Feeling a little bugged out...
Well, yesterday I posted about how horrible the kiddos have been, but to put the cherry on top is my grade level is not a cohesive grade at all...we don't talk to each other and my co-teacher and I have felt alone really since the beginning of the year. We both started off with this being a new job, and we weren't "welcomed" to the grade or school to say the least. (it was so bad, my principal warned me when I was hired that the grade level's morale has been down the past few years) Well, what bugs me is the fact that these women (all 4) are not old ladies, but young women, yet never plan to do any really fun activities and seem to be set in their ways. We did a hallway display about civil rights back in february and after a few weeks my co-teacher asked when we could take it down to put up spring stuff and they all said, "oh no...we leave that up till the end of the year". Ha..um what?! I asked my P. and she said it was fine to take it down so now we have those cute birds up from a few posts back, but boy did we get death stares when we were taking our half down.
On top of all that...the lessons, for lack of a better word...suck! We are forced to "plan" together weekly and when I get my copy of the plans on Thursday night, I have gotten to not even printing them out anymore but instead, checking to see what topics and skills the kids need to know and then coming up with my own activities. I love doing fun stuff and I have printed and laminated so many cute things, that I'd hate for them to go to waste. And friends, when I say the lessons are boring..they really are. Like watch brainpop, read a book and write about it...and we're supposed to do this for a 45 min lesson!? Come on. So luckily, my room will be in the second grade hallway next year and away from the drama and negativity, but I know how great teaching and planning together can be, and unfortunately, we are just not there as a grade level.
I have been praised by my principal and every time she has observed, has complimented my class, so I am just chugging along in my own little world and even though its ok with me, I still feel like I am on an island and my co-workers really dislike me for having my "ideas and activities."
What do you think I should do? Any advice??
Aw I'm so sorry!! Unfortunately, I've been there too. All you can do is what you are doing. Stay in your happy little bubble, and keep chugging and doing what YOU know is best for those kiddos!! Sometimes, I feel like I get more from all my fellow bloggy buddies than my teammates (shhh!) so just think, you've got us- you're good! :)
ReplyDeleteJivey
ideas by jivey
I'm kind of in a similar boat. My grade level gets along well but our lessons are so boring! Like read a book, fill out a graphic organizer kind of boring. And we HAVE to do the same thing or we get in trouble. My principal isn't very supportive of individuality. I sometimes do my own stuff, but I don't want to get yelled at either. I just try to do what I can. Just keep doing what you're doing! You're awesome =)
ReplyDeleteLiz
Teaching in the Valley
Remember...you are touching the lives of the kids who are in your room. If you are enthusiastic and creative...they will be too. If you are boring and negative, they will be too. Just remember to keep changing things up. Keep the kids guessing what's coming next. That is the "carrot" you dangle..As for the other teacher's, those evil stares are from the green monster "jealousy" they have for you because they wish they had the guts to follow. They might. Don't stop! You are doing great things! wendy 1stgradefireworks@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteJust know that you are not the only one. It is hard to enter an established community if that is what it is. Slow and steady wins the race as Aesop put it. I felt this very same way for around 4 years at my new school. I tried listen a lot, let them talk more than me and to share a little at a time when I could. What is that saying...before you can reach them, they have to know you care? In my own case, I had be more explicit in being open to their ideas and make personal connections. Sometimes this meant wasting paper for being included on copies! hehe I sincerely hope that time together builds more trust and communication. Good luck to you and your teaching partner. Hang in there! It's all about the kids! : )
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing teacher. Keep doing what you are doing :) It is what is right for the children and for you. You are lucky you have a co-teacher with you - support each other. Funny thing I was changing my hall boards last week and the teacher across the hall from me said ... "Really???? I was going to leave this up till the end of the year." She had her Presidents' Day display still up! She was mad at me, but now she has flowers hanging:) Change happens slowly. You never know some of those teachers might get tired of boring and begin to follow your fantastic lead. Hang in!
ReplyDeleteMaria
First Grade Carousel
Oh Honey! I feel for you! I have always had great people to work with, but I have had a horrible and I mean HORRIBLE principal to work for. . . it is agonizing to say the least! We used to have meetings without him just to build up our own morale and to remember that we as a group were stronger than he was. Finally after 8 years he was moved to another position, .. . . and another position and another position (begindergarten teacher! Oh Yea! Do you want YOUR child in that classroom? Heck no!) I've heard he's tired of moving around and may retire this year. But anyway. .... Sometimes you just have to do what YOU know is good for you and your kids. Meet the standards, offer to share if they seem to want your ideas, but don't do it for them. Sometimes it takes a fresh idea for them to desire to want to be like that. I have faith in your perseverance and I know that you will do what's best for kids. That's why you are there. Not to do what is best for your colleagues. Go Get em!
ReplyDeletePatty
Second In Line
OH and one more thing. . . it's a minor thing but it really helped me out. Go to the grocery store and pick up a little bottle of JOY dishwashing soap. Put it somewhere near your desk, right in your view. Every time you look at it remember that NO ONE can take away your JOY for teaching!
DeletePatty
Oh man, I've been there! I felt that way last year and it continued the whole year, until I moved grades and moved up to 1st. Hang in there- maybe you'll outlast them! And if your principal loves what you do and you're doing right by your kiddos, that's what matters :)
ReplyDeleteSara
Primary Buzz