Small victories

It's been awhile since I last posted. I just had to share a small victory that occurred for me today. Last week, I was so beyond frustrated with my students. Students were grumpy, apathetic, falling asleep, not answering questions. I had to write two referrals for insubordinate behavior. I was ready to tear my hair out, or quit, or throw a chair out the classroom window. Really any of those felt reasonable to me last week. As I usually do, I took the weekend to get over it so I could start fresh on Monday.

Here's how today went down: The worst apathy last week was in my 1st hour. Today, I laid down the law with them. I told them that we have only 3 days of class this week, and only 3 weeks when we get back from the break, and I need them to buckle down and get it together. I made it clear I would not accept shenanigans. I hate having to do this, but I have to say: it worked. They mostly stayed focused and tried to do take part in the class. In my 2nd hour class, I spoke to one of the girls who had been defiant last week. She had been defiant about her phone - and was trying to play the same game with me today. I made it very clear this would not be accepted, and would probably result in another referral. I ended up taking her phone away from her at one point because she could not stop taking it out. For the rest of class, she actually did her work and stay focused. She came up to me at the end of class to get her phone. I was expecting sass, but instead, she said, "Can you start keeping my phone at your desk everyday? I got more work done today." I was shocked, but happily agreed. 4th hour was a bit insane, but hey - I'm proud of my small victories. I think focusing on these little things will help me to keep my positivity and hopefulness.

Maybe I'm "growing up" as a teacher!

Checked out!

Everybody told me, they warned me: This time of the year is the hardest. Not only are the students just completely checked out, so am I! I'm trying to stay focused and get as much as I can done, but I've decided I'm just not going to stress over it. We'll get done what we get done. I'm not going to worry about absences or students who are not being productive. It's no longer my problem. They've made their choices and there is probably little I can do for the students who have given up. I will try my best, but I'm not going to lose my head over it.

In other news, I can't wait to have a bit of free time - I've been really itching to write and I need to read. It's a physical need. I'm moving in June - going to co-habitate for the first time with my boyfriend Gautam, who is also a teacher. Super excited - but the actual act of moving is a pain. I'm doing tutoring in June, but that will be somewhat less stressful. I just need some time to breathe and take stock in myself again.

Anyone who complains about teachers getting summer off needs a reality check.

Teacher Rant!

So I haven't posted in ages, I know this. Quick summary of my life: I'm teaching at a new school after my last district did not continue my contract due to budgetary issues. I'm at a small charter high school for at risk youth, which comes with a whole set of awesome rewards and frustrations. One of the biggest frustrations is my students' attendance and tardy issues. I have some students who will just not show up for days and days, and then show up completely lost because they've missed so much school. I get so frustrated - I need to find a way to not get frustrated and move on past them. I guess I just feel bad and feel like I need to spend time catching them up. But that is not fair to the students who have been here. I really wish I could find a way to be a bit meaner about this. It's driving me crazy! I can deal with apathy, bad attitudes, cursing - but I cannot deal with kids just NOT showing up for no reason.

ARGH! Help with any suggestions, please!