Comments on: Things Nice People Already Know: Any Teacher Can Tell You Why So Many Are Leaving The Profession

By: still teaching

still teaching — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 04:58:43 +0000

I’m dreading going to work tomorrow because of the handful of brats in my elementary classroom, the worst group I’ve had. The only reason I keep going back is for the “nice” kids who are willing to learn something. But dealing with the brats takes such a toll on me emotionally and mentally (not to mention the lost instructional time) that I feel like I have nothing left to give to the nice, deserving kids. I feel sorry for the brats, too, because many of them have lousy home situations and/or have lived through hell, but they need so much more than what I can give them. I feel very discouraged. Many of my colleagues are on anti-depressants, and is it any wonder? Some teachers deal with these pressures by going numb, others by quitting the profession, others with medication… me, I just cry and look for articles on the internet. As schools go, mine does a comparatively decent job of dealing with discipline issues… but even so, there’s a limit to how much true support I have. Ultimately it’s my problem to “manage”. I feel so alone. Reading this article gave me some encouragement that somebody understands. Thank you.

By: Jane Goodwin

Jane Goodwin — Tue, 24 May 2011 06:51:27 +0000

Thanks, Kathy. I appreciate your comment. It’s sad, isn’t it, that the lowest common denominator seems to rule the world.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 21 May 2011 19:05:14 +0000

I found your post today through another blog. It touched my heart profoundly! I agree with every word.
After 15 years, I left education, and job that I loved, for many of the same reasons that you stated, plus a few more! It makes me sick to see what is happening in our schools these days. I finally reached a point where I couldn’t be a part of it anymore.
Good for you for having the courage to speak out! I tried, as I was leaving, but most of what I said seemed to fall on deaf ears.

By: dkzody

dkzody — Wed, 11 May 2011 20:17:32 +0000

>>When teachers walk out the door, they don’t usually do it because they hated teaching. They do it because the peripherals made it impossible to be a teacher.<<

This line is GOLD. I left after 21 years in an inner city high school just for this reason. I loved to go into the classroom and TEACH, but it was getting too hard to get the stuff and the kids that I needed to teach. Fortunately, I had the years and the age so that I could retire with full benefits. Not much of a pension, but the benefits is worth GOLD.

By: Tangram

Tangram — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:15:58 +0000

I realize that this post is older and it is entirely possible that my comment may never be read. However, I couldn’t resist. I have been teaching for 12 years. I really appreciate your post because of this quote: “Teachers who say things like this are few and far between. Not because they aren’t thinking such things 24/7, but because it’s dangerous to speak out.”

I have recently made the decision to take steps to pursue a career outside the classroom because I am tired of the student behavior and feeling that there is nothing I can do. I can jump through all the hoops, make all the documentation and it makes no difference. I had a student threat against me and the student denied it and got a slap on the wrist and are back in the classroom. . .

As I told my Asst. Principal, if I treated the students the way they treat me and the other staff, I’d be fired. He agreed. . .

Until public schools can remove students more easily and reward the good students, we will continue to see it decline. Schools are a reflection of the society. As the family has declined, so have the schools. Until parents step up and do their job, this will continue to be the case.

By: Headless Unicorn Guy

Headless Unicorn Guy — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:02:21 +0000

I think we are so busy paying attention to bad people that we ignore the nice people. Villains have more rights than their victims.

At which point, why be one of “the nice people”, i.e. Suckers?

As one of the “bad kids”, not only do you get to do anything you want (i.e. Anything), you get all the goodies, too. You’re even “entitled” to more goodies than the suckers because of those Important Letters of the Alphabet in your file.

So the lesson is clear: Be a villain. Be a bully. Be a parasite. Be the REAL top of the food chain.

By: Teach08

Teach08 — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:39:02 +0000

Oh, Mamacita! We’re looking for a good Super in Nashville–come on down and apply!

NO WAY would you get it…you make entirely too much sense.

By: Pat

Pat — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:30:35 +0000

You are so right that many teachers think this and are afraid to say it. As a special ed teacher, I also agree with your views on special ed students. Just because they have a disability does not preclude them from following rules. We are supposed to be preparing these students for the real world and the real world laws apply to all people regardless of a disability. If they are so disruptive that learning can’t take place, then they need to be removed to a more restrictive environment. Our school district has also been checking to make sure students qualify for special ed services if their disability interferes with their academic learning. This means they do not recieve special ed services if they have a behavior disorder or oppositional deviant behavior that does not interfere with academic achievement. We need to expect and require all students to follow the rules.Thank you for sharing your post!

By: Corey

Corey — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:11:19 +0000

I didn’t have problems with hyperactive parents, but the discipline problems were the main reason I quit teaching.

Honestly, I think you go too far in this post. But I can certainly empathize with your feelings, and you say quite a few important and valuable things.

By: David

David — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:36:00 +0000

That is the reason I stopped teaching. I had too many brats and not enough support. I had kids who would swear at me and each other. I would send them to the office for serious behavior, but the administration just let them come back the next day. I left, assuming I could get another job, but I have not yet been able to. I left a job I really wanted because of the inability to help those kids who needed it. Now I have a just over minimum wage job and have to live with relatives. That is hard with a wife and two (three in a couple months) kids to care for. I can help any kid pass the WASL–that is easy–but the kid has to want to him- or herself and the environment has to be free from disrupters.