Well, I made it! Another year down, that's 5 years already, with only 20 more to go!
I can't believe that I've been teaching for 5 years! It seems like just yesterday, I began my student teaching. With this completion, I am also out of the "new teacher danger zone". This is the statistic, according to the National Education Association, that half of all new U.S. teachers are likely to quit within the first five years of their career due to poor working conditions and low salaries.
Having taught in one of the worst schools in my area and then at one of the best, the differences within each school are night and day. Unfortunately, usually the only openings for new teachers are in the schools that no one else wants to teach in. So being faced with this poor working conditions is very likely and I understand how new teachers coming into the field can be discouraged.
When teachers are in their education classes, they are encouraged to hit the ground running and change the lives of their students. In theory, it's a beautiful "yellow-brick road" scenario, filled with rainbows, sunshine and lollipops. In reality, future teachers are not prepared for the amount of paperwork needed to be completed on a daily basis; many students, who may be bigger than the teachers themselves and who are constantly disruptive in class; as well as teachers unable to relate to lives and home environment of their students. These are several issues that are NOT taught in college education classes. Inevitably, new teachers come upon these problems within the first few weeks of schools, and many who hit the ground running, end up hitting a huge brick wall. Multiply this with what seems like insurmountable odds year after year, and it is quite obvious why we lose so many good, young teachers.
The deck is already stacked against new teachers. Add to this the little salary that a first year teacher makes, and anyone with common sense would get out of the business. It's a sad, but honest fact, there's no incentive to stay in education anymore.
So why and how do I manage to do it? Why do I keep coming back? It's very simple - the kids! My students are the reason I continue coming back for more, year after year. Let's face it, no one gets into education for the money. There are not huge bonuses for meeting billable hours. There is not a huge salary to be paid if we go above and beyond. There is practically no way to ensure that you are even going to get a pay raise every year. But what we do have is HOPE.
Hope, that maybe a student we teach and inspire, will one day find a cure for cancer, save the lives of many, or become President of the United States. Hope, that in the great universe of karmic connections, the good that we do everyday will come back to us ten-fold. Hope, that we will make a difference in the lives of those we teach, and show each and every student their true potential of what they can accomplish in their future.
If you do this within one year, you have 180 tries to accomplish these tasks. Over your career, this number increases to 4500; more if you can hang in longer.
Make no mistake, teaching is HARD! You have to have a thick skin and a soft heart. But the rewards of your job are worth every challenge you overcome. When a child finally "gets" the lesson you are a teaching, and a light bulb goes off in their head and a huge smile comes across their face, that small fraction of a second, is MY yearly bonus. No, it may not be monetary in value, but it IS money to my soul!
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Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
This Pri$e of Teaching
I know why more teachers drop out of the profession within 5 years. Teaching is hard. REALLY hard!!! I am in my fifth year now and I am ready to implode. This time of the year is the most difficult. With spring break 10 days away, (yes, I'm counting) my students are getting on my last nerves and I know that I am getting on theirs.
Today I implemented a new "pencil policy". Basically it says that no one can use a pencil for the rest of the year unless 1) they have a signed permission slip from their parents, 2) parents buy pencils and sharpeners for their students and 3) students agree to be responsible for their own pencils and cleaning up the pencil sharpener shavings after use. This comes after the 4th, (yes, 4th!) pencil sharpener that I have bought this year, was broken when a student decided to sharpen the eraser part of a pencil. At first, I thought it was a crayon, which sent me into a magenta rage! (Evidently, it is now cool to have a pencil with both sides sharpened. However, then I get to hear, "Ms. G, can I have an eraser?" or "I can't do my test, I don't have a pencil.")My response? "That's fine, use a crayon." If you want to act like a kindergarter, I will treat you like a kindergarten and we will all use crayons to complete our work. "But how will students complete state tests with crayons?" you ask. I am not sure, but if they can't be responsible enough to keep a pencil from one day to another, how will they survive in middle school, when they have several teachers and lockers with two minutes to change classes.
As a caution, I sent parents a letter today to explain the new policy and my reason for such a drastic measure. I gave out my cell number with a note saying to please call me with any questions or concerns. I thought for sure my phone would be bombarded with calls and messages before I left school for the day. But after 3 hours of being home, no calls. Not one. This either means that parents understand my point, or students haven't given parents the letter yet.
Everyone always agrees that teachers have the hardest job, and don't get paid enough for the job they do. But sometimes, this is just lip service. If people really felt this way, send me supplies! Most people do not grasp the concept that EVERYTHING in my classroom comes out of my own pocket, and I do mean everything!!! The tests that students take every week, a box of paper $35.00. Loose leaf paper or notebooks use to write notes and learn information and concepts, $1.99 during the school year, cheaper if you take advantage of school sales in August. Think about how much a parent might spend on supplies at the beginning of a school year. Not counting clothes, $200 at the most. Now take that and multiply it by an average class size (20 kids). That's $2000 at the beginning of the year. By January, these supplies are done-zo! So another batch of supplies is needed at mid year! If I buy this out of pocket, (which I usually do)that's 10% of my salary! (Again, I need to put a disclaimer that these are estimates, but they are not really far fetched. Beginning teachers have it a lot worse because they have more expenses since they are buying everything from scratch. This means posters, bulletin board paper, pencils, papers etc. Plus, their salaries average about $25,000 a year)
Now that I broke down the money situation, is it any wonder why teachers leave the profession? Or why I work a "part time" job, but really average 40 hours a week? Do you know any other profession where you must buy your basic necessities needed to complete your daily job? Have you ever bought pens, copy paper or post it notes out of your own pocket? Do you do this twice a year? And don't even get me started on the hours that I log in over time, at night or on weekends. Would you leave your current job for half the pay but twice the work?
But whenever this argument comes up, the naysayers always have the same response: "Teachers get summers off, two weeks at Christmas and a week off for Spring Break!" Ok, let's do that math. Summer starts mid June and begins mid August. This is around eight weeks. Count in holidays and that make around 10 weeks. Businesses usually allows two weeks vacation time. So we are really looking at 8 weeks vacation that I am "allowed" more than you, which comes to 320 hours. Between lesson plans and grading papers, I usually work 4 hours a night during the week (not counting weekends). That comes to 20 hours a week. School lasts for 180 days, so that's 3600 extra hours that I accumulate. That's a mark up of 9% more hours than you work in a fiscal year. Again, my I remind you that you probably also make twice than me. So, in conclusion you pay me half of your salary, I will work my 8 weeks of "vacation" time during the school year.
How you like them apples?
Today I implemented a new "pencil policy". Basically it says that no one can use a pencil for the rest of the year unless 1) they have a signed permission slip from their parents, 2) parents buy pencils and sharpeners for their students and 3) students agree to be responsible for their own pencils and cleaning up the pencil sharpener shavings after use. This comes after the 4th, (yes, 4th!) pencil sharpener that I have bought this year, was broken when a student decided to sharpen the eraser part of a pencil. At first, I thought it was a crayon, which sent me into a magenta rage! (Evidently, it is now cool to have a pencil with both sides sharpened. However, then I get to hear, "Ms. G, can I have an eraser?" or "I can't do my test, I don't have a pencil.")My response? "That's fine, use a crayon." If you want to act like a kindergarter, I will treat you like a kindergarten and we will all use crayons to complete our work. "But how will students complete state tests with crayons?" you ask. I am not sure, but if they can't be responsible enough to keep a pencil from one day to another, how will they survive in middle school, when they have several teachers and lockers with two minutes to change classes.
As a caution, I sent parents a letter today to explain the new policy and my reason for such a drastic measure. I gave out my cell number with a note saying to please call me with any questions or concerns. I thought for sure my phone would be bombarded with calls and messages before I left school for the day. But after 3 hours of being home, no calls. Not one. This either means that parents understand my point, or students haven't given parents the letter yet.
Everyone always agrees that teachers have the hardest job, and don't get paid enough for the job they do. But sometimes, this is just lip service. If people really felt this way, send me supplies! Most people do not grasp the concept that EVERYTHING in my classroom comes out of my own pocket, and I do mean everything!!! The tests that students take every week, a box of paper $35.00. Loose leaf paper or notebooks use to write notes and learn information and concepts, $1.99 during the school year, cheaper if you take advantage of school sales in August. Think about how much a parent might spend on supplies at the beginning of a school year. Not counting clothes, $200 at the most. Now take that and multiply it by an average class size (20 kids). That's $2000 at the beginning of the year. By January, these supplies are done-zo! So another batch of supplies is needed at mid year! If I buy this out of pocket, (which I usually do)that's 10% of my salary! (Again, I need to put a disclaimer that these are estimates, but they are not really far fetched. Beginning teachers have it a lot worse because they have more expenses since they are buying everything from scratch. This means posters, bulletin board paper, pencils, papers etc. Plus, their salaries average about $25,000 a year)
Now that I broke down the money situation, is it any wonder why teachers leave the profession? Or why I work a "part time" job, but really average 40 hours a week? Do you know any other profession where you must buy your basic necessities needed to complete your daily job? Have you ever bought pens, copy paper or post it notes out of your own pocket? Do you do this twice a year? And don't even get me started on the hours that I log in over time, at night or on weekends. Would you leave your current job for half the pay but twice the work?
But whenever this argument comes up, the naysayers always have the same response: "Teachers get summers off, two weeks at Christmas and a week off for Spring Break!" Ok, let's do that math. Summer starts mid June and begins mid August. This is around eight weeks. Count in holidays and that make around 10 weeks. Businesses usually allows two weeks vacation time. So we are really looking at 8 weeks vacation that I am "allowed" more than you, which comes to 320 hours. Between lesson plans and grading papers, I usually work 4 hours a night during the week (not counting weekends). That comes to 20 hours a week. School lasts for 180 days, so that's 3600 extra hours that I accumulate. That's a mark up of 9% more hours than you work in a fiscal year. Again, my I remind you that you probably also make twice than me. So, in conclusion you pay me half of your salary, I will work my 8 weeks of "vacation" time during the school year.
How you like them apples?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
"The Man" surpises me and "Wood" is gone!
It's been a week since the last day of school. Surprisingly, there were no big surprises during those last few days of school. We received our scores on our End of Grade tests. "The Man" received a 4 (!!!) on his Reading tests. (The highest score a student can accomplish) and a 3 on his Math test, one of the highest scores in the class!!! What does one say to that??!?!!?
WE DID IT!!! He made it through fourth grade. Struggles? Yes! Suspensions? Of course! Being cussed out almost everyday? Absolutely!!! But we made it. HE made it.
And finally "Wood" is OUT OF MY CLASS!!!! She is now someone else's problem (God, help them!) This was a really hard year and I am so glad that I made it through, even though I "resigned" in the middle of the year. Overall, I realized that this is the school that I want to be at and it is not because of the fabulousness of the institution, but just the FABULOUS staff and friends that I have.
I think the best part of being a teacher at a school like this is that I get to know families and I love when the brother or sisters of previous students say, "Ms. G, I want to be in YOUR class!!!" That makes me SO happy! Until of course the really get into my class.... then inevitably hate me!
But alas, I digress, I SURVIVED MY FOURTH YEAR of teaching!!!! Bring on the SUMMER!
WE DID IT!!! He made it through fourth grade. Struggles? Yes! Suspensions? Of course! Being cussed out almost everyday? Absolutely!!! But we made it. HE made it.
And finally "Wood" is OUT OF MY CLASS!!!! She is now someone else's problem (God, help them!) This was a really hard year and I am so glad that I made it through, even though I "resigned" in the middle of the year. Overall, I realized that this is the school that I want to be at and it is not because of the fabulousness of the institution, but just the FABULOUS staff and friends that I have.
I think the best part of being a teacher at a school like this is that I get to know families and I love when the brother or sisters of previous students say, "Ms. G, I want to be in YOUR class!!!" That makes me SO happy! Until of course the really get into my class.... then inevitably hate me!
But alas, I digress, I SURVIVED MY FOURTH YEAR of teaching!!!! Bring on the SUMMER!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Hearts and Sunshine
There are days (as I'm sure you've read) that I really HATE my job! But rarely does it have anything to do with my students. Usually it's grown up stupidity that gets me upset. But today was a different story, it was a GREAT day, despite the fact that I did have a fight in my class today.
I realize that I AM a good teacher and sometimes, I do make a difference, however small it may be. I actually got to teach today (novel idea) and in reflecting on how much my students (even the most difficult) have grown this year, put a little smile on my face.
I turned students, who came to me with having very little math last year, (thanks to our superintendent's initiative) into Math enthusiasts, who are pretty efficient. Today, during Literacy, I was helping a student (we'll call him Shorty) who RARELY enjoys working with words. He was becoming so involved with the lesson and was SO happy that he understood and he was having fun with it.
At one moment during our novel study, I looked up from reading and EVERY SINGLE STUDENT, had their nose buried in the book and was thoroughly enjoying the story. Their hands were raised. They were asking questions, predicting and making great connections from their own lives. It was truly magical!
If only I could take this time on task and transfer it to testing day! Why, oh why, can't I get paid for these great days? Why can't my evaluation as a teacher be based on days like today? Why can't every day be like today?
Now, granted I might be jinxing myself and tomorrow will be hellacious. But really, I think it might be worth it because today, I really made a difference. Tomorrow? Well that's another day!
I realize that I AM a good teacher and sometimes, I do make a difference, however small it may be. I actually got to teach today (novel idea) and in reflecting on how much my students (even the most difficult) have grown this year, put a little smile on my face.
I turned students, who came to me with having very little math last year, (thanks to our superintendent's initiative) into Math enthusiasts, who are pretty efficient. Today, during Literacy, I was helping a student (we'll call him Shorty) who RARELY enjoys working with words. He was becoming so involved with the lesson and was SO happy that he understood and he was having fun with it.
At one moment during our novel study, I looked up from reading and EVERY SINGLE STUDENT, had their nose buried in the book and was thoroughly enjoying the story. Their hands were raised. They were asking questions, predicting and making great connections from their own lives. It was truly magical!
If only I could take this time on task and transfer it to testing day! Why, oh why, can't I get paid for these great days? Why can't my evaluation as a teacher be based on days like today? Why can't every day be like today?
Now, granted I might be jinxing myself and tomorrow will be hellacious. But really, I think it might be worth it because today, I really made a difference. Tomorrow? Well that's another day!
Monday, April 13, 2009
My spirit is so broken.
The saga continue...
I don't even want to go back to school anymore. The bad part is that with all the "characters" that I have I'm my class this year, it is still bearable. I have hard days because I deal with hard students. That comes with the territory. Every teacher has a hard class, at least one year.
All of this would be ok, but when I bust my ass to give my students, and school 110% and get no gratitude, what's the point. I am a good teacher. I know this and I trust this. But when I received my end of the year evaluation and I am deemed just "at standard", when clearly I go above and beyond everyday. Should this not entitle me an "above standard" status? One would think, but that's not the case in this situation.
Alas, I am just a "standard" teacher, who does "above standard work". I feel that I work harder than most of the teachers at my school , but that's not reflected in my progress evaluation. And due to this, my spirit as a teacher, an educator, and all around good person is completely gone.
I don't even want to go back to school anymore. The bad part is that with all the "characters" that I have I'm my class this year, it is still bearable. I have hard days because I deal with hard students. That comes with the territory. Every teacher has a hard class, at least one year.
All of this would be ok, but when I bust my ass to give my students, and school 110% and get no gratitude, what's the point. I am a good teacher. I know this and I trust this. But when I received my end of the year evaluation and I am deemed just "at standard", when clearly I go above and beyond everyday. Should this not entitle me an "above standard" status? One would think, but that's not the case in this situation.
Alas, I am just a "standard" teacher, who does "above standard work". I feel that I work harder than most of the teachers at my school , but that's not reflected in my progress evaluation. And due to this, my spirit as a teacher, an educator, and all around good person is completely gone.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
My Class Blog
So my students have entered the technological world and have started their own blog. We have been writing our own stories and this is our chance to publish our work. Please check it out and feel free to comment. My students would LOVE IT!
The link is: http://c8beez.blogspot.com
Thanks for your continued support in all of my educational efforts.
The link is: http://c8beez.blogspot.com
Thanks for your continued support in all of my educational efforts.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Oh what a week it's been....
This week has me not only questioning my job, and my place at my current school, but really I am beginning to question my life, and my place in this world. That's ultimately what it has come down to, this crazy place (my school) is making me question EVERYTHING, from how I deal with things, to if I am slumping back into a state of depression, to if I really need to be in education. The really bad part is that because of all of this, my mother is beginning to question my "state of mind" and is really worried about me! Now I know that my mother is going to worry about me anyway, but because I am so far away from her, her anxiety increase.
Here's a breakdown of my hellacious week:
Monday - Dealt with an angry parent of, "The Man" who when I called to tell her he walked out of class AGAIN today, she was furious with me that he wasn't going on the field trip, and that she lost her money.....seriously, people?
ME: "He was suspended THREE WEEKS IN A ROW!!! PLUS, he got mad today and WALKED OUT OF CLASS! He does whatever he wants to do! Being disrespectful to adults, is just par for the course. Are we really going to reward him by allowing him to go on a field trip?"
Her: "Well you said he could go, if I go with him, why can't he go?"
Me: "Because we've already paid for everything and did not count him in, nor included you. PLUS, HE WAS SUSPENDED FOR BEING DISRESPECTFUL AND WALKING OUT OF CLASS THREE WEEKS IN A ROW!!!! When I said he could go with accompaniment it was before he was suspended. Besides I met with you IN PERSON last Monday, you never indicated that you were interested in going on the trip with him!"
Her: "Ms. G, I have so much on my mind, I can't keep up with field trips." (Really, like keeping up with the behavior of your child?) "When is it? Wednesday? I mean that's money that I can't get back that could have gone to bills or something." (Or something like you hair or nails?)
Me: "Well, I suggest that you make him work off the money that he owes you."
Her: "Whatever."
Nice! Ok, so we are not upset because the student is walking out of class, we are more upset of losing $$$. Now I know that economic times are hard, but seriously, I don't go to work to babysit your child. If I was a babysitter, I would be getting paid WAY more than I do for teaching.
Tuesday - I received an email stating that we had to have grades due for our report cards on Thursday at 4. It's TUESDAY at 2:00. (For those of you who are mathematically challenged, that's 50 hours. 16 of which I will be teaching, and my fourth grade had a field trip on Wednesday, so that's 20 that my teammates will be gone/teaching. And I would like to sleep, eat and take care of personal things, approx. 24 hours for this. That's not alot of time left to organize and finalize grades.) So I shot out this email:
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!!
I don't know where the breakdown is, but to let us know TWO DAYS before the deadline is a complete and utter farce!!! THE FOURTH GRADE TEACHERS WILL BE ON A FIELD TRIP ALL DAY TOMORROW SO THAT REALLY ONLY LEAVES ONE DAY TO GET GRADES POSTED. (And I'm not even speaking for myself, but for my team)
NO, IT'S NOT EVEN ONE DAY BECAUSE ON THURSDAY, FROM 8 - 4, WE ACTUALLY PLAN TO TEACH!!! A novel idea, I know.
I understand we are suppose to keep up with grades, which most of us have, but seriously, the nine weeks doesn't end until FRIDAY!!!~!~
I MEAN, TWO DAYS? SERIOUSLY?
Ok, maybe it wasn't the best thing to write, but the frustration was oozing out of every part of my body. Here's the reply from my "leader":
Emails like this are not helpful. If you have a problem, please see me.
Yes, because that has worked so well in the past when I have had "problems". (see previous blog about crazy student wielding a wooden cross at a teacher)
Wednesday - Actually, somewhat of a good day than I would have expected. I stayed behind from the field trip keeping all the "behavior" students who couldn't go on the field trip. We actually had an instructional day, and though they drove me crazy, (8 of the worst kids on my grade, all put into one room with 5 other kids) there was no major incidents. SUCCESS!!! But I left school with a huge headache which sent me home taking two Tylenol and going to bed!
Thursday - Heading to school early for morning tutoring, had to stop on the side of the road because of a nose bleed, and return to my house to change (blood all over my clothes). This was proceeded by a huge major headache/migraine that was unbearable. I couldn't get my medicine open and couldn't even see, the pain was blinding. (This has happened before, two years ago, evidently brought on by stress and high blood pressure, go figure) Called into school, and went to see my doctor. MRI pending.
Spoke to assistant principal this night to explain why I couldn't come in and that per doctor's orders, would be out on Friday as well. She told me that 3 fourth grade boys (which we have had trouble with all year and went to the "leader" about their escalating behavior, "The Man" was one of the boys, "jumped" another one of my students in the bathroom. Police were called.)
I felt so guilty and responsible, knowing that if I had been at school on this day, this could have been avoided. I am very sad at the whole situation.
I am done. Really done. There is no way I can work under the "leader" anymore. Children are now paying the price due to her allowing things to be swept under the rug. I can't do it anymore.
I have to go to another school or something, because now that this stress and frustration is starting to effect me physically. I just can't take it anymore.
Here's a breakdown of my hellacious week:
Monday - Dealt with an angry parent of, "The Man" who when I called to tell her he walked out of class AGAIN today, she was furious with me that he wasn't going on the field trip, and that she lost her money.....seriously, people?
ME: "He was suspended THREE WEEKS IN A ROW!!! PLUS, he got mad today and WALKED OUT OF CLASS! He does whatever he wants to do! Being disrespectful to adults, is just par for the course. Are we really going to reward him by allowing him to go on a field trip?"
Her: "Well you said he could go, if I go with him, why can't he go?"
Me: "Because we've already paid for everything and did not count him in, nor included you. PLUS, HE WAS SUSPENDED FOR BEING DISRESPECTFUL AND WALKING OUT OF CLASS THREE WEEKS IN A ROW!!!! When I said he could go with accompaniment it was before he was suspended. Besides I met with you IN PERSON last Monday, you never indicated that you were interested in going on the trip with him!"
Her: "Ms. G, I have so much on my mind, I can't keep up with field trips." (Really, like keeping up with the behavior of your child?) "When is it? Wednesday? I mean that's money that I can't get back that could have gone to bills or something." (Or something like you hair or nails?)
Me: "Well, I suggest that you make him work off the money that he owes you."
Her: "Whatever."
Nice! Ok, so we are not upset because the student is walking out of class, we are more upset of losing $$$. Now I know that economic times are hard, but seriously, I don't go to work to babysit your child. If I was a babysitter, I would be getting paid WAY more than I do for teaching.
Tuesday - I received an email stating that we had to have grades due for our report cards on Thursday at 4. It's TUESDAY at 2:00. (For those of you who are mathematically challenged, that's 50 hours. 16 of which I will be teaching, and my fourth grade had a field trip on Wednesday, so that's 20 that my teammates will be gone/teaching. And I would like to sleep, eat and take care of personal things, approx. 24 hours for this. That's not alot of time left to organize and finalize grades.) So I shot out this email:
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!!
I don't know where the breakdown is, but to let us know TWO DAYS before the deadline is a complete and utter farce!!! THE FOURTH GRADE TEACHERS WILL BE ON A FIELD TRIP ALL DAY TOMORROW SO THAT REALLY ONLY LEAVES ONE DAY TO GET GRADES POSTED. (And I'm not even speaking for myself, but for my team)
NO, IT'S NOT EVEN ONE DAY BECAUSE ON THURSDAY, FROM 8 - 4, WE ACTUALLY PLAN TO TEACH!!! A novel idea, I know.
I understand we are suppose to keep up with grades, which most of us have, but seriously, the nine weeks doesn't end until FRIDAY!!!~!~
I MEAN, TWO DAYS? SERIOUSLY?
Ok, maybe it wasn't the best thing to write, but the frustration was oozing out of every part of my body. Here's the reply from my "leader":
Emails like this are not helpful. If you have a problem, please see me.
Yes, because that has worked so well in the past when I have had "problems". (see previous blog about crazy student wielding a wooden cross at a teacher)
Wednesday - Actually, somewhat of a good day than I would have expected. I stayed behind from the field trip keeping all the "behavior" students who couldn't go on the field trip. We actually had an instructional day, and though they drove me crazy, (8 of the worst kids on my grade, all put into one room with 5 other kids) there was no major incidents. SUCCESS!!! But I left school with a huge headache which sent me home taking two Tylenol and going to bed!
Thursday - Heading to school early for morning tutoring, had to stop on the side of the road because of a nose bleed, and return to my house to change (blood all over my clothes). This was proceeded by a huge major headache/migraine that was unbearable. I couldn't get my medicine open and couldn't even see, the pain was blinding. (This has happened before, two years ago, evidently brought on by stress and high blood pressure, go figure) Called into school, and went to see my doctor. MRI pending.
Spoke to assistant principal this night to explain why I couldn't come in and that per doctor's orders, would be out on Friday as well. She told me that 3 fourth grade boys (which we have had trouble with all year and went to the "leader" about their escalating behavior, "The Man" was one of the boys, "jumped" another one of my students in the bathroom. Police were called.)
I felt so guilty and responsible, knowing that if I had been at school on this day, this could have been avoided. I am very sad at the whole situation.
I am done. Really done. There is no way I can work under the "leader" anymore. Children are now paying the price due to her allowing things to be swept under the rug. I can't do it anymore.
I have to go to another school or something, because now that this stress and frustration is starting to effect me physically. I just can't take it anymore.
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