HELP! changing grades AND schools next year.... anxiety overload

Hi Everyone:

I have been at my LI district and school for the past 8 years. I teach special ed. in an elementary school. Our district cut 3 elementary special ed. positions as well as my particular building being low on enrollment, so we lost an additional position.

So essentially, out of 4 other teachers with equal seniority, I have been transferred to another building in the district. I was told it was because I was "so good." no good deed goes unpunished, i guess... hahga

Beyond missing my friends, having to learn all the new faces, social groups, etc., they have shifted my teaching role significantly. I am going from being a resource room and Wilson reading teacher to a teacher in a 4th/5th self-contained class. there are 3 TAs, and aide and ME for just TEN kids. the kids are VERY low functioning. I have taught self-contained before, but never a split class and never kids this low functioning. And the last time I taught self-contained, there was no common core BS and all the "pressure" to get them to be grade level.

To give you an idea, two kids have 1:1 TAs for behaviors and the 4th graders are on D-F reading levels. the 5th graders are a bit better academically, but more behavioral. I just feel so anxious about this. I KNOW how fortunate I am to have a job, I get it, but I am literally sick over this.

I think what is really bothering me about it, is NOT about the kids--- I love the type of kids I will have, they are why I went into special education. But, I am more nervous about what I am bringing to the table. I am about a second away from a nervous breakdown as it is. I have a 4 yo DD and a 2 yo DS that need their mom. I have enormous guilt about working as it is, and i know with the change, I am going to have to be at school more. but The days of me being able to or wanting to stay at school to 7:00 PM are not possible anymore. Also, DS is having his own issues. He is already receiving 3 therapies thru early intervention (twice each per week!) and needs me home ASAP after school. My father also has very serious lung cancer and my sister is mentally ill. I am trying to help my mother deal with those difficult issues. I also commute an hour each way to school. Some days, I just can't deal. The summer is a bit better, but during the school year, I felt like I never saw my kids, my house was always a mess, I couldn't keep up with it all (and I have a very good DH who splits it all with me).

I guess I am just feeling overly anxious. I feel literally sick. I know I should be using the summer time to plan, but plan what? I don't know the kids. I don't know how they function... I don't even know what level reading or math to plan besides doing a lot of guided reading. I have no idea what the schedule will look like with all their pull-outs and push-ins, etc. etc. How will I link in TC reading/writing and Envisions math.... I am sure they will want me to.

Coupled with my personal stuff and the new teaching enviornment, I feel like I WILL have my nervous breakdown. :(

I know I am a good teacher, but I have no confidence in myself. I want to enjoy this summer with my kids, but this is nagging me at the back of my mind. this is just making me so nervous.

Any suggestions, ideas, thoughts for planning and/or organization for a self-contained 4/5 room? Talk me off the ledge....

If you got this far, thanks for listening to my vent.

Re: HELP! changing grades AND schools next year.... anxiety overload

not much advice to share, just hugs...you've always been very supportive of all the teachers on this site and I'm sure you'll do really well, even with all of the extra and unnecessary stress this change will cause.

Re: HELP! changing grades AND schools next year.... anxiety overload

Posted by ziamaria

not much advice to share, just hugs...you've always been very supportive of all the teachers on this site and I'm sure you'll do really well, even with all of the extra and unnecessary stress this change will cause.

HELP! changing grades AND schools next year.... anxiety overload

Wishing you all the best!

Re: HELP! changing grades AND schools next year.... anxiety overload

Thanks everyone!

I think i just needed to vent!

Re: HELP! changing grades AND schools next year.... anxiety overload

Im sure they are moving you/giving you the new position with FULL confidence that y)
ou can do it ! (and Ithink you can too ! )

I havent been on here recently as often as I used to be, but I agree with what was said above, that you've always been so helpful to so many on here.

Im sure you'll do an amazing job !

HELP! changing grades AND schools next year.... anxiety overload

You will be great! It is a big jump because it is a testing grade, if the students are not AA.

Re: HELP! changing grades AND schools next year.... anxiety overload

Just wanted to bump this and ask how's it going? Do you feel like you're getting into a groove yet?

Re: HELP! changing grades AND schools next year.... anxiety overload

Posted by Teachergal


Just wanted to bump this and ask how's it going? Do you feel like you're getting into a groove yet?

Re: HELP! changing grades AND schools next year.... anxiety overload

Posted by donegal419

Posted by Teachergal


Just wanted to bump this and ask how's it going? Do you feel like you're getting into a groove yet?

Thanks for checking in!!!! Its going...... I dont feel like i am in a groove yet, but getting there. The tas and aide in my room are great and are a huge Help. I am still planning day bu day but hope to delegate more of that to the TAS where i can. The kids are Soooo low. I am kiterally giving them first and second grade things and they struggle.

Oh and i just fou.d out i am PG with twins. I am dying over here and cant focus on anything but that!!!! well at leaat i know i will be leaving work early this year!!!