Low motivation
Tidbits. . ..
- I wait until the last, absolute last minute to prep for my classes. Why? Quite simply, I just don’t feel like it. I’d rather watch a movie or some tv, instead. Last year, I’d get excited and work on each class trying to add new spice. This year, I’m just reusing the old stuff and swinging by the seat of my paints except for with APWH.
- I never EVER want to teach APWH again. It is the hardest class I’ve ever taught in my life. One class requires 5 hours of prep–if I do it right, with all the reading and researching resources. The AP coordinator says that they flip flop year to year between APWH and APEuro . . .my hope is that I will be outie and somebody else will be flip flopping
- I was discouraged by a veteran teacher today: “Miss A, sorry to tell you, you are here for the long haul. You can’t go anywhere. You’re sucked into this district and it is impossible to get out.” This teacher made it seem like that after teaching in My School District, teachers aren’t qualified or good enough to teach anywhere else. Or that we have such a bad reputation that no one else wants us! Lord, give me strength!
- AAH energizes me. Its the only class in which students seem interested in the content (although, we had a VERY good discussion on religion today in WH). The students are very interested in learning the history and they ask thoughtful question. I guess they really can relate to the information.
- Another teacher sent me grant info for a tour of Germany this summer. He really thinks I should do it. I’ll apply. *sigh* But honestly, I don’t want to do anything this summer, but deep clean my apartment and swim. I keep thinking, I’ll never reach my goal of Greece, if I don’t start somewhere, so Germany, here I come!
random mutterings | Miss Teacha | 
January 11, 2010 9:25 pm
5 Comments
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Confessions from the Couch » Going After It — February 6, 2010 @ 3:27 am
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By Margaret, January 11, 2010 @ 10:27 pm
It’s OK to take a bit of a break; you are a person FIRST and a teacher second. It is your profession and not who you are. Germany is beautiful and the beer is delicious. But you don’t like beer, do you? You should take ME.
By A Phillie Teacher, January 12, 2010 @ 5:16 am
I absolutely agree with Margaret. It’s time to do more things that make you feel good. Once that happens you can give more into the classroom.
Another piece of advice: update your resume. You’d be surprised how energizing it is to see your skills and accomplishments in writing. And there’s the extra bonus that if a job opens up at a place you’d like to teach, voila! you’re ready for action.
(I loved the video of your kids singing review
By Edward Carson, January 12, 2010 @ 11:04 am
Its a January thing; I suspect all of us go through the blues this time of year; your colleagues should focus on giving you energy, not throwing you under. Students do not help either. Our cups must be filled, too.
By Angela, January 12, 2010 @ 1:08 pm
“I was discouraged by a veteran teacher today: “Miss A, sorry to tell you, you are here for the long haul. You can’t go anywhere. You’re sucked into this district and it is impossible to get out.”
I’m sorry to hear you have been discouraged (in general, lately, and also specifically by this teacher). I’ve found that type of comment to be completely false. The more challenges your district is known to present, the more capable you are considered by those in other places. After all, if you can teach successfully where you are, you can teach anything, anywhere. My first district in Washington DC had a horrible reputation: when I tried to transfer, I found that other districts were amazed and impressed that I’d stayed so long where I was. Not once was my ‘terrible district’ a hinderance. I believe the same is true for you. Hang in there. You DO have options.