That’s all folks! It is with a huge amount of joy that I can finally announce that as of this morning I am no longer a teacher!
In all honesty, I thought I might be just a little sad, a little nostalgic, something…but really, I’m not at all. What brought me to this point? Well, a lot of things, but mostly I just feel completely beaten down by “The System”. My school has gotten progressively worse, both academically and in terms of support in behavior management for children, and I just can’t tolerate the disrespect I witness (not always aimed at me) on a daily basis, especially when there are NO consequences for the students. I haven’t posted much about it because I feared it would just make me angrier to rehash, but it’s been so much worse this year than in the past and there doesn’t seem to be a sign that it will get any better. I also can’t stand being broke.
What’s next? In the long run, I have no idea. In the short run, I’m going back to bartending.
A few months ago I said I had two big announcements coming up, so that was one, but you’ll have to stay tuned for the other. I promise it won’t be more than two weeks!
While I’m super excited for wherever you’re going in life, I’m also a little sad because I discovered your blog so recently! Best of luck!!
oh wow!
well first, congrats on finishing the school year.
second, congrats on making a decision for your own sake–sanity has to come first!
i felt something similar last year–not sad, but free, and lighter. (this year, i’m feeling very strange, though.)
anyway, that’s exciting that you’re going in a new direction. best of luck!
I am sad at the thought of another teacher leave the profession, but I wish you luck and happiness in your next adventures!
I’m sorry to hear that teaching has lost such a good teacher! I’m sure you’ll be missed. Maybe after a break you’ll feel differently and want to return? I fully agree with you on the ‘no consequences’ front – it’s something that angers me on daily basis too. Good luck!
Just remember, dear Ms. M. You were teaching your stuffed animals from the time you could hold a piece of chalk (or a marker for a white board), and you will ALWAYS be a teacher. That doesn’t mean that you will always be in the profession as an active teacher. But you have graced your students with creative lesson plans, energetic exercises, consistent dedication and compassionate consequences for every one who comes through your classroom doors, and you are well-respected for it. You have made a difference in ways you probably will never see, but it has fried you and you deserve a break.
The system sucks, not just in your school, as you know, not just in NYC, but in so many areas of our country. Our legislators are willing to let funding go to hell because they can’t see past their own egos and pay stubs. When teachers like you leave the profession, everyone loses . . . but you have to recharge your sanity batteries. Congrats on your new direction, though in some ways you don’t know yet what that is. As for the second announcement, you DO know your direction, and you’ll have a fantastic year exploring!