teachers- advice please (long)

megann831

First of all, I teach middle school language arts. 

I grew up in a very middle class, typical suburban community, and it was that type of community I assumed I'd teach in.  I had a very difficult time getting a job and ended up in an urban school to get experience.  I've never been able to secure another position, so I've been here for 7 years, and I do ok.  I have decent classroom management and I get along with administration, but I'm tired.  I spend so much time preventing problems, calling parents, reminding students of rules, and holding detention.  I also feel so defeated, the school's scores are terrible, we are under very heavy state monitoring, now that they've revised tenure we're regularly being told how easily we can be gotten rid of, we're constantly filling out forms and reports that are totally meaningless.  There is no school-based discipline, everything is put on the teacher.  The language I hear in the halls and that comes out in the classroom occationally is unbelievable and I no longer go into the hallways between classes because it honestly is dangerous.  The students are all hurried out of the building at the end of the day, there is no extra help like I remember as a kid, just formal workbook tutoring.  The kids all seem to hate each other.  They are constantly arguing, fighting, and calling each other, and their mothers, names.  We teach from an anthology, no novels.

At this point I don't know if I dislike teaching or if I really just need to get out of this school.  I still enjoy creating and leading activities, but I'm disappointed with the quality of work the students produce.  If we fail too many students we need to write a letter with our plan of action on how we're going to bring up grades, so if the students don't care about their grades, we sort of need to grade them easily so we're not failing too many students.

Is this the way teaching is everywhere now, or do you think I'd be happier in a suburban school?  

I'm just looking for a calmer, more community oriented feel.  Another issue I'm having is applying for other districts.  The last time I went on an interview the principal asked me why I'd want to leave since I had tenure and had been there 5 years.  Do you think it's enough to say I'm looking to teach in a suburban community and I'm looking for more parental and community involvement?  I don't want it to come across as though I can't handle things.

Final question, I came back from maternity leave in November this year.  The principal changed my original assignment because one of the teachers she had hired this year was having a horrible time with one of the classes.  I took on his classes and several people commented right away about how different the class was and well-managed.  Is this something I can include in a cover letter or resume?  I've always heard you should include your accomplishments, not just responsibilities, but I don't want to sound like I'm tooting my own horn, and I also don't know if its a great idea to call attention to the fact that I have young children.

TIA for an advice and suggestions! 

pitterpatter129

• Thank you for spelling advice correctly. 
• I teach in an urban low-income area too, but I think what you are seeing is probably true of many schools in the suburban areas too; lack of parental support, lack of administrative support

pitterpatter129

That previous post had nice pretty bullet points at each statement.  The Bump won't actually publish them for whatever reason.  Boo.

 

jefk

I teach in a nice, suburban district and it's not much better out here - the grass is always greener!  However, you totally sound burnt-out and needing change.  I think it would be fair to say in an interview that you're looking for a change - y

RachieTK

I taught in a city charter school out of college, then a city public school, and now I'm in an affluent suburb. Is completely different. While there are more mandates about curriculum now as opposed to when I started here, my principal allows us to do a l

cwm11985

I teach in a rural elementary school so it is not like what you've described; but, if I were in your shoes I'd be running out of there as fast as I could.  It sounds like the school needs a total administration makeover.  I would apply to as

honeybee111

I agree - you sound very burnt out, so it might be a good thing to move schools/districts.

However, I teach in a low socio-economic area(I grew up in upper middle class, went to private school), and I am very happy where I am.  I have friend

LittleFish1

You did a great job summarizing the challenges at your school however many will be exchanged for others. Agree that you're facing total burn out. I'd suggest in your letter and interview, emphasize skills you polished over the last number of years becau

MamaAllison

I was in your EXACT same situation. I could have written that post myself a few years ago. The good news is you don't hate teaching, you are just in a very hard environment. You should feel proud of yourself for what you have accomplished and rest assured

MamaAllison

The Bump definitely screwed me out of some punctuation above. I promise I'm smarter than that!

BeckyTheEngineer

I suspect that all schools have problems.  You might be happier in a school more like the one you went to, or in teaching younger grades (if you are credentialed for that or could be).  I have a friend who *new* she wanted to teach HS languag

jussagirl02

Pps have given you some great advice. I have taught in a suburban affluent middle school and I am now teaching in a high poverty, urban middle school. Like pps have said, you trade in one problem for another. You trader in nonexistent parental involvement

dragon_chica

Ditto everyone else.  The grass always seems greener on the other side but that's not always the case!  I work in the poorest district in our city and have dealt with homelessness, students coming straight from another country without knowing a

nosoup4u

I don't think it's unheard of a teacher from an urban district wanting to change it up and work in a better-funded/more stable environment. I also have only worked in a large urban district, and I would seriously consider offers from near-by suburbs in