I've been back at school now for 4 weeks. Every year seems to be worse than the one before. There are many things wrong with education today but I can only write about what I personally see. Our school is being run like a business, not a school. We are trying to stamp out assembly-line robots. We are told what to teach, when to teach and even how to teach it. There is no individuality or spontaneity left in teaching.And what that means is: TEACHING IS JUST NO FUN ANYMORE!
Students have individual learning styles, just as teachers have their teaching styles. That is being totally disregarded in our school. We've gone through this "trend" before but the youngsters in charge of things weren't around then and don't understand that it still won't work.We get new programs that are just old programs with new names that cost more, so of course, they have to be better, right? And when one of us "oldies" try to say anything, it's totally ignored because we don't know how to teach. The young ones just out of school know all the latest trends so they are looked upon as the experts.
I have decided to call it quits at the end of this year, IF I make it through this year! There are several things going on already that I do not agree with. Along with that, our campus will be vacated next summer. A huge new campus is being built outside the city limits. And we have a huge elementary school inside the city limits. So all the K-5th grade teachers will be divided up and some go to the new school and some to the old one.I don't even want to move at all, much less to a huge campus with all those different grade levels. So it really is time to say good bye to my teaching profession. I've put in over 30 years, this being my 32nd, so retirement looks like a good option for me.
However I do need to say that I have a pretty good group of kids this year. Yes, they talk a lot and don't always listen, but they have good hearts. They want to do well but have not been taught the learning skills they need for this. So we'll work on that this year.If we ever finish all the testing we're doing right now, I may actually get to teach also!
I have to say that there have been good and bad teaching years. My favorite years were the first 2 years we looped: We started out with a group of 1st graders and took them all the way to the end of 2nd grade. I'm still very close to some of those kids. They were a really good group of kids. And it's nice that I'm going out with a group of pretty good kids, too.
Now I need help figuring out what to do next. If I don't find a job of some kind, I'll stay home all day in my jammies and read and sleep and do nothing else at all!
So I need some input on new jobs. Help?? 
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| Must Be Time for a Rant... |
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gunn12fan
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Sep 20 @ 4:23AM
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Well there is always going to work in a daycare . Or maybe Wally World
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mystery2u888
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Sep 20 @ 4:50AM
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 aww sign.....I am so sorry to hear about that.......I know you are a very good teacher your personable, caring and only want the best for your students. I think you are going thru a rough time and I think you can do actually anything you put your heart into. You are one of the best people on this site and have shared many loving stories about the kids and your work day. Don't give up too soon maybe things will turn around.........  When you close a door a new one opens, just wait and see and maybe things will get better. I am so sorry again......That breaks my heart and I know that if you left that your students would miss you so very very much.!!! 
 xoxo
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misschoos
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Sep 20 @ 5:24AM
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Our school is being run like a business, not a school. So many schools are the same. 
Some volutary work?
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burnslikethesun
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Sep 20 @ 6:03AM
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My Darling friend, I offer these words as gentle rubs of comfort.
Perhaps I can help find that smile. Somethings to change so fast, while others to never change, doesn't it? You are the voice of a kind heart.
You said, I can only write about what I personally see good then do so. Tell others that you work with how you feel. Write about what you see try posting in your editorial, check your local big city paper for an online "city talk" section. share there.
As these years of you molding the minds of children are closing, perhaps your fight for education and the betterment of it, it just beginning. Share your, you speak on what you see. Remind those in your area, share what you see.
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masonfun52
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Sep 20 @ 6:32AM
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So I need some input on new jobs. Daycares, tutoring, crossing guard volunteer, substitute teaching part-time.
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Fender
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Sep 20 @ 9:15AM
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TEACHING IS JUST NO FUN ANYMORE
I have to agree with you there Sign...Which is why I work in a totally different field now...Although I have to say, I'm surrounded by immaturity just the same...
...I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Sign...Your a smart lady with lot's of class, something will turn up,xo.
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WSOR
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Sep 20 @ 10:30AM
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My prayers will be with you Sign. The same changes you're seeing are happening all over & it's sad. In my opinion one of the reasons is that less time is spent doing family activities, or things outdoors, & instead kids are glued to electronics most of the day... whether it be a Wii, PS3, I-Pod, or what have you. It may not be the biggest of the reasons, but I still feel it has somewhat of an impact.
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bardnsage
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Sep 20 @ 11:17AM
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Try an intergrated lesson plan,,, and trash that stuff from the county. You can teach the same concepts, (ie material),,, without teaching their material. That way, you can have a theme for the day.
Explore teaching them the higher function concepts,,,, which are lost in the system today.
Check out some videos and study materials by Dr. Harry Wong.
(AND NO,,, his name is not a joke, but I must admit I laughed my butt off first time I read it.)
As far as new careers,,, what subject are you most comfortable with? What was your major? What are you other skills and interests?
If your degree is in elementary education,,, and that is all the skills you have,,, maybe White House Tzar would match up. You've done more honest work than they have.
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SallyF
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Sep 20 @ 12:04PM
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New beginnings---how exciting! I only know you through your written word, but it does seem to me that a library or bookstore job would be a great fit. Do keep us posted....
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Loreli
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Sep 20 @ 12:25PM
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I'm sorry your job is going that way.
I understand the BS structure in elementary school...I have become very upset with the teaching at my daughter's.
How about private tutoring?
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Wolf36
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Sep 20 @ 12:35PM
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First, let me congratulate you on putting in 30 years! I just wonder how many times someone above you in the office, or a newbie teacher has asked for your input? It's a shame you are calling an end to your career, because it sounds like you are exactly the type of teacher the current school kids need.
In a privately run business the fact they are ignoring your experience would come back to cost them. Unfortunately, in a public system the powers in charge don't have to worry about results and if the outcomes aren't what they expect, they simply change the measuring gradient at the end.
Wolf
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missliss78
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Sep 20 @ 5:54PM
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It saddens me to know that this will be your last year, but you have had a great career, there's no good reason you couldn't have yet another. I certainly understand your dismay with the system as it is now, but I am so glad to read that you have a better group of kids this year! I hope it stays that way.
I've read lots of good suggestions here & of course, I plan to stay tuned to find out what you end up doing. Tutoring, the library, a book store, substituting....I'm sure there's a myriad of things you'd be good at & enjoy!
Hang in there this year...don't let those sweet kids down! And congratulations on your impending retirement!
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missliss78
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Sep 20 @ 5:55PM
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It saddens me to know that this will be your last year, but you have had a great career, there's no good reason you couldn't have yet another. I certainly understand your dismay with the system as it is now, but I am so glad to read that you have a better group of kids this year! I hope it stays that way.
I've read lots of good suggestions here & of course, I plan to stay tuned to find out what you end up doing. Tutoring, the library, a book store, substituting....I'm sure there's a myriad of things you'd be good at & enjoy!
Hang in there this year...don't let those sweet kids down! And congratulations on your impending retirement!
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signme
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Sep 20 @ 11:28PM
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First I'd like to thank all of you for your comments. I am trying to send personal emails but may not get all finished tonight.
Secondly let me say I'm surprised at how coherent this blog turned out as I wrote it AFTER taking my sleeping meds....and some of you know how they affect me! LOL
One thing I forgot to add in my rant is that I am totally exhausted this year already. I stay at school until 6 or 7 p.m. every night, and closer to 8 p.m. on Fridays. I have other friends who leave at 5 or 5:30 every day but then come up on the week ends and spend 4-5 hours at school then. It's ridiculous. Other jobs don't have you putting in hours like that and if you do, you get overtime, etc. We don't, We're just expected to work until all is finished. Today, Sunday, I even spent 1-2 hours going over the new test we're giving starting tomorrow. It's very complicated to give. How well can the kids do if the teachers are having trouble understanding how to give it?
I also want to say that I feel happy with my decision to retire. I feel as though a great weight has be dropped from my shoulders.I plan to spend 3 months next summer reading, sleeping and doing water aerobics, then leisurely look for a part time job somewhere. I'd actually love to work at the zoo or at my vet. We'll see.
Thank you all for your support and loving comments. I have such wonderful friends here at MD!
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CHARLIgurl1
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Sep 21 @ 10:59AM
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Secondly let me say I'm surprised at how coherent this blog turned out as I wrote it AFTER taking my sleeping meds....and some of you know how they affect me! LOL Funny you should say that.. some of my best writing is in the very early hours when Im still sleepy, I think its because the mind is relaxed and the words flow naturally.
Teaching is in your blood Sign, how about contacting some special needs schools where your signing will be of great use!!!??
We must meet up again soon.
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