I snapped at school. A little piece in me broke and I went to my Assistant Principal and said "he goes, or I go". Now you may ask did I really mean that I was going to quit? No, I certainly did not. I think I really only meant for the afternoon, but she took me very seriously and said she'd much rather see me be able to do my job and if the only way I could see me doing my job was to have my special friend out of the room, then so be it. We'll call him CC. This child is above and beyond anything I can handle on my own. I did not let myself admit, let alone think, this for the first 2.5 months I have been at EGES. But like I said, something snapped. Perhaps it was the bruises I now I have on my arms and legs from when I had to use my body to hold the double doors closed so he could not get out as he was banging his head, hands, and feet against me/the door. Perhaps it was my other special friend, let's just go ahead and call him Baby, when he fell to the floor in the cafeteria because another student got a fork before him in line. His tears and snot and screams after the morning I had literally pushed me over the edge. I was just standing there staring at him, trying to find the energy, will power, desire, motivation, whatever the word is, to do something. I couldn't. An assistant I have come to rely on when it comes to Baby and CC for her very stern manner, walked into the cafeteria, heard/saw the mess Baby was making, looked at me and said "Ms. T, go to your room...I've got this". I just turned around, and walked straight into my Assistant Principal's office.
This all happened about a week and a half ago. In that time, I have gotten the flu, had half my class fall ill, had my assistant out for 2 days, a flat tire, lost my drivers license, NOT been called by the boy, lectured (as a staff) by our principal, had 4 parent-teacher conferences, and all around been miserable. I have tried to shake it, but sometimes, you just can't.
I have been sitting here all day essentially, on one of the most beautiful days Raleigh has seen in awhile, trying to get myself ready and excited for this week at school. I don't have it in me. I don't care. I could not show up at school tomorrow and only because of the backlash it would create from my team/administration/parents, I could not care less. In my past 4 years of teaching, I would take a day off for whatever reason, and would miss my kids. I would miss my team, I would simply miss my school and want to be back to see all that I missed. I don't have that anymore. I didn't think of it this way at first, but I have a new student and I feel like I have to do everything in my power to protect him from this class, this school. He has come in just after mid-year and has no idea what he is getting into with my class. If I can prevent one person from feeling the angst and pain that this place gives me, then perhaps I'm doing some good after all.
How can a school be so broken that it makes everyone miserable?????
How do I get out?
9 years ago
2 comments:
Where and what do you teach? We all have classes and school years like yours throughout our careers (and I teach in an affluent suburban school system). The point is do you get the support you need from others so that you can teach the 20+ other students that are there to learn and are behaving.
It is the time of the year where that third quarter slump sets in (although maybe it is different for you as you do not have the winter weather/doldrums we have). Last Monday I did not feel like being at school. No idea why, but I just did not want to be there. I had a fine day and snapped out of it.
I have had students throughout my 20 year career who have made my job sooooo much harder than it needed to be. Do these kids need to be labeled special ed to receive proper services?
Feel free to email me and I can give you tips and suggestions. I feel like I have pretty much seen it all. I do teach in a good district, but have had numerous admins throughout my career, some definitely better than others.
Hang in there! The school year is half over. Don't get discouraged and give up. I am sure there are plenty of students that love you and are depending one you. Hugs!
yes, hang in there!
Post a Comment