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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Posted by mishmosh
All of my colleagues are saying this. We are stressed beyond anything we've ever experienced. It makes me so sad. Thankfully, the kids are the positive spot in the whole day for me and after 19 years in education, I still enjoy the kids. Sure, I'm working 10 hours a day and bringing home work for the first time in 10 years. And I say this cautiously, but another positive note is my administration seems to understand how ridiculous this appr stuff is. They are making this as easy as they can on us. They're not trying to "get" us. At least I feel that way.
Sigh--it's just not what it used to be.
   
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Posted 10/9/12 9:16 PM  |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Posted by Summergrl73
Posted by Jbon630
I hate to be the other side but I really have no issue with the changesFor me, the data collection is no different. I teach an ABA class for kids with autism. Teaching is evolving and I think it will honestly be for the better.
Seriously?? I can't believe that anyone who is actually in education believes that these changes will actually improve anything. I had to waste a day of teaching my AP high school students to give them an assessment after 2 days of lessons- just so I would have a baseline. We spent 2 staff meetings discussing how to fill out the paperwork for SLOs. I spent more time doing this then I did actually preparing lessons. My students (10-12 grade) complain that they were forced to take tests the first week of school in almost every class. Once we are judged on the progress- teachers are going to fight with other teachers and guidance counselors over who gets placed in their class. Some kids who dont test well are going to be the ones nobody wants on their stats. This does no good for anybody ESPECIALLY the kids. I am behind where I was last year in lessons and that really stinks when the AP exam is in the beginning of May.
HOW do you see this being a positive?
I agree.....It is crazy. Teachers are stressed, and whether to see if they will be considered highly effective at the end of the year.
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| Posted 10/10/12 9:21 AM |
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Teachergal
We made a snowman!
Member since 1/08 3239 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Posted by Jbon630
I hate to be the other side but I really have no issue with the changesFor me, the data collection is no different. I teach an ABA class for kids with autism. Teaching is evolving and I think it will honestly be for the better.
I get that data is good, but taking data on 8 kids with 2 other adults in the room to help is different than doing it for 30 kids by yourself. It's a whole other ball game. And I'm a special ed teacher too, so I get what you're saying, but for our gen ed colleagues this is RIDICULOUS and taking away so much time from actual instruction.
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| Posted 10/10/12 9:12 PM |
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Posted by Teachergal
Posted by Jbon630
I hate to be the other side but I really have no issue with the changesFor me, the data collection is no different. I teach an ABA class for kids with autism. Teaching is evolving and I think it will honestly be for the better.
I get that data is good, but taking data on 8 kids with 2 other adults in the room to help is different than doing it for 30 kids by yourself. It's a whole other ball game. And I'm a special ed teacher too, so I get what you're saying, but for our gen ed colleagues this is RIDICULOUS and taking away so much time from actual instruction.
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| Posted 10/10/12 10:30 PM |
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juanvi
Get Out!
Member since 10/06 4463 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Posted by Jbon630
I hate to be the other side but I really have no issue with the changesFor me, the data collection is no different. I teach an ABA class for kids with autism. Teaching is evolving and I think it will honestly be for the better.
I don't think I could ever agree with this. I can't see taking time away from a teacher to compile data as opposed to anything else ( planning researching) could be beneficial. I just think it's being done to show tax payers how great our schools are. And they are. If long island was it's on state we'd be #1 in the nation.
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| Posted 10/11/12 5:53 AM |
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Arieschick29
aries+cancer= pisces&gemini
Member since 3/06 4268 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
We dont need testing data.
Testing is the only idea that non-educators/politicians can come up with to show results.
We need portfolios and presentations and group work and projects and research reports/projects to get kids ready for the rest of their lives!
How many bubble tests do adults take on a daily/monthly/yearly basis?!?
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| Posted 10/11/12 10:06 PM |
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Jbon630
LIF Adult
Member since 12/11 1340 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Posted by TheDivaBrideandTeddyFrog
Posted by Teachergal
Posted by Jbon630
I hate to be the other side but I really have no issue with the changesFor me, the data collection is no different. I teach an ABA class for kids with autism. Teaching is evolving and I think it will honestly be for the better.
I get that data is good, but taking data on 8 kids with 2 other adults in the room to help is different than doing it for 30 kids by yourself. It's a whole other ball game. And I'm a special ed teacher too, so I get what you're saying, but for our gen ed colleagues this is RIDICULOUS and taking away so much time from actual instruction.
I don't have 8 kids or 2 adults in the room. Data is super easy to take once you have a system down. Unfortunately I think the teachers who aren't happy are the ones who are "comfortable". And not to sound harsh, but i think they will eventually move on and make room for the teachers who are willing to evolve.
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| Posted 10/13/12 10:32 AM |
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Teachergal
We made a snowman!
Member since 1/08 3239 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Posted by Jbon630
Posted by TheDivaBrideandTeddyFrog
Posted by Teachergal
Posted by Jbon630
I hate to be the other side but I really have no issue with the changesFor me, the data collection is no different. I teach an ABA class for kids with autism. Teaching is evolving and I think it will honestly be for the better.
I get that data is good, but taking data on 8 kids with 2 other adults in the room to help is different than doing it for 30 kids by yourself. It's a whole other ball game. And I'm a special ed teacher too, so I get what you're saying, but for our gen ed colleagues this is RIDICULOUS and taking away so much time from actual instruction.
I don't have 8 kids or 2 adults in the room. Data is super easy to take once you have a system down. Unfortunately I think the teachers who aren't happy are the ones who are "comfortable". And not to sound harsh, but i think they will eventually move on and make room for the teachers who are willing to evolve.
I was just using 8 and 2 as numbers in my school. We have 6:1:2, 8:1:2 and 12:1:1. In any of those classrooms, data collection is easier than in a room with 24 children. It just IS. I've done it on both sides! I've done self-contained and I've done coteaching in a gen ed room. With less kids and more adults, data collection is easier and it should be when you are working with kids with special needs. It is just not the same when you have so many other kids in the room and the AMOUNT of data collection that is happening is unnecessary. My colleagues are some of the best around and the number of them that are stressed and unhappy this year is so high! It's just so sad.
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| Posted 10/13/12 11:33 AM |
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My2Girlz11
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/11 785 total posts
Name:
Corrie
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Posted by Teachergal
Posted by Jbon630
Posted by TheDivaBrideandTeddyFrog
Posted by Teachergal
Posted by Jbon630
I hate to be the other side but I really have no issue with the changesFor me, the data collection is no different. I teach an ABA class for kids with autism. Teaching is evolving and I think it will honestly be for the better.
I get that data is good, but taking data on 8 kids with 2 other adults in the room to help is different than doing it for 30 kids by yourself. It's a whole other ball game. And I'm a special ed teacher too, so I get what you're saying, but for our gen ed colleagues this is RIDICULOUS and taking away so much time from actual instruction.
I don't have 8 kids or 2 adults in the room. Data is super easy to take once you have a system down. Unfortunately I think the teachers who aren't happy are the ones who are "comfortable". And not to sound harsh, but i think they will eventually move on and make room for the teachers who are willing to evolve.
I was just using 8 and 2 as numbers in my school. We have 6:1:2, 8:1:2 and 12:1:1. In any of those classrooms, data collection is easier than in a room with 24 children. It just IS. I've done it on both sides! I've done self-contained and I've done coteaching in a gen ed room. With less kids and more adults, data collection is easier and it should be when you are working with kids with special needs. It is just not the same when you have so many other kids in the room and the AMOUNT of data collection that is happening is unnecessary. My colleagues are some of the best around and the number of them that are stressed and unhappy this year is so high! It's just so sad.
As a special education teacher who has taught in a 12:1:1, 12:1, inclusion type setting, and an ABA setting I agree with you 100%. The data collection for general education classroom is crazy. Not only do you assess the kids, but they want an itemized list of what they students got wrong or right. That isn't an issue for me, since I have someone else in the room with me. But just imagine doing that for 30 kids. It takes away from quality planning time and time away from actual teaching in the classroom. I am all for data and creating groups to meet the needs of all students. However, I think teachers have been doing that for years, without having to officially write it down somewhere to cover themselves. It is all about show and that is really what it is coming down too.
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| Posted 10/13/12 11:47 AM |
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Sheena
LIF Infant
Member since 3/07 264 total posts
Name:
queen of the jungle
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Posted by Jbon630
Posted by TheDivaBrideandTeddyFrog
Posted by Teachergal
Posted by Jbon630
I hate to be the other side but I really have no issue with the changesFor me, the data collection is no different. I teach an ABA class for kids with autism. Teaching is evolving and I think it will honestly be for the better.
I get that data is good, but taking data on 8 kids with 2 other adults in the room to help is different than doing it for 30 kids by yourself. It's a whole other ball game. And I'm a special ed teacher too, so I get what you're saying, but for our gen ed colleagues this is RIDICULOUS and taking away so much time from actual instruction.
I don't have 8 kids or 2 adults in the room. Data is super easy to take once you have a system down. Unfortunately I think the teachers who aren't happy are the ones who are "comfortable". And not to sound harsh, but i think they will eventually move on and make room for the teachers who are willing to evolve.
How long have you been a teacher for? You sound a little arrogant. Not one teacher do I know has a problem with 'evolving', they just have a problem with excessiveness that is taking away from the real reasons they became teachers.
I was in 2nd grade for 11 years. The last few years I began to have nearly 30 students in a class. I was stressed beyond belief, worried all the time, having anxiety attacks, heart palpitations, and not because I wasn't 'evolving'--because I felt like I couldn't fairly service 30 kids. Parents loved me, my kids learned--but my paperwork sucked. I couldn't keep up with it in a honest way. I'm not ashamed to admit it, but my principal and I felt that I should be in a different grade. I was changed and I've never been happier. I have 18 kids, the freedom to do great things in my room. And I STILL work just as hard as I did in 2nd grade. I go in early, I make projects and supplies to teach, I troll the internet for new ideas, I order books with my own money to explore new concepts, I organize my class for a day of learning, but because of PAPERWORK I was changed to a new grade. And I LOVED 2nd grade--I knew the expectations for the kids, the curriculum, and the standards like the back of my hand. Now, in PreK, parents love me, kids learn--that hasn't changed. My WORK ETHIC has NOT changed, DESIRE to teach NEW IDEAS--all the good stuff about me has not changed.
As for making room for teachers willing to evolve, you mean the brand new teachers making low salaries; the ones in Tier 6; the ones they hope will give up tenure in return for a few dollars more; the ones to work a longer school day for no more money; the ones to buy their own supplies without a blink of the eye; the ones that don't know what Teacher's Choice is, or was; the new teachers they hope will leave after a few years due to the overwhelming demands of the job, to whom they don't have to give salary increases? Oh, those new teachers.
Message edited 10/13/2012 12:40:49 PM.
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| Posted 10/13/12 12:27 PM |
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jgl
Love my little boys!!!
Member since 8/07 7060 total posts
Name:
g
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Posted by Jbon630
Posted by TheDivaBrideandTeddyFrog
Posted by Teachergal
Posted by Jbon630
I hate to be the other side but I really have no issue with the changesFor me, the data collection is no different. I teach an ABA class for kids with autism. Teaching is evolving and I think it will honestly be for the better.
I get that data is good, but taking data on 8 kids with 2 other adults in the room to help is different than doing it for 30 kids by yourself. It's a whole other ball game. And I'm a special ed teacher too, so I get what you're saying, but for our gen ed colleagues this is RIDICULOUS and taking away so much time from actual instruction.
I don't have 8 kids or 2 adults in the room. Data is super easy to take once you have a system down. Unfortunately I think the teachers who aren't happy are the ones who are "comfortable". And not to sound harsh, but i think they will eventually move on and make room for the teachers who are willing to evolve.
Maybe you are a lucky one in which your school has not created paperwork for every aspect of your day, i wish i was you, i can not keep up. I teach 1st grade and currently have a bag full of crap i have to grade and complete rubrics for (as if I dont already know who is a 1,2,3,4)
I have to input reading levels and stregths and weeknesses into to a reading tracker program 3x a year (ontop of all the time I spend leveling). I have to complete rubrics for everything (book of the month activity-EVeRY MONTH, bulletin boards inside and outside the classroom, monthly completed writing units) I have to complete rubrics for friday math problem solving tasks my kids now spend 40 minutes doing, on thursdays we have inquiry grp and fill out meaningless papers (which my grade apparently completed in the wrong way and were told by our principal that we were lazy and unprofessional ) my students instead of getting true computer time (and being kids) are taking this iready test to see what grade level they are on (personally i do not think any first grader is going to truly take it serious and worry about picking the correct answer, my guess is they think they are playing starfall). I am them to look up this info and develop my lessons and groups around it... Again as if I don't already know where my kids fall). Guided reading groups, individual conferences with notes for each child. I have to give them a reading test after every unit, grade it, look at each question to show what each student got wrong and not develop my reading centers from this. Everything needs a paper trail.
Also, i have to set yearly goals 3x a year for every single one of my 31 general education students---- why????? Just because i put on paper that they will be reading on level J by june (because this is where they should be at the end of 1st grade) does not mean they will get there.
Oh and did I say planning! Everything must show rigor. Trying to plan out these depth of knowledge questions and actually effectively teaching.... Im exhausted!!
It is only getting worse and ill say it again all this data is NOT telling me anything I did't already know.
Message edited 10/13/2012 2:19:45 PM.
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| Posted 10/13/12 2:17 PM |
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Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
I taught ELA to almost 90 kids last year. Many of my colleagues have more students than that. I truly don't know how I would have stayed on top of all the data collection, especially in a subject where so much writing has to be graded.
I can see teaching becoming one of those professions young people do when they are unattached, without kids. It used to be a great family friendly profession, but not any more.
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| Posted 10/13/12 8:40 PM |
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Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Above poster is correct...I feel like all I do on Fridays (or day 5 of our curriculum cycle) is collect data in the form of tests that my kids feel terrible taking and i have to teach them to take...it stinks...
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| Posted 10/14/12 11:28 AM |
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Ellynrose
LIF Adult
Member since 10/11 1714 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Posted by MrsProfessor
I taught ELA to almost 90 kids last year. Many of my colleagues have more students than that. I truly don't know how I would have stayed on top of all the data collection, especially in a subject where so much writing has to be graded.
I can see teaching becoming one of those professions young people do when they are unattached, without kids. It used to be a great family friendly profession, but not any more.
I completely agree (as an ELA teacher as well, I know we have it the worst). As for whomever stated that the teachers complaining are unwilling to evolve. Please, step into the classrooms where teachers have 75-100 kids. There is no possible way - with a good system - that data collection is feasibe.
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| Posted 10/14/12 3:58 PM |
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CAMCaps
Live Laugh Love Run
Member since 6/07 4922 total posts
Name:
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Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
I must be lucky because my school does not appear to be huge on data collection and they are still really interested in providing students with quality instruction. My teaching, testing, and assessments have not changed much even with the implementation of APPR.
What data exactly are you collecting in addition to what you were collecting in the past? I assess students summatively and formatively everyday in class and I have 5 classes of 25-30 students.
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| Posted 10/14/12 7:34 PM |
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msrsfeb
LIF Adult
Member since 2/06 1277 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Are most of us NYC teachers? I only ask because it seems the DOE has become OUT OF CONTROL with mandates. I teach K in NYC and my children are in K out here in Nassau. The work I see coming home from them and what is expected of my students is night and day. It seems at my children's school it is still a kid friendly environment. This may be because I am not in their classrooms but the h.w. is so much easier, their classwork "sheets" seem to be what we used to be allowed to do. In my school, we are no longer allowed to you use any kind of Rexo in the classroom. I am tired of the rubrics and comments that the children do not refer to, I am tired of the word RIGOR! I just want my students to be happy little learners. :) Stop treating them like they are 10yo. Give them the foundation they will need to build on and stop stressing 4 and 5 yo children!
So far, from what I see my own children are doing age appropriate work and I hope it continues. I am curious to see what there teachers have to say though.
Rant over...sorry.
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| Posted 10/17/12 9:53 PM |
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twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Last year I collected data to place in each childs folder in december. Then, in February, I moved each child's data to a binder so that it could be better organized. Finally in June I was asked to remove each child's data from a binder and place back in the folders to give to new teachers. I had 31 children and tons of data! I wasted so much time shuffling papers....and this year now each child needs there own binder...that does not even fit in my class room and soon I will have to put all the paper work into them upside down, and later turn it around and spin on my head and I can watch my students progress in this way IF I EVER HAD A MOMENT TO TEACH THEM!
I mean in NYC I just finished benchmarking my 27 students three weeks ago, then I gave them a baseline and a written benchmark. And now I need to have all my kids benchmarked once more in the next few weeks. When the hell do I teach?
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| Posted 10/17/12 9:56 PM |
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SLPlady1984
She's here!
Member since 6/12 1207 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Ditto in 10 years we are gonna look at the disaster this has created. Yes let's test the kids to death and always keep them doing different things. And we wonder why soooo many kids have attention issues they can't deal with
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| Posted 10/18/12 11:00 AM |
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jgl
Love my little boys!!!
Member since 8/07 7060 total posts
Name:
g
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Whats crazy is that they wont realize how awful all their plans are for a long time because we bust our assses everyday to some how still teach these kids through the paperwork and data because its what we were hired to do!!! We are just burnt out and no one cares
Eta i love my long run on sentence 
Message edited 10/18/2012 7:07:41 PM.
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| Posted 10/18/12 7:07 PM |
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2ofakind05
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 754 total posts
Name:
Robyn
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
This might give you a little chuckle.
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| Posted 10/19/12 6:45 PM |
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sfp0701
Liam's Mommy!
Member since 1/07 9764 total posts
Name:
Tricia
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
I am speech but, I totally agree. I still don't feel settled from the start of the year. It's just an awful year.
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| Posted 10/19/12 9:07 PM |
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fdnywife
Mommy of 3 and 4 rescues
Member since 9/09 1841 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
I love my job but I agree that so many things are changing right now I cant even keep up! Im the elementary phys ed teacher. We now must enter attendance in on the computer at the end of the day. Kids who have broken arms and legs must come inside and out with us because they dont want me to mark them absent. Unprepared students are marked present even though they dont participate bc they are technically present.
In Phys Ed since we dont have a state test, we need to make up tests for each grade, give a written test to each student. Put each score in the computer, pick a target score for june (which i dont understand bc any teacher can choose anything.)
I love love my job, but some things just dont seem to make sense. I cant even imagine being in the classroom right now with RTI and everything.
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| Posted 10/20/12 10:52 AM |
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beachgirl13
Mommy to 3 boys!
Member since 5/05 4114 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
This is my 9th year teaching. I still love being in the classroom with the kids. I dislike everything that goes on outside of the classroom, it is all such b.s. I don't remember feeling this burned out in October.
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| Posted 10/20/12 10:45 PM |
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Moehick
Ready for the sun!
Member since 5/05 30339 total posts
Name:
Properly perfect™
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Re: Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
Posted by msrsfeb
Are most of us NYC teachers? I only ask because it seems the DOE has become OUT OF CONTROL with mandates. I teach K in NYC and my children are in K out here in Nassau. The work I see coming home from them and what is expected of my students is night and day. It seems at my children's school it is still a kid friendly environment. This may be because I am not in their classrooms but the h.w. is so much easier, their classwork "sheets" seem to be what we used to be allowed to do. In my school, we are no longer allowed to you use any kind of Rexo in the classroom. I am tired of the rubrics and comments that the children do not refer to, I am tired of the word RIGOR! I just want my students to be happy little learners. :) Stop treating them like they are 10yo. Give them the foundation they will need to build on and stop stressing 4 and 5 yo children!
So far, from what I see my own children are doing age appropriate work and I hope it continues. I am curious to see what there teachers have to say though.
Rant over...sorry.
I agree!! Having children in school on the Island and teaching in the city is night and day. My child brings home so many worksheets that are not allowed in my city school. The kids in my city school are expected to do leaps and bounds above what my daughter is expected to do. Also, I hate the word rigor as well, gives me rigor mortis!
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| Posted 10/21/12 9:18 PM |
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Jan1975
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Member since 8/09 3846 total posts
Name:
Sarah
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Anyone else just really hate being a teacher now...
I tell you what. If this trend continues when my DD is school age, I will seriously consider sending her to Catholic school just to avoid all the damn testing. I went to Catholic school and received a wonderful education.
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| Posted 10/22/12 5:45 PM |
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