A Teachers Worst Nightmare-Attn: Teachers (public school, pay, grades, scores)

[serenity911]

I relocated to a state for a teaching position. I was very excited as I am a first-year teacher. I left the business world to pursue what I thought would be a rewarding career. I was offered a position to teach 5th, 7th, and 8th grade Math. I made a quick move to this new state to begin what I thought would be the beginning of a new career with a large metropolitan school district.

Here's where the drama begins, as all teachers do, I reported to my new job the week before the students were to begin. When I got to the school I was told that my assignment had changed and they were not sure what I would be teaching yet (this was the Weds.-first day for teachers). Keep in mind I paid for my own relocation for this new job and no one called me prior to my move to tell me that my assignment had changed. I decided to roll with the punches and be flexible because things often due change at the beginning of the school year.

On the first day, I was introduced as the sixth grade teacher by the asst. principal, then two hours later I was introduced to the staff as the 4-8th grade Math teacher. They had no clue and no plan in place and this is a few days before the students report. I was given a key to a classroom that I was told may or may not be mine-they weren't sure. I was told to just clean it up and get it ready for the students. I asked since I would be the primary Math teacher (not sure what grades) if I could get the keys to the Math lab to organize, prepare, etc.. I was told "don't worry about that right now, were not sure if you will be in the Math lab everyday".

Needless to say my first day was a nightmare but I remained optimistic and believed that my 2nd day would be better. Day 2- I arrived and asked the asst. principal if she knew what grades I would be teaching. The answer was "were still trying to work that out". I asked about textbooks and other resources and I was told that I would get those things later. Day 3 (the Friday before the students report)- I am so upset and regretting my relocation for this job. I asked that morning if they could tell me what grades I would be teaching. Again, I was told I'm not sure. Keep in mind all of the self-contained teachers and teachers who had been there for several years were setting up their rooms and had materials and resources from the previous year-they also knew for the most part what they would be teaching. I was not given an assignment until 4:00 the Friday before the students were to report. I was told that I would be teaching 6th, 7th, 8th grade Math, 6th grade Science, and 6th grade Reading (cleary this is not the position that I accepted when the job was offered to me). I was told to teach reading and Science in the same block (because there are not enough periods in the day to teach all the classes they gave me). I told the principal that I was not certified to teach Science (I am certified to teach Science in a self-contained classroom). I was told not to worry about that because when they send the papers to the district they will make it look different - in other words she would lie about what I was teaching. Keep in mind I got this information at 4:00 the Friday before students reported. I asked about how the periods/schedule would work (I would like to know what time I have the students/subjects). I was told that they were still working on it and that the asst. principal would have the info. the first day of school.

The principal gave me the standards and benchmarks for the state (which I can print off the internet). I was given no books, no resources, no information on how they do their lesson planning (on computer/block...). I was given nothing. I asked so much for things that I stopped asking. On the first day of school I still had no resources etc... I was told by the asst. principal the Friday before to prepare to meet all of my students as they would rotate to me for the different periods. The first day of school the asst. principal comes up to me and says "I'm still working on the schedule so just keep the sixth graders all day". She also told me that she was hoping that I would be able to have 3 preps a week but she wasn't sure how she could fit it into the schedule. There's more but I don't won't to write a book (which I could). It was unbelievable and like a made for T.V. movie. Needless to say, I Quit and relocated back to my home state with no job(gasp-I know in the worst economic times this country has seen in years). I felt as though I could not operate a full school year under mass chaos and confusion. It's not fair to me and most importantly not fair for the kids.

This lack of planning by administators would not be accepted in most school districts. I constantly reached out to several other teachers (the standard answer for everything was "I'm not sure") and the asst. principal and principal were obviously clueless. As I mentioned I am a first year teacher and this experience has made me question my career move to education.

[photobuff42]

Sounds like the district I just left! Not all districts are like that. If you are certified to teach math, I bet you find a job. Good luck!

[skreem2]

This lack of planning by administators would not be accepted in most school districts.

Well, you said this was an urban school district and I would venture to guess that most urban school districts operate, or rather, avoid operating in this way. It sounds like you left early and missed some of the more exciting aspects of urban public school teaching, such as dealing with discipline problems (I'm not talking about simple cuss words in class; try weapons and drug sales, and assault - we just had a case of statutory rape occur in the back parking lot this past week) and the utter lack of appropriate response from administrators or the attempt to blame teachers for these things.

I'm in Southern California. We recently had a mild earthquake. The resulting chaos was a marvel to behold. Students were herded into a sweltering auditorium without air conditioning. Nevertheless, we received a notice in our mailboxes the next day congratulating us on the orderly way in which we handled the earthquake. We laughed and one naive teacher tried to confront the principal on the accuracy of the notice. He was met with threats of recrimination.

Thank you for your post. I think people just have no idea, no idea of the absurdities, abuse, and political exploitation that are a daily routine in the kingdom of urban schools. I'm a union representative, so I gain some respect and benign neglect that way. I could write a book about the things I've seen, but people probably would not believe it.

[NCyank]

I would think a teacher would use paragraph breaks where appropriate.

Sorry, I can't even make it through the OP...

[FarNorthDallas]

You did the right thing by quitting. Geez, that's a mess. Were you in Dallas (Texas) ISD? The lack of organization and chaos (even from a parent's perspective) was one reason we went to private school.

[f_m]

I'm curious if you've heard of Math for America?

Math for America - About Us - Math Education, Fellowship, New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego

[#Littledog]

Wow, that's awful. Not all districts are like that. I would try to find a better district.

[anadyr21]

Please tell me stories like this are the exception and not the rule.
OP, I feel for you and hope you find a new position soon.

[Mrs.Bewitched]

Well, because I can read with and without paragraph breaks.......can't we all, I read the OP's post. I'm not saying it would have been an easier read, but I CAN read...................back to the paragraph breaks....I know how when someone is stressed, and have very strong feelings, are excited......you write like you talk, and sometimes you're more worried about getting out your words than what the words look like, and in those situations people need to be sympathetic, and realize it might just be a one time deal and top help the person

Anyway, I left a school and a district like that. The joke was that I wanted to work in an urban district. I wanted to deal with children with the behavior problems. However, when I realized that you need support from administration, and an organized leadership team, to make your class work.....it was impossible. I got my class together...was working on behaviors....but anytime an issue came up (like a girl trying to stab another girl with scissors, getting suspended and then hoping right back in my room after trying to kill the girl who was in my room......or me getting hit twice in the face and nothing being done about it).......the administration did NOTHING about it.........they had no materials and I was making myself broke buying everything...I have to admit that I became weak and couldn't do it anymore I just wish that the school and principal had supported me.....because who knows, maybe I'd still be there.......

[serenity911]

Thanks F_M, I will check out Math for America.

Mrs. Bewitched, you are right. I am still stressed about the situation which is why i forgot about the "paragraph breaks". Give me a C- for that. (lol)

I have to believe that the situation I encountered is rare (at least I hope). I pray that no first year teacher will have the experience that I had. There will be challenges on any job. However, the situation I encountered was unbelievable. I contacted the Human Resources Dept. about the school and the administration at the school. They were very apologetic. They promised to make sure that situations like this won't happen again. I hate to be cynical but I do not believe Human Resources. This is a very large urban school district and my situation will probably be brushed aside and nothing will change.

There is so much emphasis in education now on test scores, etc.... However, people need to pay more attention to how schools are run. Some principals and assistant principals lack leadership skills and have no organizational skills. Some assistant principals and principals only care about the "pay check". (The principal at the school I was at made reference to how much money she made twice)