And she hasn't been officially sworn in yet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at one of the schools with very few active parents. The majority of my parents are very friendly and appreciative but speak very little English. For other students, I have no contact with their parents.

There are not many schools in the county with very active parents- though those parents are way more likely to be on DCUM and friends with those on DCUM. I can see those parents being frustrating, but that is just not my reality or the reality of anyone who works in my cluster (Seneca Valley). However, that doesn't represent the majority of county schools.

Like a PP, we don't actually talk about the superintendent much, but we do talk over and over again about how far Montgomery county has fallen. How there are no academic expectations. How there are no behavioral expectations. How the schools aren't safe. How there are no substitutes. How we feel like we can't teach anymore. How we are all miserable.

Although these are themes we are seeing around the country, we had hoped that a new superintendent would come in with suggestions. I think that is the part that is so hard. All we are hearing is how it will get worse before it gets better. We already know that there will be more unfilled teacher openings. We are also not hearing that there will be any plan to make discipline in schools a priority. Things like that.

I think that is why there is so much negativity. Everyone wants hope and currently there is no hope in the county.

We very much want to be active but our PTA president is the ultimate mean girl along with her friends and either doesn’t respond or refuses help so no good way to participate. MCCPTA and the school admin are equally cliquey and supports her behavior. Tired of people complaining about the lack of volunteers when some of us try and get shut out.

I teach in Germantown too. I don't care if I ever meet our superintendent in person; I just want to know what's happening at the system level to help us in our classrooms? I used to say that we were struggling but we are so far past that. We are miserable with the terrible Benchmark curriculum, student behavior, unrealistic expectations, etc. I can't even begin to describe the things that go on in schools on any given day. The job is a far cry from where it was when I started ten years ago. I do love my students and I have some truly wonderful families but it's now more than "just a few" students who are out of control - it's more like 1/3 of a class.

[Anonymous]

Yes. This teacher just turned in her resignation. I have had it! I have taught Kinder and 1st grade for 14 years and never have I seen children who are for lack of a better word, feral. The first half of the school year was potty training in Kinder. I still do not believe it myself. The kids pooped and peed EVERYWHERE!!! The play home center was filled with feces and urine. Where was I? Chasing down 3 kindergartners trying to bash through a door and escape outside. They ran from school so much this year. Several cried all day in the first 3 months. One student cried for 110 days of school. Just as we got him settled before lunch, his Mom would show up every day to have lunch with him outside the school on the patio and it would be an all hands on deck struggle to get him to stay in the classroom and the shrieks had me with migraines everyday. These little children regularly curse, throw things, eat objects they should not eat (glue sticks, erasers, chalk, and crayons). Recess was my one respite but that went away because there were so many fights and bathroom accidents outside that we were told we had to cover recess. I tried all of my discipline techniques, rigid routine, fun brain breaks, several philosophies. Nothing mattered. No learning was done until around February. Now, in May, they can walk in lines, sit for 5 minutes, go to the bathroom or at least have accidents in their pants rather than de-pantsing and then squatting or spraying. They are learning as much as we can to make up for all these disruptions. This has been a very hard year. I have gotten covid twice (none of my kids wear their masks correctly), had to have physical therapy after a student threw a chair at my knee, and received a huge gouge after a child stabbed me with large scissors he brought from home to kill a student and I tried to intervene. His words were I want to kill that b----. I am not even in a title one school but a focus school. But, my final moment was when a new student told me to get the eff out of his mother effing face. This was my new gift I received after Easter. He curses like Whoppi Goldberg on Jumping Jack Flash. My children at home need me and my sanity wants to return to my body so I turned in my resignation. By the way, there are SOOO many who share the same stories.

[Anonymous]

I remember 2020 and 2021 like yesterday. I remember reading " lazy teachers playing games on zoom for 3 hours with kids while collecting a check.", "They owe us money for the time they took away from our children as we pay their salaries.", " They are too concerned about COVID to consider the harm they are doing to our child.", " Get your shot and get your ass back in the classroom and teach.", "But the front line workers...", " The lady writing the principal about a teacher having her "bratty" daughter in the background while teaching like teacher's do not have kids. " Well, then just leave. We will hire somebody off the street who can do a full day's work for less than these entitled overpayed teachers" All of these things and more were said. They were mean. Hurtful. Unwarranted. I could feel the hate seething from these posts. You can go search the threads if you want to. So, the teacher's left. They did NOT forget. Now you want to sing a different tune after having your life upended by Omicron in January. Now, suddenly you are worried about your kid having to double up with other teacher's classes and worried about a shortage which means your precious snowflake will be in a class double the size next year. These teacher's are leaving the profession or workplace. Some are married to high earners and have opted to stay home with you know, their children. Those little creatures they love so much. They are not coming back ever.

[Anonymous]

I am a 5th grade teacher and I am not ok. I have had 4 attempted suicides this year and trying to get a child in the crisis center is enormously hard. So many are depressed, sexually confused, and just angry, hurt, and broken. I teach at a high needs school in Germantown. It is not easy. I am proud of each day I survive there. I am moving to a less needy school next year. I pray it is better than this. If it is not, I am looking for a new career. I am only 27 so I have a whole life ahead of me.

[Anonymous]

Haha! All the teachers up doing interims and posting here. I am a 2nd grade teacher but hanging in there so far. Kids are getting antsy with summer approaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. This teacher just turned in her resignation. I have had it! I have taught Kinder and 1st grade for 14 years and never have I seen children who are for lack of a better word, feral. The first half of the school year was potty training in Kinder. I still do not believe it myself. The kids pooped and peed EVERYWHERE!!! The play home center was filled with feces and urine. Where was I? Chasing down 3 kindergartners trying to bash through a door and escape outside. They ran from school so much this year. Several cried all day in the first 3 months. One student cried for 110 days of school. Just as we got him settled before lunch, his Mom would show up every day to have lunch with him outside the school on the patio and it would be an all hands on deck struggle to get him to stay in the classroom and the shrieks had me with migraines everyday. These little children regularly curse, throw things, eat objects they should not eat (glue sticks, erasers, chalk, and crayons). Recess was my one respite but that went away because there were so many fights and bathroom accidents outside that we were told we had to cover recess. I tried all of my discipline techniques, rigid routine, fun brain breaks, several philosophies. Nothing mattered. No learning was done until around February. Now, in May, they can walk in lines, sit for 5 minutes, go to the bathroom or at least have accidents in their pants rather than de-pantsing and then squatting or spraying. They are learning as much as we can to make up for all these disruptions. This has been a very hard year. I have gotten covid twice (none of my kids wear their masks correctly), had to have physical therapy after a student threw a chair at my knee, and received a huge gouge after a child stabbed me with large scissors he brought from home to kill a student and I tried to intervene. His words were I want to kill that b----. I am not even in a title one school but a focus school. But, my final moment was when a new student told me to get the eff out of his mother effing face. This was my new gift I received after Easter. He curses like Whoppi Goldberg on Jumping Jack Flash. My children at home need me and my sanity wants to return to my body so I turned in my resignation. By the way, there are SOOO many who share the same stories.

Instead of blaming the kids, blame the parents. Parents should be forced to attend school with their kids to handle the behavior problems vs. having teachers do it. Many parents relied on day care to parent their kids and with no day care, the kids ran wild so this isn't a surprise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a 5th grade teacher and I am not ok. I have had 4 attempted suicides this year and trying to get a child in the crisis center is enormously hard. So many are depressed, sexually confused, and just angry, hurt, and broken. I teach at a high needs school in Germantown. It is not easy. I am proud of each day I survive there. I am moving to a less needy school next year. I pray it is better than this. If it is not, I am looking for a new career. I am only 27 so I have a whole life ahead of me.

wow! it's not a good sign when half the attempted suicides in the county this school year happened in your class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a 5th grade teacher and I am not ok. I have had 4 attempted suicides this year and trying to get a child in the crisis center is enormously hard. So many are depressed, sexually confused, and just angry, hurt, and broken. I teach at a high needs school in Germantown. It is not easy. I am proud of each day I survive there. I am moving to a less needy school next year. I pray it is better than this. If it is not, I am looking for a new career. I am only 27 so I have a whole life ahead of me.

wow! it's not a good sign when half the attempted suicides in the county this school year happened in your class.

I'm so sorry, I've had a few of my elementary students go to the crisis center this year. Only one ended up being hospitalized long term. It's so hard to see them struggle like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember 2020 and 2021 like yesterday. I remember reading " lazy teachers playing games on zoom for 3 hours with kids while collecting a check.", "They owe us money for the time they took away from our children as we pay their salaries.", " They are too concerned about COVID to consider the harm they are doing to our child.", " Get your shot and get your ass back in the classroom and teach.", "But the front line workers...", " The lady writing the principal about a teacher having her "bratty" daughter in the background while teaching like teacher's do not have kids. " Well, then just leave. We will hire somebody off the street who can do a full day's work for less than these entitled overpayed teachers" All of these things and more were said. They were mean. Hurtful. Unwarranted. I could feel the hate seething from these posts. You can go search the threads if you want to. So, the teacher's left. They did NOT forget. Now you want to sing a different tune after having your life upended by Omicron in January. Now, suddenly you are worried about your kid having to double up with other teacher's classes and worried about a shortage which means your precious snowflake will be in a class double the size next year. These teacher's are leaving the profession or workplace. Some are married to high earners and have opted to stay home with you know, their children. Those little creatures they love so much. They are not coming back ever.

It also bothered me to see the anger and hate being directed at teachers who mostly went above and beyond to help kids under some pretty difficult circumstances. The lack of gratitude was disheartening and I can understand why some have had it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. This teacher just turned in her resignation. I have had it! I have taught Kinder and 1st grade for 14 years and never have I seen children who are for lack of a better word, feral. The first half of the school year was potty training in Kinder. I still do not believe it myself. The kids pooped and peed EVERYWHERE!!! The play home center was filled with feces and urine. Where was I? Chasing down 3 kindergartners trying to bash through a door and escape outside. They ran from school so much this year. Several cried all day in the first 3 months. One student cried for 110 days of school. Just as we got him settled before lunch, his Mom would show up every day to have lunch with him outside the school on the patio and it would be an all hands on deck struggle to get him to stay in the classroom and the shrieks had me with migraines everyday. These little children regularly curse, throw things, eat objects they should not eat (glue sticks, erasers, chalk, and crayons). Recess was my one respite but that went away because there were so many fights and bathroom accidents outside that we were told we had to cover recess. I tried all of my discipline techniques, rigid routine, fun brain breaks, several philosophies. Nothing mattered. No learning was done until around February. Now, in May, they can walk in lines, sit for 5 minutes, go to the bathroom or at least have accidents in their pants rather than de-pantsing and then squatting or spraying. They are learning as much as we can to make up for all these disruptions. This has been a very hard year. I have gotten covid twice (none of my kids wear their masks correctly), had to have physical therapy after a student threw a chair at my knee, and received a huge gouge after a child stabbed me with large scissors he brought from home to kill a student and I tried to intervene. His words were I want to kill that b----. I am not even in a title one school but a focus school. But, my final moment was when a new student told me to get the eff out of his mother effing face. This was my new gift I received after Easter. He curses like Whoppi Goldberg on Jumping Jack Flash. My children at home need me and my sanity wants to return to my body so I turned in my resignation. By the way, there are SOOO many who share the same stories.

Instead of blaming the kids, blame the parents. Parents should be forced to attend school with their kids to handle the behavior problems vs. having teachers do it. Many parents relied on day care to parent their kids and with no day care, the kids ran wild so this isn't a surprise.

I didn't hear "blame" so much as reporting from the account.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a 5th grade teacher and I am not ok. I have had 4 attempted suicides this year and trying to get a child in the crisis center is enormously hard. So many are depressed, sexually confused, and just angry, hurt, and broken. I teach at a high needs school in Germantown. It is not easy. I am proud of each day I survive there. I am moving to a less needy school next year. I pray it is better than this. If it is not, I am looking for a new career. I am only 27 so I have a whole life ahead of me.

wow! it's not a good sign when half the attempted suicides in the county this school year happened in your class.

Except if it was the same child or they teach special needs this does not seem real for that age. And, crisis center is a walk in service or mobile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a 5th grade teacher and I am not ok. I have had 4 attempted suicides this year and trying to get a child in the crisis center is enormously hard. So many are depressed, sexually confused, and just angry, hurt, and broken. I teach at a high needs school in Germantown. It is not easy. I am proud of each day I survive there. I am moving to a less needy school next year. I pray it is better than this. If it is not, I am looking for a new career. I am only 27 so I have a whole life ahead of me.

wow! it's not a good sign when half the attempted suicides in the county this school year happened in your class.

Let me clarify. The one child in my class has attempted 3 times and has attempted to run away. There are a lot of problems. Another one just happened last week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember 2020 and 2021 like yesterday. I remember reading " lazy teachers playing games on zoom for 3 hours with kids while collecting a check.", "They owe us money for the time they took away from our children as we pay their salaries.", "They are too concerned about COVID to consider the harm they are doing to our child.", " Get your shot and get your ass back in the classroom and teach.", "But the front line workers...", " The lady writing the principal about a teacher having her "bratty" daughter in the background while teaching like teacher's do not have kids. " Well, then just leave. We will hire somebody off the street who can do a full day's work for less than these entitled overpayed teachers" All of these things and more were said. They were mean. Hurtful. Unwarranted. I could feel the hate seething from these posts. You can go search the threads if you want to. So, the teacher's left. They did NOT forget. Now you want to sing a different tune after having your life upended by Omicron in January. Now, suddenly you are worried about your kid having to double up with other teacher's classes and worried about a shortage which means your precious snowflake will be in a class double the size next year. These teacher's are leaving the profession or workplace. Some are married to high earners and have opted to stay home with you know, their children. Those little creatures they love so much. They are not coming back ever.

I remember these comments. Most of the comments came from "Karens" and the rabid in-person-at-all-costs crowd (Central Office, bosses that wanted their employees back to work, people worried about losing their home and needed school to be their daycare, etc.).

I agree that teacher's can't win. They need supports as much as the children do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember 2020 and 2021 like yesterday. I remember reading " lazy teachers playing games on zoom for 3 hours with kids while collecting a check.", "They owe us money for the time they took away from our children as we pay their salaries.", "They are too concerned about COVID to consider the harm they are doing to our child.", " Get your shot and get your ass back in the classroom and teach.", "But the front line workers...", " The lady writing the principal about a teacher having her "bratty" daughter in the background while teaching like teacher's do not have kids. " Well, then just leave. We will hire somebody off the street who can do a full day's work for less than these entitled overpayed teachers" All of these things and more were said. They were mean. Hurtful. Unwarranted. I could feel the hate seething from these posts. You can go search the threads if you want to. So, the teacher's left. They did NOT forget. Now you want to sing a different tune after having your life upended by Omicron in January. Now, suddenly you are worried about your kid having to double up with other teacher's classes and worried about a shortage which means your precious snowflake will be in a class double the size next year. These teacher's are leaving the profession or workplace. Some are married to high earners and have opted to stay home with you know, their children. Those little creatures they love so much. They are not coming back ever.

I remember these comments. Most of the comments came from "Karens" and the rabid in-person-at-all-costs crowd (Central Office, bosses that wanted their employees back to work, people worried about losing their home and needed school to be their daycare, etc.).

I agree that teacher's can't win. They need supports as much as the children do.

So many teachers gave so much and yet were falsely portrayed with such contempt and hatred by some very selfish people. That was some really ugly stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember 2020 and 2021 like yesterday. I remember reading " lazy teachers playing games on zoom for 3 hours with kids while collecting a check.", "They owe us money for the time they took away from our children as we pay their salaries.", "They are too concerned about COVID to consider the harm they are doing to our child.", " Get your shot and get your ass back in the classroom and teach.", "But the front line workers...", " The lady writing the principal about a teacher having her "bratty" daughter in the background while teaching like teacher's do not have kids. " Well, then just leave. We will hire somebody off the street who can do a full day's work for less than these entitled overpayed teachers" All of these things and more were said. They were mean. Hurtful. Unwarranted. I could feel the hate seething from these posts. You can go search the threads if you want to. So, the teacher's left. They did NOT forget. Now you want to sing a different tune after having your life upended by Omicron in January. Now, suddenly you are worried about your kid having to double up with other teacher's classes and worried about a shortage which means your precious snowflake will be in a class double the size next year. These teacher's are leaving the profession or workplace. Some are married to high earners and have opted to stay home with you know, their children. Those little creatures they love so much. They are not coming back ever.

I remember these comments. Most of the comments came from "Karens" and the rabid in-person-at-all-costs crowd (Central Office, bosses that wanted their employees back to work, people worried about losing their home and needed school to be their daycare, etc.).

I agree that teacher's can't win. They need supports as much as the children do.

The 1+ year of virtual is at the heart of a lot of this. Blame whoever made that jack*ss decision.