Today was quite a day of reflection and emotion. It was sad seeing my students move on to middle school. However I only taught them one class and they were busy giving other teachers big goodbyes and farewells. I felt somewhat distanced from it all, even though I really will miss these kids.
For those who don’t know I teach at four schools. I love the kids I teach, but I hate being at four schools. My relationships with the kids aren’t as strong as they should be. As well I have made virtually no new friends this year. I think that has been the hardest part of my first year teaching. My personal life has seriously suffered, I really tried to give alot to my students.
I received some compliments, most of which were great reviews. However again it felt distanced because I don’t know my staffs very well.
In the end I don’t know what to think about my first year. Only I’m glad I have a chance to have a break. I’ll be going at it again next year, though I will say if my personal life doesn’t improve I will begin looking at other options. Too bad because I really love working with the kids.
When does your district grant tenure? Keep at it until you get it, then start requesting specific assignments, at not more than 2 schools. Of course with experience comes the increased chance of being able to hook up with another school district, with a less onerous travel schedule for their music teachers.
The first year was by far the hardest. I had to get into the School routine, learn to cope with colleagues, departments and pupils and with the unusual hours.
Teaching is very different from office jobs. You have your daily emotional highs and lows, constant concentration on whatever the kids are doing and the usual end-of-term collapse when holidays arrive.
I would certainly recommend that you teach at fewer schools if possible. This makes travel, timetabling and learning names and idiosyncrasies much easier.
Also it’s great that you give of yourself to help the kids. But remember that you need to be on top of your game to cope. Don’t exhaust yourself!
A relaxed, calm teacher is much better than a stressed-out tired one.
Quasimodal, I just finished my first year of teaching on 15 June. I feel your pain (and occasional moments of joy). Congratulations! I feel so much more confident about going into my second year, don’t you?
I will be much more confidant going into my second year, though I wonder if I will go at it with the same energy…right now I am drained. I also feel quite disconnected from my admin, and one secretary in particular is pissing me off. She’s one of those everything has to be in it’s place or I will go anal on your ass people.
Congrats, **Quasimodal ** on surviving your first year.
After getting her teaching certification and graduating college, Hallgirl1 spent her spring semester as a long term sub teaching 9th grade. Let’s just say that she won’t be returning to teaching. She begins school again in the fall for pharmacy, which in a way is a shame because she’s good with the kids, but hated every single minute of teaching.
