Thread: I think I've messed everything up

Calm down first- that was actually pretty mild. You wouldn't be the first teacher to say something like that (or worse- crap is a word I've used, and many of my colleagues think nothing off using the word p**s- otherwise called liquid excrement) and it will take a lot more than that to get you fired. You did that incidentally because you are in fact human, as much so as anyone else, and while you are expected to have much more control over yourself than other adults, you are not going to be perfect. If your administration has a problem with it, they will take it up with you- just be willing to answer honestly and justly, and if an error has been made, 'fess up, discuss options, and then do differently. I've had some moments this week that would drive the average person into long strings of expletives (and in many cases, probably physical violence). Everyone can break occasionally, when the circumstances are right. You just had a mild fracture- recover, compose, and move on.

Thank you for the support. I really needed to hear that. Today was extremely stressful, wondering wheather or not the students told their partents and then called the school to register a complaint against me. Thankfully, it appears that none were made and the students didn't mention anything about the comment in class today.

I was really concerned because the administration of the school let the former music teacher go because he wheeled a chair with a student in it to their desk. The parent complained and demanded that he was fired and they let him go for it, even though he never even laid a hand on the child, just his chair.

However, thank you again. I would imagine that if anything were to come of it, that day would have been today. Thanks again!

I know how you feel. I'm a first year PE teacher and each class has several kids that are so disruptive. Yesterday, I had an entire class that was arguing and tattling. I sat them down and talked about sportsmanship but it did not help much. Some days I can't hardly get out of bed knowing that I am going to face all of that for another day. I'm exhausted when I get home and am really regretting changing careers right now. I'm hoping I feel different at the end of the year, but right now I do not even know how I'm going to make it thru June. Just know that you are not the only one who wonders if you can deal with all of the crap. Good luck to you.

Here's a sustaining thought. If 28 of your 29 are rambunctious, disrespectful, lazy fools, but you have one who isn't, somebody has to be there for that one. I know that is not much, but you have to focus on the positive aspects, and not the negative ones.

A little suggestion to help you let off steam when the kids are driving you mad. Work on putting that fantastic vocabulary we (as highly educated individuals) have. It is much more fun to make comments using words that the kids don't know (nothing to harsh or at all demeaning) and watch the effect. You'd be amazed to find out how that encourages them to find out what you said. I've had kids come in a day later and tell me the actually looked up a word I'd used so they'd know what I said.

Even though your subject is music, all of the subjects are entertwined and we should all support each other. Before you peg me as an English teacher, I'll let you know that I am in fact a math teacher, but I find great enjoyment in finding ways to tie in a little history, English, science, music, sports, art, and anything imaginable into my classes.

I'm there to help them become whole people, not just logical, mathematical machines. In moments of duress, I call upon my vocabulary for solace and know that someone in the class is going to incorporate my words into their own vocabulary.

Good luck!

Your story sounds so familiar. My first year I too can remember there was two students who seemed to push every button. I talked to a fellow teacher who was very good with discipline and asked for advice. She made me realize I am the one in charge and the students look to you for your reaction. I treated both students differently. One just was very disruptive. I took him aside and talked very quietly with him to ask him why he acted the way he did. He immediately said I dont know. I then told him my expectations and that if he felt he couldn't follow them, I would gladly be happy to sent him to the office. Luckily for me, my administration was behind me. Every time he disrupted my class, I sent him to the office. This was really hard for me to do, but it worked. The other student seemed to pout whenever he didn't get his way, him I ignored and he eventually stopped.
Remember this though, the first year is the hardest because you have to find out what works and what doesn't Good Luck