Not sure if teaching is for me anymore

[doby88]

Once again I have been called upon to strengthen my classroom management skills. I am starting to wonder if I am really up for teaching anymore. I've heard it many times throughout my career as a teacher and realize that it is my weak point in teaching. I have read quite a number of books and have tried different techniques. Maybe I'm just not adequate enough to be a teacher. I have taught off and on since I've moved in 2000. I sometimes think maybe if I videotaped myself then I would know what I was doing wrong. I am in a school where there are two teachers in the classroom and well.... I sense that the students take advantage of me more than the other teacher. I notice the difference in behavior but don't know what it is I am doing. I can't pin point it and need some advice. PLEASE HELP!!! Thanks =)

 

[GBTC01]

I know how you feel

I am a new teacher who after loosing a co-teacher to another grade aquired 5 new students then that same teacher(who happened to be a veteran teacher) moved out of state, was faced with a formal intervention and possible loss of job for my management. I have come to see that I take things too personally and my students know how to push the right buttons. Well, I have since put them in rows and made them take everything home but textbooks and pencils. The only thing they have in their desks is what I allow. I told them that their behavior has been horendoues and that I am not here to teach students who aren't here to learn. I have assigned each row a number and they compete to see which row can get out their books or pencils or whatever the fastest and quietest... also the opposite who can clear off their desks first. They get a point and the tallies are kept till the end of the week. I also make them rate themselves and then say on a scale of one to four...( no matter how good it will never be a four) My students are really ruff but love to work towards something. I took everything away including recess equipment. They have to earn everything back. If they can't handle themselves in their seat then they have to sit on the floor. Don't be afraid to be mean.... (or so they think) it will be to your benifit later. I hope this helps. I am at my wits end and decided not to let them get to me and just use the adrenaline of being kinda pissed. It has been working so far............ At least I am not totally exhausted at night as often

 

[doby88]

Thanks!

I really needed to know I wasn't alone in this situation. I feel awful each time I get called in to the admin. office with my colleague. I sometimes feel not like the teacher but more like the aid. I guess the students can sense that as well and I can only try to perfect my management skills till one day I will have it down and won't stress or get frustrated like I do now. Thanks again!

 

[dontworry]

Dont worry

As teachers we tend to be too hard on ourselves. There are areas I feel I could do better.....It's easy to be down and critical. Try to remember, we're only human. It's OKAY not to be perfect. One teacher may need help on classroom management, another teacher on collaborating with parents, another teacher with teaching science, etc....Just do the best you can---that's all you can do.
Good luck!

 

[CUTiger]

doby88,

What grade do you teach? I was wondering if people get burned out or begin to feel inadequate when they're teaching certain grades opposed to others.