Fellow teachers, tell me I can do this.

[Anonymous]

Tomorrow will be the first day of my seventh year of teaching, and I'm just not feeling it. I really think I'm burned out. I teach Pre-K in DC, and as you may know it's very high energy and demanding. I throw myself into it, to the detriment of my personal life and my wallet. The pay is relatively low and the administration is clueless. My gratification comes from the children and the parents. The kids adore me and the feeling is mutual. You'd think that that would be enough, but lately it's just not. The workload is huge; demands are high and resources are low. How can I improve my morale? If any of this resonates with you, what do you do to keep your morale up? I'm semi-dreading tomorrow, and this is the first year I've felt this way. I just have apprehension and malaise about getting through this year.

TIA

[Anonymous]

I hope your not my kids teacher.

[Anonymous]

OP, try to aim for a little more balance. This is something I struggle with myself. Stop spending so much of your own (hard-earned) money, make sure you leave the classroom at a decent hour. Just leave! It will all be there when you come back.

[Anonymous]

It may be time to consider something else.

This year focus on what you do love. Love your kids and guide their families. Set a budget for what you will pay of your own cash. Take a class to connect with other teachers who want to learn new ideas.

[Anonymous]

You can do it!! Ignore everyone else, ESP the admin, and teach your kids!! Order some great take out for dinner!

[Anonymous]

OP - Do you take advantage of the Educator Expense Tax deduction?

[Anonymous]

Come on now...you can do it. Just put your nose in a box of crayons and breathe in.

Who will be the little one that comes out of his shell for you? How about the little guy that you realize early on might have some learning issues and you help the parents help the kid. Which kid will be the one that always has the best comments? Which kid will learn English on your watch? Or don't forget about the kid that gets on your nerves every day but you learn to love them anyway.

Every year is amazing, I can't wait to see how many way the kids surprise me (good and bad). Love it.

[Anonymous]

As a fellow early-childhood teacher, here is my tip for you....
"Switch it up a bit" from past years to make it a little more "exciting" for you (rearrange the room, read different books to the kids, organize a new circle routine, diversify art projects and language/math activities, cooking projects, etc.) i am all about the CREATIVITY, so, for me, this strategy works. However, if this is not your MO than I do not think this strategy will help as much as a "crazy" teacher like me! Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

YOu can do it- starting in sept is hard, you've had time to get your classroom set up, time with teachers- i always feel like the kids are "invading" my space before tehy started school- then the students walked in, and i was in my element- you can do it, see how things go tomorrow! those faces , that energy, you will get right back into the groove. If you feel a bit tired now, you can think about some change for next yr but what a gift you have- these students coming to you tomorrow excited and ready to learn!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It may be time to consider something else.

This year focus on what you do love. Love your kids and guide their families. Set a budget for what you will pay of your own cash. Take a class to connect with other teachers who want to learn new ideas.

"Own cash!" Are you crazy? Teachers do not got enough $$$ to warrant using their own cash, and most teachers cannot afford to do so, anyway.
Using ones own cash is usually not expected in most careers, so why should teaching be any different?
Though, I admit that I am one of the fortunate teachers, and hand in receipts to my school for reimbursement (which I do a lot of!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It may be time to consider something else.

This year focus on what you do love. Love your kids and guide their families. Set a budget for what you will pay of your own cash. Take a class to connect with other teachers who want to learn new ideas.

"Own cash!" Are you crazy? Teachers do not got enough $$$ to warrant using their own cash, and most teachers cannot afford to do so, anyway.
Using ones own cash is usually not expected in most careers, so why should teaching be any different?
Though, I admit that I am one of the fortunate teachers, and hand in receipts to my school for reimbursement (which I do a lot of!)

PP here, I totally agree with you but I see so many of my colleagues just spend, spend, spend. If they stuck to at least a limit, it would be progress for most of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope your not my kids teacher.

I hate people like you! Op wants to feel better- you kick her when she's down?

Op is a model teacher- she's the kind they make movies about... That freedom writer teacher ruined her marriage, gave all money and time to students and is considered a hero ... I don't know where the pp who can just turn in receipts works, but most teachers can't - and it seems most people, administrators and parents expect teachers to make financial and personal time sacrifices - when a teacher complains about these expectations here, posters tell her she's a terrible teacher and she should quit. It's a job- not a religious mission. Why are teachers supposed to martyr themselves?

I had an administrator say to the staff once that if we didn't have too much in our plates we were not doing enough. This mentality is crazy.

[Anonymous]

OP a parent here and you sound wonderful and I hope you can find a way through, this could be temporary. I have experience in ignoring administrations. Acceptance is key-accept that's how they are, your job is with the kids. Find colleagues to commiserate (not dwell though) with and keep the focus on those beautiful children who will love you and the parents who are grateful to you. Keep a balance with your personal life family, passions, hobbies and stop spending so much money. The kids will be fine with less stuff.

The world is a much better place with you teaching!

[Anonymous]

Well, OP, I think you sound fabulous. I taught high school for 8 years before giving up for similar reasons. I like the PP's idea about switching it up a bit. Can you get into some new project - like taking the classroom outdoors more/regularly? Have you read "Last Child in the Woods"?

Anyway, you are making a huge difference and you are greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope your not my kids teacher.

I hate people like you! Op wants to feel better- you kick her when she's down?

Op is a model teacher- she's the kind they make movies about... That freedom writer teacher ruined her marriage, gave all money and time to students and is considered a hero ... I don't know where the pp who can just turn in receipts works, but most teachers can't - and it seems most people, administrators and parents expect teachers to make financial and personal time sacrifices - when a teacher complains about these expectations here, posters tell her she's a terrible teacher and she should quit. It's a job- not a religious mission. Why are teachers supposed to martyr themselves?

I had an administrator say to the staff once that if we didn't have too much in our plates we were not doing enough. This mentality is crazy.

Plus 1. Well said. I am "Team OP," too!!!