Today, I left from work early due to a difficult talk with a parent that left me feeling very tired and upset. I am a school teacher, and I’ve decided to leave the job at the end of the school year. But after today I am not sure to make it that far.
Parents have become very disrespectful, and sadly, many kids act the same way that their parents act. School leaders often take the parent’s side, so the school teachers don’t get the support and respect they needed.
It feels like I can do my main job, teaching. I would like to share a few pictures of my classroom taken over the last two days. These pictures will define my classroom after my students being there whole day.
A lot of the items that got damaged or destroyed were things I purchased myself. I don’t have the classroom budgets, so I often buy myself books and decoration my by own money. I’ve hit my limit. I’m no longer comfortable with students damaging property or lacking respect.
Today, a parent told me in a rude way and in front of her child that I was wrong to hold her son responsible for his bad behavior. That was painful.
Report cards will be released shortly, and nearly half of my students are failing due to not submitting 8 to 10 assignments.
I’ve forwarded weekly reports, sent emails, and made calls, yet the majority of parents haven’t replied or think once about their kid’s progress.
Next week, I expect to spent all my time dealing with angry parents asking why their child failed. My boss will likely ask why so many students failed, even though I did everything, I could except do their work for them.
And during all this behavior in my classroom will get worse. This happen in every end of the term. I’ve never known a job where people get a lot og work to do and get little paid.
Teachers are among the most caring people I encounter, but we are constantly treated with disrespect. Many parents struggle to manage just a few hours daily with their children, yet we are with them all day long, along with over a hundred others like them.
What I seek is a small amount of respect and compassion. Teaching has always been my aspiration, but after only two years, I feel very sad and disappointed. I am not by myself. Many teachers share these feelings, and many are leaving.
If things don’t get better soon, many shortages will happen of teachers. It’s time to stop spoiling kids and start teaching them to take responsibility.This behavior won’t help them live happy, successful lives. We need to fix our broken education system and treat each other with respect. The insulting and anger have to end.
