Leadership builds teams, bad people management destroys!

If everyone in a management, leadership or head positions led by example, supported and encouraged staff, spent time understanding how and why a mistake or error was made and stood by their employees, staff or teams then respect, collegiality and a desire to do better or improve naturally follows.

Those that insist on managing by criticising, provoking resentment, insecurity, fear and enforcing control which annihilates staff morale, teamwork, safety and efficiency lose not only respect but the imaginary control they think they have.

Good leadership means the workforce would feel safe to try new things when expected to do so, to listen with genuine engagement and to follow the good leadership example set rather than cower and fear doing or saying anything that might spark off negative comments from the ''manager". 

The Principal at the school I work at is a leader through and through. That doesn't mean that her philosophy and way of managing filters through down the ranks tho. Still, she would be a great example of how to be next to some who is a great example of how not to be! It's the latter that might perform exceptionally well but who when dealing with staff do nothing but dictate, chastise and criticise that will ultimately cause inefficiency, unhappiness and eventual failure to secure any respect or confident, independent and free speaking contributing staff members.

Natural Leaders are a blessing. Managers without the leadership skills need training to get the best out of staff. Only leadership of the most genuine kind commands respect and followers into new and stormy changing times. The latter will save themselves whilst blaming their staff for every failure without even taking a moment to find out why that failure occurred. When staff falter it us ultimately a reflection of bad people management -  it is seldom anything more.

Are you a manager or a leader?

1. Managers give answers, leaders ask questions. There’s nothing certain to turn your employees against you faster than shouting orders at them. Why not spare yourself the impending resentment and simply ask your employees this: “What would you do?” or “What do you think of this idea?” Allowing people to participate in the decision-making process will not only transform what could have been an order into something more easily swallowed--it also inspires creativity, motivation, and autonomy.

2. Managers criticize mistakes, leaders call attention to mistakes indirectly. It may seem more efficient to point out your employees’ mistakes directly, but this will only leave them feeling embarrassed and frustrated. You should really be giving them the chance to learn and grow from through your critiques. Instead, give your employees the chance to address their mistakes.

For example, say a project was sent to a client and you receive back a disgruntled message. Calmly ask your employee about the clients concern and whether they feel what was provided was on par. This will give them a chance to provide their input, while also improving for the future.

3. Managers forget to praise, leaders reward even the smallest improvement. Praise pays off when it comes to increasing the overall success of your company. Finding time to recognize your employees for even the smallest accomplishment will only increase their interest in what they do. If you’re interested in ensuring your employees take pride in all that they do, regular feedback and recognition is certain to do the trick. Everyone wants to be genuinely appreciated for their efforts.

4. Managers focus on the bad, leaders emphasize the good. This really comes down to seeing the cup half empty or half full. If you’re only willing to point out the flaws of a project or an employee, you’re not giving them much interest in learning or improving. Instead, create a sandwich effect. Start with some form of praise, follow with the criticism, and end with praise.

5. Managers want credit, leaders credit their teams. Managers who lack leadership abilities are always first to take credit. But effective leaders understand the importance of crediting their teams for the big wins. This pays off in the long run for creative a workplace with a more positive company culture and employees who are driven toward more successes as a team.

Management shouldn’t be approach through force, but rather through influence. Put these techniques in place to improve the way your employees perform.

Taken from LinkedIn 

Positive Leadership makes a difference

Well, having encouraged myself out of bed this morning hoping for a positive start to the week, I am pleased and relieved to say that this is exactly what I got!

The Principal this morning made folk turn to each other and state one thing they were thankful for at school. Most did it but some did the usual grump and groan, complaining about how pointless it was. To be honest, it is their problem. If they would stop one moment and just do what was asked of them by their leader then they would have started the day with positivity instead of gripes and grumbles.

Still, the message gave me food for thought and you know . . . I reckon she is right. She has great vision and philosophy but has a long road ahead to get everyone on board. No battle worth winning was ever won easilly tho, so the more of us that can get on board with her the better the transition and change proposals for the future will be.

All in all, the start to this week was great. If it wasnt for the little green computer munching gremlins in the PCs at work the day would have gone without incident . . . still, all in all feeling much happier and positive and energised. Receiving a lovely supportive email from a previous Associate teacher helped no end. So sweet I thought to email me and ask how my day was. See! Some teachers are truly beautiful - I must remember to focus on them and a collaborative, friendly network instead of those who represent the opposite.

The students were a little quiet today but did contribute to the display board for open night and they opened up about cultural, religious and language facts in their home countries. We had an open conversation about flags, which they knew many more of than I, and there were some good learning outcomes. It would be preferable for the students to pass credits in ESOL but some are still quite far away from writing proper complete and full sentences. I am starting to think that in order to help them more we need new text books. I'll be taking a look at that on Wednesday.

For now, off to lesson plan. Feelin' quietly much better about the teaching profession.

Teacher quotes - a good teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary

Most of us have had the good fortune of having at least one good teacher who shaped our thoughts. The lessons of a good teacher remain etched in ones soul. Surprise your teacher and fill her /his heart with pride by expressing your gratitude with these quotes.

Thomas Carruthers

A good teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary.

Bertrand Russell

No man can be a good teacher unless he has feelings of warm affection toward his pupils and a genuine desire to impart to them what he believes to be of value.

Philip Wylie

One good teacher in a lifetime may sometimes change a delinquent into a solid citizen.

M. K. Soni

A good teacher is a good student first. By repeating his lessons, he acquires excellence.

Louis A. Berman

A good teacher is a master of simplification and an enemy of simplism.

Anonymous

A good teacher is like a candle: it consumes itself to light the way for others.

Minna Antrim

Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.

German Proverb

The fault of another is a good teacher.

William Arthur Ward

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.

Images for the 21st Century learner / educator

Some positivity! Teachers........

What is the world of teaching coming to

I'm home! Yes, inbetween hospital apts I managed to get lesson planning done for classes I will miss tomorrow. No thanks for that tho. If the Head ever said a positive word to me I'd be in so much shock I'd have a heart-attack. Quick to critisise and put me down, decline my offer of help and talk at me, teach me suck eggs, criticism of statements that are positive that somehow she makes negative and destroys any standing I have but never, not once has there been a gracious comment about designing stuff from scratch, delivering a successful programme or the positive teacher-student relations I managed to form. I'm somewhat disallusioned with this teaching lark. 

I've never known any profession less collaborative or more back biting. I'm told by teachers and colleagues its just the school I am at, but the philosophy and leadership of the school is positive and forward thinking. I am struggling to understand why the two dont mesh. I must say I didn't experience so much negativity on teaching practice so maybe there is truth in what I am told?! Its somewhat a sad situation tho. If the majority of teachers could just get on board with the vision for the school it would be such a different place to work. I just dont know tho. 

This isnt for me. I need to work at a higher level with people who are not threatened by who I am but who want to use what I can offer in a positive way and who are willing to let me learn from them. I dont have that now and its isolating and confidence destroying. It also makes it look like I am the one with the problem, but, like I've said before, if there were cameras and microphones around then what people actually say and mean and what they offer as lip service to be heard saying the right thing would separate out those who management think are fantastic and who offer up empty words from those they dont think so great but who they dont realise are genuinely loyal. Never gonna happen tho. Teaching has altered my perceptions of the world. Its squishing the light out of me. 

Ironic as the students light up everything.  They are real and genuine even when swearing and abusing me and each other. It is rare to feel so much 'in' service and be able to clearly see a difference that one can make to these students and hopefully the faith and trust they have in themselves. Its so confusing because the teachers destroy it all. Is this the process to 'teacher disillusionment' and 'apathy' - arghhhhhh! I'm so confused I cant write anymore. Sigh . . . what is the world coming to.

WOW! How cool would augmented reading books be in the classroom

Sony's Wonderbook is PS Move-augmented reading, launches with J.K. Rowling's 'Book of Spells'

By Richard Lawler posted Jun 4th, 2012 at 10:36 PM0 

---

If you were wondering what Sony planned next for the PS Move, the answer is apparently... books. Just displayed at its pre-E3 press conference, Wonderbooks will let users turn physical books into the best pop-up adventure of all time. As seen in the presentation, it could project images onto the book, letting users peer own dark tunnels, cast spells or even dodge a flying dragon that escaped from the pages. On the downside, the task looked a bit complicated for the target audience, requiring them to manipulate the book, look at their TV to see the effects and wave a wand with their other hand. There was a bit of a demo fail during the presentation, we'll see if things work more smoothly when we get some hands-on time tomorrow. The first PlayStation 3 Wonderbook title available is by none other than Harry Potter writer JK Rowling, who brings the Book of Spells for muggles to try their hands at Hogwart's best-known incantations. One other book was also mentioned, Diggs Nightcrawler.

I found a thread 'I don't want to teach anymore' - it seems teaching has teachers despondant worldwide!?

I found this thread - I don't know if to be relieved that a lot of these comments ring a bell or sad at the state of teaching worldwide. It seems to me that teaching has gone mad. Teachers can no longer focus on the aim of teaching but rather have to navigate all the crap arse politics, power plays, negativity and churlish behaviour of less than professional colleagues, ministry leaders and government tantrums. I'm lucky to work in a school with exceptional management who show vision and positive philosophies but sadly the majority of staff complain about every little change, historical issues that should have been long released and who have no problem making personal attacks on anyone siding with the principal or who opts to follow what needs dong when by whom! It's one long fight and frankly a circus. I've never experienced anything like it elsewhere, ever! I'm in my second term and tired of the put downs, snide remarks and overall careless attitude of the majority. Thank goodness for a handful of beautiful people who genuinely do care and are student focused because otherwise d really see no hope. These posts say it all..... I just wonder when when we might return to thinking of serving each other instead of ripping each other apart..... Shouldn't teaching be leading the way and have support of those who are in fact making it incredibly difficult to care and focus on student well being and learning outcomes?

From 'art girl' I am so glad to read posts from other people who have been struggling with whether to continue teaching or start a new career. When I first started teaching I was so excited. I loved the thought of giving kids new things to think about, or giving someone a jump on their future. Now I am struggling to convince my dad and others that, although I still like kids, I don't want to return to teaching. I felt that I wasn't getting the students that needed my help as the Literacy specialist. I was getting the students that could do independant work. The English teachers were getting my esl students and low achievers because the higher-ups thought that giving them a workbook meant that ela teachers could do the job just as well. But the ela teachers were already overwhelmed with all their other work that they simply had the kids work in their workbooks and complete multiple choice questions. 2 months in to my second year and I was reevaluating life plan.  I have always been close to my dad, but he still has trouble believing I don't want to teach. His words were " but you pick up munchkins everywhere you go ". I may like children but perhaps I had romanticized teaching in my head. It's put a strain on our relationship because he thinks I am being illogicall. He argues that I put all that time into my education and am now wasting my degree. I even tried to tell him about all the current and former teachers I met while grading state exams. How I didn't feel alone now because other people could validate my thoughts. The former teachers were happy with their new careers and they had similar stories to mine. For two weeks out of the year we get together, grade tests, talk and share experiences. Now I paint murals and restore furniture. I never look back and think what could have been if I had continued teaching.   Geevie Guest     artgirl   12-31-2012, 11:57 AM    #49 I am sooo encouraged to know that I am not alone! Teaching is a wonderful profession, but unfortunately there are many mean people/cretans who have come into the field through the back door. What kind of people? Evil, spiteful, deceitful, backstabbing, dishonest, arrogant and just downright hateful! I left teaching twice when I felt that I could not give my best. If you think that you can remain in a profession that is drying up your life, you are wrong!!! Life is precious! It is meant to be enjoyed. When the very thing that you prepared yourself to do becomes a thorn, it is time to move on. GOD will make a way! During my 20+ years of teaching, I have meant such wonderful people, but in the last 10 years, I have meant some of the cruelest people on earth...majority were adults, but some were also students. There is clearly a diminishing respect for teachers. Presently, I feel as though teaching is beginning to effect my health. There is so much that I would like to do, so what will I do? I'm not 100% certain, but I am 100% certain that I will not continue to be disrespected. I love myself and I know that I have much more to offer. I don't know what the future holds, but GOD does, so I will lean on Him and trust Him to provide me with all that I need to prosper!!!!!!!!! Step out on faith! You will not be alone!   teachnola76 Guest     Looking for career change   01-06-2013, 06:40 PM    #50 Wow, I can't believe how many teachers feel this way. I am currently in my 11th year of teaching and I feel terrible because I don't want to do this anymore. I teach in a city where the school system is in chaos. There are only about 3 good public/charter schools, the rest are a mess. There is hardly any parental involvement and most homes are unstable. We have so many students with severe behavior disorders and many of the children have no desire to learn. I am hoping to switch schools (maybe private) to see if that makes a difference. I have even thought about relocating to another city to find a better school system. Like some of the other posters, I have young children of my own that don't get the attention from me that they need because I am overwhelmed and stressed out. I am so desperate to get out of teaching that I am willing to work a minimum wage job for a little while. I think what we are all seeking is peace in our minds and hearts and unfortunately we will not be able to have that with teaching. I don't know when or where the breakdown in education began, but it is very scary as I wonder what schools will be like in a few years for my own kids. I am feeling so stressed and unhappy.   heco Guest     So DONE with school politics!   01-25-2013, 07:21 PM    #51 I am not alone. I am glad that there are others out there felling the pain and stress that I feel everyday. Want to hear sad..... I have been in 10 years, laid off twice, 14 different schools as an art teacher, on a cart and still only making 39K a year! I am at three school currently, and have had to take off work a lot for a huge family crises that occurred this year that has been ongoing. So naturally, I am a target of the school administration. So what do they do when they can't get you in trouble for taking off sick.........I got written up three times today! THREE! By the same principal. I am at her school for only one class, once a week, one hour. And she managed to find three things that I did wrong. No warning! Three write ups. Nothing about me being a bad teacher, or a horrible report with my students...they love me. Nope, about dumb things that the district finds to be important. I want everyone who reads this to look up a video on the internet.....it will change your life. I am trying to change mine: What if money were no object?...Google it!   Agreed Guest     Wow!   02-11-2013, 08:23 PM    #52 I spent the last 45 minutes or so deeply reading all of the posts I found on this forum in response to my Google search. I am 25 years old and am just more than half-way through my first year of teaching. I work in a small, pleasant district with great co-workers and administration that tries really hard. However, I wake up every morning feeling the same way everyone else who vented on this forum feels.  I've spent the last three years working full time and earning a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. This May, I'll graduate with that degree and not want to use it at all. The problem is, I don't know what else to do! I feel trapped in teaching because I have put so much time and effort into it (while earning my degree I worked as a lead pre-school teacher.) I even became dual endorsed in special education and secondary English education so I could work with a more diverse group of students and help those who needed it most. Do you know what I've learned? Working with special needs students (mostly LD and ED) basically means you have at least double the responsibilities of general education teachers, very little family support, AND are expected to perform miracles by getting all of your students to pass standardized tests. My district does benchmark testing every 4.5 weeks. Let me repeat that...we test our students using standardized testing samples in EVERY SUBJECT every 4.5 weeks! This past month, our students came back from winter break and where expected to take midterm exams in every class, then turn around and take benchmarks in every class. They will be testing again a month from now! It's downright cruel and unnecessary. As a special education teacher, I am expected to collaboratively teach two subjects (English and Civics) and plan and teach my own self-contained English course. All of this while managing a case load of 10 students, preparing objective progress reports every 4.5 weeks, teaching an after school English remediation class, and planning enrichment activities for the students during their study hall block (think bully prevention, "clubs", etc.) Not to mention administer my own standardized achievement tests for each one of the 10 IEP's and 5 file reviews I must perform this year.  Well, besides keep me up later than I should be (I have to wake up at 5 to be at school on time tomorrow,) it does make me feel better to know I'm not alone. After this school year and my June wedding, my fiance and I will be moving 3 hours west. I'm considering attempting to find a new job in a new field and starting over. I guess we'll see!   so tired Guest     I get knocked down but i get up again   02-18-2013, 04:58 PM    #53 Holy WOW! I also did a google search and landed here. I guess I was having one of those days,months, or should we says "years"? I am at a loss as to how to help you all. The sad state of our job most days makes it not what we bargained for. I, too, have been hanging in there like the rest of you. I am on my FOURTH year of substitute teaching because there are no openings in my town. I have had two long-term sub placements (currently covering a maternity leave at a private school). I have seen my worst day and It makes it hard to appreciate this job some days. I worked hard to fill in for the second half of the school year when an elementary teacher moved away and I was personally asked to fill in. I worked hard, cried, worked harder, and felt like I was flailing with no support. I put in countless hours and went above and beyond only to be seen as "sub" and not a true employee (and in fact was only paid as a sub...totally crappy). When the position opened up I interviewed for it (only after waiting hours and being asked, because they knew me, to come back at end of day when they could fit my interview in since they were running behind). I was stressed out to the max and didn't even get the job. I got an awful denial letter and not even one word from the principal who gave me no support. I felt like the world was crashing down and I told my husband I was not renewing my teaching license that was due. Ultimately, I dusted myself off and faked a smile to get through this year. I am enjoying subbing at the private school but it's not permanent. I am still just a SUB. I am tired of it and starting year five next year I don't know if I can put up with subbing again. I spent plenty of money, hours, sweat and tears to get into this profession. I originally graduated with a poli sci degree and found no great jobs so after a five years I went back to school for teaching. Now in my 30s I'm trying to start a new career but is this worth it???? I love working with the kids but not really digging the insane amount of planning and grading that keeps building. Anybody else who picked this a second profession or third think that maaaaybe it's not what you thought? I feel your pain.   bjdjkasbjkasd Guest     Les Miserables   03-06-2013, 11:08 AM    #54 I graduated from a big-time University with my Master's degree in Middle Childhood Education. No experience besides student teaching and a long-term Sub job. When I married, I moved to a different state. Not only did I have to re-take state exams and pay an enormous amount of money, but the town where I moved to seems to hire from a local University. I applied to 23 jobs, not one interview. I have been subbing for what seems like forever. It's miserable but I remember what I used to do to Subs when I was a student, so that is not the problem.  The problem is, even during my student teaching, I burned out fast. I dreaded going to school-I never had any time for myself and I cried almost every day. This is not the profession for me, even though it was tough to admit it. How could I have wasted all of that money and not have a job or even be making money?  Which brings about the original question: What other jobs can I apply for? They look at my degree and think, this is useless! I'm terrified that I have made a grave mistake even thinking that teaching could be a fulfilling career.

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burned out Guest

I am beginning to think I don't want to teach anymore.   11-01-2009, 05:45 AM    #1 Sorry I have signed out for this one as I know some folks don't really like that feature, but you never know who is reading. I have been teaching for about 10 years now. I still like working with children, and I do like planning, etc. But I just do not think I can do this for another 15 years. I am so tired of a work load that is insane. I am so tired of working 60+ hours a week and still have a number of students failing and them not even really caring about it. I am tired of meetings constantly, other teachers who don't do their part, parents who either communicate too much or not enough. I am tired of not having time to spend with my own children because I am too busy planning things for my class or grading papers all weekend long. I am tired of not being able to sleep at night because of worry that my students won't perform. I am tired of being given more than my fair share of the "special" kids because "you are good with them". Why am I overloaded because I do a good job? I am tired of waking up before the sun comes up and not getting home till after the sun sets most days because I am working extra hours.  I just feel burned out. I have changed grade levels and schools thinking it was the school, but I am realizing that it isn't the school--it is me. I really don't think I want to do this anymore, but I have no other experience, and I have 2 degrees in elementary ed. What else could I even consider?

Lady Teacher Senior Member   Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 3,340

I'm sorry you're feeling this way   11-01-2009, 06:15 AM    #2 Do you like curriculum? Maybe you could be a curriculum coach in your district. We have several teachers that transitioned to these types of positions for various subject areas and they love it.  Do you like mentoring new teachers? Maybe you could be a university supervisor for student teachers or help design mentoring programs for new teachers in your district.  Are you good with technology? Maybe you could help teachers learn how to integrate technology into the classroom.  There are probably lots of things you can do but I'm not sure how they would fly in this economy. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I sometimes wonder how I can continue. This is my 6th year and I definitely feel it too.

3rd Grd Tchr Guest

Boy...this sounds familiar   11-01-2009, 07:34 AM    #3 Friday morning there was meeting of 2nd year teachers with our academic coach (which I still haven't figure out what she does). She wanted our concerns voiced this year as opposed to last year.  A lot fo what your concerns are, is what I voiced on Friday. My largest concern is that I feel like I'm taking time away from my own children, working all weekend long for the next week. It's not fair to my children that I'm taking time away for them for someone else's children. Especially when you get no backup from the parents, administration, much less the children themselves. I was told that "Maybe this isn't the right profession for you then. Maybe you need to re-evaluate your job and see if this is truly where you need to be." All because I was concerned that planning all weekend long for the next week isn't fair to my own children.  Honestly, how professional to tell a 2nd year teacher she might be doing the wrong thing! I had all EXCELLENT reviews last year, have already had my first one this year and it was excellent.  Just needed to get it off my chest. My husband can only listen to me complain so long before he gets tired of hearing it.

lucky Senior Member     Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 675

So sorry,   11-01-2009, 08:02 AM    #4 3rd Grd Tchr but you fell into the trap "We want you to tell us your concerns." I'm sorry you fell for this. They will not help you and they may even take the opportunity to put more pressure on you. Teaching isn't what it once was and it's getting worse all the time. Your so called "free time" is never free time. The wonderful long breaks we get are becoming more like the time we need just to recuperate from the endless stress during the school year: lack of sleep, lack of exercise, lack of family time.  After spending 13 years in this profession, I constantly look forward to early retirement. I really can't see any end to this constant barrage of test, plan, meeting, analyze data nonsense. Your asinine academic coach is just a toady for the administration. Tell her nothing about your personal feelings. She will use it against you.

maryteach Senior Member   Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,787

What a crappy thing to say   11-01-2009, 08:07 AM    #5 to a second year teacher. I'm sorry she opened her big mouth and even said that to you. I'm in my eighth year and I really, really hear you. My weekends are so busy! I have to clean house on the weekend and do all my errands, bill paying, laundry, etc., because the week is just too insane! I bring home work every single night. Today, during the Bronco game, I will be grading papers and planning next week. When summer rolls around, it takes me a month just to recover. What chaps me, though, is what other people say about teachers. One of the districts here is having a terrible time reaching a contract settlement. You know how you can comment on the online news stories? Here's what people are saying about teachers when they find out they're unhappy with not getting a raise AGAIN: I have every confidence I could walk in and do their job TODAY. They have all summer off. What are they complaining about? They work from 9-3 and they want a raise?! Teachers are nothing but glorified babysitters. It's the lack of respect from the public that hurts me a lot. I bend over backwards for these kids, spend thousands of dollars of my own money on my classroom (because my district has no money), do after-school clubs for free, tutor on my own time...... Time to switch threads. This is depressing me.

collteach Full Member   Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 157

11-01-2009, 08:50 AM    #6 Sadly, I made the decision to resign from my teaching position this past week. There are many other factors involved in my decision (I have very little quality time with my 2 young children, my husband is deployed to Iraq, I have been having stress-related illnesses), but the work-load and stress really helped with my decision. I am almost finished with my Masters in Instructional Technology. I hope to be able to do something with that. I feel terrible about leaving my students and my school, but I think it is what is best for all of us. Had I realized just how much time and energy it would take for me to teach (this is my 7th year, but my first year in the district/school I am in now), I never would have interviewed for this job.  I am sorry I don't have words of wisdom for you. I may return to the classroom someday, but for right now, I am thinking that I will substitute part-time, finish my Masters and ENJOY my life with my children (and my husband whenever he finally gets home).

workout Full Member     Joined: May 2006 Posts: 132

Wanting to Quit Also   11-01-2009, 11:08 AM    #7 I've been out of the classroom for 12 years until my former position was cut from the budget...I was a technology teacher. I have an assistant principal that is riding my back about everything. My first evaluation was horrible! I've told her repeatedly that I'm am trying to become familiar with "guided reading, word study and balanced literacy." She reviewed my report card comments and didn't like any of them. The district I work for has literally kicked technology to the curb and as a result, I feel lost and have lost respect for the head administrators. My doctor told me on Thursday, I need to take care of "me", so she is going to complete my medical forms so I can take a few weeks off to try to gain my confidence back. I cry before I go to work and when I come home. I stay up until 1-2 in the mornings trying to get materials/plans ready. The only position my district offered me was a position back in the classroom. I took it because I had no other offers. I feel I'm stuck! I really want another tech position and I've been searching but the economy isn't on my side right now. Should I call in sick tomorrow? I hate the job and need to do something else...I feel your pain.

bonnybelle Senior Member     Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 3,452

It's as if you're a GATE student   11-01-2009, 11:17 AM    #8 Quote: I am tired of being given more than my fair share of the "special" kids because "you are good with them". Why am I overloaded because I do a good job? I see what you mean. We try not to burden our GATE students becasue they are doing so well, be keep them engaged by offering new and different challenges and learning opportunity. Why do we not have the same respect as our students I'll never understand. I was getting ready to go in to my classroom for a few hours just now on a beautiful day. Because of your post I've changed my mind and will just go pick up my manuals and come back home and work in my kitchen and pretend to have a Sunday to myself. It is outrageous. We are never done. You have my sympathy! I just hope I live long enough to retire with all this stress I am not confident this will happen.

clanna Full Member   Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 372

Leadership   11-01-2009, 12:16 PM    #9 My heart goes out to all of you. I am a veteran teacher, 25+ years. I can relate to all that has been said. But I think the most stressful thing for me is to work with those who are not carrying their weight, not doing their part. The extra work on committees that we chair, the fact that we show up for duties when others do not, the fact that we manage our classrooms effectively, and it seems that the administration values those the most that do the least for their students. So, I have come to the conclusion that the only people that can change the predicament of teachers and teaching, is the leadership of the school. Administration must have effective leadership skills. They must be fair, supportive of teachers, especially when discipline is an issue, respectful of our time, assertive enough to address those not doing their job, and knowledgeable enough to recognize a good teacher when they see one. So, the solution ... try to truly enjoy your students. Really evaluate your grading practices. Grade only what is necessary. Set a time to leave everyday, and leave!! Don't worry about test scores, let the administration do that. If they have concerns, tell them you are concerned too and ask them for suggestions or assistance.

TommysMommy Senior Member     Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,974

Try to cut back, if you can...   11-01-2009, 04:44 PM    #10 I understand how you feel. You're burning the candle at both ends. I am particularly sympathetic to feelings of resentment when you seem to spend more time and energy on other people's children than your own, above and beyond the regular school day. Many of us have shared our system of cutting back on things that aren't absolutely necessary. I used to have an elaborate homework program, but I cut it way back so it is more manageable for both the students and me. I put students in charge of managing the papers and assignments for students who are absent. I have responsible former students (who are older now than my own students) do all of my filing during my lunch while I work. I work as often as I can during lunch so I can leave promptly when the bell rings. I know that I shouldn't have to work during long, but I still have plenty of energy so I can zip through at least one assignment and input the grades before the students return. I also have not signed up for anything extra that I feel I can't handle this year. I do have adjunct duties that I enjoy so I continue to do them, however, I do not sign up for after school activities that involve regular and lengthy meetings. While I will do a tutoring session before an important test here and there, I set the time and only do it when I feel up to it. Other teachers stay late every day to tutor on their own dime, but I do not.  I had to let a lot of things go. I still feel like I'm an effective teacher and so far, my students' test scores and behavior are the best I've ever had. When I'm at work, I'm at WORK. When I leave, it all stays behind with rare exception.

collteach Full Member   Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 157	11-01-2009, 06:09 PM    #11 TommysMommy (and others)---I really love your advice about letting go of the things that aren't necessary. I have been able to do that in every other school I have worked in...and there was a great balance between home and work. This time, there was no way to truly balance (I teach in a non-union state, so our system can require just about anything they want).

Barclay Full Member   Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 417

My heart goes out to all of you   11-01-2009, 06:20 PM    #12 Mostly because I feel the same. I had two HORRIBLE years, back to back. I have been subbing for the past year, and I am slowly coming to the realization that I love kids, but I am so sad about what our schools have become. It means that so many GOOD teachers leave the profession, what will happen to all of the kids? The other question is what to do next, I only wish I knew. There are lots of jobs, but many of us in education are not considerered transitional. If someone finds the magic answer, please let me know.

lamaestra Senior Member     Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 589

11-01-2009, 08:11 PM    #13 I agree with Barclay, and quite often ask myself "What is going to happen to the children?". I don't have the answer either, but I think it's societal and the expectation that someone else will do the parent's job. I trully understand how you feel, and if possible try to cut back and/or set a time you will leave school and try to limit the time you spend doing school stuff at home. Only do what is essential if possible. I know many things become essential, but set working hours at home.  Try to do something just for you on the weekend that will make you feel like the special person that I'm sure you are.  Hang in there, and good luck :-)

burned out Guest

11-04-2009, 02:28 PM    #14 Thanks for your replies. I do love planning curriculum, etc, so I may go back to school to get into that. Money is an issue for that now, but I may be able to work something out. The next degree I could get is my doctoral, so I don't know.... The other day, I received this forwarded email from my principal. It is from a parent in my class. After I read it, I cried. I know I have balance things, but I am having a really hard time figuring out how. Dear Mr. X, I just wanted to write and tell you how lucky ****** is to have Mrs. W! She has been an excellent teacher to my child, little Johnny. He can be, at times, a very difficult child as far as behavior and responsibility issues are concerned and she has helped me tremendously keeping him on task and catching up when he gets behind. Having a teacher like Mrs. W makes having a child with ADHD so much more bearable. I know her days with little Johnny are sometimes trying and difficult, and although she does discipline him, as she should, it is nice to know he has a teacher actually willing to work with us on these issues rather than just send him to the office constantly. I truly believe she cares about his education and knows his abilities, as I am sure she does with all of her students. Little Johnny has always shown potential to do very good academically, but needs that extra push just to complete his work on some days.  The greatest thing of it all is that he loves going to school because he loves her class...this for Little Johnny is a big deal! I believe there are only a few teachers in each child's educational years that leave a mark on them and never be forgotten; for Little Johnny I'm sure she will be one of them.

What2Do? Guest

Frustrated Teacher Who Has Gained Perspective   01-14-2010, 04:21 PM    #15 I agree with many posts! I am a 3rd year teacher who was sooooo excited to teach not very long ago. With my current job, I am growing to dislike going to work. I am struggling with the question: is it the job I dislike, or the school? I would love to try out another school, but this economy makes that difficult. The more teachers I talk with and read what they write, the less faith I have in truly enjoying teaching in the public classroom. This fall, I did the bare minimum, time-wise, to get by so that I could spend as much time with my dying mother as possible. Although this was a crappy way to learn this lesson, it put my time and how I choose to spend it into perspective. I found that I was still able to keep up with my teaching with so much less time spent on it, so I have not gone back to the crazy hours I used to spend on my job. I am still able to be a good teacher, but now I am also able to be a good friend, family member, etc. I am now able to spend time with friends during the week, making me happier and more well-balanced. I have had a very positive response from those I really care about. My job, as much as I care about it, is not worth losing sight of what's most important in life: the people you are able to be close to. That is what I'm doing now while I figure out what my future options may be if another school doesn't work out.

mary25 Guest	Special Education Teache   05-11-2010, 05:50 AM    #16 Non Union states are terrible. You don't get paid you do get non-renewed if you don't fit the community click and there is no protection.

22burnedtoo Guest

I understand   06-19-2010, 06:55 AM    #17 I have been teaching for 21 years. I thought I had seen it all, and yet every year there was a surprise for me. This past year I had a group of students so wonderful that it reminded me of what teaching was like 20 years ago ---without high-stakes, data analysis, NCLB, DIBELS, whacked administrators, yes-men running and tattling their perceptions to the principal, and the super high workload and stress. This year was delightful. It refreshed me and I put 150% effort into everything. Parents, of course were great and helpful. All the parents could read this year, no one was abusing their child and no one was in jail or being jailed. What a refreshing change. It made me instantly forget the past mess I had experienced. But the past 17 years have been really bad. I've had ultra violent students and no admin. support almost every year. Administrators that bent the rules to get funding,and did things that were unspeakable. I probably was burnt out at year 5, but I really loved planning and teaching the kids. I kept thinking it would get better. Ive seen the pendulum swing from basals, to whole language back to integrated theme teaching to this test frenzy. I dont have a hope that education will swing back to a middle point now. I am 42 and have 21 years experience and a M.Ed. I have changed schools 4 times, but no matter where I go it is always the same. More work, wild students, no administrative support. It is true, when you help the wild ones, you have succeeded, but then you get ALL the wild ones. Other teachers get special treatment, special combinations of students with no learning problems or behavioral issues. This is what burns out good teachers. They keep trying to do the right thing, but get used. This year I think it was a mistake, the amazing class I got. It felt TOO easy to just teach. I am planning to take a job at a private school. I suggest you check out local private schools, while the pay is crap you will most likely find the pressure is just gone. Find a school which doesnt participate in the test mess. Private schools do not have to do this. They are usually smaller, and can accept and reject who they choose. Public schools have been given an impossible task to do---feed, clothe, med. check-ups, teach and emotional support all at once. Everyone, in large classes . It is not possible without sucking out the soul of the teacher. Try small private schools and feel yourself return to the happy person you once were.

Guest123 Guest

England   10-04-2010, 12:12 PM    #18 Well folks it is exactly the same in the UK.  I have been a primary school teacher for a number of years and we are just constantly jumping through hoops meeting new intiative after new inatiative. We are in the 4th week back after the summer holidays and already two teachers from my school are off on stress. The rest of us are all working 60+ hour weeks trying to mark books, meet assessment criteria, plan, attend meetings etc. etc.  I have a family at home and I find it very difficult to spend any time with them at all!

Justme22 Guest

I am so DONE but I can't be   04-25-2011, 06:45 PM    #19 Wow, it's weirdly reassuring to read these posts and see that I am not alone. I have been in the classroom for almost 15 years, now, and up until a few months ago, I thought I could do 25-30 with ease. But I am not so sure anymore. Don't get me wrong, I love my class and I love the process of teaching, from planning to execution. But the vibe around my school has grown bleaker and bleaker. It's no FUN anymore. This used to be a great environment to work, with lots of collaboration and camaraderie amongst the faculty. But now, teachers are keeping more to themselves. It all started with a couple of surprising firings, an extension of the school day, and some real "nickel and diming" with salaries (we're non-union) that led to a couple of really solid, talented teachers choosing not to renew their contracts for next year. Now the faulty morale is dropping. The administration is sending the message that we're all expendable. It's hard to put all of this into a simple forum post in such a way that really drives home how toxic the work environment has become, but that's the best word to describe it. Toxic. My problem is my experience. In my area, there is a "last hired, first fired" mentality that kind of holds me back from looking for a new job in a new school district. I'd hate to give up my seniority and salary to take a chance that a new school would be able to afford me in light of the budget cuts going on these days. But I am increasingly finding it hard to drag myself out of bed every day to go to work, and for someone who NEVER felt that way before, that's hard to swallow. Oh well. This is a venting forum, and that's what I did. I don't suspect I'll actively try to make a move anytime soon. But knowing that there are so many fellow teachers out there who are just as frustrated as I am, even if their reasons are a little different, does help.

ambular Guest

Kindergartenteacher   10-01-2011, 02:40 PM    #20 I feel the same way. I teacher kindergarten but my district wants 5 year olds to perform like 8 year olds. They took the common core standards and said they wanted more. There is no discipline in or out of the classroom. No responsibility for students or their parents. My principal told me that one out of control student who slapped me across the face (one of many times) did it b/c I was not loving him enough. Yet that child has more prizes and special treatments than the best kid in the room. I have paper work coming out my ears and I can't get caught up. They wan us assessing all the time, but give our full time assistants away to other teachers to assess their kids. I don't have time to teach what I am supposed to be assessing. AND when I do teach it is from a script. They took away our creativity! 5 years olds can't sit and listen to a robot talk and do worksheets. That's not how they learn. All while I'm missing my own little girl grows up at a babysitters house. After 7 years I want out.

StressedHubby Guest

Even I'm stressed!   10-24-2011, 05:58 PM    #21 Hello everyone.  My wife is a first year elementary teacher and is heading for a meltdown. Let me explain. She is only a couple of months into the school year and she's already questioning her career. I don't blame her either. I cannot believe the amount of work that is required of her! Part of it may be that she is a first year teacher, but I am not too sure. She wakes up at 4:30am everyday, is at school by 6:30am and does not get home until 7:00pm (mind you, we live 5 miles from her school, so her commute is minimal)! She goes to school early to lesson plan, tie loose ends, so forth and comes home and is working until 10:00-11:00pm trying to organize for the next day. On top of all of that, her lunch comes home half eaten everyday because she is so overwhelmed at school she is working when she should be eating. The long hours and endless amount of work are not the only pressures she is facing. Administration has made it a priority to micromanage everything she does. Along with that comes zero support, no positive feedback and complete lack of communication. Student evaluation forms, profile cards, etc are given to her with zero instruction on how to complete them. She has been told by her superiors things such as, "You are here 12-13 hours a day, that is plenty of time to figure these forms out." That logic is flawed. She has voiced her opinion to her administration and "mentors" but none of them believe she needs to be supported and that she should be able to figure things out on her own. Unreal. I just cannot relate to the pressures she is facing. Myself, I have been in sales for the past 7 years and currently hold an account executive position for a large Fortune 500 company. There have been nights that I am up until 1 or 2 in the morning completing paperwork for an account acquisition and I have had my share of stressful days/weeks, but it is nothing like my wife is having to endure. I am accountable for millions of dollars of annual revenue for my company and I am under a fraction of the pressure my wife is. It just doesn't make sense to me. I have a great deal of emotion built up over this and I cannot seem to put it all into words. I find myself typing, backspacing, typing, backspacing. I will end it with this: My wife is a teacher and it is starting to stress me out!

reluctant Guest

I am still in my credential program   11-02-2011, 08:48 PM    #22 I am not even half way through my program and I feel so overwhelmed at what teachers face each day with planning, curriculum, standards and objectives. I cannot imagine the first day, week and year of teaching. Either piecing together a handed down classroom or starting from scratch...I just don't know if I am tough enough. I am such an emotional person. I know that every parent cannot be pleased, can I take being scrutinized?? For example, I have liked all of my own children's recent teachers greatly and their Dad has NOT!! He thinks one spoke to us like children, another one was too bouncy and loud, another one did not utilize the online grading posts enough. If one students, 2 parents see a teacher differently..oh boy.  After reading all of these posts I wonder if I should even apply after I am done. I just don't know what else I could do that seems to have child friendly hours, now that I am divorced. I don't want to leave at 8 and not get home until 6, I did that and was so unhappy and cried for what I was missing, wayyyy too much.  I guess it is quite rare for people, especially women to find that balance and feel content with work and the time they spend at home...and be able to financially support oneself.

cb2398 New Member   Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 1	I feel EXACTLY like this!!   01-07-2012, 01:35 PM    #23 While reading this message I felt like I had wrote it. I am also a kindergarten teacher and I hate to go to work. I don't want to do it anymore, but don't know what else to do. I would like to open a daycare, but I'm very scared to venture out.

KangarooMom Guest

2nd grade teacher   01-09-2012, 07:08 PM    #24 I am so happy just knowing I was not the only teacher feeling this way. I don't know which direction to go, because job security is a huge issue right now. I certainly don't want to lose seniority in my district (for however long that matters), and I don't want to risk not working at all, which could have serious negative impacts on my family. I like the idea of curriculum development and tech, but I don't think those positions are abundant in the small district where I teach. Any other suggestions? Advice from those who left their district? Should I just go for it and look for another job? I've been teaching for 11 years now.

Gypsy55 Guest

8 years in the trenches   01-11-2012, 06:46 AM    #25 Teaching is my third career. In the beginning I believed I truly found where I was supposed to be. The problem now is I cannot find a job. I left my job for a family emergency and now the economy has made it impossible to find another one. I've been looking for months. Think long and hard about leaving your job before you do it. Yes, teaching has gotten harder and there is no end in sight to the pay cuts and increased demands on our time. But, my daughters work in other industries and they are having to deal with the same things. Right now for 2012, get in, sit down, hang on, and shut up. I truly believe things will get better eventually.

guest123 Guest

Still in Credential Program and feel same   01-26-2012, 11:09 AM    #26 I can only imagine what you have gone through. I am halfway through my credential program, and I already feel like this. Cooperating teachers that I have been placed with seem to be unsupportive or don't care. ...there are some teachers around who do seem to care, but they seem to be few and far between. Most let politics get in the way of really helping the students...and most don't want to attempt the work it would take in order to (and those who do end up burned out because they are doing more than their fair share...which it seems as though a lot of people are mentioning in this thread) Is it better just to get out of it now? I am thinking about graduating early and trying to apply to a different grad program. I love working with students and helping them to improve, but I don't think it's possible to really do what I am capable of while keeping a job or maintaining my sanity.

Chirob New Member   Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 1

What a scary thread!   02-28-2012, 07:46 AM    #27 Hi all. As I am reading the original post and all the replies, I cannot help but realise how frightening this situation is. I am also amazed at how universal the problem is. I teach in the UAE, and while the benefits are amazing, I can't help but wonder if the disadvantages cancel out the advantages. Teachers world-wide seem to be becoming more despondent with each passing year. As a profession, teaching has lost the status it once enjoyed. Through some obscure way, society can't seem to understand that teachers are in fact highly educated, capable people who are killing themselves to educate the doctors, lawyers and leaders of tomorrow. While it is true that teaching is a calling and that some people are born to be teachers, the career has become similar to slavery. We are slaves to education departments, administration, parents and even the children. In theory one should work to live and not live to work, but for teachers this has become impossible. It has become an all-consuming profession, it eats away at the very being of who teachers are as people. Because of this, most teachers (myself included) are grumpy, impatient and even indifferent when it comes to our interaction with children. I hate going to school. I hate all the mindless paperwork and mostly mindless grudgery of grading and planning. I hate the pointless meetings and inspections. I hate hearing my colleagues, all capable teachers, complain about how they dislike the profession. Don't get me wrong. I do love standing in front of that class and teaching my kids, but that is it. When did experienced adults become nable to discipline a class because our hands are tied? When did we need to start apologising for learners who are performing poorly? I can go on and on, but now I feel like I need to have a good cry and a stiff drink! Good luck and God bless to all of us, we sure as hell need it!