The state of Ecuation...the true result of NCLB

[greenbriar]

I teach 7th grade in a middle school. Social Studies

My smallest class is 27 my largest is 32

the math and english classes have a max of 12 so because we spend money for more math and english teachers, we cut the budget for SS teachers.called parents,

I have done quizzes

I have had principals come in...really makes my day when that happens

I have had them write paragraphs

I have weeded out the worst ones

I have rewarded the best ones

I have been quiet

I have been loud

I have done just about all I can think of


Kagan structures

Cooperative groups

differnet seating arrangement

individual assignments

Labs

games

united streaming


NOTHING WORKS

even when the students are getting disciplined, they continue to do what they were doing to get in trouble in the first place


I have had it...I have lost my touch.

in the 10 years I have taught...I HAVE NEVER HAD A DISCIPLINE PROBLEM

I AM READY TO QUIT

IF i DIDN'T HAVE BILLS, I WOULD ALREADY BE GONE
Gore/Kerry~Poetic



The math and english classes have the great days...the social studies and science teacher Me and Jack are about to pull our hair out

[greenbriar]

1. here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=6102704&mesg_id=6102704

[greenbriar]

2. sorry for the missed D in Education Bell was ringing

and I was closing the message board and getting ready for my class


which by the way was no better

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. You taught ten years and never had a discipline problem?

Pull the other one.

[greenbriar]

4. not anything on such magnitute as this

and it was rare

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. So...

what happened?

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. I know what you are going through

I really do.

I got out of regular ed after 13 years and went into special ed. It has its own share of problems, but at least I don't have to deal with 28+ kids at once.

[greenbriar]

8. I have one more class and a practicum to go for a Masters in SPED

tell me more

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. It has its own stress

The paperwork is incredible. And the kids are VERY difficult. The parents are unbelievable. Sometimes I really miss parents who are literate.

But the bottom line for me is class size. It is amazing what you can do with "unteachable" kids when you have them in a small group. Plus, you get really close to them and you get to know them and know how to make them learn. You get to see great progress from kids that most other teachers would give up on.

Your co-workers think you are "amazing" and "incredibly patient". They tell me all the time "How can you stand that kid?" or "How in the world did you get him to do that?"

You also get to think on your feet and be creative in solving problems. I love that part. For example, I have a 5th grader who is a mess. Bi-polar, ADD, ODD, etc ad nauseum. He has to go back to 5th grade for an hour at noon every day and he just causes problems. The teacher was so frustrated and told me that this hour was the worst part of his day because this kid was such a disruption in his class. So I asked a 1st grade teacher if this kid could come to her room for half of that hour and work with her kids who needed one on one with flashcards or whatever. I told the kid that the 1st grade teacher really needed help. We call it his JOB. So he goes up there every day with a smile and then happily goes on to his 5th grade class and causes no problems there. He is learning to tell time so he can count how many minutes until he has to go to his job. He is writing in his journal every day all of his ideas for helping the 1st graders. And the best part is he knows that if he gets in trouble, he doesn't get to go to his job. So his behavior has improved IMMENSELY.

This kid has no self-esteem and we just needed to figure a way to build some success into his day. It was a very simple solution.

There is no way you have time to problem solve and bend the rules to do stuff like that in a regular classroom.

So in spite of the paperwork and the crazy kids, I really love it. I feel like I am having an impact on kids like I never did in a regular classroom.

So come do your practicum in KC with me. :)

[greenbriar]

12. Sounds great. what did you teach before?

I am really super frustrated.

I get the same kids tell me every day that I am their favorite...not that I really care...but I have always had a great rapport with almost all of my students...but for some reason these kids today...grrrrrrrrrrr

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Regular ed elementary

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th grades - at various times, not all at once LOL.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. One more thing

Special ed kids are the ones everyone else gives up on. So even the slightest improvement makes you look like a miracle worker. And helping kids make progress is really pretty easy since you have such a small case load.

[MonkeyFunk]

7. Sounds like

you're having a bad day.

But my recommendation is not to let the students know. When I was that age, a teacher on the edge of a nervous breakdown was fodder for our torture.

[Broken_Hero]

9. ........

:hug: