first year teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please, for the sake of the kids, talk to HR and have her removed from the classroom. My kid had an anxious teacher (actually a teacher job share) and it was a mess and the worst year ever. I was trying to be supportive, the teacher ended up forgetting all boundaries and oversharing with me and her thinking was not pretty. Her anxiety made her a truly unpleasant person.

+1
While I am extremely sympathetic to the new teacher (I was one once), we cannot lose sight of why she is there. If her issues are affecting her ability to teach and ultimately causing a disaster in the classroom, something needs to be done.

[Anonymous]

I’d recommend you mentor her on how to take care of herself. Sleeping, exercising, eating well, etc. Also, give her tips for mental health to survive the crazy job! A day off, walks in the park, a glass of wine,etc.

Don’t have the attitude that her job is easy, no teaching job is until you have mastered self care and classroom management. It’s an on going roller coaster. There are ups and downs and new challenges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work with a first year teacher. 23 years old. She has cried every day the last few weeks. It is constant. She doesn't know how to do anything. I'm doing all I can to help, but it is wearing on me. I don't think she is going to make it until Halloween.

I’m at Year 16 and regarded as a highly effective teacher. I teach in a magnet program and love my job. But a few years ago, I too cried every day because I was in a school that was a bad fit. As a brand new teacher it would be difficult to tell if the problem is the you/school or you/teaching, but I had experience so I knew it was me/school.

[Anonymous]

I think this sounds like it’s beyond new job/first year teacher issues-she’s probably depressed which may have been exacerbated by new job stress. Is there an rao for teachers? If so talk to her about it, be kind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please, for the sake of the kids, talk to HR and have her removed from the classroom. My kid had an anxious teacher (actually a teacher job share) and it was a mess and the worst year ever. I was trying to be supportive, the teacher ended up forgetting all boundaries and oversharing with me and her thinking was not pretty. Her anxiety made her a truly unpleasant person.

+1
While I am extremely sympathetic to the new teacher (I was one once), we cannot lose sight of why she is there. If her issues are affecting her ability to teach and ultimately causing a disaster in the classroom, something needs to be done.

Most schools are not going to do this. Unless there is an egregious offense, principals would rather have a "highly qualified" teacher in the room than a permanent sub.

[Anonymous]

OP, I would really teach her about boundaries, especially with the parents. You don't mention the grade, but some parents really expect a lot. They get mad if their kid picks at their lunch, forgets to floss their braces, hears a negative word from Larla, etc.

[Anonymous]

Does your school allow teachers to play a short movie to allow teachers to take a break? I'm not a fan of the practice, but experienced teachers do it all the time. 20 minutes of an educational show after recess allows teacher time to problem solve interpersonal difficulties that the kids had during lunch/recess. Playing another short video gives time to stuff folders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please, for the sake of the kids, talk to HR and have her removed from the classroom. My kid had an anxious teacher (actually a teacher job share) and it was a mess and the worst year ever. I was trying to be supportive, the teacher ended up forgetting all boundaries and oversharing with me and her thinking was not pretty. Her anxiety made her a truly unpleasant person.

Wow! Just wow!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please, for the sake of the kids, talk to HR and have her removed from the classroom. My kid had an anxious teacher (actually a teacher job share) and it was a mess and the worst year ever. I was trying to be supportive, the teacher ended up forgetting all boundaries and oversharing with me and her thinking was not pretty. Her anxiety made her a truly unpleasant person.

+1
While I am extremely sympathetic to the new teacher (I was one once), we cannot lose sight of why she is there. If her issues are affecting her ability to teach and ultimately causing a disaster in the classroom, something needs to be done.

Most schools are not going to do this. Unless there is an egregious offense, principals would rather have a "highly qualified" teacher in the room than a permanent sub.

It's especially unlikely considering the teacher shortage in some areas and the sub shortage that seems to be everywhere

[Anonymous]

I cried a lot during my first year but I tried to hide it.

[Anonymous]

Op here. She quit on Friday. Left all her things, walked out at lunch and isn't returning any calls.

[Anonymous]

Whoah

[Anonymous]

It sounds like the job was a bad fit if it was that distressing. It also sounds like OP did a lot of practical things (not just emotional labor) to support this teacher. Still, I you hate to see someone’s first teaching gig end this way. I hope she gets herself sorted out.

[Anonymous]

It’s exhausting and I’m sorry, OP. I’ve been there. Listen and support but you need to give yourself space to do your job. It’s hard but remember this is an adult, not a child. I’ve found over the years that many of these teachers are also dealing with having their first job. Ever.

I have one this year I’m also trying to help. We have a different issue. No crying this year but overly trying to be friends with the high schoolers to be liked at the expense of everything else including any academics. I’m going to continue to try to give support and advice and will bring on a supportive administrator soon if it does not improve. I’m not trying to get this new teacher in trouble for not doing an effective job but she obviously needs more support than I can give.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. She quit on Friday. Left all her things, walked out at lunch and isn't returning any calls.

Good for her! What other profession would we expect someone to stay if it made me that miserable. The biggest issue with teaching is that even if you know it’s a bad school/teacher fit, you are stuck for ten months. Even doctors can quit and apply somewhere else immediately. The best we can offer teachers is sub somewhere else the rest of the year. And some states blackball you for 12 months if you quit after July 1.