SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Jun 12, 2023 16:03:24 GMT
Happy summer for those teachers already on break! I hope those of you that still have a few weeks/days left are surviving!
How was everyone’s year? Anyone doing anything different next year?
My year was amazing. 2 years ago I left the classroom and took an intervention specialist position. I absolutely love my job and my school. I was teaching 6th grade in an intermediate school and while I love 6th graders, I just am not a middle school teacher. Returning to elementary has been amazing!
Next year I will be in the same position, but in a brand new school my district is opening. The school will be pretty high needs, so it will definitely be challenging in making sure needs are met across the campus. One of my paras is coming with me. I believe I’m going to lose the other para to a kindergarten position. One of my favorite things about this job is the way I get to work with young paras and then watch them move into their own classrooms!
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,033
Jun 26, 2014 1:59:10 GMT
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Post by artbabe on Jun 12, 2023 16:26:48 GMT
What is an intervention specialist's job like where you work? It sounds like your job is different than what our intervention specialist's do.
I'm in Ohio and I work with a lot of intervention specialist's and they are definitely in the classroom. Most of ours team teach with another teacher. Often times they will have two subjects a day, like spent two classes with the science teacher and two periods with the social studies teacher. They also usually have one very small class a day that they teach by themselves (about 6 kids) that have really low reading or math skills. Our intervention specialist's usually have a case load of about 12 kids and they write the ieps for those 12 kids.
Our ED (emotional and mental issues) and cross-category (autism, Down syndrome, etc.) teachers are also intervention specialists.
We don't use the term para, either. When I think of that I think of a classroom aide, but it sounds like yours are more like beginning teachers?
I always get lost when I read things teachers that teach in other states write. Every state and district uses such different terms.
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,033
Jun 26, 2014 1:59:10 GMT
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Post by artbabe on Jun 12, 2023 16:33:33 GMT
Oh, and I'm out for the summer. I've been out since June 1st. This ends my 29th year teaching and it was by far my hardest year. I teach 7th and 8th grade and the kids that are coming up now are so much different than I am used to. I had one class that would basically ignore that I was in the room. I often couldn't start class because they wouldn't get quiet enough for me to start. It was crazy- I am so used to everyone being quiet and listening to me when I teach. It was a whole new world. The problem was there were 10 really good kids sitting in the middle of the chaos. So I learned to put my lesson directions on Google Classroom so those kids could get started on the project while the others spent half the period getting settled.
I'm really discouraged. For 28 years I absolutely loved teaching and last year absolutely soured me on it. I was miserable. I often thought I'd teach past retirement age but at the moment I'm excited that I'll be going out at 34.
I want to stress, however, that 80% of the kids are lovely students that want to learn. They are a joy. But that other percentage is sucking the life out of me.
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Jun 12, 2023 16:49:40 GMT
What is an intervention specialist's job like where you work? It sounds like your job is different than what our intervention specialist's do. I'm in Ohio and I work with a lot of intervention specialist's and they are definitely in the classroom. Most of ours team teach with another teacher. Often times they will have two subjects a day, like spent two classes with the science teacher and two periods with the social studies teacher. They also usually have one very small class a day that they teach by themselves (about 6 kids) that have really low reading or math skills. Our intervention specialist's usually have a case load of about 12 kids and they write the ieps for those 12 kids. Our ED (emotional and mental issues) and cross-category (autism, Down syndrome, etc.) teachers are also intervention specialists. We don't use the term para, either. When I think of that I think of a classroom aide, but it sounds like yours are more like beginning teachers? I always get lost when I read things teachers that teach in other states write. Every state and district uses such different terms. I’m in charge of RTI and intervention. I make intervention groups to serve our kids on tiers. I work with the tier 3 kids and my paras and grade level teachers work with tier 2 kids. I pull small groups Monday - Thursday and then work on paperwork and have MTSS meetings on Fridays. When I said out of the classroom, I just mean I don’t have my own classes. I definitely still work with kids! It’s the greatest of both worlds! I still work with teachers and students, but I don’t have the pressure of grades or lesson planning. I was in the classroom for 22 years and these past 2 years are the first where I haven’t had to spend all day Sunday working on school work. Your interventionists sound more like sped inclusion teachers in Texas. Intervention and RTI is kind of the step between. Yes Paraprofessional is the preferred term for aides. My paras are mostly in college finishing their teaching degree or they already have a degree and are looking to start teaching and gain some experience. So far in my 2 years I’ve lost 5 paras to starting teaching. I love working with young upcoming teachers.
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Post by Merge on Jun 12, 2023 17:32:48 GMT
I am currently working in a four-week summer music intensive through the district for some extra $$. It’s not bad but I’m looking forward to some real summer break in July.
I’ll be at a new school part time this fall.
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huskergal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,988
Jun 25, 2014 20:22:13 GMT
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Post by huskergal on Jun 12, 2023 19:20:46 GMT
I got out on May 25th.
Generally it was a good year. The 8th grade class was a bit rough. I just find that since our students went 1 to 1 and have phones, I only get about half the web design curriculum completed in 6 weeks. It is my own observation that in the 15 years I have taught this class, the quality of the work has gone down significantly.
I am taking a 4 week long class. The district is paying for it. It will give me a Master's + 39 on the pay scale so I will have a little bump in pay next year. I have to torture myself to do the assignments. I mentally have no desire.
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Post by monklady123 on Jun 12, 2023 19:35:05 GMT
We still have this week to finish. omg. One of our 3rd grade teachers had heart surgery so I'm subbing for her. I did last week in her room, but for this week the other teachers decided it was just too much trouble to write plans for me that would cover all the special events this week, and all the possible time fillers, and the instructions for the last math project, etc. So we split my class into the other two rooms with one teacher (the one I like the best ) getting more than the other teacher. So I'm in with her. Fortunately the classes were small to begin with so the room I'm in only has one more student that the big classes they had before covid. It worked out well though. The regular teacher was able to teach the entire group about the math project while I listened along with the class. Then I took half of the kids back to the empty room to work. The 3rd grade is in a trailer unit so the kids can easily just go back and forth. It worked well. However, I am exhausted. lol. And I'm just the sub! We had our Ancient Civilizations festival last week, this week we have a book exchange, visits from the 1st grade reading buddies, visits from the 2nd graders since they'll be in 3rd next year, a visit to the 4th grade, a music festival where they can try out instruments for next year (starting in 4th grade they can choose instrumental music), a book exchange, and..... FIELD DAY! omg I detest Field Day. hahahaha Have I mentioned before that teachers are saints?
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Jun 12, 2023 20:06:43 GMT
We still have this week to finish. omg. One of our 3rd grade teachers had heart surgery so I'm subbing for her. I did last week in her room, but for this week the other teachers decided it was just too much trouble to write plans for me that would cover all the special events this week, and all the possible time fillers, and the instructions for the last math project, etc. So we split my class into the other two rooms with one teacher (the one I like the best ) getting more than the other teacher. So I'm in with her. Fortunately the classes were small to begin with so the room I'm in only has one more student that the big classes they had before covid. It worked out well though. The regular teacher was able to teach the entire group about the math project while I listened along with the class. Then I took half of the kids back to the empty room to work. The 3rd grade is in a trailer unit so the kids can easily just go back and forth. It worked well. However, I am exhausted. lol. And I'm just the sub! We had our Ancient Civilizations festival last week, this week we have a book exchange, visits from the 1st grade reading buddies, visits from the 2nd graders since they'll be in 3rd next year, a visit to the 4th grade, a music festival where they can try out instruments for next year (starting in 4th grade they can choose instrumental music), a book exchange, and..... FIELD DAY! omg I detest Field Day. hahahaha Have I mentioned before that teachers are saints? So are subs!! For real, subbing the last week of school, especially on field day, is so amazing. We struggle to get subs daily, so I’m sure you school is just so glad to have you!
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Jun 12, 2023 21:06:41 GMT
All in all it was fine. All new admin so lots of change and uneasiness, I predict lots more change will come next year.
Today I called a parent to tell them their kid was on the list for Developmental Kindergarten and she hung up on me. Then she emailed my principal that “some lady” called her. I’m in the front office, I’ve been in the school since the oldest of her 5 kids was in preschool, I’ve talked to her many many times, I literally live across the street from them and the kids call me by name when I’m outside…..but to her I’m “some lady” 🙄 Gotta love parents.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,408
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jun 12, 2023 21:16:34 GMT
I got out 6/1 with students but had to go back for senior breakfast and graduation 6/2.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new school and what it has given me back in my personal and home life. I didn't realize the amount of stress and how absent I was in my kids lives at my old site and grade.
This past year I taught continuation high school for the first time in my life. I started as a high school biology teacher in 1999 and moved to middle school math and science in 2000. I was there until the end of school 2022 and started as a continuation high school teacher at the beginning of the 2022 school year. This position has be awesome for me. My kids are some I had as middle schoolers and others from the other schools in the district. My past students had changed a LOT and some in not so great ways. I was impressed with the students who rose to my expectations and sad for those who chose to not do it. I had some kids take my SAME biology 6 weeks 3 times and they still haven't passed. It's their choice. Classes are 6 weeks, they just have to get it done and get a 60% to pass. I do everything I can to help them but sometimes even me giving all the help I can isn't enough for them and they just doin't care- don't show up, choose to play on their phones, chat with their friend, etc. That's on them not me. We call home, we give extra time, we allow redo's. I give them enough rope to hang themselves.
We graduated 27 students from our small school of 2 teachers, a secretary and part time principal (who is coming full time this next year). Most of my classes are small and I love that! It's SUCH a change from the 32-35 that I had regularly.
Next year we are looking to put cell phone procedures in place that will require students to turn in their phones to the office at the start of the day and pick them up when they leave for lunch (turning back in when they return) or leave for the day.
Previous to this year, my school tended to be a do whatever you want whenever you want type of place. They had a 35 min lunch and screwed around and when it was time to go to class they decided it was time to make and eat lunch. We don't allow that. They often went into whatever classroom they wanted and did whatever in that room. We don't allow that, they need to be in their assigned classroom. They would get up and walk out to go to the bathroom or office without letting teachers know where they are going. We don't allow that, they must tell us where they are going when they leave the classroom because it's a safety thing. It was tough getting the kids to fall in line but in the end it's worked out really well. As we graduate the "old" kids and get new kids it will be easier.
My students are allowed to attend prom and events sponsored by the high school we are connected to. We are now on the same campus but in our own wing that is separated from the campus. The kids go out the front of our building and the HS is across an alleyway out our back doors. We do joint events with the HS. Went on a field trip to the local junior college. We had Every 15 Minutes that we participated with the HS in. When I teach PE, I get to use the HS track and gym certain times/days.
It's overall been a fabulous experience and I hope I can stay until I retire in another 12-15 years. For once I'm not dreading the return of school.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,408
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jun 12, 2023 21:18:04 GMT
All in all it was fine. All new admin so lots of change and uneasiness, I predict lots more change will come next year. Today I called a parent to tell them their kid was on the list for Developmental Kindergarten and she hung up on me. Then she emailed my principal that “some lady” called her. I’m in the front office, I’ve been in the school since the oldest of her 5 kids was in preschool, I’ve talked to her many many times, I literally live across the street from them and the kids call me by name when I’m outside…..but to her I’m “some lady” 🙄 Gotta love parents. I had a parent tell me she had no idea who I was and to not message her on a REMIND that she signed up for. WTF? I taught her oldest 2 kids and had her 3rd in my class that year. Parents be crazy sometimes.
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Post by elaine on Jun 12, 2023 21:51:53 GMT
OMG. We still have this week. My kids have been psychologically done since our state standards testing ended by the 3rd week of May.
We had to turn in all of our grades by midnight last night, so literally nothing other than daycare is happening this week.
All of my students are sick of each other - and have started treating each other like siblings. They are mean, they are cruel, and they don’t care when I call them on the carpet for it. Today, I told them that while I, as a teacher, thought teaching them math, science, social studies and language arts was important, that I would consider myself a bad teacher if I didn’t teach them about being kind and respectful to each other.
I’m in a mood because today a few of them were particularly awful to others. It hurts me that they are going to end the year, when many of them made so many gains in terms of social skills, back where we started with them acting like 2nd graders instead of the 4th graders they will be at the end of the week.
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Post by Blind Squirrel on Jun 12, 2023 23:57:14 GMT
Friday can't come soon enough! Thankfully, Field Day was canceled due to the weather.
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Post by playingcinderella on Jun 13, 2023 2:34:39 GMT
We've been "out" for two weeks, but we spent the first week prepping for our kids summer camp and last week actually hosting the camp. We had 48 7-12 year olds who put up a musical in a week. Our high school students are teachers, directors and group leaders. Its our biggest fundraiser but its exhausting. This week we are rehearsing/coaching for our last big event before we actually start our summer break. We will spend next week at the Thespian festival with our 13 competitors.
This year has been exhausting. We have always put in alot of extracurricular hours but it just seems like everything has been a struggle this time around.. I'm really trying to take a step back and evaluate every commitment before we make it to make sure its worthwhile before adding it to our plate.
I still love my kids and what I do, but man is it hard to push through some days.
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kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,513
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Member is Online
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Jun 13, 2023 3:15:41 GMT
Graduation is this week. It's been a rough go.
I feel like the kids have been all over the map. I have one grade level where I see 3 different groups. The first group is a dream - I come out of there thinking I'm the most genius, charismatic teacher on the planet. The second group is a bit more uneven - mostly good learners plus a couple of kids who don't lift a (figurative) finger to learn anything. The third group is almost 50% disrupters - some kids because they have no impulse control, and others because they just want to get a rise out of their peers... Needless to say, I feel like the sorriest, maddest, most pathetic teacher on the planet after that third group leaves!
Next year I'll have a different classroom. I'm hoping it will be nice.
I'm looking forward to some coursework this summer - last summer, I was really invigorated by my summer courses.
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Post by monklady123 on Jun 13, 2023 9:23:12 GMT
OMG. We still have this week. My kids have been psychologically done since our state standards testing ended by the 3rd week of May. We had to turn in all of our grades by midnight last night, so literally nothing other than daycare is happening this week. All of my students are sick of each other - and have started treating each other like siblings. They are mean, they are cruel, and they don’t care when I call them on the carpet for it. Today, I told them that while I, as a teacher, thought teaching them math, science, social studies and language arts was important, that I would consider myself a bad teacher if I didn’t teach them about being kind and respectful to each other. I’m in a mood because today a few of them were particularly awful to others. It hurts me that they are going to end the year, when many of them made so many gains in terms of social skills, back where we started with them acting like 2nd graders instead of the 4th graders they will be at the end of the week. Sounds like your kids are starting to get that 4th grade attitude a bit early. ugh. This is why I don't usually sub in 4th grade after about January. We will see about next year though, because this year's 3rd graders are mostly great. I'll be sad if the 4th grade thing gets them. -- Although...your county goes to 6th grade in elementary doesn't it? That might make a difference. Ours is 5th so by mid-4th the kids know they're almost Kings and Queens. hahaha Not only is this the last week of school with all those events that I mentioned in my first reply...but it's also Spirit Week (again... honestly, I feel like we just did one). This week it's Monday: dress as your favorite movie character. Tuesday: "anything but a backpack", i.e., don't bring your backpack. Wednesday: tropical day -- dress like you're in the tropics. (one teacher asked if we could serve rum and cokes in the teachers' lounge, haha). Thursday: Field Day so each grade has a specific color. 3rd's is green and they gave me the most awful bright kelly green shirt to wear...a nice enough color when it's summer grass or a shamrock, but just about the worst color to wear. And Friday: School shirt. This is the easiest because I like to wear my really old school teeshirt, so everyone comments on it and asks about the tree that's on it, the tree that sadly is no longer out front. Anyway, one teacher said that her spirit was lacking and she just wanted to be done. She teaches 4th grade. lol. Another of the 4th grade teachers is retiring this year (she was actually my dd's 5th grade teacher all those years ago), and every time I pass her in the halls she tells me the exact number of minutes left on her time. Someone asked her if she was going to be a sub next year and you could hear her laughing all the way down the hall.
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Post by elaine on Jun 13, 2023 10:30:52 GMT
OMG. We still have this week. My kids have been psychologically done since our state standards testing ended by the 3rd week of May. We had to turn in all of our grades by midnight last night, so literally nothing other than daycare is happening this week. All of my students are sick of each other - and have started treating each other like siblings. They are mean, they are cruel, and they don’t care when I call them on the carpet for it. Today, I told them that while I, as a teacher, thought teaching them math, science, social studies and language arts was important, that I would consider myself a bad teacher if I didn’t teach them about being kind and respectful to each other. I’m in a mood because today a few of them were particularly awful to others. It hurts me that they are going to end the year, when many of them made so many gains in terms of social skills, back where we started with them acting like 2nd graders instead of the 4th graders they will be at the end of the week. Sounds like your kids are starting to get that 4th grade attitude a bit early. ugh. This is why I don't usually sub in 4th grade after about January. We will see about next year though, because this year's 3rd graders are mostly great. I'll be sad if the 4th grade thing gets them. -- Although...your county goes to 6th grade in elementary doesn't it? That might make a difference. Ours is 5th so by mid-4th the kids know they're almost Kings and Queens. hahaha Not only is this the last week of school with all those events that I mentioned in my first reply...but it's also Spirit Week (again... honestly, I feel like we just did one). This week it's Monday: dress as your favorite movie character. Tuesday: "anything but a backpack", i.e., don't bring your backpack. Wednesday: tropical day -- dress like you're in the tropics. (one teacher asked if we could serve rum and cokes in the teachers' lounge, haha). Thursday: Field Day so each grade has a specific color. 3rd's is green and they gave me the most awful bright kelly green shirt to wear...a nice enough color when it's summer grass or a shamrock, but just about the worst color to wear. And Friday: School shirt. This is the easiest because I like to wear my really old school teeshirt, so everyone comments on it and asks about the tree that's on it, the tree that sadly is no longer out front. Anyway, one teacher said that her spirit was lacking and she just wanted to be done. She teaches 4th grade. lol. Another of the 4th grade teachers is retiring this year (she was actually my dd's 5th grade teacher all those years ago), and every time I pass her in the halls she tells me the exact number of minutes left on her time. Someone asked her if she was going to be a sub next year and you could hear her laughing all the way down the hall. Our 3rd grade team leader decided we were going to have TWO Spirit Weeks. So, we had all of last week and then this week with different days. Tomorrow is “Paw Print” Day where one wears clothing with dogs, cats, or paw prints on it. I have spent so much money on Amazon to purchase spirit wear. I’m finding myself really looking forward to 6th grade next year so that I can determine my own wardrobe much more often. I’m definitely moving to 6th grade which is in a different part of the school, so I really have to pack up my room so that the custodians can move my stuff over the summer. I usually get to work 45 minutes early and stay at least 45 minutes after the students go home. I still get there early - making copies, etc. - but I’ve been leaving at 4:30 and that is awesome! Report cards are done, grading is done, and there is nothing to bust my butt over other than trying to figure out how to get my kids to be nicer to each other. Today is the 3rd Grade Feastival where we spend the morning outside - recess - and then have a potluck - parents bring dishes for the kids (a nice blend of ethnic and kid food), and then we have a picnic. Afternoon in the classroom will be a movie and/or choice time. My kids prefer choice time - many of them play chess whenever given a chance, which I love.
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