should I take the job?

yo'ma ↓

Wed, Dec 17 2008, 4:52 am

School is over for the year and the principal asked me if I'm coming back next year. I told her, I have issues and I'm not sure if I really want to because of these things. I told her what they are. My issues are: disorganazation, tardiness, and chutzpah.

The school is so disorganized and I need/want order. She said that it's her fault, she can never get herself organized. The students are 90% of the time late to class. Sometimes, it's the fault of the school because they're talking to them and sometimes, it's the students themselves. I am a very prompt person. Besides the fact, the students should wait for the teacher, not vice versa. The girls are not chutzpah as if it was a public school, but they have no respect for the teachers. They talk to each other in middle of class as if I'm not even there. If I say something to them, they say, 1 minute. It's not like I wasn't strict/stern with them the first day, I was, it's just how they are. I know this because I spoke to another teacher there, who's been there for 10 years.

The prinicipal told me that if I have problems, I should speak to her and she'll speak to the girls. I have 2 problems with that. 1. I don't like running to the principal if there's a problem. I want to take care of it myself. Even if she would say something to them, how long would it actually last? 2. Probably if I did go to her, they'd have less respect for me.

The problem is not all the girls, but the majority. What do you think I should do? The money is not the issue. They need me more than I need them. The school goes through so many teachers, I think because of this problem. I don't quit in middle, but I'm not sure if I should go back.

Fox

Wed, Dec 17 2008, 11:34 am

From my understanding -- correct me if I'm wrong -- the principal runs a very loosey-goosey ship. That might be wonderful for some people, but it drives you crazy. And, given the casual nature of the place, the girls behave "casually", too.

I doubt whether you're going to change the place; the principal seems aware of her style. While she might like to change it, she doesn't seem very motivated to do so.

So the real question is whether you can stand it or not. If you're going to dread going to work every day, it would probably be better to look for something else. However, if you're the type of person who can do a job without feeling quite so personally involved, then you might be able to shrug your shoulders and put up with it.

Regardless of what you decide, remember to keep in mind that this is really just a stylistic difference rather than a battle of good versus evil. It's hard to remember that when people drive you absolutely crazy!

mandksima

Wed, Dec 17 2008, 12:01 pm

Fox wrote:

Fox, you always have such nice, well thought out answers!

Yo'ma, Hatzlacha in whatever you decide, I have no personal opinion to help you on this one, sorry.

babygirl

Wed, Dec 17 2008, 12:04 pm

It does sound like it will be hard to be strict with such a laid back school. I came from one and we were kind of disrespectful and felt like we were in charge of the teachers not them us. It wasnt like that with all of them but the majority. There is this one teacher in my school who actually taught english and she was REALLY strict. We would shake talking to her...but we loved her the best we literally would come to school for her class. Even though students wont admit it they want to have structure...THis teacher literally changed my life. I think that teaching is the best job obviously it is not for everyone but if your good at it you can mean so much to these kids ....

greenfire

Wed, Dec 17 2008, 12:42 pm

in my opinion - you can put your foot down and make the difference ... let your students know what you expect ... maybe even mail them all a letter before school re-starts ... create an incentive program which makes them excited to be a part of something new ... something which will help them not only in school but later in life ...

YOU CAN DO IT !!!

↑ yo'ma

Wed, Dec 17 2008, 1:56 pm

Fox wrote:

You're right with everything. I don't take any of it personally. I go home and couldn't care less, but while I'm there, it's Exploding anger

.
lachmagene, how'd your teacher do it?
raisin, only this school and only the high school. The elementary starts in March.
greenfire, I did put my foot down the first day of school, but it's their mentality. I'm not sending them a letter before school starts.
Thanks for the replies, I really have to think about it. Maybe I'll end up moving before I really need to decide LOL

. Doubt it Sad

allgood

Thu, Dec 18 2008, 8:08 pm

I would change the topic to "should I keep the job". I'd tell you to stick it out. Here you know what you're up against and if you really work hard on setting something up that will make your job work for you I'm sure you'll do a great job. Speak to lots of people like lachmagene who can help you do this with examples from their childhood. Rememeber, at least here you're not working in the unknown.

freidasima

Sat, Dec 20 2008, 8:16 am

You can make your own discipline in your own class but it isn't easy. I give workshops occasionally and see the difference between workshop styles - some groups want discipline, some just want the workshop to be over and for them to get the credit. Same goes with kids, especially in high school. Some want the class to just be over, others really want something great and structured.

What do the majority of kids in the class appear to want? If it is structured, you can do it, even without the school being structured. If the real majority want the opposite....and you don't need the job...and it really bothers you, I would think again about continuing..