't finish until JUNE 23!!!!!! Right now I am getting my grade seven math classes ready for their assessments. AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

And no DIsney trip to look forward to this year!

 

[Teacher03]

I keep telling myself "four more weeks, four more weeks!" Seriously, I love my class, but it is getting harder and harder to get everything in. (I teach 3rd grade.) I went in today for a couple of hours to try to get a head start on some things. I was temporarily insane a couple of weeks ago and signed up to teach summer school. WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

 

[Lanshark]

16 IEP's due Tuesday....Nuff said

 

[daisyduck123]

1st grade teacher here....the kids definitely get "jumpy" at this time of year.
It is a tough time to teach.

That's one reason why, each year, my family and I vacation at Disney in early May. We check-in at CBR for 8 nights/9 days this Friday morning!!

I've got a great substitute, the kids are in good hands, & I won't give school much thought at all!

 

[JulieWent]

Ten days left! (But who's counting??? I AM!!!)

On Monday of this past week, I had bus duty. When a fight broke out, I ran to help get other kids out of the way. In the process, the fighters "accidentally" slammed me into a wall. What a way to start a Monday.

On Tuesday, one of my students fainted and began to have problems breathing. It took the principals three minutes to get there and the paramedics ten minutes. When she regained consciousness, she began to throw up. (We still don't know exactly why this happened, but she's alright.)

My poor kids were scared to death, though.

Finally, my kids and I had a normal day on Wednesday.

If tomorrow starts off with any drama, I'm putting in for early retirement.

Everyone keep your fingers crossed for 10 days of peace and quiet.

Julie

 

[Blondy876]

27 days left for me!!!! I teach preschool but I teach in an Abbott classroom in NJ. Besides having certified teachers in the classroom and meeting strict state standards we have to prove to the state why they should continue the Abbott funding. They vote on it each year. Hence, I have to do excessive assessments of my students 3 times a year. I am working on the last set of assessments. (Yeah ) To put each set of assessments together it takes me about 8 hours of organizing. The collection for it goes on all year though. I'm exhausted and close to being burned out. And get this, I won't find out if my contract gets renewed for next year until I get my last check of the year. (Which I don't get until the first week of July). 5 years at this job and I don't get tenure. It stinks but what can I do. Hurry summer!!

 

[helens042266]

Another stressed out 7th grade math teacher!! Only 3 more weeks....YEAH! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.....The last full student day is May 25, which is our team's Field Day.....that takes a ton of planning. We are having a "Hawaiian Day" Friday as a reward for the students, I just finished giving the Algebra readiness test to see who makes the cut for honor's math next year (I can't tell you how many parents have already called to see if their kid has been selected....hello...like I told you in the letter.....YOU WILL FIND OUT IN MID-JUNE!!!) My only saving grace has been the weather....we have no AC and it has been nice and cool...knock on wood.

Good luck to all! We can do it!