TheApple

Interesting

I enjoyed reading this. I'm actually writing about teacher burnout and attrition for my graduate thesis, and I think I read some of the same research. Do you know of any other studies on this?

Discipline seems to be a high problem in my school. If students fail to meet expectations those expections are then lowered and lowerd. It has gotten to the point that students at my school now receive a 50% for a 0. This is so they can, well do nothing. We had two teachers actually walk out and quit within the same week. Students can say F*@&K You and receive only a repromand, then come back to class a few minutes later and say I told you I wouldn't get in trouble. Many teachers are just saying I don't care anymore because they feel unsupported. Within the first two weeks that I taught, there was a stabbing where a student almost died and of course through the years these problems have only worsened. I am in a nice, small community where this type of violence shouldn't be happening. Many teachers are honestly scared of the students they teach and express this concern. Its sad but it is only getting worse and people in the media and parents seem to want to blame the teachers for things rather than help their children. Its now the teachers fault if a student fails. It just gets worse every year. I just can't believe how much the system has changed since I have been in school. I now teach classes as well as other teachers that we have no background in, which obviously makes for a difficult time. I had 36 students put in to my class and only 26 chairs and was told to deal with it. Honestly I don't want to sound like a comlainer but i am simply stating facts. This needs to change.

I put in about 12 to 14 hours per day. Kids are disrespectful, come unprepared, and don't want to work in the classroom. I try to maintain flexibility for all the absenteeism which puts me behind. I had worked as a receptionist/computer operator for sixteen years and put myself through school to become a teacher. Now I've taught for 16 years and I am ready to get out. I am pushing Algebra 2 down students throats who don't want it and who won't use it, but the school district requires college curriculum for all. I believe it is a real disservice to those who do want to learn. I only have about 3 more years until my youngest child graduates and I am moving. Maybe I will teach, but maybe I won't. I have been practicing "Would you like fries with that?" I know it's less money, but not everything is about money. I buy pencils for kids to use and they break them. I buy paper and they tear it up. If I don't supply items, they will come with nothing and do nothing. Parents don't care or the kids wouldn't behave that way to begin with. That's another thing, give a kid a poor grade that they worked at earning and the parent complains to the Principal who asks what I can do to help the kid earn a better grade. If the kids would do what they were supposed to in the first place then they would have earned the better grade. It's just not worth it.

After 10 years in education, I quit. Pasionate about my subject and education, I was demoralized by the lack of leadership, the increasing demands, and the fact that my ex-department head ran out two other female teachers. We all complained, but our complaints fell on deaf ears. To add insult to injury I was often blamed for missing books and folders due to the fact that I'd been out for a year. I have a special needs son and I was out for a year on medical leave to care for him. I have been constantly ridiculed for not having been there. Yelled at and demeaned sometimes in front of other faculty and sometimes studens. When I tried to get assistance from my principal, she turned on me. I tried to get help from the teacher's union as well, but no one could be bothered to respond to my calls or e-mails.
I really want to teach, but the lack of professionalism, support, and the workload (mine was easily 60 hours on average) are just not worth even the most grateful and wonderful students in the world.

I quit after my first year as well for many reasons, but I've been working as an educator ever since. It's 3 years since my first year of teaching and now I feel more prepared to get back in the classroom. You may change your mind again at some point nann...or maybe it's just me =)