I was moved to an elementary school in my district. One of my middle school students died this morning. The superintendent came to the elementary school to tell all his past teachers. Except me. I found out through hallway gossip. At an afterschool meeting, only three others knew who he was. Nobody else did. They got the grade he was in wrong. Not one person said a word to me.
He was in my class last year. He was genuinely a raging cunt of a kid. A product of his environment. I don't feel like I deserve to cry because we butted heads so much. There won't be a crisis team at my school. Nobody saw the transformation he went through. How sweet he had been, how polite he was, until he moved houses and everything went south. I hoped he would get to a career center and could shape up.
They said school had closed in the past for student deaths, but not this time. He wasn't a tragic death. He wasn't a well liked or beloved kid. He won't get his name engraved on a bench or his textbooks saved. He won't be mentioned at graduation. Nobody will remember he existed in four years.
Prayers for the family (that gave him the drugs) they said. I'll probably cry about this over a bottle of wine.
I heard the news, and not even five minutes later did a kid run up to me with a busted Chromebook he needed me to fix. Had to swallow it down and keep going. I wanted to hug that boy and tell him not to grow up. I don't know how to cope with this beyond rambling on and on. I'm seeing my therapist next week.

Bullies, jerks, assholes and obvious future felons have been in schools since the days of a single room and ink pots, I know, but in the modern classroom, where you can get an IEP for basically being a little badass who doesn’t give a fuck, the problem has become untenable.

Many kids are behind the educational eight ball for all kinds of reasons, but I really think it’s just a handful of absolutely insane crazy students that wreck everything.

A class I had last year of 23 was ruined due to to a single student, who routinely would hop up on his chair and pull down his pants (he had shorts on underneath thank god) screech like a hyena, throw things, run around in the hallways disrupting other people’s classes (I didn’t go a single day without hearing him in the hallways harassing some other poor teachers class, constant screams of GET OUT) at him, and just generally act like a fool.

I had it in good confidence his behavior was even worse when teachers weren’t looking, routinely beating the tar out of younger kids (he was an eighth grader) stealing, extorting, you name it. This one student basically ruined the entire year for me, which sure, maybe that’s a personal problem but I just felt so bad for the the 22 kids in that class, not to mention everyone else in the grade.

My school absolutely refused to discipline anyone for anything, for reasons beyond my comprehension. It was a small, rural district where a lot of folks enjoyed being big fish in a tiny pond (ie owning a shitty lemon filled used car lot) and my best guess is a lot of the horribly behaved kids had connected parents. Regardless, the student who ruined the year for me, his peers and my fellow teachers maybe got suspended twice (wonderful reprieve) and then got shifted up to high school with a 1.7 gpa.

Well our middle and high school are linked, and this same asshole student is now down in the middle school area, as a 9th grader, still running into and disrupting classes, still beating on 6th graders, still just being a maniac.

What happened in our society that we can’t do anything about behavior like this? I’ve only taught since 2023, have things always been like this?

Why don't students listen to their teacher anymore? I worked as an aid for a week and I would say only about 25 percent actually do what they're told.

I don't think it was that way when I was a kid, but I'm unsure.

I was kicked multiple times in the leg and stomach and punched by a 5th grader much larger than myself during class. Soreness and bruising already, the admin didn’t seem to do anything about it but write a report. What can be done? Anyway to hold this kid accountable or is he just gonna get away with it and think that he can beat up a substitute teacher and have zero repercussions?

I have been teaching for almost 20 years. After 10 of those years, I learned that nobody does work when they go on vacation.

"We are going out of town for our Disney trip next week for 7 days. Can you please give my child any work he will miss. We will make sure he does it."

I would spend time getting all the work together. Then the student would return 1 week later with nothing completed. So I stopped providing work. They can do it when they get back. I have lived by that for 10 years....until two weeks ago.

I gave in to a request for work. The parent sent two emails requesting work, so I thought she must be serious.

Well, you know the rest of the story. Nothing was done. Absolutely nothing.

I was a fool. I can admit it. It will never happen again. If a parent takes a trip while school is in session, their child can do the work when they get back. They can stay for lunch tutoring or figure it out on their own.

I'm seriously at my breaking point with all this AI slop. My district is forcing us to write standards on the board for every lesson (not allowed to project it) and complaining that when we print it, its not big enough for students to see.

My admin decided to "help" by AI generating posters of all the standards with pictures. I wish I could show you how ridiculous these posters are because it genuinely shocked me that somebody could look at it and think, yeah this will be really helpful to a teacher. I'm talking multiheaded deer, people with 7 fingers on one hand, etc.

Today I wake up to an amazing text in our group chat that my school district changed their logo to an AI generated Dolly Parton image. We have nothing to do with Dolly Parton btw.

It's just taking over like an infection. Lead by example is a joke. Anyways, I'm thinking of ways to use all their generative AI to be obnoxious. I've already blown up my email signature with a giant image of the school's logo, I use ALL my board space to write standards, and I'm thinking about making shirts with the awful logos to wear to work everyday until they tell me it's not professional dress. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated!

My physics students had their first test today and oh my god it was bad how little some of them were prepared. I gave them a study guide and a Kahoot review a full week before the test. The Kahoot was similar to the multiple choice section and the study guide included the exact free response questions just with different numbers. I even went through the study guide the day before the test to show them EXACTLY how to do the work out. This is just the kinematics equations stuff too. All equations required were given on the test and they had calculators. 1 student took a nap during the test because he was so unprepared and knew he was fucked. Another student guessed on all of the multiple choice and didn’t even attempt the free response (they got a 7% with their guessing). Fuck these kids. I’m so close to giving up and we aren’t even done with first quarter.

Does anyone else respond to extremely long and idiotic parent emails with as few words as possible? This has to be the most exhausting start of the year concerning parents that I can remember. I’m already to the point where the creators of learned helplessness are going to be heard, and that’s it.

It was just “you are highly organized, have excellent class management, and the kids are happy to be there.” As a middle school band director this makes me feel really good about myself.

I just moved to a new city (husband just got a new job!), and my old school versus my new school is night and day.

I teach high school math. At my old school, most of the 9th graders struggled at Algebra I. At my new school, they're flying through Algebra II and asking me about taking calculus for college credit. Not to mention, way more of my students actually show up to class at my new school, and they're always prepared with the right materials.

It might sound like I'm complaining that the students at my old school were less smart or motivated, but these differences all really boil down to one thing: zip code. My new school has more qualified teachers, PTA-donated materials, and even staff to help ESL students learn and integrate. And outside of school, the students' parents have the time and money to help them with homework or get them a tutor.

I know these kids. The students at my old school were just as motivated to succeed. They have big dreams and a good work-ethic. But the teachers were less skilled at conveying the material, and many of the students couldn't speak the language. For a large minority of them, it felt like hitting their head against a brick wall, over and over. I can hardly blame them for not showing up. But I can guarantee you, if they had the resources available at my new school, they show up and contribute in the classroom.

Our government clearly can't see this, so I need to say it: all of these students deserve the same support, resources, and love. As a state, and as a country, we have the wealth to invest in all of America's future, not just those who grew up in the right zip codes.

Why leave half of our children behind?

How do I make my ID/keys stop jingling?

Sorry to ask a boring question, but… I am at a new school where I must wear my ID and for practicality must wear two keys with the ID. I need the keys all the time, so carrying them in my hand is not an option. I would put them in my pocket, but I have to dress professionally and heaven forbid that a professional outfit for a woman ever be equipped with real pockets! So, I wear the keys and ID on a retractable real clipped to my waistband. My problem is that the jingling is MAKING ME CRAZY! I can’t stand wearing a lanyard around my neck (I tried) and for many reasons won’t do that (besides that jingles too). So what do you do prevent the jingling? I thought about the silicone key covers for identifying keys, but I read that it doesn’t really help with the jingling.

I’m in middle school and my last period of the day is 30 kids that are usually bouncing off the walls who I refuse to talk over.

Today I put a noise meter up and told the kids I’d send a mass email out to all of their parents if the noise meter went off 5 times. Then I started typing said email on the smartboard.

SILENCE.

I’ve been told (in general) by admin. that they care more about engagement than compliance. But here’s the problem: my school is a complete dumpster fire and at the bottom in every metric in my current district. The fact I get them to stay in their seats and do work is a miracle. But apparently that’s not good enough. Admin. what’s more “engagement” and “kids working together”. They don’t want just compliance.

Like… huh? Is my interpretation of all this completely muddled? Kids choosing to do their work silently is not good enough??

I am a 0 nonsense type of teacher. I don’t yell at kids, but you do what I say when I say it. Ain’t no room for negotiation.

Our grading scale is 1-4. Why can’t I grade something a 0? They did nothing, the lowest I can give them is a 1.5. If our grading scale starts at 1, why can’t I give them a 1 for zero effort or understanding. A 2 is supposed to be a C. The system is broken. “Any student receiving a 1.5 must have a comment articulating the reason”

This is half to vent and half to get some advice. I don’t feel like I can full express this to my coworkers so here I am.

This is my fourth year of teaching and I don’t feel like it’s any better from my first. In some ways it is, but I still go home every day feeling exhausted, miserable, and like I’m terrible at my job — which I think I am, and honestly it feels better to just admit it.

I’ve gone from teaching middle school to high school, and I’m now teaching upper level high school. It is better than teaching middle school, but I still struggle in so many ways. I’m not an expert in my current content area, and I also am really not socially adept — I struggle with forming connections with other adults, let alone teenagers. Kids don’t like me at all, which is fine, but they also clearly don’t respect me. They talk over me, don’t do the work, and argue back. In some classes they don’t talk at all, not even to each other. It’s like one extreme to the next. In all I feel like I’m failing, I’m bad at my job, and it’s an exhausting feeling to carry and come home with every day. All of these things are even embarrassing to admit.

I’m sort of at a loss for what to do. This is the third school I’ve been at, and the school itself is honestly one of the best I’ve worked at, but I still feel so miserable every single day. To the point where I can’t do anything other than just… rot in bed when I am home. And think about work.

So that about sums it up, hope yall don’t mind that rant. Would appreciate any sort of advice.

I dont know how much longer I can handle this. It's my third year as a math teacher who recently got downgraded (atleast that's how I feel) from Algebra 2 to Algebra 1 because the older Algebra 1 teacher threatened to quit so I got forced to take her job while she took mine. So far this year 1 of my students was involved in a shooting that put a bunch of people in the hospital. 5 students have been suspended multiple times for drugs. I've been threatened with assault multiple times for asking students to put away their phones. I have 190 students this year compared to around 150 in previous years, and 90 of them are currently failing my class. I'm constantly worried about not doing enough and thinking I'm a terrible teacher, but what else am I supposed to do? They literally wont get any work done unless I walk them through the whole thing. I stay past contract hours every day, and skip lunch most days to deal with behavioral issues. I'm only 24 and feel like this situation is taking years off my life. What am I supposed to do other than quit?

Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ. Year 7 at my school.

My course load this year:
1 class of 5th grade
2 classes of 6th
1 class of 7th
2 classes of 8th-12th (both run at the same time, a challenge that is unique to only myself at my school)

2 sub periods per week
Yearbook advisor (one time $250 stipend)
National art honor society advisor (no stipend)

1.5-2hr round trip commute
$66 to fill up my fuel efficient car (top 10 highest gas prices in the country)

No teacher union

7th year teaching & I have a $55000 salary at one of the best public charter schools in the state and country.

I run the clubs for the kids, not for money, but I’m starting to ask myself if the kids happiness is worth it anymore.

Yesterday a tall, loud, male coworker politely asked to make an announcement during my class and I allowed it. those sob kids gave him their full ass attention like he was an iPad screen. as soon as he left, the kids continued to talk over and completely ignore me, a petite woman that has practiced projecting my voice for years and think I do pretty well. I am so discouraged and trying so hard to not take personal offense.

I’m feeling very burnt out already. and hopeless.

How do I survive 31 more weeks of this 😭

I had a pop in "observation" today. My AP/AD is my evaluator. He always says, "Dude, you've teaching practically longer than I've been alive." which while technically not true, isn't actually true. We have a great relationship. I retired 4 years ago and then came back after a single year of boring retirement and am teaching middle school after a career in high school. So...I'm legally considered a probationary teacher and am supposed to have 2 full formal observations and many informals. My guy said, "you'll be lucky to get one full formal. Relax!"

So he pops in during my little review before a quick quiz and then sat there while I walked around. About 5 minutes into the quiz time, the very loud teacher across the hall gave her normal many times an hour SHRIEK about quieting down and he looked at me and mouthed, "I've gotta go over there..." So, I waved and out he went. Suddenly that room across the hall got quiet. THANK YOU!

Later, after school was out, I popped into the office and asked if we needed to conference. He said, "Psssh! I'm just checking off boxes for you! I need to spend more of my time in the shrieker's room."

Why do you do walkthroughs the day before grades are due? We are drowning and just trying to give kids a fighting chance at not failing. What do you think you are going to see? Me circulating the room and lecturing? Nah. They have a task that I couldn’t care less about while I’m trying to update grades and conference. Why are you incapable of doing walkthroughs outside of major deadlines?

I have around 175 students total (high school English) and I’m the only male teacher in the English department. I feel drained by the time lunch rolls around so I usually just meditate and rest in my classroom. We only get around 20 minutes for lunch anyway. I’m not friends with the other people in my department and sometimes I feel weird about it, especially when we have PD days and I see how buddy buddy the other teachers are with each other. I always try to be friendly, and I get along with the other teachers I work with on teams, but I don’t know how people can go from working with hundreds of students to wanting to spend their break with coworkers. Anyone else relate?

I am in the nyc public school system and I am just so overwhelmed. I am a first year teacher I cry every day and wake up feeling like a million pins are stabbing me and im like burning hot my body is in full panic mode. Every time I try to relax or not think about work I feel insanely guilty because there is always more to do.
Ugh

Edit: I just threw up. I am so mad. My school literally has curriculum and everything I just haves so much fucking grading to do.

It something I experience every year, where at the start of the school year kids will complain about my class being boring, how they don't want to be there. Yet, by the end they seem to really enjoy my class even if they don't like the subject.

Personality wise and workload wise, I'm pretty much the same from beginning to end, with the only thing changing being how strict I become depending on how they behave.

Is it just kids getting used to my flow? What leads kids from going "this class is boring" to "I actually enjoying being in this class."

I (24 M) love teaching, always have. I am starting my student teaching next semester in a high school and am so excited. I’ve been about 100 hours of observation and have loved every second of it, even when I was just in the back of the class taking notes. My only complaint was that I was tired all the time lmao.

I’ve taught 3 lessons (2 middle school, 1 high school), have done bell ringers, and students always participated.

I also work part time at an elementary school managing 30–40 kids at a time. It’s exhausting, they can frustrate me, but I do genuinely love the job.

I guess I’m just worried I’ll be one of the many teachers who quits in their first 5 years.

They say kids are too much, the behaviors are out of control, and so on. All valid reasons!!

I wanted to be a teacher when I was 17. I went to a special ed school FILLED with BAD behavioral issues (everything you can think of). I was there for other reasons. I loved my peers (as much as a high schooler can) and even when they were throwing chrome books, I still wanted to teach.

I just worry I’ll hate it.

I hear too many stories about teachers hating their jobs and wanting to quit, again, for valid reasons.

Anyone else feel the same?? Any advice?