Can I whine?

[FrazzleDazzle]

I am feeling so over my current job that the last 9 days of school are taking forever. I teach life skills in a self-contained classroom in high school, and this is the end of my 8th year. I want to work with younger and less involved kids, but don't really have the qualifications (even though my certification of K-9 would cover it). There is nothing in district available for next year, and I am worried about leaving the district because of starting over with un-tenured status and because I am near the top of the pay scale and probably unmarketable. I know someone in the middle school is retiring next year, but I don't know if I can hold out a whole year. I don't even want to do the next 9 days.

[Chef Dave]

May I ask why you don't like your job?

The recruiting season for next year has just started. If you were to apply to neighboring districts, you might get lucky. You'll never know unless you apply.

If you're willing to relocate, that would open even more opportunities. Clarke County in Nevada for example, is the fastest growing district in the United States. They're desperate for teachers and will most likely hire ANYONE with current references.

Regarding tenure, Arizona will have been the first state I've ever worked in that had tenure. I have previously taught in Texas as well as American schools in Saudi Arabia and Beirut, Lebanon where we had annual contracts.

Since I've never had tenure, it's really not something I think about.

Persons with tenure are not after all, immune from termination. It's simply that the process to terminate them is a lot more time consuming and cumbersome for the district.

As long as you do a good job, I wouldn't worry about tenure.

To get through the next few days, now that you only have a handful of days left, is there any way you can relax what's being taught to do something that the students might enjoy?

[FrazzleDazzle]

I can't relocate, so that's not an option.

The things I don't like are many. I don't like the self-contained aspect meaning that I am in charge of everyone's everything, from Math, Language, Science, coordinating special services like OT, PT, Speech. We have a rotating schedule in the school, which means period 1 today is period 2 tomorrow, up to day 14 when it starts all over again. However, much of what I do needs to be consistent-- vocational activities in the afternoon, the transportation for community trips, when the specialists show up. I have some students that go out for inclusion for 1-3 periods, one that comes in to me for only one period, and one who is with me all day. Next year I will have to do 2 alternate assessment portfolios for the state-required test that all students need to pass to graduate-- the one that they have no hope of passing because the only way to pass is to submit proof that they are capable of doing grade-level work, which they can't do as they are working several years below their grade level.

I am feeling torn because I have a well-paying position that gives me time off with my children; as much as I tell myself I don't like this job, that I have my health, my family's health, I have a home, indoor plumbing, ect. I would like to be able to have a good attitude for one more year while preparing myself better to switch to the middle school level.

[Chef Dave]

I am feeling torn because I have a well-paying position that gives me time off with my children; as much as I tell myself I don't like this, that I have my health, my family's health, I have a home, indoor plumbing, ect. I would like to be able to have a good attitude for one more year while preparing myself better to switch to the middle school level.

I think you also need to consider the state of your emotional health. If you're hanging onto your job simply because it's a well paying job, it may not be worth it. A poor state of emotional health will eventually affect your physical health. Long before this happens, it will affect your family who are bound to notice your unhappiness. It will also affect the quality of your work.

I am by the way, a case in point. I hung onto elementary teaching for two years longer than I should have ... simply because I had been teaching for fifteen years and couldn't see giving this up. During these last two years, I not only switched schools, but I moved between countries.

The change did not help. I developed an ulcer. I couldn't sleep. Since I couldn't sleep I became chronically fatigued. I was depressed. It was awful.

In the end, I found that I had to leave the elementary classroom. I didn't have the emotional or physical stamina to go on. This was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do ... but ultimately I think it was for the best.

The day I resigned was one of the saddest days in my life. It was also tremendously relieving. Even though I was now unemployed, the stress fell away and I was able to sleep without further problems.

Even though the students in your class may be severely deficient in their academic skills, it has been my experience that students are sensitive to the moods of their teachers. They may not respect these moods especially if they are high school students, but I think most of them are aware of how their teachers feel.

If you are this unhappy, can you honestly say that you are doing the best you can for these children?

Have you considered the possibility or resigning and working as a substitute? You'd have far less responsibility and your hours would still give you time off for your children.

I hate to say this ... but is there any reason to believe that you will be a shoo-in for the middle school position a year down the road? Do you know for sure that you could have this job or are you assuming that the district would reassign you? I can't imagine how you would feel if you hung on another year only to learn that the district was putting someone else in this position.

Have you talked to your building administrator about your feelings?

Have you also stopped to consider that you may just be emotionally exhausted and that a nice summer break could recharge your spirits?

Hang in there.

You only have two weeks to go.

:)

[Boxcar]

It is fine to be a little whiny. I know I am lots of times.

Can you talk with the powers-that-be at your school about any specific concerns? Maybe there is a solution out there.

You say you want to teach younger students? How young are you thinking? Early Childhood doesn't require a degree in a lot of cases. At many centers, a college education makes you a real asset. Head Starts and federally funded centers are in the process of requiring B.A.s for leads and A.A.s for others. However, there are chain centers and other places that will accept a CDA or less even today. Because you actually have an ed. degree, you have a decent chance. No, it isn't in the specific age range, but that doesn't have much of a restraint in this field.

[FrazzleDazzle]

I hate to say this ... but is there any reason to believe that you will be a shoo-in for the middle school position a year down the road? Do you know for sure that you could have this job or are you assuming that the district would reassign you? I can't imagine how you would feel if you hung on another year only to learn that the district was putting someone else in this position.
No, I don't know how likely it is. I am trying to work myself to calling the SpEd director when school ends today to ask both what I could do to make that more likely and how likely it is anyway. I have had the same thought about waiting for that position only to have it not happen.


Have you talked to your building administrator about your feelings?

Have you also stopped to consider that you may just be emotionally exhausted and that a nice summer break could recharge your spirits?
I've been a bit of a coward on talking to my principal, but I am realizing that I have to if for no other reason than the pragmatic one of needing a reference. I'm not worried about a bad reaction if I go to him; I have great admin here; I think I've bragged about them in other threads here-- very supportive, and open communication with staff and students.

I have also wondered if things would be better after the summer. Maybe, maybe not. I will have all of the same students, plus one more, next year.

Well. I might as well apply to other places; applying doesn't mean I have to take something if staying in district turns out to be the thing to do.

[Chef Dave]

I have also wondered if things would be better after the summer. Maybe, maybe not. I will have all of the same students, plus one more, next year.


One important thing to consider is this.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR STUDENTS?

If you don't like your job and can't stand your students, then yes, it's probably time to get out.

If you don't like your job but find that you like and care for your students, then it may be possible to reach an accommodation.

At the very least, I think you need to have a face to face talk with the special ed director. Don't call this person. Talk to this person face to face.

The nature of your communication, your unhappiness with this position, needs a face to face discussion because facial expression, body language, and eye contact cannot be conveyed over a phone.

Make an appointment and go discuss your concerns. It could be that the special ed director may have constructive advice.


Well. I might as well apply to other places; applying doesn't mean I have to take something if staying in district turns out to be the thing to do.

Looking for a job in a neighboring district will not preclude you from continuing to hold your job in your current district. In other words, you really don't need to resign until you have found another job.

With this being said, it might be advisable for you to at least mention the fact that you're looking for another job to the building administrator. With some administrators, telling them that you're looking for alternate employment would be akin to shooting yourself in the head.

If you have a good working relationship with this administrator, I think it'd be good of you to mention your thoughts and feelings just so he can keep an eye out for possible replacements just in case you really decide to leave.

In the meanwhile - fear not ... the shutting of one door will not preclude other doors from opening.

I would not be in the position I'm in as chef instructor of a high school culinary arts department if I hadn't taken the bold step of ending a 17 year long elementary teaching career and pursuing training and experience in the food service industry.

I know from personal experience that leaving can be very difficult. It can also be tremendously rewarding if you leave for the right reasons.

Please hang in there and let us know what the special ed director said.

Remember ... visit this person face to face. Don't try and share information of this magnitude over the phone.

[Boxcar]

Good luck. I hope that you can find the answers you need soon...

[Oak Tree]

I am feeling so over my current job that the last 9 days of school are taking forever. I teach life skills in a self-contained classroom in high school,

That's so hard. It's like being asked to bang your head against a wall for six hours a day and not go crazy. I have no idea what you should do but at least apply for something less soul destroying and then weigh your options. Also, the type of frustration you're talking about is terrible for your health so take care.

[FrazzleDazzle]

I talked to my principal and SpEd director yesterday. I kept it simple: I am *really* ready to work with less intense needs and it is time for a change. They both understood; my principal said he was passing my room the other day and thought, "She must be a saint. How does she not go crazy?" My director talked of some "maybes" (or would that be "maybies?"): Someone might be resigning in the elementary school, they will be doing some restructuring, etc. I did say that I would not accept something without first checking back with him to see if anything was definite.

It was hard to actually make the words come out when talking to my principal. I've been here for 8 years, and it feels odd that I really might not be here next year.

They all seem to be sure that I will be "snapped up" quickly, but I am not so sure. But even with that doubt, I still feel better and less trapped than I have in a long time. I can even think of my one irritating student almost affectionately.

[llaster]

I have been teaching 10 years and I resigned my job today. It is hard to change but sometimes it is best for you. I know the last two weeks were very hard for me and it was time for me to go. Only you can make that decision. Good luck, Lisa

[lostfreedom]

You are right no one can help in such a big decision.. you have to revise yourself and to think carefully I think..it's very hard .. isn't it??

[Brit]

How are you not qualified to work with younger students? I'm sure you have a multitude of applicable skills from your current job! Routine, organization, patience, communication with other professionals and parents, etc...it all carries over. Your experience must count for a lot. I would think that you're more qualified to work with a primary class than someone coming from a high school environment, and your experience places you far above someone fresh out of school.

If you want a change, definitely go for it! Just sell yourself well -- remember, the skills you're using now are exactly what you'd need in a primary room! Don't sell yourself short!

[Boxcar]

To work in Early Childhood, you need very few qualifications! It is sad, but true. Usually, a high school diploma or GED is good in smaller centers. Chain centers generally ask for a CDA or AA. No one really cares if you have a BA or an MA.

[Boxcar]

Oops. I already posted 'bout that in this thread. Never mind...

[FrazzleDazzle]

So, school starts for me on August 25. A job was just advertised this past Sunday (today is Wednesday) that I feel qualified for and is close to my home. Same kind of job, slightly younger kids. I have an interview on the 18th. I hate that I am cutting it so close; not even so much for me, but I feel bad about possibly leaving my current ("old"?) school in the lurch needing to replace me quickly. My assistant principal knows I'm applying (principal wasn't in) and reassured me that she understands, but I still feel bad.

However, I feel nowhere near as bad as I would feel if I was back at my old job without even trying for it.

[hweber]

good luck frazzleDazzle. I wish you the best. It is no fun going back where you don't want to.

[bella mundi]

Good luck! Let us know how the interview goes!

[FrazzleDazzle]

One thing I didn't post earlier about the interview was that when making the interview I was told that "unfortunately, we've offered the job to someone else, but there is a 90% chance they won't accept"-- but they accepted. Apparently, this was "hours" before seeing my resume, and the director told me that he wished they hadn't jumped at this other person-- but since they did, they were committed.

So, I am returning to work next Monday. I will probably stop looking temporarily, but I am thinking of this as my last year. (Maybe last half year, if I am lucky.)

[bella mundi]

Sorry to hear that . . . but best of luck to you in your job search. At least you have something to look forward to - a light at the end of the tunnel!

I actually started work today, the kids come Monday. Where did the summer go?