Tuesday, December 20, 2011
I actually didn't blog something!
There was one thing, one side of my life, that I was so hesitant to blog about that I really wanted to over the past few months. I was struggling at work with classroom management. It ate at me for weeks and I spent a lot of time working hard to improve upon it. I had great classroom management where I came from, but it seemed that I wasn't fully prepared for what I experienced. I have been working hard and have improved greatly. It was something I didn't want to admit because the administration was looking down on me at the time and the thought loomed in the back of my head about the possibility of not being rehired, and I was scared. I am glad to say I'm doing much better. I didn't want to say much because I felt a tremendous loss of pride. I feared the comments like why did I become a teacher? Why am I failing the kids? Irrational, I know, but hey, I'm learning, and I'm improving with the kinds of kids I have. I was feeling so worn down and stressed, and Mike's constant critical eye had me hesitant to say anything. I was at the point I didn't care. But now I'm doing better... woo!
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6 comments:
Good to hear it, I know classroom management is one of the toughest parts of a teacher's job.
Funny how we start these anonymous blogs so we can say anything, but once he have a regular group of readers we develop the impulse to censor ourselves again. I really doubt that you would have gotten comments like those you feared, though. Instead you probably would have gotten words of encouragement and advice.
I'm glad to hear that things are going better. I agree with "B"... you would have gotten only supportive comments here. As a teacher, classroom management is a thing that even the most experienced of teachers struggle with from time to time.
The students are getting anxious to start their Christmas break so that's not helping matters. My goofy grade ten boys (who I normally really like) were absolutely impossible yesterday... just off the wall.
Classroom management is a challenge which seems to be getting greater as time goes on. This is mainly because students and parents seem to have less and less respect for anyone in authority.
Mike: You have high expectations of yourself -- that's good, build on that. But you don't have to be perfect. And the whole point of experience is learning how to deal with difficult situations. It's so easy if you had perfect students, wonderful co-workers and the best administrative support but that's not reality.
Maybe one day you'll share your turnaround story with details so others can learn from your experience.
Just like the one saying says, "if you become a teacher, by your students you'll be taught." Working with a classroom, certain group of kids, etc. is a lesson in interaction. Of course things could be rocky at first, and of course a teacher such as yourself will always learn and improve.
Hi, as a retired high school teacher with 37 years, I can guarantee that classroom management often trumps subject knowledge in the eyes of administrators. I had some good classes that I truly enjoyed; others were torture. It all had to do with the mix of students. Remember that next year may be totally different. Also, you gain experience and learn what techniques work for you. Enjoy your holiday break.
I feel like there'll always be something that casts a shadow of doubt. It's how we deal with it (or don't) that determines our strengths and weaknesses. I'm glad you were able to push through and come out on top! You always had it in ya. :-)
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