LJ Idol: 3 Strikes Week 1: Black Rainbow

[proceedcyclone]

I knew what I was getting myself into, but I chose to do it anyway. The countless hours I spent scouring the internet for creative ideas and the numerous hours I spent grading and finalizing IEPs on weekends and holiday breaks were worth it to be a good teacher. After all, I’d seen Freedom Writers, which had taught me that that was what it took

Comments

[numero_nine]

Good for you for prioritizing what you and your daughter need. I hope you find a very green patch of grass to land on and that you both are happy. Good luck.

[proceedcyclone]

Thank you--I'm trying. Teaching is just a difficult job to feel as if you're doing well without sacrificing everything else in your life.

-Tia

[mollywheezy]

Teaching is one of the hardest, most thankless jobs ever. Very well-written!

[proceedcyclone]

Thank you! I think I can deal with teaching being thankless, but it's the expectations seem to increase every year and we are simply expected to figure it out without more time or resources.

-Tia

[unbound_spirit]

Love this.
What will you do after this year?

[proceedcyclone]

Initially, I really expected--really didn't want--to come back next year. I was thinking of trying another district to see if it was any better, but I'm not sure if it's going to be different enough to justify the initial learning curve of teaching new classes. Long term, I think I'll eventually try to get hired by the state like Roberto as it should be comparable in pay and retirement. It can take a really long time to get hired, though.

-Tia

[baxaphobia]

What you have written is all too real. Having been in the education system I can relate to much of this and am now watching one of my best friends going through hell trying to meet the needs of students when she has too many and not enough help or time. Sigh.

[proceedcyclone]

I don't often disagree with the need, but we are just expected to do miracles with such little time and resources. Or there's so much bureaucratic red tape to get students the services they need.

-Tia

[baxaphobia]

Agree. Teachers are expected to be all things: therapists, parents, friends, and sometimes it seems that teaching is one of the last on the list. Having worked in the school system I oftentimes was totally frustrated. Sigh.

[stellinasusan]

Oh yes,being a teacher myself,I can totally relate to this!
There IS more emphasis on paperwork than the actual teaching and it is sad that the profession loses so many inspirational teachers,as I am sure you were, because of it.You know ,someone told my mother years ago that educating girls was never a waste as even if they never worked themselves ,they taught their children and the next generation, so you can pass on your knowledge ,passion etc to your daughter which will make her another inspirational person .Thanks for sharing this and good luck x

[proceedcyclone]

Thank you!

Sometimes I wish we were in a position where I could just homeschool her myself.

-Tia