By Show of Hands...How Many of Your Schools Have Had Teachers Leave Already?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know that last year 100 of the new hires were gone by Oct. 1.

I also know that this year at least 2 teachers at one of the high schools was gone by Sept 1.

How are other schools faring?

How was this determined? Where did you find this information? When you say "new hires" are you including all staff, or just teachers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is teaching really that bad these days or is it just tough teaching in DC? I attended one of the worst high schools in the DC suburbs and I don't ever recall a teacher quitting during the school year.

I've been working for DCPS for more than 10 years, and every year we are asked to do more. I can only imagine what it's like for a new teacher to come on board and be faced with our to-do list. It must be overwhelming. I'm not sure how I've survived this long.

It's so disappointing to hear how much teachers dislike their jobs. How can parents help?

Teachers don't dislike their jobs. It's the conditions & lack of support that's unique to DC. Many of those teachers leave and find teaching jobs they love elsewhere. And on more than one occasion they've said they love being treated as a professional and talked to with respect. The fights, cussing, teacher assaults are all things teachers dislike about DCPS. In no other place can a student cuss out a teacher and have admin shrug and say "Oh well. That's how it is here."[/quote]

At the Ward 8 school I teach at we have already lost some. It can be so hard to reach many of the students, and too often they are the ones most at risk and most in need of help. Some of students have so much anger. It can be shocking to see how destructive they can be. And too many don't care one bit about the consequences of there actions.

"What can parents do to help?"

Not bad mouth the school, teachers and education in general. Show respect and expect your kids to respect there teachers, school admin. etc.

Don't complain to or even within ear shot of your kids about all the things the school expects you to do and be careful about making accusations the school and it's teachers/admin.

Just try to do your best and please at least start with the assumption that we to are trying to do our best.

I understand that it may not be possible to always read to your kids or help them with some project. But try not to show that frustration to your kids. And do what you can even if it's only 5 minutes of reading when you can.

And please avoid comments like "I was never any good at math" or whatever subject.

And don't whine to your kid about have to sign the permission slip for a field trip.

I could go on. I am not trying to blame parents, I know it is not easy and I know many face challenges I don't as a parent. I am just trying to give some ideas on what parents can do to help. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I clicked on this thread after reading it on the homepage. It's really disheartening. As one teacher said the difficulty is "in DC where students do not respect education & make teaching and learning difficult" but that can also be attributed to DCPS and DC govt failing them at a young age. The support systems needed is staggering. It seems like there is a pervasive and crippling hopelessness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm
Sorry that you are having a hard time. However, can you step back and see how arrogant you (likely) were when you started just a few weeks ago? DCPS attracts/recruits urban teaching 'veterans' who assume that they can do what DCPS teachers cannot accomplish. It drives me nuts. Every year I see you all start the year with smug attitudes and then bail. Turns out that this is a tough as hell place to teach.

This is my first year teaching ever. I wasn't smug at all. I didn't assume much. I wanted to teach here, because I grew up here. I received a crappy education. My teachers used to turn on a video and walk out of the room. I wasn't prepared for college. Somehow I made it anyway. I wanted to help people who look like me see a world outside of the bubble that they know. I'm not leaving because it's "tough as hell." This place is hell.

I'm leaving because in the first week one teacher had his arm dislocated by a student while another suffered a broken hand. They threatened to rape a female teacher after work. One of my students was arrested in my classroom for fighting another student for "looking at him." That same day, another student was beaten unconscious in the classroom next door. The students intentionally threw laptops from the laptop cart to the ground, shattering them, because they "didn't feel like reading." All of these students are still enrolled. At most they received a two or three day suspension and returned with new shoes, new hairdos, and a new lore among their peers.

They sit in the classes on their phones, they gamble, they throw chairs and flip over tables in what our administration writes off as "attention seeking behavior" and all throughout this someone comes in to informally observe us and tell us how shitty of a job we're doing. They don't suspend or expel, because the goal is to reduce suspension numbers this year. I call parents everyday and, while a FEW apologize and say that they'll try to speak with their kids, the majority say something along the lines of "that's your problem," "I've washed my hands of my child," or "don't call me again."

My evaluation is based on their test scores, but 90% of my students are five or six years below grade level. They're working on learning basic subtraction in 10th grade Math. I don't fault them for that. The system failed them, but you can't put 28 of them in one class with one teacher and with these behaviors and expect any actual learning to occur. I have 34 in some classes despite union rules and the most I get is a stipend because it violates the agreement. I technically get a planning period each day, but I have meetings or am told to cover someone else's class 3-4 times a week. I leave the building around 5 after all of our after school meetings, then pick up my child. By the time I get home, it's after six. After my child is fed, then I get to grading and filling out paperwork for 215 kids. Then, I work on my lesson which is essentially a 90 minute presentation every single day.

Please don't lessen the experience by making it seem like we're just in a funk about kids who may be a little talkative.

I am so sorry. I hope you are quitting soon. I admire that you tried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is teaching really that bad these days or is it just tough teaching in DC? I attended one of the worst high schools in the DC suburbs and I don't ever recall a teacher quitting during the school year.

I've been working for DCPS for more than 10 years, and every year we are asked to do more. I can only imagine what it's like for a new teacher to come on board and be faced with our to-do list. It must be overwhelming. I'm not sure how I've survived this long.

It's so disappointing to hear how much teachers dislike their jobs. How can parents help?

Teachers don't dislike their jobs. It's the conditions & lack of support that's unique to DC. Many of those teachers leave and find teaching jobs they love elsewhere. And on more than one occasion they've said they love being treated as a professional and talked to with respect. The fights, cussing, teacher assaults are all things teachers dislike about DCPS. In no other place can a student cuss out a teacher and have admin shrug and say "Oh well. That's how it is here."[/quote]

At the Ward 8 school I teach at we have already lost some. It can be so hard to reach many of the students, and too often they are the ones most at risk and most in need of help. Some of students have so much anger. It can be shocking to see how destructive they can be. And too many don't care one bit about the consequences of there actions.

"What can parents do to help?"

Not bad mouth the school, teachers and education in general. Show respect and expect your kids to respect there teachers, school admin. etc.

Don't complain to or even within ear shot of your kids about all the things the school expects you to do and be careful about making accusations the school and it's teachers/admin.

Just try to do your best and please at least start with the assumption that we to are trying to do our best.

I understand that it may not be possible to always read to your kids or help them with some project. But try not to show that frustration to your kids. And do what you can even if it's only 5 minutes of reading when you can.

And please avoid comments like "I was never any good at math" or whatever subject.

And don't whine to your kid about have to sign the permission slip for a field trip.

I could go on. I am not trying to blame parents, I know it is not easy and I know many face challenges I don't as a parent. I am just trying to give some ideas on what parents can do to help. Thanks.

And what would you tell a parent who is already doing those things and asks how she can give you a hand? Do you not want help from parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is teaching really that bad these days or is it just tough teaching in DC? I attended one of the worst high schools in the DC suburbs and I don't ever recall a teacher quitting during the school year.

I've been working for DCPS for more than 10 years, and every year we are asked to do more. I can only imagine what it's like for a new teacher to come on board and be faced with our to-do list. It must be overwhelming. I'm not sure how I've survived this long.

It's so disappointing to hear how much teachers dislike their jobs. How can parents help?

Teachers don't dislike their jobs. It's the conditions & lack of support that's unique to DC. Many of those teachers leave and find teaching jobs they love elsewhere. And on more than one occasion they've said they love being treated as a professional and talked to with respect. The fights, cussing, teacher assaults are all things teachers dislike about DCPS. In no other place can a student cuss out a teacher and have admin shrug and say "Oh well. That's how it is here."

Where have you been, this happens in school districts all over the country. Youtube is full of videos of disrespectful kids.

I do know someone who taught in bad dc schools and left for bad md schools. better organization and administrative support. She didn't face the kind of crazy conditions the pp faced, perhaps because she is elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is teaching really that bad these days or is it just tough teaching in DC? I attended one of the worst high schools in the DC suburbs and I don't ever recall a teacher quitting during the school year.

I've been working for DCPS for more than 10 years, and every year we are asked to do more. I can only imagine what it's like for a new teacher to come on board and be faced with our to-do list. It must be overwhelming. I'm not sure how I've survived this long.

It's so disappointing to hear how much teachers dislike their jobs. How can parents help?

Teachers don't dislike their jobs. It's the conditions & lack of support that's unique to DC. Many of those teachers leave and find teaching jobs they love elsewhere. And on more than one occasion they've said they love being treated as a professional and talked to with respect. The fights, cussing, teacher assaults are all things teachers dislike about DCPS. In no other place can a student cuss out a teacher and have admin shrug and say "Oh well. That's how it is here."

Where have you been, this happens in school districts all over the country. Youtube is full of videos of disrespectful kids.

I do know someone who taught in bad dc schools and left for bad md schools. better organization and administrative support. She didn't face the kind of crazy conditions the pp faced, perhaps because she is elementary school.

Um BIG difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is teaching really that bad these days or is it just tough teaching in DC? I attended one of the worst high schools in the DC suburbs and I don't ever recall a teacher quitting during the school year.

I've been working for DCPS for more than 10 years, and every year we are asked to do more. I can only imagine what it's like for a new teacher to come on board and be faced with our to-do list. It must be overwhelming. I'm not sure how I've survived this long.

It's so disappointing to hear how much teachers dislike their jobs. How can parents help?

Teachers don't dislike their jobs. It's the conditions & lack of support that's unique to DC. Many of those teachers leave and find teaching jobs they love elsewhere. And on more than one occasion they've said they love being treated as a professional and talked to with respect. The fights, cussing, teacher assaults are all things teachers dislike about DCPS. In no other place can a student cuss out a teacher and have admin shrug and say "Oh well. That's how it is here."[/quote]

At the Ward 8 school I teach at we have already lost some. It can be so hard to reach many of the students, and too often they are the ones most at risk and most in need of help. Some of students have so much anger. It can be shocking to see how destructive they can be. And too many don't care one bit about the consequences of there actions.

"What can parents do to help?"

Not bad mouth the school, teachers and education in general. Show respect and expect your kids to respect there teachers, school admin. etc.

Don't complain to or even within ear shot of your kids about all the things the school expects you to do and be careful about making accusations the school and it's teachers/admin.

Just try to do your best and please at least start with the assumption that we to are trying to do our best.

I understand that it may not be possible to always read to your kids or help them with some project. But try not to show that frustration to your kids. And do what you can even if it's only 5 minutes of reading when you can.

And please avoid comments like "I was never any good at math" or whatever subject.

And don't whine to your kid about have to sign the permission slip for a field trip.

I could go on. I am not trying to blame parents, I know it is not easy and I know many face challenges I don't as a parent. I am just trying to give some ideas on what parents can do to help. Thanks.

And what would you tell a parent who is already doing those things and asks how she can give you a hand? Do you not want help from parents?

yea, I don't see anything on this list that is going to make the poster's life any better.

[Anonymous]

DCPS central office does a piss poor job of following up on complaints. Last year in my DCPS elementary school, there was a child who routinely threw chairs and tables, hit and kicked other students, and bit his teacher (and broke the skin). Each time, the school followed the "progressive" disciplinary procedure, with a result that the kid was suspended for longer and longer times; coming back bragging about how many video games he got to play while his mom worked all day.

Unfortunately, the school itself seemed to be powerless, aside from repeatedly reporting the incidents up the chain. The parents finally started writing letters directly to the instructional superintendent and the chancellor, and finally the central administration took action.

The system seems to have completely failed when my kid isn't safe unless another kid is suspended and the only solution is for parents to advocate that a child less than 11 be kicked out of school. There are little to no resources brought to bear at the elementary school level and no place for the kids to go when they are suspended, so they are left home and neglected. As they get older and bigger, they go on to terrorize other teachers at other schools.

We need an immense amount of resources and some place for suspended kids to go that would actually mean something and teach them something while they're out -- like a mandatory 5 hour one on one tutoring session rather than free time.

[Anonymous]

I know of a school in another state that did in-school suspensions. All suspended kids were in one room and had to do the work assigned by their teachers. There was one teacher there to assist and answer questions. From what I heard, students hated it because it was boring. They were separated from friends and had to have lunch in the same classroom where they worked. I doubt something like that would work in DC, but it was a effective at that school.

[Anonymous]

I recall reading in a post earlier this year that the HD Cooke principal was doing this, but was receiving a lot of pushback from the teachers and some parents about it. I can't remember the details, but people thought it was cruel to lock all the bad kids in one room. I would say that I would not want to be the teacher assigned to that classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is teaching really that bad these days or is it just tough teaching in DC? I attended one of the worst high schools in the DC suburbs and I don't ever recall a teacher quitting during the school year.

I've been working for DCPS for more than 10 years, and every year we are asked to do more. I can only imagine what it's like for a new teacher to come on board and be faced with our to-do list. It must be overwhelming. I'm not sure how I've survived this long.

It's so disappointing to hear how much teachers dislike their jobs. How can parents help?

Teachers don't dislike their jobs. It's the conditions & lack of support that's unique to DC. Many of those teachers leave and find teaching jobs they love elsewhere. And on more than one occasion they've said they love being treated as a professional and talked to with respect. The fights, cussing, teacher assaults are all things teachers dislike about DCPS. In no other place can a student cuss out a teacher and have admin shrug and say "Oh well. That's how it is here."[/quote]

At the Ward 8 school I teach at we have already lost some. It can be so hard to reach many of the students, and too often they are the ones most at risk and most in need of help. Some of students have so much anger. It can be shocking to see how destructive they can be. And too many don't care one bit about the consequences of there actions.

"What can parents do to help?"

Not bad mouth the school, teachers and education in general. Show respect and expect your kids to respect there teachers, school admin. etc.

Don't complain to or even within ear shot of your kids about all the things the school expects you to do and be careful about making accusations the school and it's teachers/admin.

Just try to do your best and please at least start with the assumption that we to are trying to do our best.

I understand that it may not be possible to always read to your kids or help them with some project. But try not to show that frustration to your kids. And do what you can even if it's only 5 minutes of reading when you can.

And please avoid comments like "I was never any good at math" or whatever subject.

And don't whine to your kid about have to sign the permission slip for a field trip.

I could go on. I am not trying to blame parents, I know it is not easy and I know many face challenges I don't as a parent. I am just trying to give some ideas on what parents can do to help. Thanks.

And what would you tell a parent who is already doing those things and asks how she can give you a hand? Do you not want help from parents?

yea, I don't see anything on this list that is going to make the poster's life any better.

I'm the pp with the ideas for parents above. I was trying to address the question "What can parents do to help?" in terms of small things the parents of the children at my school and similar schools could do that might help with the behavior issues we see at school. Many of the children here have a very negative view of school and do not see value in education - this attitude starts at home.

Often it feels like message kids are getting at home further undermines our authority.

I could instead ask parents and other guardians to do all those things I do for my kids including talk to them everyday about school, join the PTA and if there is no PTA help form one, volunteer at the school, come to BTSN and other school events, sign up for and actually attend parent-teacher conferences, read to them for 20 minutes every day. An we do ask them to do these things but so many of our students' parents don't have the time, energy or ability to prioritize their children and their children's education. And we do try to reach out to parents and community but the help we get is limited.

I feel so badly for some of my students and often want to throttle their parents. And there are some kids I certainly want to throttle or at the very least throw out of my classroom and never have to try to make them behave again.

As to what would make my life easier. I'd really love an assistant - or even better a 2nd teacher in the classroom with me.

Oh, and maybe some nice parents here could send me some rope. I could tie some of my students to their chairs.... (j/k)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is teaching really that bad these days or is it just tough teaching in DC? I attended one of the worst high schools in the DC suburbs and I don't ever recall a teacher quitting during the school year.

I've been working for DCPS for more than 10 years, and every year we are asked to do more. I can only imagine what it's like for a new teacher to come on board and be faced with our to-do list. It must be overwhelming. I'm not sure how I've survived this long.

It's so disappointing to hear how much teachers dislike their jobs. How can parents help?

I don't dislike my job. I love teaching. It's just that the demands are increasing every year to the point that it is becoming unsustainable. It's unhealthy to work so many hours no matter how much you get paid. To be a good teacher, I also need to have a life outside of teaching. That is increasingly becoming impossible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recall reading in a post earlier this year that the HD Cooke principal was doing this, but was receiving a lot of pushback from the teachers and some parents about it. I can't remember the details, but people thought it was cruel to lock all the bad kids in one room. I would say that I would not want to be the teacher assigned to that classroom.

I didn't know a dc school tried this. Thanks for the info. Wonder if they're still doing it and how it's going/it went. I agree, I wouldn't want to be the teacher assigned to that classroom, especially after reading what happens in the regular classrooms. I'm not sure how I feel about the program, though. Cruel? I don't think I'd go as far as to say it's cruel. It is meant to be a punishment, after all. As I said, the biggest complaint in the other school is that it's boring. Kids didn't want in-school detention because of that and not seeing their friends in school. It was usually only for 1 or 2 days, though, but I'm sure that's a millennium in a teenager's mind. I'd like to know more about whether or not this was effective at Cooke in decreasing suspensions overall.

[Anonymous]

So awful. What is DC doing? They gave back taxes this year because they had "too much" money, but the ambulances don't run and apparently in one of DC's high schools (or was it a middle school) that is already some kind of a hell hole, they assign too many kids per teacher.