quitting time?

[Ang]

I am just about finished my first year of teaching. The first half went quite well, but the second half of the year was horrible. It seemed like I was constantly disciplining and not teaching and I just can't seem to get the classroom management right. My question is - when do you say enough is enough, I'm not a teacher and find another job?

[Unregistered]

Ang,
You must do a little soul searching and ask yourself if you are willing to try some new approaches to discipline. There is a treasure trove of information out there (books, Internet, etc.) from which to get ideas. Better yet, is there an experienced teacher you can ask to advise you on these issues? Don't give up yet. It took me awhile to get a really sound, good discipline plan that gave me results. This is all part of the learning process, so do not feel you have failed. I wish you good luck.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

if you can't handle discipline, you have failed. Get out now, and take a secretary job somewhere.

[Unregistered]

What goes around comes around, Choc. But then again, you probably don't care. How dare you tell a young, impressionable teacher that she has failed after her first year? I really cannot think of a word for you that I can put in print. It is really beyond my comprehension how someone who calls themself a teacher can be so cruel---and no, don't go into your tyrannical repertoire of how this is the real world, etc. This is a first year teacher. I suppose you were perfect your first year????????????? Of course, you will tell us all that you were and still are. You are a very disturbed AND disturbing individual. You LOVE the reactions you get, you LOVE to be hard and cruel, this is how you get off. No, and don't reply that I need to stick to the argument at hand. YOU are the argument at hand.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

I wasn't perfect, I still mess up, but I handle my own crap. I had 15 of the worst students the district had to offer, so you can't tell me 30 regular students should be able to run your class. Because they dang sure won't run mine.

[rose5455]

Ang,
Although I am doing my student teaching now, I hate to see someone that is so downhearted about their chosen profession that they felt called to. A few of the teachers I have spoken with have said the first year was the hardest, so hang in there. Unregistered is right when they said there are many helpful tools out there. A good one looks to be Harry Wong's First Days of School. This is a book with a website, videos, and CDs to help. It teaches about classroom management principles and the teaching profession in general. It is not his idea, but rather is a collection of principles based on his and many other teaches experiences in the classroom. They are listed within the book. This is an inexpensive tool. The school I am student teaching at is using it to implement new management procedures. I had used it in an Instructional Resource class through my university. It is listed on the internet and you might be able to purchase it from ebay or halfbooks for a good price. I bought mine brand new for around $36 for book and CD only.

[Unregistered]

Ang,
A lot of new teachers struggle with discipline. The problem is that programs for regular ed teach you how to teach but not how to manage behavior. Special ed programs teach you how to manage behavior, but not necessarily how to teach.

Before you quit, ask yourself why you wanted to be a teacher in the first place. Do you still love the kids? Do you want what's best for them? Is the behavior management the only problem?

If you decide you REALLY want to teach, find the savviest teacher you know and ask for some advice OR take a class on Applied Behavior Analysis. (Or ask the principal to help you out.)

Are you checking the responses here? If you are, I would be more than happy to share some effective behavior management techniques from my bag of tricks. What grade do you teach?

Educator

[Unregistered]

I'm also a first year teacher. Things are going well, but far from perfect. Give yourself at least half of next year to determine if you want to remain a teacher. Try new methods that you learn from other teachers, internet, etc.
BTW, is there anything different you are doing during the 2nd semester which is causing problems? Kids are naturally 'wired' when the end is approaching, but hopefully it hasn't got out of hand.

[skyeridder]

I am just about finished my first year of teaching. The first half went quite well, but the second half of the year was horrible. It seemed like I was constantly disciplining and not teaching and I just can't seem to get the classroom management right. My question is - when do you say enough is enough, I'm not a teacher and find another job?

I can't say snaps enough to Harry Wong....besides that there are a few things you can do to make your life a little better

1. Make friends with your fellow teachers...watch thier classes on your planning period, see what works and what doesn't

2. Watch your kids...who are your ring leaders? Get them under control either by throwing them out or turning the class against them...here's where group accountability comes in...say you have five ring leaders...and little billy is one of them. Everytime little billy or his four horseman friends act out pile on hwk, classwork, or snatch away fun things from teh group and say this line "well we were going to have a (homework free night, fun game, movie) but b/c Billy here can't be quiet, and you guys didn't tell him to stop we will do some mroe worksheets until I feel like you guys can control yourselves..and him."

3. Realize that until you have thirty some odd years under your belt and retire you won't know your head from a hole in the ground...it's okay to have problems, it's okay to have bad days...but forget letting them run you off...you need the attitude that this is my room and the only optional things in it is you guys butts and your bookbags and I can throw either one out at will....

[awaxler]

Your first year is always the toughest...it does get easier.

I teach middle school (a notoriously difficult age to teach) and don't have classroom management problems because I keep my students actively involved in my lessons. This is what I call a proactive approach as opposed to a reactive approach.

I also teach a college course on classroom management and this is the philosophy I teach to those new teachers.

There are many, many simple things you can do to keep students involved in your lessons...

If you want to learn some of these strategies you can visit this site here: http://www.Classroom-Management-Tips.com

Hope it helps...

--Adam

[Unregistered]

don't put any stock into what Chocolate says. He's a bitter, bitter old man who hasn't figured out how to remove the term "teacher" from the term "power hungry."

Trust me, as long as you don't let the kids walk on you, you'll be fine. You should figure out what exactly the kids like about your class and figure out how to take that away for a bit if you need to. Also, I have found that it's usually one or two kids who stir the pot, for the most part. I usually spot the instigators early, and have a one on one, heart to heart and explain to them that everyone in the class looks up to them and is waiting to see how they react to certain things. Let them know in no uncertain terms that you would appreciate it if they would "help you out" by keeping the class on track. It has worked every time. My trouble kids turn into my classroom policemen/women. They take the responsibility they have been given and run with it. I have never used that tactic, and had it NOT work.

"Ok, little girl...show us on the dollie where Mr. Chocolate has touched you..." what a power-hungry jack@ss!

[Unregistered]

I am also a first year teacher, who happens to be the third teacher for my students this school year. So, I feel you pain in regard to the discipline issue. Which makes an already difficult job even harder. The advise I have is to remember you are still learning and focus on the good moments. I know that can be hard to do sometimes, but listening to the child read that couldn't when I began reminds me of why I chose to go into the classroom.

Struggling 1st Year Teacher.