EPT
It's been a long time since I've blogged, and even longer since I blogged about teaching. The first part can be found here and the second part can be found right here.
For the second time in two years, I find myself in my first year of teaching at a new school. I have a year of experience under my belt now, so I felt confident coming in that I would quickly create positive relationships with the staff and students, and not be a target of town gossip. Boy, I was wrong on a couple of those. So I'm taking time this morning (prep period) to jot down some ideas on why that happened. And it starts with...
Replacing the Legend
First, if you are considering being a teacher, try to avoid this position. It will make your life much better.
The teacher I replaced taught at this school for 29 years!!!!! I'm 24 years old. So since before I was born, this band director has been doing things her way. She's been marching them around and putting on concerts and whatever in her way.
I'M NOT HER!
Parents and students alike, if you know a teacher who is in this position, GIVE THEM A BREAK! Try to see that they are stepping into big shoes and are (probably) doing the best they can to fill them. If you want don't want that teacher to resign, here's some do's and do not's.
DO:
1. Give them time to hit their stride.
It's information overload when you step into a new school. We're trying to learn the names of fifty staff members, a couple hundred students, any parents that happen to stop in, get our curriculum set, get the room organized, get supplies ordered in....the list goes on and on. We really are trying. Be patient, please!
2. Introduce yourself! (and reintroduce yourself the next time you see them)
Regardless of what you might think, I actually do want to get to know the parents, for multiple reasons. But mainly because it gives me a chance to avoid parents getting wrong information from the student. Also, as I stated earlier, we probably won't remember your name the first couple times, so keep reintroducing yourself so we can get to know you!
DO NOT:
1. Take your student's word as 100% true. (Give the teacher the benefit of the doubt.)
Students never give their full attention and things are missed. Or the teacher will leave out certain information on purpose. Either way, please do not think that what the students are saying is absolutely true. Take it with a grain of salt. This is one thing that I'm struggling with right now. Parents, YOU KID WILL EXAGGERATE. HE/SHE WILL LEAVE OUT INFORMATION. Just because little Susie said it doesn't mean it is true.
2. Come bitching to the principal about this teacher (right away).
At least not in the first month. Like I said, give them time to hit their stride. If after 6 months you're still not happy, then I think you have right to come in and discuss it. In my third week of school this year, I was called in to the principal because a few community members voiced concerns. Now, I for one think that this was not good on my principal, that he should have deflected or absorbed the criticism without me knowing. What do you think happened then? My confidence was shaken. Just when I was starting to get some confidence, too. I suppose he thought he had to. I don't know. What I do know is that this never would have come up if a parent would have been patient and kept their mouth shut.
3. Ask other teachers "What you think of this person?"
This will only create problems. Either that teacher will lie and say good things, or they'll let it out. There are things I don't like about every single staff member, but it's not my job to be airing them out in the community. Most likely, this will create animosity between the staff.
4. Talk terribly about the teacher (personally) in front of your student.
You can criticize about the job I'm doing all you want. That's your right. But stay the hell out of my personal life. Don't say things like "I bet he's a fag" in front of your kid. That's right folks, I've heard that one. (For the record, I'm not gay.)
Notice how there were more Do Not's? These are all things that have happened to me in the past 5 weeks.
So what is your kid's new teacher thinking? He's thinking that he wants to quit. He's hoping things will get better, but doesn't really believe it. He thinking that the vocal minority might be strong enough to get him fired.
I really did want this school to work. I like the kids a lot. For the most part, I like the staff. But really, if it doesn't improve, it's not worth it. The pennies I get paid to sit here and take shit from all sides aren't worth it. I have other things I can do with my life. The man who came up with,"Those who can't do, teach" deserves a beating. I CAN do, that why I chose to educate your children so THEY can do too!
If this school year doesn't work out, I'm probably going to give up on the profession. That makes me horribly depressed because I do like my job, but I'd rather do something else that pays better and people give me a little respect for doing.
If you want the duds teaching our students (which I'm sure none of us do), we need to treat our teachers better. I knew I wasn't going to get paid very much, and I accepted that. I'm not holding out for universal popularity, but I would like to go to the football game without hearing about how I'm so much worse than my predecessor.
All I ask for is a little respect.
