MrsRivera
2 under 2...whew!!
Member since 2/07 9876 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Do you guys ever feel that working w/ other teachers is like being in H.S. all over again?
I can't stand drama.
I will go out of my way to avoid confrontation.
I just can't stand it.
So you can imagine how my day was yesterday when I tell you this...
A little background, it's my first year as a 3rd grade teacher in a Title I school. Previously, I taught 5th grade for 4 years in 2 middle/upper class schools. A very different dynamic.
I am on a team with 5 other teachers: One who is also new to the school this year, one who is brand new to teaching, one with a major attitude at one moment, and then she's trying to make you laugh and give you a hug the next moment (bipolar perhaps?), one who is super-sweet but keeps to herself, and one who was previously a literacy coordinator, but got put back into the classroom last year.
The lesson planning for my school is INSANE. For the week I have to plan: Reading, Writing, Math, Science, SS, Shared Reading (one lesson per day w/ same text for the week), 4 groups of guided reading (approx. 12 lessons right there), small group math rotations on Thursdays, math "remediation" time on Wednesdays...not to mention that our school is under intense scrutiny this year because our test scores are the lowest in the county. Ok...
We also have a double "planning" period on Tuesdays. This is never actually used for planning...it's what I call "tidal wave day", when some person above us comes in, talks at us for an hour and a half, and dumps 10 more things on top of us. I already drowned about 2 months ago.
In short, I went to my principal (who is AMAZING, btw) and told her I was frustrated about our lack of planning time as a team. With 2 children under 2 at home, my time is not my own at night. And for the 2 hours of so that I DO get to myself at night, I'm washing bottles, preparing lunches for the next day, trying to get the laundry done, etc. etc. You all know how that goes.
Well, our principal met with us yesterday to mention that some of us were feeling "left out" of the loop because 2-3 people were planning together and not including the others. I was one of the ones not included, so I was a bit upset. I thought a great way to resolve it would be to come together, state this concern, and find a reasonable time that we could all meet together, once per week, to exchange ideas, materials, etc.
Apparently, this was viewed as a personal attack by two of the aforementioned teachers, who cornered me in my classroom right after the meeting, and proceeded to yell at me that I had some nerve going to the principal with this (even though I have tried multiple times to get the team together so we can have some face time), "what the h*ll is it that I want?" and "You know, I've had growing resentment toward you, so this was going to come out whether or not this meeting happened".  Growing resentment? For what??? She couldn't give me a straight answer.
Just done with working with people that act like children themselves. That's all.
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nel
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 1173 total posts
Name:
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Re: Do you guys ever feel that working w/ other teachers is like being in H.S. all over again?
Oh, man, do I feel your pain... and when you work IN high school, it's like they fit right back, and you understand why they chose this profession in the first place. They're back in their comfort zone.
I work with a trio who remind me everyday why we teach Macbeth... it's that close, personal connection to the three witches... 
 Hopefully, once you all have it out, it'll at least get a little easier to communicate? Easier said than done, I know, but I have my fingers crossed for you.
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