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It gets worse!!!

During lunch today, I was explaining to a few other teachers why my student was suspended for a day, and the secretary chimes in, "oh no, that's not why he was suspended.." and I go, excuse me?! He punched me in the stomach, what more does it need?! Well apparantly, he was suspended AFTER he decided to throw everything on principal's desk on the floor (phone, calculator, etc). Obviously his stupid old phone has more value then his teacher. I wanted to burst into tears. I feel so unvalued right now. I want to quit.
 I am going to be talking to the principal tomorow I think about filing a report. Even if he feels like it is no  big deal, I feel like it is and I am concerned about my safety if  the kid ever does this again, what if this time he hits me with a chair or something ya know!? I just don't know with him!!!
Even with my problem student gone today, it's like the other kids decided it would be a good day to be a little brat so I spent my day dealing with other behavior problems. I lost my patience with them more then once and feel horrible about that. I just don't know what to do. Before this, I have spent years preparing for and dreaming about having my own class.  Before the year started I was on stars. I could hardly wait. I was SO EXCITED. And today, on my drive home, I spent the entire hour trying to figure out and remember why on earth I ever had wanted to be a teacher. i can't remember because right now all the bad outweighs the good. I feel like a horrible teacher.
All I can say is THANK GOODNESS FOR FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
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Published Thursday, September 11, 2008 7:54 PM by Joy08

Comments

# re: It gets worse!!! @ Thursday, September 11, 2008 8:49 PM

I am so sorry to hear this.  I think you are probably a great teacher.  Every few years you just get the class from Hades.  Mine was 2 years ago.  Hang it there.  Keep unloading here and we will give you the support you deserve.

MysteryTeacher

# re: It gets worse!!! @ Thursday, September 11, 2008 8:50 PM

Oh my!  I hate to hear you so discouraged.  I spent my first 2 years teaching in the projects and the next 2 teaching middle school emotionally disturbed and you know what I learned?  That I can handle almost anything.  For the past 13 years I've been in a great little elementary school and there are very few things that get to me.  I remember how bad things can be!  I have had some awful principal and I too am concerned that so little is done with discipline.  Often counting on Admin for support is a poor choice.  You will often feel like you're on your own and honestly many times you'll do a better job with problems than the higher ups.  

Hang in there, enjoy the day he's out and find joy in the others.  I sheering for you.

Nancyjane

# re: It gets worse!!! @ Thursday, September 11, 2008 9:35 PM

I am so sorry to hear about that. You should not have to endure that treatment. You should take advantage of any procedural remedies open to you. Getting something on the record may discourage him from anything else. I really hope things improve for you soon because good teachers are needed so much.

John A.

# re: It gets worse!!! @ Friday, September 12, 2008 1:21 AM

and i thought my principal was a tool...that's pretty sad. you need to take action on that one. and on the other part: we've all had those days. hang in there and the good will out weigh the bad. we're all rooting for you. virtual hugs.

mz.w

# re: It gets worse!!! @ Friday, September 12, 2008 11:31 AM

I'm am so sorry to hear that your have to put up with these circumstances like this and it has made you feel like you didn't want to be a teacher, but I hope you can get to a point where you want to try and make adifference in this childs life and not just let him settle for less. When I did my voulnter work in college we had a procedure at this autistic center I worked at called calm down and it helped me alot. Also if the child is hitting or at least causing a disturbance try blocking his view from the other children and praise the good children and this might also un fuel is fire so to speak. I hope this helps good luck!

Mr. Teacher

# re: It gets worse!!! @ Friday, September 12, 2008 1:35 PM

I am sorry that this year has gotten off to such a bad start.  Monday is the beginning of a new week, and things will probably go better next week.  It is easy to get discouraged and let even one incident weigh on your mind.  It sounds like the counselor, principal, parents,nurse, and teachers need to sit down and make a plan for this student before things get out of hand.  

Betty

# re: It gets worse!!! @ Friday, September 12, 2008 2:25 PM

Joy, Joy!  Definitely file a report, whatever that means in your particular district.  In mine it means a police report.  I am not reactionary by nature, but once you file a report, it will practically force your principal to do the same, thereby adding validity to whatever disciplinary action you might have to take in the future.  Like my sister Nancyjane who also responded to this post, I spent my first eight years teaching in an alternative school and know how difficult managing angry kids can be.  I think the advice she offered you is invaluable - enjoy the absence of that particular student and find joy in the others.  Truly, with student X out of the picture, you may have time and energy to notice things about the rest of the class that you would miss otherwise.  

laurann

# re: It gets worse!!! @ Friday, September 12, 2008 8:35 PM

Hello!!!!Here in Brazil we have the same problem. The students don't respect the teachers It's very dificult working.If I didin't have more than twenty years teaching I would change my work.  I wish the things wil be better to you!!!Nety

ivonety

# re: It gets worse!!! @ Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:34 PM

Even though I teach English comp. in a community college, I can definitely relate to poor behavior in the classroom.  My advice?  Be proactive as hell.  Don't EVER let poor behavior fester.  You have to force the administration to do their jobs, and if they don't, go higher up and cause a scene.

Always remember the golden rule of discipline:  It's harder to get harder.

As you may know, this means that if you're ever perceived by students as soft, it'll be incredibly hard to get "harder," because they'll call your bluff, having seen your mushy side before.  They'll know you're faking it, and that your real nature is that of a puffball.  

You have to draw firm lines and never let any student ever cross them.  Most of my students are incredibly polite to me, because I start of my semesters being very tough on them.

Many of my students are basically highschoolers, right out of our public school system.  Some are stoned, some are strippers, some are a bit crazy, some have been in prison/jail, some are reformed drug addicts, and some are wonderful.  Regardless, draw the line and hold it.

John

# re: It gets worse!!! @ Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:11 AM

Teaching has to be the most difficult profession around.  All I remember of the two years I taught high school---those brilliant administrators never gave me a shot at my tenure year---was that I was always working and always exhausted.  I had classes from hell and I remember dreading certain upcoming classes because of certain students that would be in those classes. I loved my students but sometimes the stress was beyond description.  I don't regret not having to do it anymore although I do sometimes miss being a teacher.  What did I just say that?  What am I crazy or something.  LOL.

Joe

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