Well, I guess I asked for it...
To those of you that actually refrained from passing judgement on a situation you know nothing about: THANKS!
To those of you that decided to rip into me about my lack of teaching ability or ability to work with others...I wonder what you would say if I could actually tell you the story...Guess we'll never know...I do know that if you were a parent of one of my students you would be thanking me for my efforts, because I am fighting the same battle with you every day against a system that is no longer listening to the best needs of its students.
I know the truth and I'm fine with myself...I can rest knowing I put in a good fight...My kids deserved that...If I lost a piece of myself, it was worth it...I'd do it again in a heartbeat...Sometimes the system is WRONG and it takes a dedicated professional to stand up and fight...That's what I did and continue to do EVERY DAY...
May you find something you believe in that much...Me- I believe in my kids...If that's not a good teacher, I don't know what is...
Sometimes a small change (you leaving) leads to larger, more powerful changes (the school fixing what's wrong). So make it known WHY you are leaving if you do! :)
Don't feel bad about doing what is best for yourself. You're not doing your students any good being as unhappy as you are.
Go for the new horizons, make yourself happy. The students are not best served by an angry and disconnected teacher. You will be doing yourself and others a favor. Students will get a new teacher who will probably be happy to get the job in this economy, so go for it.
What makes you a "victim". When I hear "victim" I read it as an excuse.
If you are not cut out to be the teacher you should, by all means , get out so the children get a teacher who loves and adores the job of teaching.
There is nothing wrong with admitting this is not your forte'. Figure out what you want so you bring the best of YOU to whatever endeavor you choose.
Don't look at it as giving up, look at it as diving into a new opportunity.
Think of the things you have done to try and make your current position better, did they help or work at all, did you follow through? Will those issues follow you to your next position? Sometimes, people need a change, don't feel bad about that at all.
You cannot "fix" others until you "fix" yourself.
You can only give so much, then you begin to deplete yourself and become someone you do not recognize. I think that is key in your post.
Move on to the other job and once you are yourself again, then you can, and will, be able to continue to give of yourself to others.
Hugs.
If you act short, angry, and disconnected to your students, you'd be doing them a kindness by leaving. If you want to stick it out for their sake, let go of the anger and be there for THEM, regardless of your feelings of being underappreciated and victimized.
Too hard to do? Then it would be better to leave. I wouldn't blame you. Your students will be okay with another teacher.
In the end, you need to take care of yourself more than you need to take care of your students. However, don't victimize THEM while you are deciding.
Dawn
Okay - what are you asking? Would we leave our job for another opportunity or try to fix what we have in front of us?
I don't know. Are you on the tenure track? Will you lose tenure if you change positions?
Are there things you CAN change about the situation to make them better or what?
How much control do you REALLY have over the situation? Do you play a part in the actions that are creating this situation??
While I respect and appreciate your desire to take care of the children outside your classroom, it's NOT your responsibility, right? If they are in danger, then you have a responsibility to go above the heads you have already spoken to and be a "whistle blower"...
You don't say what the current situation is...so it's hard to give advice on speculation.
personally? if it were me and my words are not being listened to? I would go higher until someone IS listening...if it is fruitless, you can say you tried...
The grass is NOT always greener. You need to talk with people at the new opportunity to find out how things are handled there...you might be jumping from the frying pan into the fire...
It sounds as if you need to move on, but consider some counseling for yourself as well. Your emotions are tangled and you are feeling victimized for some reason. You are angry and it is impacting your entire life.
As a teacher, it is not your job to "fix" situations or people. Your job is to educate and make students aware of the wonderful opportunities education can bring. There are limitations in all of us and you are learning what your's are. Teaching is a challenging job and I give props to all teachers, who are mostly under paid, under appreciated and not always given the resources they need. It's like an occupational hazzard almost. Although, these should not be. In any job, you will have to adjust your attitude and thinking and learn to cope with the unexpected, because it won't always be roses and sunny days. However, if your current job is really making you miserable, then moving on is perhaps a good idea. Now if you move on and your attitude and emotions don't change.......then it is you, not the job.
If I was your principal, I would be counseling you (daily) into resignation. Teaching isn't about shutting your door and doing what YOU think is best. It may have been that way 15 years ago, but that mentality simply doesn't fly anymore.
If this is no longer the right field for you, then resign and move on. Lacking the ability to work with others will make you less effective as a teacher. It sounds like whether you think so or not, your mindset is impacting your students' education. "Sticking it out" will only make it worse.
I've been in similar shoes. I stayed at a job far longer than I should have only because I was worried about leaving, and I was miserable everyday to the point that I dreamed of something drastic happening to prevent me from having to go each morning - not good. The result: I took the first job I was offered and hated that too. If you have a wonderful new opportunity on the horizon, take it. You sound like you've hit the point of no return, and if you let this new job slip away, you may find yourself regretting leaving and taking the next opportunity just to get out, and like me, it could lead you down another road of unhappiness. I'm not a teacher, but I can only imagine what you go through when it comes to answering to administration, school board members and parents. And all you want to do is positively influence and teach our nation's youth. If you think your current feelings are effecting your teaching, then it's only better for the students (and yourself and your family) if you do move on. Maybe finish out the year and call it quits (if your new opportunity will hold out). It's wonderful that you want to put the students' needs before your own, which is an amazing quality in a teacher, but sometimes, you need to put your own needs first. Sometimes that's the healthiest option for all. Good luck!!
What Would We Do About What?
