As you, I am an accountant. But, I always wanted to be a teacher. So, I decided to take the risk to transition before it was too late (in life). And, what I found and frankly do not understand is why teachers are expected to jump from college into a solo leadership role in the classroom rather than transition like any other professional. As you mentioned, after graduating with a degree or degrees in accounting one enters a firm or organization in a supportive role. That time builds competence and confidence. There is no guarantee that the Jr. Accountant will advance. Only performance and other related factors determine when and if an individual moves into an independent leadership role after a period of doing foundational grunt work and ‘paying one’s dues’ – the very things that need to be mastered before moving into the next role. That experience provides the base upon which one can build a career. Everyone learns by doing. Yet, with teaching, after completing their college education the student is immediately transitioned to an independent leadership role in the classroom. Given the complexity of regulations, legislation and the diversity of demands in in the modern-day classroom it seems wholly inappropriate to thrust a new graduate into such a role. It takes time to translate knowledge to skill. Lawyers don’t graduate law school and start representing clients or dispensing legal advise. They do research for senior associates and partners. They prepare documents and take on increasingly more valuable, but still supportive, roles. It can take years of experience before a lawyer advances to chair in litigation or provides direct client consultation – unless one opens up a practice of one’s own. But, most people would not hire that person. Experience matters. The demands and unrealistic expectations put on new teachers today has to contribute to the high turnover. Class management, lesson planning, assessments, grading, continuing education, 504 accommodations, IDEA requirements, . . . How could anyone be reasonably expected to effectively juggle all aspects from day one. Mentors help, but that still leaves the new teacher in a largely unsupported lead position. Teaching is a profession that requires a trajectory. It would seem that no matter how intelligent or how well-intentioned a new teacher may be, time in a seat and some student teaching hours does not adequately prepare a new graduate for carrying the mantle of such essential responsibilities without being given adequate time to practice and perfect critical skill-sets. I understand that much is an issue of economics, but what is the true cost of dropping new graduates into the deep end of the pool and letting them sink or swim? Teachers and the teaching profession needs to be given the same as any career – time to walk before running (though teaching is more like doing a crossword puzzle while balancing on a unicycle and juggling watermelons.) Any thoughts anyone? Tradespeople have apprenticeships, working under master craftsmen. Chefs start in the prep kitchen and work their way through the ranks regardless of what school they attend. And, as indicated earlier, accountants, lawyers and other professionals are afforded the opportunity to learn and grow into those roles. There are few professions which are more essential than teaching. They shape our children’s futures. Yet, they seem to be treated as if what they do doesn’t require a vast spectrum of complex skills which need to be developed. I would love to hear from teachers in this regard. And, I thoroughly respect anyone’s right to disagree – hopefully, not disagreeably,though.

Unfortunately, all is not well. We are severely limited on the number of detentions and referrals we can write for any student with an IEP or a 504 plan. The same limits are put on African American students. In fact, writing any detention, much less a referral, is seen as a serious lack of classroom management skills. I happen to agree, somewhat, because the students do not bother to show up anyway, so these forms of discipline are seen by the students as empty threats. But, I do not think this would be the case if Admin backed us up. Most of the teachers at my school do not mention any discipline problems in theirclassroom so that they are not labeled incompetent. Admin was so happy after the detention/referral data was published by the county and we had a huge reduction in detentions and referrals (of course we did, because we were strongly discouraged from writing any). Admin was so happy, in facts that they had pizza brought in to celebrate. I could not eat it because I felt sickened by the whole farce.

At the beginning of this year, I was told I cannot give any Ds or Fs as grades, no matter how well deserved. Isn’t this illegal? Admin said it did not matter because it is just art class, after all (gee, thanks).

The second reason I am crying is because I was asked to resign earlier this week. One of my students (I usually have between 35-40 students per class) began regularly calling me “Cracker”, “Whitey”, “Frosty”, and “Green-Eyed Devil”. I called her mother several times, and she said she would talk to her daughter. This child is constantly in trouble, yet they just dismissed her from her 504 program. As I mentioned, I was afraid to tell Admin because they want us to deal with our own problems and not bring them to Administration (which my Dean said is a sign of a well-managed class). After several days of racial slurs, this student then began calling me “Whore”, “Bitch”, and a “Smelly Cunt”, among other things. I had enough, and I did the unthinkable; I yelled at her, and said that every nasty name she called me was like giving herself rope that was going to end up with a serious consequence. I said this to a black child, and it was filmed by another student without my knowledge. Of course, the student took it to mean lynching because I am white. I took it to mean exactly what the idiom means: allowing a person to continue with a behavior that will result in negative consequences so that a lesson wil be learned. But, how stupid could I be? I would not sign the resignation papers, but I will be fired nonetheless. My Principal sent out a synervoice message that was received by almost 600 households. The message included my name, the city I live in, and that my racist attitude will not be tolerated in this county or any county in this state. She assured the parents that my certification will be permanently revoked. Three teachers were forced to resign for matters similar to this last year, so what was I thinking? Actually, I was not thinking because I had enough of the racial slurs. By the way, I was blamed for making it a racial issue. I have a very good lawyer, and many of my rights were trampled on (the police department came out to take my statement, and then escorted me from the building, sans handcuffs, but in front of the students and staff which was more than embarrassing. He told the person from HR who was pretending to conduct an impartial interview that, “these ‘Angels’ are usually not held responsible for their actions, but he said he will make sure society knows who to blame when the ‘Angels’ grow up and Become society’s worst nightmare”. He said he would make sure it is known that it is rarely the teachers’ fault, rather the lack of leadership. I don’t know if he hurt my case with that statement, but I was glad he said it!

Had I known teaching had changed this much, I would have never returned. Now my life is ruined. Sorry for the length of this post, and if you were able to get through it all, thank you. I worry about this county’s children, but it can no longer be my problem. The wonderful state of Florida has decided I am unfit to teach. Perhaps they are right, and I was the adult in the situation. But, how much is a person supposed to take. When did educational “leadership” start condoning disrespect? My heart feels like it has been torn out, for I did love teaching.

1. Pay is lousy
2. Teachers who wanted to become admins (Principals, VPs, Finance, Supers, etc.) only wanted more money. They really don’t give a crap about you, PERIOD
3. Attendance is really what matters ~ that’s what truly brings in money
4. Behavior issues cost money ~ money public schools don’t have, so they throw those students with issues in the regular mix as ‘Spec Eds’ and ‘504s’. Deal with it or lose your job…
5. We work more hours than any job I’ve been in.
6. Even if they get bad grades, you still have to ‘make adjustments’ to make the school look good; ya really. What does it matter if you can’t teach them?
7. Overall, this is the worst job I’ve ever been in.

So it doesn’t matter if you get summers off, holidays, etc. Working from late August to early June seems like you’ve worked 400+ days during that time! And what do you get out of that? Appreciation? Rewarding Career? Keep telling yourself that while the other people get bigger paychecks and wonder why you’re still there…

I’m leaving this year….sorry. My solution to fix this issue: Home School or a major overhaul of the public education system.

Regarding the main issue My synopsis of needs from my vantage point (SPED teacher, inclusion model):
1. Increase teacher/student ratio in gen ed as well as special ed.
2. Provide additional planning times where no meetings are scheduled, especially for gen ed.
3. Support via administration as detailed in previous posts.
Salaries are adequate but demands on time are insane and unhealthy and preclude achievement of social and academic wellness for both students and teachers.

Needless to say, the only opportunity in our mono-economic societal town (oil and gas) was a teaching job. I was hired enthusiastically. After the first week I realized this was simply the stupidest decision I have ever made. I got stuck with every single ADHD/Bad attitude kid in the school (it’s more like an 95/5% for me; I would have liked an 80/20%), I have at least 5 SPED kids in each of my 6 classes as well as 7 ELL students all in one class; two Pre-AP classes. I was told by one teacher to grow a back bone; funny, before this I thought I had one. I love my kids, even the challenging ones, but the one thing I hate about this job is that my own principal has a clique in this school. I had completed a teacher observation on a teacher from another school who is considered a good teacher. I was asked by administration why I picked this specific teacher (he has a grudge against him). Really? I thought that as adults we had left the high school popularity crap behind? I guess not.

I’m in debt right now. Student loans and stupid credit card debt for moving expenses that I haven’t been able to pay off just yet. I have at least three and at one time had 4 jobs which is hard considering that I have a now 6 year old daughter. I’m going to stick it out until the rest of this year, but I am not going back. The hardest thing for me are the stupid parents and this administration that picks favorites and a superintendent who is as big an idiot as they come. His only concern is how good he looks politically; meanwhile, the scores are bad and he wants to know why.