I heard a great thing from a co-worker today.

[Pale Blue Dot]

I'm a first year teacher, at 40-years-old, at an inner city middle school. It's the time of year when the students start to go a little bonkers; they're comfortable with their teachers, sick of school, and at the age in which they crave both authority and independence. I take my job very seriously - I took a 33% pay cut in order to do this - and I honestly care about all of my students (even the ones I hate sometimes). Lately I've been bringing the stress of the job home with me on weekends to the point where it effects everyone around me.

Earlier today I was talking to one of my co-workers about my stress levels, and she said the nicest things to me. She said that I was an amazing teacher and that she hadn't been helping me as much as she could have because it was so easy to forget that it was my first year. She said that I had excellent classroom management skills and that the students seemed to be responding to my lessons.

This was exactly what I needed to hear. I filled up a little.

The best news? She's the principal's sister! :D

[redwitch]

1. Thank you for your service!

:patriot:

[RainDog]

2. you're a hero!

You should be paid double. My sister used to teach in an inner-city area and from what she said, it's heartbreaking and hard, but she also loved the kids she worked with.

[Pale Blue Dot]

7. The hardest part about it is knowing that these kids are just as smart as suburban kids,

but they don't have the supports from their families or their communities (for various reasons - there's not necessarily a bad guy here.)

Sometimes I want to cry out to the students who are misbehaving. I want to say "I can see what you've got inside of you, and I'm trying to help you out of this cycle if you'll only let me." I go home on the weekends stressing out over it.

Sigh. I wish I could make them all successful.

[SarahB]

3. I'm not at all biased of course, but...

YOU'RE FUCKING AWESOME (in about a million ways)!!! :loveya:






douche

[Midlodemocrat]

5. Biased. Totally. Yup.

:rofl:

:hi:

[Pale Blue Dot]

8. So are you.

Thanks for putting up with my stress. :loveya:

On edit: Not "at at" biased? Please don't tell anyone you're married to an English teacher. :D

[SarahB]

10. Well, I am of course "super nurse"

with movie tickets. :D

Plus, your mango salsa buys a lot of points. ;)

[Midlodemocrat]

4. Pfft. Tell me something I don't know.

I taught school for over 10 years and believe me when I say this. I can FEEL your passion and dedication in your posts. Every child should have the chance to have a teacher like you. If even just once in their lives.

:hug:

[TZ]

6. Congrats!

My mother was a public school teacher for 12 years (before she burned out) so I understand pretty well the frustrations you have to deal with and how nice that must have made you feel.:hi:

[trof]

9. Way-to-go! Atta-boy!

You do us PROUD!
:hi:

[ThomCat]

11. That is really cool.

I am glad you're doing so well. :)

If you can do so well here in NYC, then you really can teach anywhere.

[flamingyouth]

12. Yay, you!

That's awesome. They're very lucky to have you. I love your comment: "I honestly care about all of my students (even the ones I hate sometimes)." Ah, the sign of an excellent teacher. :D

[Darth_Kitten]

13. Way to Go!!

:bounce:

[Redstone]

14. Now that right there has GOT to make you feel good. No matter if the teacher

is anyone's sister. Just hearing it from a peer is well worth the pride you feel.

Redstone

[femmocrat]

15. Advice from a veteran teacher, here....

Try (as much as possible) to leave the stress at the school door. Don't take it home with you, or you will burn out quickly. You are doing all that you can do and doing a wonderful job. Take time to restore your sanity on the weekends!

I spent waaaay too many weekends doing school work. I gave up precious time with my family to do stuff that only I gave a damn about. Looking back, it wasn't worth it.

And most of all....Congratulations on a very successful first year of teaching! June is right around the corner! :applause: :bounce: :woohoo:

[applegrove]

16. Glad you got such a great pat on the back.

[malta blue]

17. Congratulations.....

I have been thinking of making a career change and teaching is one of the options I am considering.