Unregistered
12-14-2005, 07:17 AM
I have been teaching Tech-Engineering at the Middle School level for over a year. I enjoy many aspects of teaching, the students have said I am a good teacher, and for the most part, my personality is a good fit.
But, the stress of teaching 6 periods of Middle school students every day, only having one free period, being responsible for numerous technical equipment and computers including a $10K wind tunnel (the school decided not to cover the lab with a warranty to cut costs) and expected to have time to fix the equipment, teach the kids and starting over every 22 days with nearly 180 new students is more than I want to handle at this point in my life (I have 3 children of my own who need more attention, ages 2, 8, 16.)
By the end of the year I teach nearly 1200 Middle School students from 6th to 8th grade for 22 days or less and all the while being reminded that my subject is important because it is part of the states Standardized test. This is like starting the school year 8 times in one year. Just when I am learning my 180 student’s names, they are gone and I have to start over.
I also have found out that my lab room is the worst classroom in the district for acoustics. But, the administration seems to not want to address this problem. By the end of the day, I often experience head aches because of the echoing of nearly 180 student voices. Sometimes, it is like trying to be heard and hear students through out the day while teaching in a full lunch room! I also have the regular disruptive student issues, but it seems that when I voice my concerns, it often is thrown back on the teacher.
The principal seems to be on a popularity quest with students and parents. So, usually he is unsympathetic to teachers, in my opinion.
I would either like to do this only part time or look for a different technology teaching position...I am interested in training classroom teachers, Assistive Technology, or something more stable than what I am doing now.
Any ideas on how to survive till the end of the school year and pursue another option or job?
Thank you,
Tech Savvy
(I am a Tech career changer with over 15 years experience outside of the classroom...so I am very skillful)
But, the stress of teaching 6 periods of Middle school students every day, only having one free period, being responsible for numerous technical equipment and computers including a $10K wind tunnel (the school decided not to cover the lab with a warranty to cut costs) and expected to have time to fix the equipment, teach the kids and starting over every 22 days with nearly 180 new students is more than I want to handle at this point in my life (I have 3 children of my own who need more attention, ages 2, 8, 16.)
By the end of the year I teach nearly 1200 Middle School students from 6th to 8th grade for 22 days or less and all the while being reminded that my subject is important because it is part of the states Standardized test. This is like starting the school year 8 times in one year. Just when I am learning my 180 student’s names, they are gone and I have to start over.
I also have found out that my lab room is the worst classroom in the district for acoustics. But, the administration seems to not want to address this problem. By the end of the day, I often experience head aches because of the echoing of nearly 180 student voices. Sometimes, it is like trying to be heard and hear students through out the day while teaching in a full lunch room! I also have the regular disruptive student issues, but it seems that when I voice my concerns, it often is thrown back on the teacher.
The principal seems to be on a popularity quest with students and parents. So, usually he is unsympathetic to teachers, in my opinion.
I would either like to do this only part time or look for a different technology teaching position...I am interested in training classroom teachers, Assistive Technology, or something more stable than what I am doing now.
Any ideas on how to survive till the end of the school year and pursue another option or job?
Thank you,
Tech Savvy
(I am a Tech career changer with over 15 years experience outside of the classroom...so I am very skillful)