Am I Making a Mistake?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you don’t seem to have another job offer. Do you not need an income?

Finding a job has been my full-time job since I graduated in mid-May. This is the only offer I have received as of yet. I anticipated that I would still be in school in the Fall and budgeted my funds accordingly. I think I get where you are going with this. It is a difficult decision because I do not know if I will get another, let alone better offer in the next six months. Realistically, it will not matter if I sign a teaching contract and cannot cut it— that is why I am asking about what I can realistically expect from the perspective of people who have experience working in a similar situation that I am getting myself into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s your alternative option? Is it teaching someplace else? Leaving a different job? No job at all? What position? We can’t answer these questions without knowing your situation.

I just graduated with my MA in English from GMU. The position is for an English teacher. I have never taught before.

Do you have another plan? I have a family member who was an English major and after a few low paying jobs, decided to try teaching middle school. She left after 3 years. She really loved writing and literature and being around kids all day who did not was not what she had in mind. Do you like children? Middle school is a tough age. Give it a try if you actually want to teach and won’t get too frustrated by kids who can’t/wont read or write.

You are replying to me here. I’m going to be brutally honest about the hardest part of my job. I’m a teacher and have been doing this almost 30 years. I couldn’t teach middle school. It was never the kids themselves but it was too hard. I don’t know about your particular school but there were so many rules for the teachers that did not help the kids.

I’ve worked in challenging middle and high schools and it takes a special type of person to be able to do that. It’s great to want to make a difference but it had too much an effect on my emotions, stress and health. I’m going to tell you some of the worst, just to not sugar coat the job. Drugs, sex, consensual and non consensual, violence, gangs, pregnancy, hunger, fear of deportation, death by disease, at the hands of others, suicide, hunger…. I’ve had students with all of these issues in both middle and high school. Notice I have not mentioned anything about challenges of teaching content. Sometimes you realize quickly why that’s not a primary focus when you have a pregnant child in front of you who doesn’t have enough food and you genuinely like.

This is not daily and not everywhere but it’s real life, here, in FCPS in some areas. My current school is nothing like this and a high SES community but you’d be surprised how much is still going on and how much they tell teachers. It’s really not for the weak and you need to learn you can’t save all of them. That’s was the hardest part for me when I was starting out. Have boundaries and compartmentalize.

Try it for a year if you don’t have any other job options. We certainly need good teachers. I really do like it but it’s not for the weak.

I sincerely appreciate your brutal honesty. I was wondering what would have caused the aforementioned new teachers to cry. It helps for me to know what the worst I can expect to encounter in any new endeavor, so I can mentally prepare myself for it. I am an empath, but I recognize all I can do is my best to make things better. Having boundaries and learning to compartmentalize sounds like good advice. TY

It probably won’t make you cry but prepare yourself for minimal effort and constant complaints. For example, when asked to write 5 paragraphs, student will write 3 sentences while complaining non-stop for 3 class periods about “not wanting to write, the annoying prompt, or having no ideas.” You can help them brainstorm topics and they’ll say they don’t like any of the 10 topics brainstormed.

What made me cry my first year was the constant go-go-go. I always had 50 things to accomplish and no time to get it done. (This is not an exaggeration.) I’d work at night and still start each day behind.

It was also the comments. I was called some very creative insults by high schoolers who could tell I was new. I had a whole class of 10th graders mock me my first year. Over time, I grew in confidence and learned how to control a classroom. Took some trial and error as well as some thick skin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't have teaching certification, you are not going to have a lot of options in public schools. I would advise you to get your certificate this year while doing other jobs. Then you will have your pick of public school options.

That is my inclination considering the advice I have received here, thus far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about seeking various certifications for specific reading programs and tutoring privately. This would expose you to different curriculum without dealing with all the politics in that school system right now.

I have explored getting a reading specialist certificate. I thought I would be more qualified for ESOL or language arts, given my educational background/ experience. I did put out feelers on NextDoor for private tutoring. Only a couple of nibbles, but no takers. Where would you suggest I might offer my services as an independent tutor?

DP, I left teaching and now tutor as a profession. There are a lot of things to consider regarding being independent or associated with a company. It takes a bit to build up a customer base, but it’s do-able (at the start) if you’re married or have another source of income. My focus is math, but a lot of families are looking for writing tutors.

Have you worked with any of the tutoring companies before? If so, any recommendations would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't have teaching certification, you are not going to have a lot of options in public schools. I would advise you to get your certificate this year while doing other jobs. Then you will have your pick of public school options.

Some privates will work allow you to start teaching without a certificate. They’ll assign you a mentor teacher for your first years. They will also help you sign up for the classes and testing you need to get certified. I know Catholic schools in the region will do this.

That sounds wonderful. I went ahead and applied to the ones in this diocese I could qualify for as soon as a previous poster suggested it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s your alternative option? Is it teaching someplace else? Leaving a different job? No job at all? What position? We can’t answer these questions without knowing your situation.

I just graduated with my MA in English from GMU. The position is for an English teacher. I have never taught before.

Do you have another plan? I have a family member who was an English major and after a few low paying jobs, decided to try teaching middle school. She left after 3 years. She really loved writing and literature and being around kids all day who did not was not what she had in mind. Do you like children? Middle school is a tough age. Give it a try if you actually want to teach and won’t get too frustrated by kids who can’t/wont read or write.

You are replying to me here. I’m going to be brutally honest about the hardest part of my job. I’m a teacher and have been doing this almost 30 years. I couldn’t teach middle school. It was never the kids themselves but it was too hard. I don’t know about your particular school but there were so many rules for the teachers that did not help the kids.
a classroom? I have been researching classroom management.

I’ve worked in challenging middle and high schools and it takes a special type of person to be able to do that. It’s great to want to make a difference but it had too much an effect on my emotions, stress and health. I’m going to tell you some of the worst, just to not sugar coat the job. Drugs, sex, consensual and non consensual, violence, gangs, pregnancy, hunger, fear of deportation, death by disease, at the hands of others, suicide, hunger…. I’ve had students with all of these issues in both middle and high school. Notice I have not mentioned anything about challenges of teaching content. Sometimes you realize quickly why that’s not a primary focus when you have a pregnant child in front of you who doesn’t have enough food and you genuinely like.

This is not daily and not everywhere but it’s real life, here, in FCPS in some areas. My current school is nothing like this and a high SES community but you’d be surprised how much is still going on and how much they tell teachers. It’s really not for the weak and you need to learn you can’t save all of them. That’s was the hardest part for me when I was starting out. Have boundaries and compartmentalize.

Try it for a year if you don’t have any other job options. We certainly need good teachers. I really do like it but it’s not for the weak.

I sincerely appreciate your brutal honesty. I was wondering what would have caused the aforementioned new teachers to cry. It helps for me to know what the worst I can expect to encounter in any new endeavor, so I can mentally prepare myself for it. I am an empath, but I recognize all I can do is my best to make things better. Having boundaries and learning to compartmentalize sounds like good advice. TY

It probably won’t make you cry but prepare yourself for minimal effort and constant complaints. For example, when asked to write 5 paragraphs, student will write 3 sentences while complaining non-stop for 3 class periods about “not wanting to write, the annoying prompt, or having no ideas.” You can help them brainstorm topics and they’ll say they don’t like any of the 10 topics brainstormed.

What made me cry my first year was the constant go-go-go. I always had 50 things to accomplish and no time to get it done. (This is not an exaggeration.) I’d work at night and still start each day behind.

It was also the comments. I was called some very creative insults by high schoolers who could tell I was new. I had a whole class of 10th graders mock me my first year. Over time, I grew in confidence and learned how to control a classroom. Took some trial and error as well as some thick skin.

I have been researching behavior management a bit. I am considering co-creating a list of expectations that go both ways with the students. What worked for you as far as controlling the classroom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you consider teaching at a Catholic school? The diocese has some openings.

Yes, I would. Are they only interested in hiring Catholics, though?

I used to teach English in public school. I transferred to a Catholic high school a few years ago. (No, you don’t need to be Catholic. Many of my coworkers aren’t.)

Teaching is hard no matter where you do it. The days are long, and you can anticipate working almost every night to prepare for the next long day. Student behaviors will wear you down, and administrators can vary from somewhat helpful to toxic. I cried often my first year, something that may be helpful to hear just so you know it can be common for new teachers.

But you can do it! There will be supportive teachers at whichever school you pick. Lean on them, and don’t be afraid to admit when you’re feeling overwhelmed. They’ll get you through it. One day, you’ll be that person for another new teacher.

Is it any better in a co-teaching situation, as far as the work/home life balance? The classes are going to consist of 25 students, but no one knows how many I will be scheduled for.

NP. It depends. I'm also going to be honest. A school with high turnover and bad administration is going to have a very hard time hiring special education teachers. Co-taught classes in middle school are supposed to have one teacher and one special education teacher in the room. There's a good chance roughly half the class will have an IEP the way most middle schools structure co-taught classes. If there's no special ed teacher because they can't hire one, you'll be responsible for teaching those students, taking data, and grading, not to mention managing the behavior side of things. That's a ton of work for anyone but especially for someone who has no teaching experience. You do not want to be in a co-taught class as a teacher with no experience unless you have a strong, experienced special ed co-teacher with you.

After reading the OP, run.

I had not considered that, but it makes sense; someone has to teach those students and special ed teachers appear to be in short supply. TY

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't have teaching certification, you are not going to have a lot of options in public schools. I would advise you to get your certificate this year while doing other jobs. Then you will have your pick of public school options.

Some privates will work allow you to start teaching without a certificate. They’ll assign you a mentor teacher for your first years. They will also help you sign up for the classes and testing you need to get certified. I know Catholic schools in the region will do this.

That sounds wonderful. I went ahead and applied to the ones in this diocese I could qualify for as soon as a previous poster suggested it.

I’m the person who suggested Catholic schools. Great! I’m glad you applied.

I’ve found the community extremely supportive and encouraging. You’d also have access to a lot of professional development opportunities if you go this direction.

The pay is lower, but the conditions are much better (from my experience teaching in both settings).

One thing to remember is that you won’t be stuck at one particular school. You can start private and move public, or vice versa. That’s one of the benefits of teaching… you get fresh starts each year and you can try different environments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't have teaching certification, you are not going to have a lot of options in public schools. I would advise you to get your certificate this year while doing other jobs. Then you will have your pick of public school options.

Some privates will work allow you to start teaching without a certificate. They’ll assign you a mentor teacher for your first years. They will also help you sign up for the classes and testing you need to get certified. I know Catholic schools in the region will do this.

That sounds wonderful. I went ahead and applied to the ones in this diocese I could qualify for as soon as a previous poster suggested it.

I’m the person who suggested Catholic schools. Great! I’m glad you applied.

I’ve found the community extremely supportive and encouraging. You’d also have access to a lot of professional development opportunities if you go this direction.

The pay is lower, but the conditions are much better (from my experience teaching in both settings).

One thing to remember is that you won’t be stuck at one particular school. You can start private and move public, or vice versa. That’s one of the benefits of teaching… you get fresh starts each year and you can try different environments.

I’m a go-getter like that, lol.

II teach a particular grade level, such as middle school, am I likely to be pigeonholed into that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s your alternative option? Is it teaching someplace else? Leaving a different job? No job at all? What position? We can’t answer these questions without knowing your situation.

I just graduated with my MA in English from GMU. The position is for an English teacher. I have never taught before.

Do you have another plan? I have a family member who was an English major and after a few low paying jobs, decided to try teaching middle school. She left after 3 years. She really loved writing and literature and being around kids all day who did not was not what she had in mind. Do you like children? Middle school is a tough age. Give it a try if you actually want to teach and won’t get too frustrated by kids who can’t/wont read or write.

You are replying to me here. I’m going to be brutally honest about the hardest part of my job. I’m a teacher and have been doing this almost 30 years. I couldn’t teach middle school. It was never the kids themselves but it was too hard. I don’t know about your particular school but there were so many rules for the teachers that did not help the kids.
a classroom? I have been researching classroom management.

I’ve worked in challenging middle and high schools and it takes a special type of person to be able to do that. It’s great to want to make a difference but it had too much an effect on my emotions, stress and health. I’m going to tell you some of the worst, just to not sugar coat the job. Drugs, sex, consensual and non consensual, violence, gangs, pregnancy, hunger, fear of deportation, death by disease, at the hands of others, suicide, hunger…. I’ve had students with all of these issues in both middle and high school. Notice I have not mentioned anything about challenges of teaching content. Sometimes you realize quickly why that’s not a primary focus when you have a pregnant child in front of you who doesn’t have enough food and you genuinely like.

This is not daily and not everywhere but it’s real life, here, in FCPS in some areas. My current school is nothing like this and a high SES community but you’d be surprised how much is still going on and how much they tell teachers. It’s really not for the weak and you need to learn you can’t save all of them. That’s was the hardest part for me when I was starting out. Have boundaries and compartmentalize.

Try it for a year if you don’t have any other job options. We certainly need good teachers. I really do like it but it’s not for the weak.

I sincerely appreciate your brutal honesty. I was wondering what would have caused the aforementioned new teachers to cry. It helps for me to know what the worst I can expect to encounter in any new endeavor, so I can mentally prepare myself for it. I am an empath, but I recognize all I can do is my best to make things better. Having boundaries and learning to compartmentalize sounds like good advice. TY

It probably won’t make you cry but prepare yourself for minimal effort and constant complaints. For example, when asked to write 5 paragraphs, student will write 3 sentences while complaining non-stop for 3 class periods about “not wanting to write, the annoying prompt, or having no ideas.” You can help them brainstorm topics and they’ll say they don’t like any of the 10 topics brainstormed.

What made me cry my first year was the constant go-go-go. I always had 50 things to accomplish and no time to get it done. (This is not an exaggeration.) I’d work at night and still start each day behind.

It was also the comments. I was called some very creative insults by high schoolers who could tell I was new. I had a whole class of 10th graders mock me my first year. Over time, I grew in confidence and learned how to control a classroom. Took some trial and error as well as some thick skin.

I have been researching behavior management a bit. I am considering co-creating a list of expectations that go both ways with the students. What worked for you as far as controlling the classroom?

Great question. A lot of it is presence, which is something I had to learn over the first couple of years. But there are things you can definitely do immediately:

1. Over plan. Better to have too much to do than too little. A free 5 minutes at the end of the period can quickly turn chaotic. It also sets a tone that can become the norm in a classroom.
2. Set routine early and stick to it. (It’s really easy to let routines slip.) Talk to other teachers about their routines and consider adopting what sounds like your style. Start the first day of school.
3. If you need to correct behavior (and you will), try to do it privately. I use post-it notes that I casually drop on desks or I wait until the end of the period. Doing it in front of the class understandably causes students to go on the defense.
4. Get to know students. Take notes the first week about home life, sports, likes, etc. Comment on these things in conversation. Students respond well to teachers who pay attention to them and get to know them. This is what works really well for me. I use “about me” assignments the first week to not only diagnose writing, but also to start my notes about each student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't have teaching certification, you are not going to have a lot of options in public schools. I would advise you to get your certificate this year while doing other jobs. Then you will have your pick of public school options.

Some privates will work allow you to start teaching without a certificate. They’ll assign you a mentor teacher for your first years. They will also help you sign up for the classes and testing you need to get certified. I know Catholic schools in the region will do this.

That sounds wonderful. I went ahead and applied to the ones in this diocese I could qualify for as soon as a previous poster suggested it.

I’m the person who suggested Catholic schools. Great! I’m glad you applied.

I’ve found the community extremely supportive and encouraging. You’d also have access to a lot of professional development opportunities if you go this direction.

The pay is lower, but the conditions are much better (from my experience teaching in both settings).

One thing to remember is that you won’t be stuck at one particular school. You can start private and move public, or vice versa. That’s one of the benefits of teaching… you get fresh starts each year and you can try different environments.

I’m a go-getter like that, lol.

II teach a particular grade level, such as middle school, am I likely to be pigeonholed into that?

Nope! We currently have two teachers transferring to our English department from middle school.

[Anonymous]

As far as classroom management, write down every single moment of a class period. How to students enter the room, what materials do they need, where do they sit, desk arrangements, what is their do now, is it graded, how do they participate, is that graded, etc. The best class I ever took in college was classroom management and discipline. We had to draw a classroom map and show every routine on it and wrote out every step. The devil is in the details. Talk to colleagues about what works for them. Over plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it Glasgow? Tough school for a first year teacher. I’d hold out for another opening if there are any left.

-former Glasgow teacher now at a different FCPS middle school

Yes, it is. I wonder if not having a teaching license yet is what is keeping other schools from hiring me. I had 21 interviews. One school, Washington-Liberty, which seems like a tamer school, interviewed me twice.

Middle schoolers - at this school in particular - will eat you alive. Don’t do it. Glasgow needs experienced teachers with incredibly strong classroom management, not a trainee, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s your alternative option? Is it teaching someplace else? Leaving a different job? No job at all? What position? We can’t answer these questions without knowing your situation.

I just graduated with my MA in English from GMU. The position is for an English teacher. I have never taught before.

Do you have another plan? I have a family member who was an English major and after a few low paying jobs, decided to try teaching middle school. She left after 3 years. She really loved writing and literature and being around kids all day who did not was not what she had in mind. Do you like children? Middle school is a tough age. Give it a try if you actually want to teach and won’t get too frustrated by kids who can’t/wont read or write.

You are replying to me here. I’m going to be brutally honest about the hardest part of my job. I’m a teacher and have been doing this almost 30 years. I couldn’t teach middle school. It was never the kids themselves but it was too hard. I don’t know about your particular school but there were so many rules for the teachers that did not help the kids.
a classroom? I have been researching classroom management.

I’ve worked in challenging middle and high schools and it takes a special type of person to be able to do that. It’s great to want to make a difference but it had too much an effect on my emotions, stress and health. I’m going to tell you some of the worst, just to not sugar coat the job. Drugs, sex, consensual and non consensual, violence, gangs, pregnancy, hunger, fear of deportation, death by disease, at the hands of others, suicide, hunger…. I’ve had students with all of these issues in both middle and high school. Notice I have not mentioned anything about challenges of teaching content. Sometimes you realize quickly why that’s not a primary focus when you have a pregnant child in front of you who doesn’t have enough food and you genuinely like.

This is not daily and not everywhere but it’s real life, here, in FCPS in some areas. My current school is nothing like this and a high SES community but you’d be surprised how much is still going on and how much they tell teachers. It’s really not for the weak and you need to learn you can’t save all of them. That’s was the hardest part for me when I was starting out. Have boundaries and compartmentalize.

Try it for a year if you don’t have any other job options. We certainly need good teachers. I really do like it but it’s not for the weak.

I sincerely appreciate your brutal honesty. I was wondering what would have caused the aforementioned new teachers to cry. It helps for me to know what the worst I can expect to encounter in any new endeavor, so I can mentally prepare myself for it. I am an empath, but I recognize all I can do is my best to make things better. Having boundaries and learning to compartmentalize sounds like good advice. TY

It probably won’t make you cry but prepare yourself for minimal effort and constant complaints. For example, when asked to write 5 paragraphs, student will write 3 sentences while complaining non-stop for 3 class periods about “not wanting to write, the annoying prompt, or having no ideas.” You can help them brainstorm topics and they’ll say they don’t like any of the 10 topics brainstormed.

What made me cry my first year was the constant go-go-go. I always had 50 things to accomplish and no time to get it done. (This is not an exaggeration.) I’d work at night and still start each day behind.

It was also the comments. I was called some very creative insults by high schoolers who could tell I was new. I had a whole class of 10th graders mock me my first year. Over time, I grew in confidence and learned how to control a classroom. Took some trial and error as well as some thick skin.

I have been researching behavior management a bit. I am considering co-creating a list of expectations that go both ways with the students. What worked for you as far as controlling the classroom?

Great question. A lot of it is presence, which is something I had to learn over the first couple of years. But there are things you can definitely do immediately:

1. Over plan. Better to have too much to do than too little. A free 5 minutes at the end of the period can quickly turn chaotic. It also sets a tone that can become the norm in a classroom.
2. Set routine early and stick to it. (It’s really easy to let routines slip.) Talk to other teachers about their routines and consider adopting what sounds like your style. Start the first day of school.
3. If you need to correct behavior (and you will), try to do it privately. I use post-it notes that I casually drop on desks or I wait until the end of the period. Doing it in front of the class understandably causes students to go on the defense.
4. Get to know students. Take notes the first week about home life, sports, likes, etc. Comment on these things in conversation. Students respond well to teachers who pay attention to them and get to know them. This is what works really well for me. I use “about me” assignments the first week to not only diagnose writing, but also to start my notes about each student.

That seems like great advice. I took a screenshot for future reference and reflection. Is there usually an opportunity to pick the brains of the other teachers before classes begin in the Fall?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it Glasgow? Tough school for a first year teacher. I’d hold out for another opening if there are any left.

-former Glasgow teacher now at a different FCPS middle school

Yes, it is. I wonder if not having a teaching license yet is what is keeping other schools from hiring me. I had 21 interviews. One school, Washington-Liberty, which seems like a tamer school, interviewed me twice.

Middle schoolers - at this school in particular - will eat you alive. Don’t do it. Glasgow needs experienced teachers with incredibly strong classroom management, not a trainee, IMO.

Eeep!!!