I am all torn up over this.... (sorry...lengthy)

**billybob** · 05-18-2007, 02:14 PM

Moved to a new school this year, as many here know. The school I came from wreaked with ineptitude and favoritism. I liked my teammates, students, and the community, but if I heard the principal's voice just once more, I was going to wretch.

So I HAD to move. there was little choice. I would have said or done something that would have ended my career. I was THAT angry and frustrated.

But had I know about some of the conditions at my new school, I do not think I would have come here. There were other alternatives.

But come, I did. And it's been a tough adjustment. New grade, new school, new school district...and we have a LOT of diversity in the school, with many coming from some really tough neighborhoods.

Over the months, I've adjusted some, think the world of our administration, like my teammates....the teachers are by far the most professional and proficient I've seen in...forever.

So...tenatively, as many here already know, I chose to give it another year. They've given me permission to go "down" to 6th grade for next year, something I much prefer to my current assignment.

Now I was pretty settled with this last week and most of this week, but I find myself to be so tired of the "behaviors," the "issues" I must deal with day in and day out. I am told I don't understand the "culture" by some of the parents and my response is usually...what does decent behavior have to do with ANY culture?

Maybe I just don't belong here, dealing with some of the kinds of kids I have to deal with. Were I 10-15 years younger, I would be a little more flexible than I am. of course...if I were that much younger, I would not have developed the coping skills I now have that permitted me to last through this entire year. Many years ago, in a school even tougher than this one, I lasted barely 7 weeks, before resigning. I have never done anything like that before or since and it still leaves a sour memory in my mind.

I signed on to teach, not referee, not hunt down drug dealers or break up fights or worry about which kid brought a knife or a gun to school..

I have truly begun to understand why the home school movement has gained the momentum it has...

My mind is awhirl....

Thanks for letting me vent and ramble.

**wag** · 05-18-2007, 04:12 PM

Bill, I know your earlier experience in a parochial school was not positive, but many of us have been in great faith-based schools. I have spent 36 years in four different ones and although none were perfect, they were all positive experiences.

If you can afford the cut in pay, perhaps you should start looking in that direction. The majority of the things you mention are not in the majority of faith-based schools. The cut in pay may be worth the time to teach instead of refereering, taking care of vandalism, and fearing for your life.

**Mary/SATX** · 05-19-2007, 02:30 AM

Maybe Wag's advice is something to consider.
I know several teachers in my district have made that move. They are much happier.

What is your gut telling you to do?

**billybob** · 05-19-2007, 02:11 PM

My "gut" is in turmoil.

I am very reluctant to go the private school route as that is just a different can of worms altogether. I guess one could say that it's just up to you to decide which kind of challenge you want, huh?

As WAG said, I had a tough time in parochial schools. The level of unprofessionalism, favoritism, corruption and outright hypocrisy was the worst I have ever seen it.

No, all faith based school aren't like this, but two of the three I dealt with were and I am just very reluctant to get involved in that kind of thing again.

I know what is next...NO place is without challenge. All true. I've said that myself.

But, to answer your question, Mary, my gut tells me I will likely stay put, for one more year anyhow, for reasons I already stated in another posting. And, as some others on another forum have said to me (and they are right), it IS May, everyone is tired, and this is no time to be making life changing decisions....

Perhaps things will seem clearer once school is out in a few weeks.

This has not been a bad year, believe it or not....just a very intense one, one filled with change and challenge...

Thanks, everyone, for your support....