Educators with PRIDE Unite

Martina · 08-17-2013, 12:03 AM

That's so funny that the PTSD article was posted and I read it before one kid came back to school -- his first day back -- and blew UP. He was upset that he still has so many credits to complete in order to graduate. He refused to sign his orientation paperwork (threw the papers on the table) and started dropping the F-bomb, blaming previous schools and teachers for not giving him the credits he believes he earned. It was going to escalate when I calmly but firmly asked him to leave.

It is so nice to have that option. My students are mostly 18-22 SDC, and we are in an alternative program. If one of them acts a fool, I can just say, "Go home."

Anyway, an hour later he walked back in, and while he didn't apologize, he was sweet as pie. All went well.

Then I talked to a troubled parent and then to a student who has a crippling anxiety disorder and is feeling nervous about returning to school. I do not quite know how therapists do it. It is a LOT of work to deal with emotionally disturbed folks. I don't think you realize it until you have a break -- like summer break. It was a tough summer, but with the exception of one of my mother's friends and, I suspect, her twice weekly housekeeper, I did not interact with people who have serious mental illnesses -- or at least illnesses that are obvious and require effort on my part when communicating.

When you teach SDC Special Ed, the most average General Ed student looks like a genius, and when you teach the ED population, you get used to that too and think very little of it. But, in fact, there are serious challenges to this work, and they do take a toll.

lusciouskiwi · 08-17-2013, 01:42 AM

My contract finishes in a little more than a month. I don't know what I'm going to do after that and I'm full of anxiety.

MOE was supposed to notify the end of of June. Hahahahaha. Once Ramadan started I knew we wouldn't get an answer. Now the school holidays are over (back to school on Monday), I wonder if we'll hear anything. Or if the Ministry of Finance won't give an ok until October or November or December ...

Thank goodness for my anti-anxiety medication.

spritzerJ · 08-17-2013, 06:25 AM

Martina... I am glad you have the option to ask them to leave. You do very stressful work. Congrats!

Kiwi... I hope you find out soon what is going on with your contracts. ugh so much unknown. Positive thoughts for you!

I read the PTSD article and I could relate to a slight degree. I remember developing panic attacks about talking to parents on the phone from one position. After that I position I've tried to be more careful about the positions I look for and teach in. The last 2 years working with crazy vice principal taught me I can handle a lot and I don't want to have to handle incompetence.

Right now I am counting my lucky stars, thanking the Goddess, working hard and being grateful for the place I've landed. Support, competence and care for students is incredible.

Martina · 08-20-2013, 09:42 PM

First staff meeting of the year. Oh god. Totally ruined my night. Our new teacher manager has confused the hell out of a lot of people. Our new Principal does not inspire confidence, and the AP seems to be doing nothing. (She was passed over for the Principal's job.)

Twice, I rephrased what the Principal said because no one had a clue what she meant. I said, "Are you saying that we are buying new curriculum?" The answer was yes, which is good. But if I hadn't asked, I am not sure many folks would have realized that that is what she meant. I sure wasn't sure.

The manager said something like the EL working group will adapt our current curriculum for EL students. I asked her if she really said that because it would mean a massive effort and take way more teacher time than anyone had scheduled. She was like, no, I don't know, maybe, I don't know. I looked at the Principal, and she said, no, we would be buying EL curriculum.

They basically said they were going to go against the contract in scheduling meetings to prep for our accreditation review. (They won't. If they do, someone will report them to the union and it will cost them money.)

Anyway, the teachers were just floored. I mean, to even act as if they could command us to work beyond our contract is naive. People won't do it. It takes leadership to get them to attend meetings they are contractually obliged to attend. It won't happen. They would get crucified by THEIR bosses if they tried. But they shocked the shit out of a bunch of teachers.

God, there was a ton more stuff like that. It wasn't a conspiracy to fuck teachers. It was just massive incompetence laced with stupidity. God help us.

sis · 08-20-2013, 10:15 PM

Started back up this morning with meetings, meetings and more meetings. Still awaiting a key to the classroom so I can begin set-up. Tomorrow, my local teaching assistant will arrive and hopefully we can get some time to get to know each other. While I'm an experienced teacher, and have taught at this school for a while, I'll be teaching a new grade this year so my learning curve will be huge. But, I'm up for the challenge! lolol I hope that each of us getting ready to go back has enjoyed their summer break. I know that I have!

Deb

sis · 08-26-2013, 06:25 PM

Well, the Grade One students start today ..... I only have to meet and greet them, introduce myself, and record their 'English' names! One class attended the school last year in a Bilingual setting; the other class is new to the school. I see copious amounts of

in my future! lolol I hope everyone is enjoying the start-up to their school year!

Deb

spritzerJ · 08-27-2013, 04:19 AM

Sis... Have a blast and remember we'll have pen pals soon!

I have training today. As a teacher new to the district. It will involve the new writing curriculum. Which my previous school used. So I am more experienced than others (even the not newbies). I hope to learn a ton.

My room is nearly set up. Waiting on supplies to arrive. I let the secretary know I won't be freaking out until Friday. I went and bought pencils because I am pretty sure the supplies won't be there.

08-17-2013, 01:42 AM	#2
lusciouskiwi Senior Member How Do You Identify?: femme lesbian feminist Preferred Pronoun?: Anything except for "aunty" Relationship Status: Happy with my butch. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Aotearoa New Zealand Posts: 2,681 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 25,494 Thanked 9,095 Times in 1,899 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	My contract finishes in a little more than a month. I don't know what I'm going to do after that and I'm full of anxiety. MOE was supposed to notify the end of of June. Hahahahaha. Once Ramadan started I knew we wouldn't get an answer. Now the school holidays are over (back to school on Monday), I wonder if we'll hear anything. Or if the Ministry of Finance won't give an ok until October or November or December ... Thank goodness for my anti-anxiety medication. __________________ happiness is a form of courage. George Holbrook Jackson Risk! Risk anything! Care no more for the opinions of others, for those voices. Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth. Katherine Mansfield Motivate yourself or be miserable. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice. Wayne Dyer

08-20-2013, 10:15 PM	#5
sis Diva! How Do You Identify?: StoneFemme Preferred Pronoun?: She, Her Relationship Status: Content! Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Canada! Posts: 322 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,173 Thanked 1,403 Times in 296 Posts Rep Power: 21474850	Back to the grind ..... Started back up this morning with meetings, meetings and more meetings. Still awaiting a key to the classroom so I can begin set-up. Tomorrow, my local teaching assistant will arrive and hopefully we can get some time to get to know each other. While I'm an experienced teacher, and have taught at this school for a while, I'll be teaching a new grade this year so my learning curve will be huge. But, I'm up for the challenge! lolol I hope that each of us getting ready to go back has enjoyed their summer break. I know that I have! Deb __________________ Oh! Please do not touch me! Oh! Please do not touch! Oh! Please do not! Oh! Please do! Oh! Please! Oh!

08-26-2013, 06:25 PM	#6
sis Diva! How Do You Identify?: StoneFemme Preferred Pronoun?: She, Her Relationship Status: Content! Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Canada! Posts: 322 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,173 Thanked 1,403 Times in 296 Posts Rep Power: 21474850	Well, the Grade One students start today ..... I only have to meet and greet them, introduce myself, and record their 'English' names! One class attended the school last year in a Bilingual setting; the other class is new to the school. I see copious amounts of in my future! lolol I hope everyone is enjoying the start-up to their school year! Deb __________________ Oh! Please do not touch me! Oh! Please do not touch! Oh! Please do not! Oh! Please do! Oh! Please! Oh!

08-17-2013, 12:03 AM	#1
Martina Senior Member How Do You Identify?: * Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: * Posts: 4,999 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,409 Thanked 18,283 Times in 4,166 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	That's so funny that the PTSD article was posted and I read it before one kid came back to school -- his first day back -- and blew UP. He was upset that he still has so many credits to complete in order to graduate. He refused to sign his orientation paperwork (threw the papers on the table) and started dropping the F-bomb, blaming previous schools and teachers for not giving him the credits he believes he earned. It was going to escalate when I calmly but firmly asked him to leave. It is so nice to have that option. My students are mostly 18-22 SDC, and we are in an alternative program. If one of them acts a fool, I can just say, "Go home." Anyway, an hour later he walked back in, and while he didn't apologize, he was sweet as pie. All went well. Then I talked to a troubled parent and then to a student who has a crippling anxiety disorder and is feeling nervous about returning to school. I do not quite know how therapists do it. It is a LOT of work to deal with emotionally disturbed folks. I don't think you realize it until you have a break -- like summer break. It was a tough summer, but with the exception of one of my mother's friends and, I suspect, her twice weekly housekeeper, I did not interact with people who have serious mental illnesses -- or at least illnesses that are obvious and require effort on my part when communicating. When you teach SDC Special Ed, the most average General Ed student looks like a genius, and when you teach the ED population, you get used to that too and think very little of it. But, in fact, there are serious challenges to this work, and they do take a toll.

08-17-2013, 06:25 AM	#3
spritzerJ Timed Out - Permanent How Do You Identify?: Queer (gender), female (biological marker) Preferred Pronoun?: she will work as a default. Relationship Status: engaged to jac until 8/10/14 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 3,154 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 30,307 Thanked 15,802 Times in 2,905 Posts Rep Power: 0	Martina... I am glad you have the option to ask them to leave. You do very stressful work. Congrats! Kiwi... I hope you find out soon what is going on with your contracts. ugh so much unknown. Positive thoughts for you! I read the PTSD article and I could relate to a slight degree. I remember developing panic attacks about talking to parents on the phone from one position. After that I position I've tried to be more careful about the positions I look for and teach in. The last 2 years working with crazy vice principal taught me I can handle a lot and I don't want to have to handle incompetence. Right now I am counting my lucky stars, thanking the Goddess, working hard and being grateful for the place I've landed. Support, competence and care for students is incredible.

08-20-2013, 09:42 PM	#4
Martina Senior Member How Do You Identify?: * Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: * Posts: 4,999 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,409 Thanked 18,283 Times in 4,166 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	First staff meeting of the year. Oh god. Totally ruined my night. Our new teacher manager has confused the hell out of a lot of people. Our new Principal does not inspire confidence, and the AP seems to be doing nothing. (She was passed over for the Principal's job.) Twice, I rephrased what the Principal said because no one had a clue what she meant. I said, "Are you saying that we are buying new curriculum?" The answer was yes, which is good. But if I hadn't asked, I am not sure many folks would have realized that that is what she meant. I sure wasn't sure. The manager said something like the EL working group will adapt our current curriculum for EL students. I asked her if she really said that because it would mean a massive effort and take way more teacher time than anyone had scheduled. She was like, no, I don't know, maybe, I don't know. I looked at the Principal, and she said, no, we would be buying EL curriculum. They basically said they were going to go against the contract in scheduling meetings to prep for our accreditation review. (They won't. If they do, someone will report them to the union and it will cost them money.) Anyway, the teachers were just floored. I mean, to even act as if they could command us to work beyond our contract is naive. People won't do it. It takes leadership to get them to attend meetings they are contractually obliged to attend. It won't happen. They would get crucified by THEIR bosses if they tried. But they shocked the shit out of a bunch of teachers. God, there was a ton more stuff like that. It wasn't a conspiracy to fuck teachers. It was just massive incompetence laced with stupidity. God help us.

08-27-2013, 04:19 AM	#7
spritzerJ Timed Out - Permanent How Do You Identify?: Queer (gender), female (biological marker) Preferred Pronoun?: she will work as a default. Relationship Status: engaged to jac until 8/10/14 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 3,154 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 30,307 Thanked 15,802 Times in 2,905 Posts Rep Power: 0	Sis... Have a blast and remember we'll have pen pals soon! I have training today. As a teacher new to the district. It will involve the new writing curriculum. Which my previous school used. So I am more experienced than others (even the not newbies). I hope to learn a ton. My room is nearly set up. Waiting on supplies to arrive. I let the secretary know I won't be freaking out until Friday. I went and bought pencils because I am pretty sure the supplies won't be there.