I'm in a teaching rut...

I'm at the point where I have no motivation or desire to teach. I know that I should come up w/ new and better lessons, but I just can't motivate myself to do so.

I don't know if I've just been teaching the same grade for too long (in my 5th year)...

That I've taken too much on (besides teaching, I'm taking an online grad class, working at The Loft 2 shifts a week, and tutoring once a week)...

Or that I just can't stand my teaching partner any more (that's a whole other story)...

I've already asked to switch grades for next year (for something different, and to get away from said colleague), but what can I do to motivate myself to be a good teacher again? Right now I'm just going through the motions...

Re: I'm in a teaching rut...

I don't really have much advice, but I do have a TON of support since I feel THE SAME WAY! I also have the same students as last year and I am at the point where I am getting tired of their sh*t This one kid who ALWAYS SAYS he didn't understand how to do the hw and then doesn't do it....... or his mom writes a note about why he didn't do it....... or, the kid who thinks he can get away with EVERYTHING and starts to take advantage.... I am just so done with all of them


For the past 2-3 weeks I've been struggling to find the motivation to do much of anything school related. It's also hard because we're buying a house and TTC which I am SO excited about, that it's hard to really get into school mode.......

What I find does motivate me, is knowing that we are almost HALFWAY THROUGH!!!!!!! Even though it feels like the school year just started!! On a smaller scale though, I try to plan something to do with the kids that I will also look forward to.. (like read a book to them I really enjoy.... do some kind of project that I can make a bulletin board out of ... etc) Sometimes I even bake muffins to bring in just for no reason. The kids look forward to it and I love to bake


Good luck!

Re: I'm in a teaching rut...

I'm sorry... it stinks to be having a year like that. I didn't realize it at the time, but last year was kind of "ruttish" for me because as much as I did like my classes, I know now that I didn't have the same connection with them that I usually have. (Lots and lots of kids with lots and lots of issues... I was cleaning out old e-mails last weekend and saw bajillions to guidance counselors with names in the subject lines and thought... I survived that? Really?

I think that sometimes, you just have to force yourself to sit down and plan new activities. I know that when I create new assignments that I, personally, would like to do, I get more motivated to teach. I don't do it for every assignment, but sometimes, for me, at least, it really is as simple as that.

Good luck. If it's any consolation, we're at least pretty close to the next break.