http://www.artteacherforum.com/ Art Teacher Forum Tag: overworked en Wed, 14 May 2008 06:16:29 +0000 http://www.artteacherforum.com/topic/40#post-139 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:28:26 +0000 jusboblyn 139@http://www.artteacherforum.com/ <p>Anne said it all, but I want to back her up - be clear and firm, and don't argue! I also really agree with Erika's comment about the gay comment. Unfortunately I've even heard young teachers use the word that way - it's important to address it, and believe me, some one in your class will be grateful you did. </p> http://www.artteacherforum.com/topic/40#post-133 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:03:21 +0000 dawnsbrain 133@http://www.artteacherforum.com/ <p>Wow! I love that "student conference notice" idea! I might try that very soon. Would you be mind enough to email me what you use so I can adapt it? <a href="mailto:dawnsbrain@gmail.com.">dawnsbrain@gmail.com.</a> Thanks! </p> http://www.artteacherforum.com/topic/40#post-132 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:32:36 +0000 erica 132@http://www.artteacherforum.com/ <p>I relate to so much of this! I'm in my fourth year of teaching, and believe me: it gets so much better! I'm going to exercise my anti-burn-out strategy and just respond to one or two of your ideas.</p> <p>I joke around with students and have a lot of fun with them. I have the luxury of doing this because the boundaries and consequences are clear. As long as they're getting their work done and not negatively impacting the class, we're all happy. </p> <p>I try to keep all arguments out of class at any time. If they have a beef, my policy is for them to arrange to discuss it outside of class. I repeat this whenever necessary -they get it. Sometimes they need a whole-class reminder about this. I made a hot pink sheet that says "Student Conference Notice". It scared them. The way it goes, I hand it to them, they silently fill it out and return it. They explain their behavior specifically (there are categories: off task, inappropriate talking, insubordination, etc.) and make an appt. to meet with me within 3 days. If they don't do this, it's an automatic call home. If they do, we talk briefly and then I totally let it go. This has worked really well. Out of all my classes, I only gave out four -and that was two weeks ago. It's quite the deterrent. </p> <p>About the "You run this class gay.": I would have a brief public discussion about the inappropriateness -or uncoolness of using the word "gay" in a derogatory way. It should be public because it sends a message to the class that as a teacher, you won't let that kind of hate language slide -and you're creating (as they say in good ol' BTSA workshops) a "safe and effective environment". </p> http://www.artteacherforum.com/topic/40#post-130 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 07:12:24 +0000 annepfeiffer 130@http://www.artteacherforum.com/ <p>Your post was a long time ago, so you are hopefully feeling better. I have about 20 years teaching experience. Many of my kids love me, but every year there are a handful that "hate" me, even saying it to my face. However, the next day, they might be my buddy. Stay firm and do not let them be disrespectful without a consequence. As a parent, I beg you to be firm. The last thing I want is my sons getting away with being rude to an adult. I'm not sure what level you teach, but adolescents are very dramatic and changeable. </p> <p>What works for me is making sure my sense of humor is intact every day, giving them time to interact one-on-one with me and joke with me, but never letting them cross the stated boundaries without a consequence. Then don't feel guilty about it one bit. One student who has me for a second year and is always chatting with me loves to brag to his fellow classmates about how I gave him 12 after-school-detentions last year. (He might be exagerrating a little, but the point is, he admires me for not being too soft and overall thinks I'm OK.) Other teachers have a different style, more emotional, nurturing, etc., but I get "run over" when I try that.</p> <p>Sadly, most of our new young teachers have a second job if they live on their own (i.e. it gets better financially when it is two of you sharing expenses). I'm not sure there is a way to avoid it. Just remember you are in a big club and learn to say NO to additional demands on their time. (I remember how hard it was to say No to a principal who I greatly admired. I felt so bad, but I presented my reasons well and she understood. It gets easier after the first big NO.)</p> <p>Also, when you live in the community you teach in you will probably run into past students frequently. One in particular is one of my college-aged son's best buddies, is at my house several times a week, they are in the same band and will be housemates next year. I think I referred him for disruptive behavior several times and was frequently frustrated with his lack of caring about quality, refusing to give him good grades until he tried harder. Does he hold a grudge? Absolutely not. Does his mom hold a grudge that I pushed him? Of course not.</p> <p>The most important thing is telling yourself everyday that this will be a great day. If you can't do that, then you might want to transfer to another school and try that. I had to leave teaching middle school to preserve my sanity. Find what works for you. </p> http://www.artteacherforum.com/topic/40#post-87 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 22:12:26 +0000 arttchr 87@http://www.artteacherforum.com/ <p>Okay I have to respond to this. First of all, you know all beginning teachers go through this... I honestly just bought a case of airborne ( maybe I'll split half with my intern). Second of all, i am sick of teachers being afraid of being mean, not being liked, hurting feelings, etc. If parents wanted someone to make their children feel good, then they would take them to Disneyland.( you don't have children do you?) Yes, we probably will grow warts from being so mean, and there is a special place in hell for us- as long as it is not on earth. If I wanted to make people feel good, maybe I would have been a masseuse (how much money do they make?). My job is to teach. I have been in enough inner city schools to know there are very few factors we can control,and believe all children can succeed. (or have a right to)Let the parents do some of the work... you help create art. </p> http://www.artteacherforum.com/topic/40#post-82 Sat, 08 Sep 2007 10:40:09 +0000 dawnsbrain 82@http://www.artteacherforum.com/ <p><a href="http://www.dawnsbrain.com/?p=118">Dawn's Brain</a></p> <p><strong>Sick Today</strong></p> <p>I rarely get sick, but I am today. The sore throat showed up yesterday, and last night I was repeatedly awakened by congestion. It’s not bad though. My body’s telling me to chill for a bit. Last weekend was very busy, as has been every weekday since school started on August 13.</p> <p>I spend just about every waking moment planning lessons, even when I’m watching a movie with my boyfriend. In my dreams I often dream I am in the classroom. I enjoy teaching, but this is ridiculous. My house and yard are in near shambles because of the hours I work before and after school: grading work, entering ROP attendance, reading and responding to coworker’s emails, filling out evaluation/observation paperwork, and planning methods to keep students from destroying computer mice.</p> <p>After receiving my first paycheck, I am wondering how I will live without getting a second job. But where will I find the time? The school expects me to maintain its website, attend meetings for two departments (VAPA and Industrial Tech), proceed through BTSA (Beginning Teacher Support something-or-other, which means meeting regularly with a mentor teacher, writing many reflections, and attending seminars), be a senior project adviser, create non-existing standards for my classes and develop pacing guides. After bills, I’ll have only $80 a week for food, gas, pets, household needs and emergencies. I’m not sure they even deducted union dues from this paycheck, so how will I live if another $100 per month is taken out?</p> <p>If I can manage to obtain another 5 college units this year (which I can through BTSA, thankfully), I’ll be up by another $4k on the pay scale next year. But this year will be rough.</p> <p>On top of it all, I feel like half my students hate me. That still gets to me even though I’m not supposed to try to be their friend. I learned last year to be very strict with rules from the very beginning. So many kids whine that “none of the other teachers do that.” Other teachers assure me the kids are lying about that.</p> <p>Yesterday I had one student on the other side of the room clearly say, “you run this class gay.” (He had disagreed with me that he was tardy.) I asked him to please come to where I was. When he did, I asked him to repeat what he said to my face. He stammered and pretended he wasn’t talking about me. I told him that if he had any comments about how I run the class, he needs to have the courage to say it to my face. He said okay and I let him go back to his seat. Also yesterday, I gave detentions to two students for excessive talking. More specifically, they were talking back to me when I asked them point-blank to be quiet while I was instructing.</p> <p>When I respond like that, I don’t know if I’m being a tyrant or if I’m earning respect by not letting students be so disrespectful of me. Clearly, these students were trying to see how I would respond to their challenges of my authority, but I don’t know if I am responding effectively.</p> <p>On Thursday, I asked students if anyone would be interested in transferring to a new section of drama instead of my class. In sixth period, unlike my other classes, no-one raised their hand. I expressed some surprise, and one boy in the back said, “it’s because you’re such a great teacher.” My immediate suspicion is that he was trying to be funny, an obvious kiss-ass moment. I secretly hope he meant it a little bit.</p> <p>I should take this lovely morning and get some housework done. There’s so much to do, it’s difficult to choose where to begin. So instead I am here wasting time on the computer. Okay, not totally wasting it. I did a little bit on my class website, and I’m writing this reflection.</p> <p>*sneeze*</p> <p>I feel guilty when I’m wasting time, even when I’m sick. </p>