As a long-term substitute teacher, how can I cope with this?
I am literally crying inside right now, even though I am not shedding any tears. I'm a 34 year old man, no wife or kids. I graduated from college in December with a B.A. in Spanish, SummaCumLaude, and I got my license to teach Spanish in grades 7-12. I haven't been able to land a full-time job; however, about a month ago, I accepted a job as a long-term substitute for a local high school for a teacher who is on leave due to an injury she received. She was one of my mentor teachers while I was student teaching last year, so I know many of the students and teachers from my time there last year. The problem is that several of my students, many of which are the top academic students, absolutely hate me. During classes last Friday, I allowed them to make get-well cards to their regular teacher. One of them wrote, "We really hope that you get well soon. This guy is driving us crazy." I found out that another student - - one who I thought respected me and is a top academic achiever - - wrote an email to the regular teacher that stated, "We really hope that you get well soon. You know that I really hate Mr. Smith(not my real name, of course)." There are 28 students in that class, and many of them feel the same way about me. No one is failing in that class; in fact, nearly everyone has As, and no one is failing. Yesterday morning, I was addressing the students, and about a third of them kept talking to one another, acting as if I wasn't even there. So, in a very firm voice that bordered on shouting, I lectured them on how they are not in middle school anymore, and that when I am talking, they need to listen and to do as I say. I realize that no one likes to be told what to do, but their arrogant attitudes and overall lack of respect for me has left me beside myself at times. These are level three language students, many of whom are upper classmen and should behave like upper classmen instead of freshmen. I have never felt so unappreciated and unwanted in my entire time as a substitute teacher. If it weren't for the better pay because of the long-term nature of the job, I probably would have left by now. The principal has been good to me, though, but even some of the teachers who pass me in the hallway won't even say hello to me anymore. I feel so sad right now. Could you please lend me some advice. Thank you, and God bless.
Should I confide in my teacher?
TEACHERS So I'm sophomore/ year 11 at high school. I'm 15 years old and female. My teacher is lovely. She always stops me in corridors and says "are you okay honey?" And tells me to take it easy. She makes me feel good about myself and that I am capable of anything i want. I can be happy about my biggest achievements and she always says to stay positive for her. I do normally talk to her a lot as she knows my situation at home and has helped me in the past with my anxiety and depression, which I can't thank her enough for. But now, I think I'm ready to tell her that I'm bullied at school most of the time and I'm willing to get support, while I also help myself. Do you think she is the right person to confide in? What would you do if a student came to you with a problem? Thank you :) *please no rude answers PLEASE NOTE POSTING AGAIN BECAUSE LACK OF ANSWERS
As a teacher have you ever wanted to fight one of your students?
No, but I’ve had a couple who wanted to fight me though. One memorable time I had a 17 year old student challenge me to a fight after I reprimanded him for wearing his pants below his ass whereupon I told him to report to the main office. He then refused to go to the office so I then told him that I would bring the office to him. As I left the room to get an administrator he followed me to the office all the while threatening me and challenging me to a fight. I ignored him and did not engage. As we got close to the office we went right by a pair of exit doors which lead to the bus circle. As we passed these doors he went up to one of them and then dared me to step outside to fight him; he actually opened the door and held it open for a few moments. I walked towards the door and grabbed hold of it forcefully and slammed it shut which locked this thug outside. I then went to the office and pointed out to an administrator the fool who was now locked outside with his pants still below his ass on a rather cold winter day. This kid was a special brand of dumb. I wrote up the whole incident and in short order the resource officer at the school had him in custody. The following day both the superintendent and the assistant superintendent came to my room and thanked me for not fighting this “student.” When I discussed this incident with the assistant principal that afternoon he confided in me that this fellow had came into our school as a “school of choice” student but after a few incidents and some sleuthing he had found out that he had a substantial police record. That’s how it is in the public schools though; the privacy rights of a transfer student with a lengthy police record supersede any concern for the safety of the faculty or student body.
Can a teacher take away a student's chair as a disciplinary tool?
That's horrible! It's completely inappropriate for a teacher to be doing that, and it's abusive. School should be a safe and supportive place for kids to learn and grow! If I were you I would go to the school and raise holy hell. Complain to the school board if you don't get anywhere with the principal. It doesn't matter what your child did; there's no way she deserved that! Is there any way to send your child to a different school? I would be seriously concerned about what other abuses are going at the school if they did that to your child! I'm so sorry that you and your child are having to deal with something like this! ETA - All of you who are saying that you are teachers and that you do this on a regular basis are sick, sick people. My brother had crap like that done to him when he was in elementary school, and it has seriously affected him in negative ways. Why on earth would you go into education if you feel like it's right to treat children like that? I sincerely hope you people are just trolls! How disgusting! Think about what you are doing to those kids! If that ever happened to my child, I would pursue legal action against you. You should be fired and lose your licenses. You have no business having anything to do with children.
What's the best way to deal with a really bitchy teacher?
Do everything you are asked to do - cheerfully - don't distract other students - don't run this person down to classmates in or out of class - do all your work - turn it in on time - smile. Very rare is the teacher who actually "hates ALL students." Your exaggerations make your story seem less believable, and as if this person has made it personal. No, teachers get peeved when young uneducated students like you saunter in with an attitude and a mouth and start proclaiming how awful the class is and what a terrible teacher they are. Shut your yap, do your work, and turn it all in on time. Be pleasant and things will go much better for you. If you want to show the world how to teach the right way, finish high school, go to college, get a degree, then get a teaching credential, then get hired and get your own classroom and show the world how it''s done when there are 38 smart alecks like you in the room. Until then, you have no business criticizing.
Should I tell my teacher he's a father figure to me?
No you should not. He's not your father, and telling him something like that is not going to really change things except for the probability of making an awkward situation more awkward. You said that he's been distancing himself from you, and there's probably a reason. Suddenly saying, "I've felt like you were a father figure to me" is not going to help the situation. Just move on, please.
Why can't students be friends with their teachers?
When I was a young teacher there were a few students that I became friends with, but we were very close in age back then. Now I'm married with kids and am at least 30 years older than most of my students. Even though I enjoy many of my students in class, the age difference is too great to have much in common. Occasionally a former student will come back to see me and we’ll catch up on things but that's about it. I notice the younger teachers at my school tend to have a closer relationship with their students than what I have, and I understand that because that easily could have been me at their age.Anyway, for me it's age difference. A little of it is also wanting to maintain a professional relationship with my students and not have favorites. Lastly, many of my students are now the same age as my own kids. I feel like I'm an extended parent rather than a friend.Let me add one more thing. Even though you might grow fond of your teacher and the memories you've made in high school, I think you'll find that your priorities will change once you graduate. You'll go to college, you'll make new friends, you'll get a job, and you'll see that your life will become very different. High school, once you graduate, will not be the same anymore, and I think many students who intended on keeping in touch with their teachers, will find new priorities and move on with their lives.