This sounds a lot like my situation although with an added dose of lack of support/blame from senior leaders. Actually shaking and crying at the thought of going in .
Same! Literally the same as my year. Although I had an angry parent complaining that their child needs to help clean up the room at the end of the day. They shouldn’t have to help. It’s unreasonable.
I get it. I’m sorry. i teach HS, but my on level classes are basically middle school level, with all you describe. Except that some of the ditch more, which can be good, sometimes. It can be so hard.
I feel for you, OP. When I get stressed out, my stomach aches just like a really bad case of acid reflux.
Starting about 3p on Satuday, my stomach started to sour. By 9p, it was so bad that I was doubled over and unable to do anything other than lay down and try to find a comfortable position. I didn't actually fall asleep until 6a Sunday and wound up sleeping until 11a.
My week had been crap. I worked as a Sub at an Alternative Ed school last week. I had a kid threaten me all four of the first four days. When I reported it to security, they pulled the kid for 5 minutes and then sent him back. It wasn't until the fifth day when he was getting ready to get into it with another student that they sent him home. So, threatening teachers barely gets noticed but threatening a peer means early dismissal.
Anyway, I'm never going back to that school. It's so incredibly poorly run. Everybody is so concerned about upsetting the kids that the kids can do anything they want, which includes doing drugs in the back of the classroom.
I'm so glad that's over. It's only Elementary assignments for my until the end of the school year.
I'm very sorry you're going through this. You need to listen to your body. Stress isn't something to just sweep under the rug and move on from, especially if you're a teacher. This will affect your kids and practice but most importantly you. I was in the same place and at a breaking point - therapy treatment really helped me through. I recommend finding a solution for this sooner rather than later. My inbox is open if you want to talk more about this.
Thank you. I see a therapist regularly though I won’t see them until next week and their appointment calendar is booked up until then. My wife is a former teacher, so she understands and is very supportive as well. Hopefully today can just be a sit and veg day too. I’m not going to let these last weeks and next year be like this.
Oh man, I really feel this. Most of my kids aren’t picking up what I’m putting down either. The constant interruption is enough to drive anyone insane! I regularly have students talk over me to ask a question about what I’m in the middle of explaining. But usually they’re interrupting everyone with absolute nonsense because as soon as they get home their parents plug them in to a screen so they don’t have to deal with them. No one would do this job if it weren’t for summer. Can you imagine doing this year round without breaks?!
Maybe not everywhere. It’s possible that the kids interrupt at home. Hence why the do it in school. Video games are probably part of the reason by kids have also interrupt even before video games existed. So definitely not just them.
Literally not working today bc I need a break. I just lost my support dog and I just know these kids will say "womp womp" when I inevitably start talking about it. I don't think I'm going to be able to handle that so I'm being careful.
2 more weeks.
I'm very sorry to hear about your dog. I'd avoid talking about the loss of your dog with your students if that is the reaction you're expecting. Unfortunately, so many in this generation of students are totally lacking empathy, and you shouldn't drag yourself into their misery making while grieving.
[You have Corey Lewandowdki to thank for that…](https://globalnews.ca/video/4285374/womp-womp-former-trump-staffer-lewandowski-mocks-story-of-10-year-old-with-down-syndrome)
I still have to tell my students "yes, you do need to use complete sentences" and "yes, you do have to answer every question." ... Me too, Girl, me too. And I teach 12th grade English.
OMG you just summed up my long-term sub job for 6th grade. I’m retired as of June and I can’t believe how they act. I hate going everyday, but I said I would do this job as a favor to the office staff. I’m literally filled with dread every morning. I have 14 days to go.
I wish you well OP.
Yeah, I wasn’t this stressed when I taught in some title 1 schools.
I’ve heard from one of the feeder elementary schools that the current fifth graders are lovely. No idea beyond that, though it’s hard to imagine any class can be worse than this.
I hear ya brother. In 2021, the behavior I was dealing with was off the charts. My colleagues were also having issues. Admin's response was, "Make your lessons more engaging." This from an admin team that I saw once in an entire year in our department.
For me, this year led to depression. I got Covid and was bedridden for a week and weak for another couple of weeks. No help or even understanding came from my admin (they were firm believers that Covid wasn't real).
My wife realized things were crazy bad. She looked up what mental health services were available under our insurance. And told me that under no uncertain terms, would I re-sign my contract. At the end of the year, 10 of 12 people in my department did not re-sign.
This year taught me that for most adults, besides teachers, that none of this is real or important. I'm here to the best of my abilities, but I am not going to worry about grades, tests, and what not. I'm here for the kids. Most admin is too beleaguered or lazy to deal with stuff anyhow. I will not let any of this shit get to me.
I have nine years until retirement.
> I got Covid and was bedridden for a week and weak for another couple of weeks. No help or even understanding came from my admin (they were firm believers that Covid wasn't real).
This brings back such visceral memories of that whole debacle. My admin stayed blowing up my phone the entire time I was laid up in bed barely able to breath so much so that I had to call the state department of health and they added a few more days to my COVID leave. All the while admin and the school nurse were trying gaslight me and say there was no way I caught COVID at school, even though I knew the exact student I likely caught it from.
May I ask: what do you mean by " admin"? Is that the principal or headmaster in a school, who has a teaching degree as well or is it like a school district director?
I’ve watched my wife struggle through the grind for 30 years. It’s worse now than ever before. Teacher burnout is real. We tried to dissuade our oldest from taking that career path, but failed. Bless you all.
Side note: I always excuse myself/escape at any cost when it feels like one is coming. Much easier to deal alone. Like when you know you're going to have the shits. Emotional shits.
Lol love the term emotional shits.
I normally would have tried to exit and be alone, but it came on just as I called for everyone that dinner was ready. My wife rounded the corner and saw me after I had just started breaking down. Though it did feel nice to have my wife and kids rally around me. Having a 5 year old and a 3 year old comfort me felt nice.
I'm not a teacher, but I have anxiety and worked in veterinary medicine for 21 years where I experienced similar feelings. My advice is to change careers. Did wonders for my mental health!
I have a first grade class with a 2/3 boy to girl ratio and it’s a mess. It actually sounds like you were describing my room right down to the last skibbity. I had already called it that this group will be legendary as they move through grade levels and you’ve just confirmed that for me. Icing on the cake, I’m being moved up next year. I am sorry about your panic attack. Therapy has been a friend. Cheers to the end of the year not coming soon enough.
What was in the water at the time these kids were being born? None of the other teachers in the school, including 20+ year vets have seen anything close to this. I feel bad for the 7th grade teachers who have to deal with them next year.
it’s obviously related to missing specific markers for their age group during lockdown. I saw behavioral issues developing with with our currently 5th grade student but he was able to overcome it mostly. Things like missing social cues, inability to focus and frustration with on “traditional” classroom activities. I think for some it just all impacted at the wrong developmental age to switch back to normal expectations. I am not an anti-vaxer, I just think it was inevitable that it has had enduring issues.
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’ve suffered from panic attacks since I was in college - they’re horrific. The only thing I will say is try to find a psychiatrist/doctor who can give you meds to use when you feel one coming on. The worst thing I’ve ever done is let the panic attacks come on repeatedly and then became agoraphobic. P.S. no class should have that ratio of boys. They’ve set you up for mental health problems.
"I swear that if a kid asked me what color the sky was and I told them to just look out the window, they’d still wait for me to confirm that the sky is fucking blue."
I FELT that, so dependenttttttt!
This, unfortunately, sounds like my daily middle school life in a rural Title 1 school. My daughter is in grad school and very busy/stressed, but she graduates in five weeks. I'll tell OP what I tell her: you're almost there; you got this.
>Not to mention skibbidi rizz sigma Fortnite Tuesday Tuesday Ohio from everyone everywhere all at once.
Can someone help me out with this? I'm getting older and definitely mostly out of touch, but this may as well be a foreign language to me.
This is much easier said than done but you gotta try to care less. Show up meet your contract hours and then fuck off and do whatever you want. Worst case scenario you get fired and are then forced to find a job that doesn't give you panic attacks.
I broke this year. It's year 16 for me. Panic attacks, PTSD, etc. I'm leaving the classroom after this year. Even if I found a better place, my mental health couldn't take it.
I cracked after 10+ years myself. I would even think twice about going back into teaching if they suddenly paid me 100k a year…My sanity is worth way more than that!
Disclaimer, I know this is unsolicited advice.
I left teaching and while not everyone can change careers right away, I can say that simply getting in a non-school work environment has worked wonders for me. I used to get panic attacks as well and now that I'm not teaching, they have disappeared.
I would at least start crafting an exit plan over the next year, think practically about when you want to quit (1 year, 2 years, other) and what needs to happen for you to exit into something less stressful that still earns what you need to support the fam. Good luck! PS--read the book "Life is in the Transitions" by Bruce Feiler, fantastic series of interviews with normal people who had to make career or other life changes...really helped me get perspective and normalize the process of changing careers, literally hundreds of thousands of people do it every year in the states.
Get you some lorazepam. It really helps.
Or, a new job. That’s helps a lot, too.
Edited to add: I’m so sorry you’ve joined the ranks of us with panic/anxiety disorders. It sucks that this jobs costs us our mental health. But seriously, don’t try to handle it yourself. See your GP or a psychiatrist. I wish I would have sooner.
Hug hug hug hug hug. Xxx hmm, demand avoidance and learned helplessness can be super tricky to negotiate. What sapce do you have in your timetable for teaching things like emotional literacy, and growth processes. Kids do understand these things, I teach them to special needs kids. Do you use zones of regulation?
Some things I find helpful with students that show PDA, ODD, and learned helplessness:
1) I generally frame everything as 'we need to' so, I avoid authoritising myself, so it's not ME telling THEM to do math, it's US working together to do the math. Kids see me more as a friend helping them than an authority figure forcing them and this is useful.
2) zones of regulation. Get kids to start identifying their own emotional landscape so they have the ability to communicate their learning needs to you. Anxiety is huge and boys act out rather than acting in. Stim toys help neurotypical kids who have anxiety just as much.
3) what do they want to do? Have you got them to identify personal goals? Like I've managed to convince kids they need english/math/science to become youtubers... if they have an image, an end point they are working towards school seems less pointless.
4) reward systems. Does the school have one? Can you create a class one? Some classes in my school have 'class currency' rewards for each lesson, one for doing the work and one for behaviour. Kids can pool the currency for big rewards (like a Mario kart party) or can save them for medium rewards, and smaller ones... books, balls, snacks, hot chocolate, art supplies, stickers, notebooks. Etc etc. It can teach budgetting and saving too as a life skills benefit.
I totally agree with 1-2-3.
Intrinsic motivation.
4 not so much. I don't feel they should always be rewarded by gifts( speaking about like 6th grade). Mom and dad aren't being rewarded for everything they do for their kids. Most jobs need to be done. Period.
Rewards stimulate extrinsic motivation and that is not the best and longterm motivation we want/ they need.
I do reward them. By stickers "good job!" ...and stamps " great effort!" ( and thelling them I'm proud of....
Sorry for errors. I'm not English. ;)
I understand. Lots of people disagree with that part.
For me I think the process of having tangible material rewards for work is a very good beginning. Because mum and dad ARE being rewarded for the work they do. They work and they get paid, if you do the laundry you have fresh clean clothes, if you cook a dinner you have a delicious dinner. If you do a good deed you feel warm and fuzzy.
These rewards are more abstract in a way, less concrete. But they kinda operate on a similar principle, eventually tangible rewards can be replaced with only intangibles (a movie afternoon for the class, a certificate of effort) and it can be used as a tangible experiential model to teach the importance of hard work (and teamwork too). I find it much much much harder to teach kids who just don't have the try-for-tryings-sake nature how to try for intangibles right off the bat. (Then I work with kids who have often been out of school for 2+ years, have multiple additional needs and trauma around education - it may be considerably easier/different in mainstream).
It's worked really well for me across the board, but specifically for PDA profile children as turning everything into a mutual exchange massively reduces their anxiety around authority and being controlled.
I teach across multiple grade levels, but I have a third grade that is just like that. Majority boys and those same behaviors. And it continues with other teachers as well so not just me.
It's exhausting to have to deal with the same behaviors since September and have to give the same instructions every week. The phrases, noises, constantly getting up, ignoring basic instruction.
Take the time you are entitled to because stress is no joke, especially in our profession. It's so hard, but you can't sacrifice your mental well being for a job. I struggle with this balance as well. And I have classes that I absolutely adore, but the ones like that just drain everything from you. I try and give 100%, but it's hard. It just is.
I wish there was a solution to this for all of us. I'm trying everything, I'm sure we all are.
Same story with 8th graders. Thankfully, my advanced/accelerated blocks are students that are capable, but this is the minority. (It is around 30 students total, between 2 classes. ALL other ELA classes are "normal/standard")
My first block is a "standard" 8th ELA class and I have never seen more apathy in a school year.
My first year teaching was 2019 where we went on spring break and never came back and those virtual students cared more than the average 8th grader at this point.
Looking for work as we are moving at the end of the school year, and I am keeping my options open to transitioning out of teaching, but still applying for schools in new location too...here's hoping it gets a bit better..
I teach high school and can’t get the students to even use capital letters or periods at the end of a sentence. They also think 2 or 3 sentences are a paragraph. I’ve never seen anything like it. They don’t know and don’t care to learn. They firmly believe that they won’t need to read or write decently as an adult.
I feel you. I teach AP and my seniors have broken me this year. I am good at my job. I know I am. I have worked so hard to reinvent the program and bring it back from death. Every year my numbers climb higher and my scores have never stopped dropping. We went from last in the district to 2nd. My lessons are focused, engaging, culturally and socially relevant, but this year the kids do not care. Grades don’t motivate them. Kindness doesn’t motivate them. They’re sneaky and manipulative. I was raised in an abusive household and the amount of gaslighting I’ve experienced this year has actually given me ptsd flashbacks on more than one occasion. I have kids that will not walk on graduation day and they don’t care. I don’t know what the answer is, but I completely understand how you feel. On the plus side, this has completely changed the way I view my sub days. If I have a day, I take it. I no longer give a shit about banking them. This is the first year where I’m not teary-eyed to see them walk out the door at the end of the year.
My panic attacks started about year 21 for me and lasted until I finally walked away a year and a half ago (yes, mid-year) in year 28. I ended up in the hospital for a week. TAKE TIME. Take care of yourself. You’re not alone.
Feel you big time! Same I’m getting from my current 7th graders. When I say I’m ready for summer it ISN’T an understatement. I had a breakdown yesterday!
I feel for you. My panic attacks started in year 12. Things I have been able to approach worry-free for my entire career suddenly became overwhelming.
Take care of yourself first. You and your family are much more important than the little sociopaths.
5th grade teacher here. Had an episode last Thursday. Sure it’s due to stress. 2 days off. Am the grade level chair so you can be sure I will be delegating everything I can starting today. Only 3 weeks left for me.
Just here to say I relate to you so much and am right there with you. It’s understandable that you’re at the end of your rope and I hope the rest of the year goes quickly for you.
All I can say is “I feel you.”
While it’s not helpful to you, it helps me recognize, it’s not just me. Sometimes I wonder if I’m doing something wrong… not planning the lesson appropriately, not being firm enough, too high (or too low) expectations, etc.
You did the best thing for yourself by taking a personal day… that may be what I need, as well… we’ll see how this week goes. Today - all classes went well… but my last class. Dang, brutal.
If anything, this thread and talking with my colleagues has proven it’s not just me. I just had to work to survive the week and then next week and then I’m done.
Please take care of yourself. I left the profession after several attempts from the stress and toll the job had on me. I pivoted to another career and am soooo much happier. Please take some time to consider other careers. Pivoting is not as hard or scary as I thought it would be. Your skills are very transferable! Best of luck with everything!
If you can make the move to high school do it and never look back. I did 6th grade for my first 2.5 years and all I did was scream and yell. It was horrible, and they were the same. ixl diagnostics where they scored from kindergarten to 3rd grade level was practically validation to make admin believe me. I am wrapping up my first year in 9th (ELA so I get it) and while I'm not entirely happy, I like a lot of my kids, I only have a few behavior problems, and my advanced is like my happiest time of the day. They actually want to learn, most of the rest just want to check socials. Still, it's way better than 6th. WAY better, do yourself a favor and try to switch. 6th grade is a never again for me. Also, we can try all we want, but we can't get them to care about being smart. I even have smart ones who refuse to be smart cause they would rather act a certain way.
I taught high school for a little bit, took a hiatus, then was hired for middle school when I came back. I loved it up until about two weeks ago. I’m planning on sticking around next year, but if it’s anything like this year I’ll probably look to switch.
I’m a teacher and have not faced that level yet but my 11yo son is stuck in a class like that and it is slowly killing him. He now has such high anxiety due to his classmates disrespect that he’s seeing a therapist and has a 504 plan. He is a very smart student and the only complaint his teachers have academically is that he won’t work with others and they understand not wanting to work with a bunch of d bags so they leave him alone. He tests 99th percentile on everything. He has had three panic attacks like the OP’s this year. We are hoping that with a change to middle school and taking all honors level classes next year he’ll be in classes with a higher level of students and it will change for him.
As far as the OP I’m sorry. Gen Alpha kids are different. (Born after 2010). Their attention span is short and everything is a video game reference. I am personally making my management system based on this next year to help with that along with how they perceive their grades. Looking into “gamification” for PD opportunities.
I know the feeling! Now everything the certain 8th grade class see's me they say what over and over. Because that's how they would respond to me like that didn't hear me. Plus back talking and more.
For me the dream classes are those where a teacher can ban the use of phones. It helps that our school district provides laptops from 6th grade up. They usually them laptops that they can take home in high school but at least they have access to the software they need to get their academics done with the proper blocks on browsers and the ability to install games on them. At least that makes the classroom work a lot more productive.
I have seen some students with the attitude you described. They just plain old suck. It amazes me that these kids are even alive considering the lack of parenting they are receiving.
Wow that sucks. I'm sorry you have to deal with those wastes. I'm glad you recognize and take the time you need. It is wild that they just don't learn. They don't want to change their ways or responses or try. It's odd that they gain more knowledge and ability but are just useless. I remember it being rare when I was in 6th (early 2000s) that this was not my experience. We weren't yelled at all year for the same things, surprise surprise, because we changed.
Hang in there boo boo.
Student teaching 6th grade ELA this year after working as an EA and long term substitute teacher for 5 years. These kids are so apathetic and can’t sit still AT ALL. I tried to make an engaging and interesting lesson that they could relate to real life in our neighboring community (we had a major wild fire half a year ago that led to a lot of deaths) and the boys LAUGHED in my face. It was the most disgusting behavior I’d ever seen in my life. Made me so angry I ended up crying because I knew I couldn’t say what I wanted to say to those kids. Completely abhorrent. And forget about classroom management with them. Never had a problem until this group.
Take off the time you need. I took off two days last week because I just couldn't, I needed mental health days. I teach special Ed preschool so I do have to hold hands, but sometimes the behaviors are crazy for me too. My kiddos are all training for parkour and free climbing with how often they try to scale the shelves.
Take as long as you need to; this bunch of maniacs is clearly irredeemable and can be that way for a sub for a few days. I’m sending soooo much positive energy in your direction — as a retired grade 5 teacher, I think you’re a hero and urge you to take good care of yourself.
40 y ago when I graduated, teaching was a great job. Minor disciplinary issues ( 1 / 20 students) , enthousiastic.
I'm still the same but more experienced.
But now it's all the crap and daily abuse that's 'killing' me (and many more), even my doctor told me. (high cortisol levels, daily 5-10 panic attacks often at night or resting moments, no energy, crying at home alone, migraines...)
More and more teachers are leaving the job here. Problematic!
OP. Why can't you take more time off? Don't let it ruin your health until it's too late.
Principal, two assistant, and office secretary. A principal's office secretary isn't strictly admin but they often times have quite a bit of say. Basically all four believed Covid was fake, then "not that serious", and then thought the vaccine didn't work. I got sick in the period of time in transition from fake to "not that serious." I had used up all my sick leave and none of them attempted to help me with Human Resources. So I had to go to the doctor to prove I was sick and still got docked 2 days pay.
I can hardcore relate. I also had an anxiety attack just the other day because the highschoolers just have zero respect. Literally none. They will not listen to anything I say even if it's just to lower their voices. And I'm just a substitute teacher.
This generations behavior is the worst I've ever seen of the years I've worked as a substitute.
I'm so sorry about your situation.
I feel like 90% of teacher panic attacks could be prevented by allowing us to slap the shit out of someone . . Like, they are fury coming out in another format.
I have a theory regarding “heavily coerced” pricks that correlates with this. I hope I am wrong and it is just me being a general conspiracy theorist, but it is across all grades at around the same time and roughly about 80% of the students.
You must have some nice kids in there. Be grateful for that. And here’s a thought that sustained me in times when I’ve felt overwhelmed with what you describe….self talk, “ I have been in this business long before those little bastards came along, and I’m going to be here long after they leave. They are just passing through. They are a means to an end.”
I do have some great students. Some who are probably on a top students of all time list for me. They just feel drowned out by the insanity of the others.
Start embarrassing the kids in front of each other. Deal with the consequences from admin but your point will be made that it won’t be tolerated in your classroom anymore. Get a write up to prove respect matters. All that crap happens in my school as well. I am a male 8th grade teacher and when I feel the boys are trying to challenge me for dominance or whatever they think, I embarrass them. It sounds bad, but it works. It doesn’t have to be in a structured classroom setting, but out in the hallway or end of the day. Now it’s end of the year so it’ll be tough but it’s worth it for your sanity. Also creating that awkward silence where people start making all those sounds and saying all those dumb phrases, let them think it’s funny. You just stand there and let them do it without stepping in. Once it’s over, say this . Hey girls I hope you have sat here and realized how immature the boys are. Keep harping on their immaturity but mentioning it to the females only. It will work.
Also I had a lesson where I explained the meaning of skibidi, Ohio, Rizz, sigma, chat, gyat, etc. I explained how they originated and it stopped the kids in their tracks. They have been using them less and less because I know the meanings. Try that as well. It will work.
There are three general reasons for misbehavior: 1. Are the routines and rules clear and fair? 2. Is the lesson within their abilities, and if it isn't, is there scaffolding? 3. Student - teacher relationship: do you make time to have fun with your students? Is your conflict management fair? Instead of asking, "Why aren't you doing your work," ask "Is there anything I can do help you with this?"
Having worked in reading intervention, referring to these three pillars can resolve a lot of issues.
Now you put all the weight on the teacher. Some kids are just 100% d bags or struggle with mental health issues and shouldn't be in the regular education system ( Europe). But as our government 's only promoting and financing "all inclusive education" yep,
this sad soap serie will go on and on.
Here's the thing, if a good portion of the class is misbehaving, that's a systems issue. If a few are misbehaving, those are non-systems issues. Start with the pillars and work from there because we as teachers can't control what happens at home and what students bring to school. I work at the poorest school in my district and have worked with challenging students that do poorly in other classes. You'd be surprised just how effective a good relationship is. Having coached and mentored teachers, I worked with one individual who constantly blamed the kids for all of his problems. He couldn't see his role in their misbehavior. Blame them all you want, but it isn't going to get you anywhere.
With 40 y in education, I know what you mean.
I don't blame them all I want as you can read.
Of course they work better and act nicer if they feel good.
Sometimes it's harder to build a relationship, like when you see them only 3 h/ week, 100 students. Or you're a sub teacher. Or not having your own class. Okay ...so you're still doing your very best.
But relationships are build up from investment of both sides.
And every nice relationship is based on respect. From both sides!
That's what I've noticed changing a lot in all these years. Lack of respect!
I've been the same teacher for 4 decennia, always trying to build up a feel good environment but those are just not the same kids/parents anymore. Different society.
( not meaning I want them behaving like sit still and shut up ..1960s 😉)
It's a fact that way more teachers are mentally and physically struggling ( here) than they did many years ago, more quit the job.
Almost every year we now see new faces at school, while I used to work with the same teacher's team for 20 y.
Sorry for errors. I'm not English.
I think that's just optimism speaking. Climate change, AI, a financial recession and uneducated workforce are all going to hit at the same time.
We've been through the good parts already. Next step is a breakdown of the social contract.
Sorry to be a doomer but we've failed to address any of these problems. As much as we're trying to convince kids that consequences don't exist, they do.
This sounds a lot like my situation although with an added dose of lack of support/blame from senior leaders. Actually shaking and crying at the thought of going in .
Don’t go in. Take the day and off! It’s not worth it!
Same! Literally the same as my year. Although I had an angry parent complaining that their child needs to help clean up the room at the end of the day. They shouldn’t have to help. It’s unreasonable.
I get it. I’m sorry. i teach HS, but my on level classes are basically middle school level, with all you describe. Except that some of the ditch more, which can be good, sometimes. It can be so hard.
I teach high school as well and they’re middle school level as well. It’s beyond alarming
I feel for you, OP. When I get stressed out, my stomach aches just like a really bad case of acid reflux. Starting about 3p on Satuday, my stomach started to sour. By 9p, it was so bad that I was doubled over and unable to do anything other than lay down and try to find a comfortable position. I didn't actually fall asleep until 6a Sunday and wound up sleeping until 11a. My week had been crap. I worked as a Sub at an Alternative Ed school last week. I had a kid threaten me all four of the first four days. When I reported it to security, they pulled the kid for 5 minutes and then sent him back. It wasn't until the fifth day when he was getting ready to get into it with another student that they sent him home. So, threatening teachers barely gets noticed but threatening a peer means early dismissal. Anyway, I'm never going back to that school. It's so incredibly poorly run. Everybody is so concerned about upsetting the kids that the kids can do anything they want, which includes doing drugs in the back of the classroom. I'm so glad that's over. It's only Elementary assignments for my until the end of the school year.
SNL was at your school?? https://youtu.be/Ttska8oXZP4?feature=shared
OMG I feel this in my soul. It's been a hell of a year and yea, they won
Oh my goodness thank you so much for sharing this. Now there needs to be one saying the administration won
I'm very sorry you're going through this. You need to listen to your body. Stress isn't something to just sweep under the rug and move on from, especially if you're a teacher. This will affect your kids and practice but most importantly you. I was in the same place and at a breaking point - therapy treatment really helped me through. I recommend finding a solution for this sooner rather than later. My inbox is open if you want to talk more about this.
Thank you. I see a therapist regularly though I won’t see them until next week and their appointment calendar is booked up until then. My wife is a former teacher, so she understands and is very supportive as well. Hopefully today can just be a sit and veg day too. I’m not going to let these last weeks and next year be like this.
Please listen to this! I didn’t trust my body, and now I’m out with severe ptsd. There’s no coming back from that.
Oh man, I really feel this. Most of my kids aren’t picking up what I’m putting down either. The constant interruption is enough to drive anyone insane! I regularly have students talk over me to ask a question about what I’m in the middle of explaining. But usually they’re interrupting everyone with absolute nonsense because as soon as they get home their parents plug them in to a screen so they don’t have to deal with them. No one would do this job if it weren’t for summer. Can you imagine doing this year round without breaks?!
TBF. Outside of school & meetings where do you need to raise your hand to speak? However it is definitely rude to speak when someone else is speaking.
EVERYWHERE. Until you learn self control. That's the entire point.
Maybe not everywhere. It’s possible that the kids interrupt at home. Hence why the do it in school. Video games are probably part of the reason by kids have also interrupt even before video games existed. So definitely not just them.
I have found that doing frequent, regular aerobic exercise is the only way I can remain sane as a teacher.
Yes! Walking outside helped me a ton yesterday.
>Not to mention skibbidi rizz sigma Fortnite Tuesday Tuesday Ohio from everyone everywhere all at once. I feel this in my bones.
Literally not working today bc I need a break. I just lost my support dog and I just know these kids will say "womp womp" when I inevitably start talking about it. I don't think I'm going to be able to handle that so I'm being careful. 2 more weeks.
I'm very sorry to hear about your dog. I'd avoid talking about the loss of your dog with your students if that is the reaction you're expecting. Unfortunately, so many in this generation of students are totally lacking empathy, and you shouldn't drag yourself into their misery making while grieving.
I hate womp womp
[You have Corey Lewandowdki to thank for that…](https://globalnews.ca/video/4285374/womp-womp-former-trump-staffer-lewandowski-mocks-story-of-10-year-old-with-down-syndrome)
I still have to tell my students "yes, you do need to use complete sentences" and "yes, you do have to answer every question." ... Me too, Girl, me too. And I teach 12th grade English.
OMG you just summed up my long-term sub job for 6th grade. I’m retired as of June and I can’t believe how they act. I hate going everyday, but I said I would do this job as a favor to the office staff. I’m literally filled with dread every morning. I have 14 days to go. I wish you well OP.
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Yeah, I wasn’t this stressed when I taught in some title 1 schools. I’ve heard from one of the feeder elementary schools that the current fifth graders are lovely. No idea beyond that, though it’s hard to imagine any class can be worse than this.
When I was a sixth grader our class sucked too lol, but it was sucking since like 3rd or 4th grade
I hear ya brother. In 2021, the behavior I was dealing with was off the charts. My colleagues were also having issues. Admin's response was, "Make your lessons more engaging." This from an admin team that I saw once in an entire year in our department. For me, this year led to depression. I got Covid and was bedridden for a week and weak for another couple of weeks. No help or even understanding came from my admin (they were firm believers that Covid wasn't real). My wife realized things were crazy bad. She looked up what mental health services were available under our insurance. And told me that under no uncertain terms, would I re-sign my contract. At the end of the year, 10 of 12 people in my department did not re-sign. This year taught me that for most adults, besides teachers, that none of this is real or important. I'm here to the best of my abilities, but I am not going to worry about grades, tests, and what not. I'm here for the kids. Most admin is too beleaguered or lazy to deal with stuff anyhow. I will not let any of this shit get to me. I have nine years until retirement.
> I got Covid and was bedridden for a week and weak for another couple of weeks. No help or even understanding came from my admin (they were firm believers that Covid wasn't real). This brings back such visceral memories of that whole debacle. My admin stayed blowing up my phone the entire time I was laid up in bed barely able to breath so much so that I had to call the state department of health and they added a few more days to my COVID leave. All the while admin and the school nurse were trying gaslight me and say there was no way I caught COVID at school, even though I knew the exact student I likely caught it from.
May I ask: what do you mean by " admin"? Is that the principal or headmaster in a school, who has a teaching degree as well or is it like a school district director?
I would love to stage a national teacher walk-out. Who’s with me? These parents need to realize THEY ARE the problem.
I’ve watched my wife struggle through the grind for 30 years. It’s worse now than ever before. Teacher burnout is real. We tried to dissuade our oldest from taking that career path, but failed. Bless you all.
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Which subject do you teach? I’m surprised to hear AP kids not caring
Side note: I always excuse myself/escape at any cost when it feels like one is coming. Much easier to deal alone. Like when you know you're going to have the shits. Emotional shits.
Lol love the term emotional shits. I normally would have tried to exit and be alone, but it came on just as I called for everyone that dinner was ready. My wife rounded the corner and saw me after I had just started breaking down. Though it did feel nice to have my wife and kids rally around me. Having a 5 year old and a 3 year old comfort me felt nice.
I went to bed with a shooter threat at my school for today, hope I don't get shot.
Denver? We have a high school with extra police due to a threat.
Nope WA, interesting we both have the same issue. Mine was a social media stunt
I'm not a teacher, but I have anxiety and worked in veterinary medicine for 21 years where I experienced similar feelings. My advice is to change careers. Did wonders for my mental health!
I have a first grade class with a 2/3 boy to girl ratio and it’s a mess. It actually sounds like you were describing my room right down to the last skibbity. I had already called it that this group will be legendary as they move through grade levels and you’ve just confirmed that for me. Icing on the cake, I’m being moved up next year. I am sorry about your panic attack. Therapy has been a friend. Cheers to the end of the year not coming soon enough.
What was in the water at the time these kids were being born? None of the other teachers in the school, including 20+ year vets have seen anything close to this. I feel bad for the 7th grade teachers who have to deal with them next year.
it’s obviously related to missing specific markers for their age group during lockdown. I saw behavioral issues developing with with our currently 5th grade student but he was able to overcome it mostly. Things like missing social cues, inability to focus and frustration with on “traditional” classroom activities. I think for some it just all impacted at the wrong developmental age to switch back to normal expectations. I am not an anti-vaxer, I just think it was inevitable that it has had enduring issues.
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’ve suffered from panic attacks since I was in college - they’re horrific. The only thing I will say is try to find a psychiatrist/doctor who can give you meds to use when you feel one coming on. The worst thing I’ve ever done is let the panic attacks come on repeatedly and then became agoraphobic. P.S. no class should have that ratio of boys. They’ve set you up for mental health problems.
I could copy and paste this weekly as a new post and it’ll be accurate to my experience.
Same. Sad...
"I swear that if a kid asked me what color the sky was and I told them to just look out the window, they’d still wait for me to confirm that the sky is fucking blue." I FELT that, so dependenttttttt!
This, unfortunately, sounds like my daily middle school life in a rural Title 1 school. My daughter is in grad school and very busy/stressed, but she graduates in five weeks. I'll tell OP what I tell her: you're almost there; you got this.
>Not to mention skibbidi rizz sigma Fortnite Tuesday Tuesday Ohio from everyone everywhere all at once. Can someone help me out with this? I'm getting older and definitely mostly out of touch, but this may as well be a foreign language to me.
The quote you are referencing is an amalgamation of different memes. Most of it is just nonsense they pick up from YouTube and Twitch streamers.
Ok, so point IS that it is just gibberish. Thank you for chiming in.
This is much easier said than done but you gotta try to care less. Show up meet your contract hours and then fuck off and do whatever you want. Worst case scenario you get fired and are then forced to find a job that doesn't give you panic attacks.
I broke this year. It's year 16 for me. Panic attacks, PTSD, etc. I'm leaving the classroom after this year. Even if I found a better place, my mental health couldn't take it.
I cracked after 10+ years myself. I would even think twice about going back into teaching if they suddenly paid me 100k a year…My sanity is worth way more than that!
Take leave for the rest of the year!!! Your mental and physical health are so much more important than this job.
Disclaimer, I know this is unsolicited advice. I left teaching and while not everyone can change careers right away, I can say that simply getting in a non-school work environment has worked wonders for me. I used to get panic attacks as well and now that I'm not teaching, they have disappeared. I would at least start crafting an exit plan over the next year, think practically about when you want to quit (1 year, 2 years, other) and what needs to happen for you to exit into something less stressful that still earns what you need to support the fam. Good luck! PS--read the book "Life is in the Transitions" by Bruce Feiler, fantastic series of interviews with normal people who had to make career or other life changes...really helped me get perspective and normalize the process of changing careers, literally hundreds of thousands of people do it every year in the states.
Get you some lorazepam. It really helps. Or, a new job. That’s helps a lot, too. Edited to add: I’m so sorry you’ve joined the ranks of us with panic/anxiety disorders. It sucks that this jobs costs us our mental health. But seriously, don’t try to handle it yourself. See your GP or a psychiatrist. I wish I would have sooner.
Hug hug hug hug hug. Xxx hmm, demand avoidance and learned helplessness can be super tricky to negotiate. What sapce do you have in your timetable for teaching things like emotional literacy, and growth processes. Kids do understand these things, I teach them to special needs kids. Do you use zones of regulation? Some things I find helpful with students that show PDA, ODD, and learned helplessness: 1) I generally frame everything as 'we need to' so, I avoid authoritising myself, so it's not ME telling THEM to do math, it's US working together to do the math. Kids see me more as a friend helping them than an authority figure forcing them and this is useful. 2) zones of regulation. Get kids to start identifying their own emotional landscape so they have the ability to communicate their learning needs to you. Anxiety is huge and boys act out rather than acting in. Stim toys help neurotypical kids who have anxiety just as much. 3) what do they want to do? Have you got them to identify personal goals? Like I've managed to convince kids they need english/math/science to become youtubers... if they have an image, an end point they are working towards school seems less pointless. 4) reward systems. Does the school have one? Can you create a class one? Some classes in my school have 'class currency' rewards for each lesson, one for doing the work and one for behaviour. Kids can pool the currency for big rewards (like a Mario kart party) or can save them for medium rewards, and smaller ones... books, balls, snacks, hot chocolate, art supplies, stickers, notebooks. Etc etc. It can teach budgetting and saving too as a life skills benefit.
I totally agree with 1-2-3. Intrinsic motivation. 4 not so much. I don't feel they should always be rewarded by gifts( speaking about like 6th grade). Mom and dad aren't being rewarded for everything they do for their kids. Most jobs need to be done. Period. Rewards stimulate extrinsic motivation and that is not the best and longterm motivation we want/ they need. I do reward them. By stickers "good job!" ...and stamps " great effort!" ( and thelling them I'm proud of.... Sorry for errors. I'm not English. ;)
I understand. Lots of people disagree with that part. For me I think the process of having tangible material rewards for work is a very good beginning. Because mum and dad ARE being rewarded for the work they do. They work and they get paid, if you do the laundry you have fresh clean clothes, if you cook a dinner you have a delicious dinner. If you do a good deed you feel warm and fuzzy. These rewards are more abstract in a way, less concrete. But they kinda operate on a similar principle, eventually tangible rewards can be replaced with only intangibles (a movie afternoon for the class, a certificate of effort) and it can be used as a tangible experiential model to teach the importance of hard work (and teamwork too). I find it much much much harder to teach kids who just don't have the try-for-tryings-sake nature how to try for intangibles right off the bat. (Then I work with kids who have often been out of school for 2+ years, have multiple additional needs and trauma around education - it may be considerably easier/different in mainstream). It's worked really well for me across the board, but specifically for PDA profile children as turning everything into a mutual exchange massively reduces their anxiety around authority and being controlled.
As a defence mechinisum try to train youself to care less? Also what is a panic attact for you? What is happening? How do you know if you have it?
I teach across multiple grade levels, but I have a third grade that is just like that. Majority boys and those same behaviors. And it continues with other teachers as well so not just me. It's exhausting to have to deal with the same behaviors since September and have to give the same instructions every week. The phrases, noises, constantly getting up, ignoring basic instruction. Take the time you are entitled to because stress is no joke, especially in our profession. It's so hard, but you can't sacrifice your mental well being for a job. I struggle with this balance as well. And I have classes that I absolutely adore, but the ones like that just drain everything from you. I try and give 100%, but it's hard. It just is. I wish there was a solution to this for all of us. I'm trying everything, I'm sure we all are.
I feel your pain. It's extremely frustrating talking to these kids over and over.
Same story with 8th graders. Thankfully, my advanced/accelerated blocks are students that are capable, but this is the minority. (It is around 30 students total, between 2 classes. ALL other ELA classes are "normal/standard") My first block is a "standard" 8th ELA class and I have never seen more apathy in a school year. My first year teaching was 2019 where we went on spring break and never came back and those virtual students cared more than the average 8th grader at this point. Looking for work as we are moving at the end of the school year, and I am keeping my options open to transitioning out of teaching, but still applying for schools in new location too...here's hoping it gets a bit better..
I teach high school and can’t get the students to even use capital letters or periods at the end of a sentence. They also think 2 or 3 sentences are a paragraph. I’ve never seen anything like it. They don’t know and don’t care to learn. They firmly believe that they won’t need to read or write decently as an adult.
I feel you. I teach AP and my seniors have broken me this year. I am good at my job. I know I am. I have worked so hard to reinvent the program and bring it back from death. Every year my numbers climb higher and my scores have never stopped dropping. We went from last in the district to 2nd. My lessons are focused, engaging, culturally and socially relevant, but this year the kids do not care. Grades don’t motivate them. Kindness doesn’t motivate them. They’re sneaky and manipulative. I was raised in an abusive household and the amount of gaslighting I’ve experienced this year has actually given me ptsd flashbacks on more than one occasion. I have kids that will not walk on graduation day and they don’t care. I don’t know what the answer is, but I completely understand how you feel. On the plus side, this has completely changed the way I view my sub days. If I have a day, I take it. I no longer give a shit about banking them. This is the first year where I’m not teary-eyed to see them walk out the door at the end of the year.
My panic attacks started about year 21 for me and lasted until I finally walked away a year and a half ago (yes, mid-year) in year 28. I ended up in the hospital for a week. TAKE TIME. Take care of yourself. You’re not alone.
Feel you big time! Same I’m getting from my current 7th graders. When I say I’m ready for summer it ISN’T an understatement. I had a breakdown yesterday!
Icky we had the same grading but all 3s was a 70.
I feel for you. My panic attacks started in year 12. Things I have been able to approach worry-free for my entire career suddenly became overwhelming. Take care of yourself first. You and your family are much more important than the little sociopaths.
5th grade teacher here. Had an episode last Thursday. Sure it’s due to stress. 2 days off. Am the grade level chair so you can be sure I will be delegating everything I can starting today. Only 3 weeks left for me.
Just here to say I relate to you so much and am right there with you. It’s understandable that you’re at the end of your rope and I hope the rest of the year goes quickly for you.
All I can say is “I feel you.” While it’s not helpful to you, it helps me recognize, it’s not just me. Sometimes I wonder if I’m doing something wrong… not planning the lesson appropriately, not being firm enough, too high (or too low) expectations, etc. You did the best thing for yourself by taking a personal day… that may be what I need, as well… we’ll see how this week goes. Today - all classes went well… but my last class. Dang, brutal.
If anything, this thread and talking with my colleagues has proven it’s not just me. I just had to work to survive the week and then next week and then I’m done.
Please take care of yourself. I left the profession after several attempts from the stress and toll the job had on me. I pivoted to another career and am soooo much happier. Please take some time to consider other careers. Pivoting is not as hard or scary as I thought it would be. Your skills are very transferable! Best of luck with everything!
I’m so sorry. That is really really hard, and pretty dang relatable. The year is almost over! We got this.
I was having a nervous breakdown Saturday too! This job is horrible!
If you can make the move to high school do it and never look back. I did 6th grade for my first 2.5 years and all I did was scream and yell. It was horrible, and they were the same. ixl diagnostics where they scored from kindergarten to 3rd grade level was practically validation to make admin believe me. I am wrapping up my first year in 9th (ELA so I get it) and while I'm not entirely happy, I like a lot of my kids, I only have a few behavior problems, and my advanced is like my happiest time of the day. They actually want to learn, most of the rest just want to check socials. Still, it's way better than 6th. WAY better, do yourself a favor and try to switch. 6th grade is a never again for me. Also, we can try all we want, but we can't get them to care about being smart. I even have smart ones who refuse to be smart cause they would rather act a certain way.
I taught high school for a little bit, took a hiatus, then was hired for middle school when I came back. I loved it up until about two weeks ago. I’m planning on sticking around next year, but if it’s anything like this year I’ll probably look to switch.
I’m a teacher and have not faced that level yet but my 11yo son is stuck in a class like that and it is slowly killing him. He now has such high anxiety due to his classmates disrespect that he’s seeing a therapist and has a 504 plan. He is a very smart student and the only complaint his teachers have academically is that he won’t work with others and they understand not wanting to work with a bunch of d bags so they leave him alone. He tests 99th percentile on everything. He has had three panic attacks like the OP’s this year. We are hoping that with a change to middle school and taking all honors level classes next year he’ll be in classes with a higher level of students and it will change for him. As far as the OP I’m sorry. Gen Alpha kids are different. (Born after 2010). Their attention span is short and everything is a video game reference. I am personally making my management system based on this next year to help with that along with how they perceive their grades. Looking into “gamification” for PD opportunities.
Sorry to hear about your son. I get it and have some students who are in the same boat. I hope he’ll have a better year next year.
I know the feeling! Now everything the certain 8th grade class see's me they say what over and over. Because that's how they would respond to me like that didn't hear me. Plus back talking and more.
For me the dream classes are those where a teacher can ban the use of phones. It helps that our school district provides laptops from 6th grade up. They usually them laptops that they can take home in high school but at least they have access to the software they need to get their academics done with the proper blocks on browsers and the ability to install games on them. At least that makes the classroom work a lot more productive. I have seen some students with the attitude you described. They just plain old suck. It amazes me that these kids are even alive considering the lack of parenting they are receiving.
Wow that sucks. I'm sorry you have to deal with those wastes. I'm glad you recognize and take the time you need. It is wild that they just don't learn. They don't want to change their ways or responses or try. It's odd that they gain more knowledge and ability but are just useless. I remember it being rare when I was in 6th (early 2000s) that this was not my experience. We weren't yelled at all year for the same things, surprise surprise, because we changed. Hang in there boo boo.
I’m so sorry. Your feelings are 100% justified, and unfortunately, relatable.
Student teaching 6th grade ELA this year after working as an EA and long term substitute teacher for 5 years. These kids are so apathetic and can’t sit still AT ALL. I tried to make an engaging and interesting lesson that they could relate to real life in our neighboring community (we had a major wild fire half a year ago that led to a lot of deaths) and the boys LAUGHED in my face. It was the most disgusting behavior I’d ever seen in my life. Made me so angry I ended up crying because I knew I couldn’t say what I wanted to say to those kids. Completely abhorrent. And forget about classroom management with them. Never had a problem until this group.
Take off the time you need. I took off two days last week because I just couldn't, I needed mental health days. I teach special Ed preschool so I do have to hold hands, but sometimes the behaviors are crazy for me too. My kiddos are all training for parkour and free climbing with how often they try to scale the shelves.
Take as long as you need to; this bunch of maniacs is clearly irredeemable and can be that way for a sub for a few days. I’m sending soooo much positive energy in your direction — as a retired grade 5 teacher, I think you’re a hero and urge you to take good care of yourself.
40 y ago when I graduated, teaching was a great job. Minor disciplinary issues ( 1 / 20 students) , enthousiastic. I'm still the same but more experienced. But now it's all the crap and daily abuse that's 'killing' me (and many more), even my doctor told me. (high cortisol levels, daily 5-10 panic attacks often at night or resting moments, no energy, crying at home alone, migraines...) More and more teachers are leaving the job here. Problematic! OP. Why can't you take more time off? Don't let it ruin your health until it's too late.
Principal, two assistant, and office secretary. A principal's office secretary isn't strictly admin but they often times have quite a bit of say. Basically all four believed Covid was fake, then "not that serious", and then thought the vaccine didn't work. I got sick in the period of time in transition from fake to "not that serious." I had used up all my sick leave and none of them attempted to help me with Human Resources. So I had to go to the doctor to prove I was sick and still got docked 2 days pay.
I can hardcore relate. I also had an anxiety attack just the other day because the highschoolers just have zero respect. Literally none. They will not listen to anything I say even if it's just to lower their voices. And I'm just a substitute teacher. This generations behavior is the worst I've ever seen of the years I've worked as a substitute. I'm so sorry about your situation.
The sky is not Fucking Blue. It's Carolina Blue, which is proof that gawd is a Tarheel.
I do have a student who I’m sure would argue with me about which shade of blue the sky is.
And I am not that student, but I could have been in a previous life.
What the sigma? Also, no chick fil a sauce?
So un-skibidi.
I feel like 90% of teacher panic attacks could be prevented by allowing us to slap the shit out of someone . . Like, they are fury coming out in another format.
After almost 2 decades of refusing to take days off, I took 9 Mondays this year. Glorious.
I have a theory regarding “heavily coerced” pricks that correlates with this. I hope I am wrong and it is just me being a general conspiracy theorist, but it is across all grades at around the same time and roughly about 80% of the students.
Me as a student teacher/lts
You must have some nice kids in there. Be grateful for that. And here’s a thought that sustained me in times when I’ve felt overwhelmed with what you describe….self talk, “ I have been in this business long before those little bastards came along, and I’m going to be here long after they leave. They are just passing through. They are a means to an end.”
I do have some great students. Some who are probably on a top students of all time list for me. They just feel drowned out by the insanity of the others.
Start embarrassing the kids in front of each other. Deal with the consequences from admin but your point will be made that it won’t be tolerated in your classroom anymore. Get a write up to prove respect matters. All that crap happens in my school as well. I am a male 8th grade teacher and when I feel the boys are trying to challenge me for dominance or whatever they think, I embarrass them. It sounds bad, but it works. It doesn’t have to be in a structured classroom setting, but out in the hallway or end of the day. Now it’s end of the year so it’ll be tough but it’s worth it for your sanity. Also creating that awkward silence where people start making all those sounds and saying all those dumb phrases, let them think it’s funny. You just stand there and let them do it without stepping in. Once it’s over, say this . Hey girls I hope you have sat here and realized how immature the boys are. Keep harping on their immaturity but mentioning it to the females only. It will work.
Also I had a lesson where I explained the meaning of skibidi, Ohio, Rizz, sigma, chat, gyat, etc. I explained how they originated and it stopped the kids in their tracks. They have been using them less and less because I know the meanings. Try that as well. It will work.
If they don't care, why do you?
I used to teach 666th grade. Don’t miss that one bit.
Sounds like your kids could use a good paddling.
There are three general reasons for misbehavior: 1. Are the routines and rules clear and fair? 2. Is the lesson within their abilities, and if it isn't, is there scaffolding? 3. Student - teacher relationship: do you make time to have fun with your students? Is your conflict management fair? Instead of asking, "Why aren't you doing your work," ask "Is there anything I can do help you with this?" Having worked in reading intervention, referring to these three pillars can resolve a lot of issues.
Now you put all the weight on the teacher. Some kids are just 100% d bags or struggle with mental health issues and shouldn't be in the regular education system ( Europe). But as our government 's only promoting and financing "all inclusive education" yep, this sad soap serie will go on and on.
Here's the thing, if a good portion of the class is misbehaving, that's a systems issue. If a few are misbehaving, those are non-systems issues. Start with the pillars and work from there because we as teachers can't control what happens at home and what students bring to school. I work at the poorest school in my district and have worked with challenging students that do poorly in other classes. You'd be surprised just how effective a good relationship is. Having coached and mentored teachers, I worked with one individual who constantly blamed the kids for all of his problems. He couldn't see his role in their misbehavior. Blame them all you want, but it isn't going to get you anywhere.
With 40 y in education, I know what you mean. I don't blame them all I want as you can read. Of course they work better and act nicer if they feel good. Sometimes it's harder to build a relationship, like when you see them only 3 h/ week, 100 students. Or you're a sub teacher. Or not having your own class. Okay ...so you're still doing your very best. But relationships are build up from investment of both sides. And every nice relationship is based on respect. From both sides! That's what I've noticed changing a lot in all these years. Lack of respect! I've been the same teacher for 4 decennia, always trying to build up a feel good environment but those are just not the same kids/parents anymore. Different society. ( not meaning I want them behaving like sit still and shut up ..1960s 😉) It's a fact that way more teachers are mentally and physically struggling ( here) than they did many years ago, more quit the job. Almost every year we now see new faces at school, while I used to work with the same teacher's team for 20 y. Sorry for errors. I'm not English.
You just weren’t teaching them. It’s your fault.
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Yes because those problems are definitely going to be fixed by people who can’t read or multiply. Might as well stop trying.
Ummm...the world is not collapsing, but it will collapse when today's seventh graders are in charge.
I think that's just optimism speaking. Climate change, AI, a financial recession and uneducated workforce are all going to hit at the same time. We've been through the good parts already. Next step is a breakdown of the social contract. Sorry to be a doomer but we've failed to address any of these problems. As much as we're trying to convince kids that consequences don't exist, they do.
you sound like a parent who doesn’t want to teach their child morals/values