7 Years of College Down the Drain

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We live in a society where honest and decent people are afraid to become police officers, teachers, health workers, or firemen for fear of getting caught up in a YouTube moment. I began this year, my first as a teacher, with such high hopes. I felt a strong urge to give back to my community. I wanted to inspire young minds to read and learn and gain the fruits of knowledge in the same way I was inspired.

Now, I am seriously re-thinking my career choice. I owe 55k in student loan debt and am looking at job opportunities outside of the classroom.

Why?

The list is almost endless.

*I have been falsely accused of racism on numerous occasions.
*I have been spat upon and physically intimidated dozens of times.
*I have been accused of being homophobic/homosexual too often to count.

It is not just me, every teacher I know deals with this stuff. The problem is that the students are consistently supported in their actions by their parents and, to a large extent, by the state. We all saw the video clip plastered on the news of a school Resource Officer (policeman) physically dragging a girl out of a classroom. Within 24 hrs he was on administrative leave, and his career was over. What we never see are the events leading up to the 12 sec video clip. This is becoming a common occurrence.

Every time I see one of these sensationalized video clips on the news, It bothers me that we are rushing to judge the subject without giving the benefit of the doubt, or even due process.

We judge a human being over what they did over a 12 second period of their lives. Would any of us want someone to take the worst 12 seconds of our own lives and have them used selectively to define our entire history?

I know that there are police officers, firefighters, teachers, doctors, nurses, and people in every field who are unfit for the positions of trust that they hold. There are very few of us who are saints. But, in a YouTube world, many of our best and brightest are wary to risk being goaded into a "gotcha" moment.

So many of these moments are now being staged just for the purpose of bringing someone down.

FYI, I have not been a victim of one of these staged little episodes, but I have been the victim of two attempts to create such a scene.

In one attempt a student accused me of being racist for using the word black, rather than African-American.

I had previously taken up her phone as per district rules that do not allow cell phones to be on or openly displayed during class. I had twice asked her to put the phone away or I would have to take it up. On the third time, I took the phone up and she became so disruptive that I had to call an administrator. She and her phone went to the office. Later that day the mother came to the school to meet with me, her daughter, and an administrator about my "racist" attitude toward her baby.

My school is predominantly Hispanic (65%) with a pretty even distribution between Anglo and African-American rounding us out.

I am a racial mix with Anglo, Slavic, Asian and Afro-European roots.

The student's mom demanded to know why I had repeatedly used the word "black" during a lesson on the Abolitionist movement in the years preceding the Civil War. The student had complained to her mother and my administrator that I had used the word "black" several times during my lesson and claimed she was interrupting my class only because she felt that my use of that word was emotionally upsetting to her, not because I had taken up her phone.

After both student and mother had finished, I pointed out three examples of what I would consider salient points.

1. The lesson was quoting primary source material.
2. The lesson was specifically designed to be presented during Black History Month.
3. The parent and student had each used the word several times on their own during the conference, beginning when the young girl had first pointed to me as I came into the room, saying: "That's her. She don't like black people."

I then was forced to listen to the parent's rebuttal.

1. I should have clarified each use of the word as coming from primary sources since her daughter had thought that I was intentionally using the word to punish her for having the phone out earlier.
2. Black History Month activities and lessons should have been specifically presented to the class as being for that purpose, rather than just including it in a lesson without explaining the deeper importance of the material. (I assume the reason for this was so that students like her daughter could actually pay attention rather than ignore it like does with the rest of the curriculum)
3. It is okay to use the term "black" as long as you are African-American, but for other races, it is racially insensitive to do so.

The parent left after the administrator promised that the school district would investigate the incident and contact her as soon as the investigation was concluded.

After the conference, the administrator asked me to type out a document that detailed my own recollection of the incident, including any relevant facts or the names of any students in the class who I thought would be reliable witnesses. I went back to my classroom to do that while he typed up a synopsis of our after-school conference. When I returned to his office with my report, he read it as I read his own. I was then asked to read and sign both documents. I signed my own report as well as verified the accuracy of his.

A few days later, the principal called me into her office. She had both documents in front of her and asked me if there was anything that I felt was inaccurate or missing from them. I said that they were both correct.

She then showed me a third document that detailed the district's findings. The school had found several students who had corroborated my account. They also found two students (both close friends of you-know-who) who said that I seemed to be picking on her because she had her phone out and argued with me before giving it up.

The school district recommended that I take one of two available ethnic sensitivity classes before the end of the current school year, as well as beginning an online study group for the book (which I already own and is a personal favorite of mine):

Teaching With Poverty in Mind: What Being Poor Does to Kids' Brains and What Schools Can Do About It - by Eric Jensen

The principal indicated that she thought it might also be a good idea to discuss the incident with my class and clarify that I want them to feel safe in my classroom and know that I am always willing to be sensitive to their feelings on any subject that they might be uncomfortable about.

She said that as long as I follow their recommendations satisfactorily, and demonstrate sufficient progress, I should have no problem getting my contract renewed for next year.

Yay me....I feel so validated.

With the recent upsurge of "gotcha" moments that I am seeing in the news, I do not feel that my own administration will support me, much less the parents of my little angels. I spent almost seven years to get this degree. I watched a petulant 13-year-old brat and her mommy demonstrate just how tenuous my position truly is.

If this had happened in my first-period class, there is a good chance no student would have supported me and I might well have been fired over the incident.

I am holding my letter of resignation until after STAAR testing ends (next week). If I still feel as I do now, I will submit it then.

Comments

K-12 teaching sucks...

as my sister has pointed out on several occasions, for the very reasons you wrote about in your post. If you want to continue in the teaching field, are there opportunities outside of high school, say in junior college, Vo-tech schools, or a 4 year college?

I point these out because at that level if one of those socially inept, mentally mal-adjusted little shits says "what are you gonna do about it" you can tell them "kick your ass to the curb and expel you from the school. You don't have to be here."

I wish you well on whatever path you take at the end of the year.

suggestions?

shadowsblade's picture

suggestions?

I have many friends who still teach and others that gave it up?
Me, I can't see how those that do...still do?

I can suggest

private schools or tutoring, if it pays what you need ?
or overseas? as I have heard the students there WANT to learn?

hope this helps and keep going!

Proud member of the Whateley Academy Drow clan/collective

My daughter

Angharad's picture

gave up teaching in the UK because of the red tape and form filling and the lack of support from colleagues. It seems teaching is as big a political football as public healthcare, from which I'm glad to be retired.

It's sad that you've become disillusioned so early in your career but typical that the school took the word of the student over that of the teacher and a sign of the way things are today, in the blame everyone but yourself climate.

One word of advice, find another job before you resign.

Angharad

Guilty until proven guilty

It sickens me that you are guilty until proven innocent and even then you are still guilty because the administration and school districts are so afraid of lawsuits that they will gladly throw good teachers away just to avoid litigation.

What you have there is a case of two people seeking easy money by scaring your school into trying to appease them. Even though you are innocent and you have valid witnesses they are putting you out to pasture in the hopes that you going away will make the lawsuit go away. It doesn't matter that they are going to lose you, they will find some desperate young person stupid enough to take the job and all the drama that comes with it.

It's utterly ridiculous. If they are so afraid of lawsuits why the hell don't thy invest in cameras to record what goes in in classes? Problem solved, irrefutable video evidence. NO! That would be an "invasion of privacy" or some other BS. Never mind that the few thousands spent on buying, installing, and storing footage is A LOT CHEAPER than the thousands the school has to fork over in lawyer fees and settlements to appease the vermin seeking money from the schools.

It's a shame that they are driving you away from your beloved profession but please don't leave without a fallback job. Even if you have to take a job teaching in another district please don't leave the profession.

I'm told STFU more times in a day than most people get told in a lifetime

I dont why anyone would be a

I dont why anyone would be a teacher I was a right little cu.t but back in the 70 s you got a right hiding. I did not like kids when I was a kid still dont like them. But I gave teacher real agro I feel sorry for them now except the headmaster Day when was a right nonce. I use to bunk off nicking motor until wrecked one old man gave me a hiding. Then sat me down told me which way was up and which way was down.No I was a little git to teacher feel sorry for them now was until I went into the Navy they sorted me the buggers.That what kids need basic training under a hard core PTI. Get out of teaching do something easy like airborne after teaching army be a walk in the park.

I can't comment at all about schools or teaching.

I only went to school from September 1950 to March 1952 aged 4 to 6; so what do I know about schools?

I've never, ever taught, so I can't comment professionally.

I'm afraid I left the education of my children to my wife Helen who was a maths graduate and qualified teacher. She assured me there were good teachers and bad teachers. She also assured me that there were good students and bad ones, as well as clever children and 'not-so-clever' children. I never felt qualified to get involved and I consequently didn't.

I do know that British and American schools have gone progressively 'down-hill' academically and they cannot compete with many other countries today.

Seemingly, the damage is almost irreparable.

bev_1.jpg

Being helpful

I don't know a thing about teaching, even less than Beverly. My only suggestion might be to move away from the big city and try again? Perhaps move to Canada? I am sorry.

Gwen

i totally understand your feelings,

Teresa L.'s picture

but can i offer some suggestions?

on the video, see if you can have a camera of your OWN recording your classes. you would probably have to put up a sign for legality reasons, but who cares. then YOU have your own back covered since the school is obviously NOT covering your's when you were NOT in the wrong. picking on her about her phone, when the district rules say no phones? are they REALLY that stupid? answer is yes, bureaucrats usually are, more worried about their jobs than what is RIGHT. if students who are not even allowed to have phones out, are taping things, and using selective use against teachers, then you should have the right to provide for your protection. personally, i think phones should NOT be allowed in schools, but that ship has sailed a long time ago.

i was raised in California, not a lot of racism there, some, but not like a lot of places have from what i read and heard, at least in my upbringing, poor, raised on welfare, etc. heck my younger sister is half mexican, one of my best friends in junior and high school was black (i am sorry, we are ALL americans, i am an american of irish and scottish decent, with some blackfoot indian and german thrown in) but i am JUST an american. when you put something BEFORE american, it is showing that is MORE important than being american, in my point of view. the founding fathers didnt go around saying they were british americans, or dutch americans, no they were americans, who came from XXXXX). my skin is white(not pink, i have heavy scottish/irish ancestry, it is white lol) and i dont expect anyone to call me an irish/scottish/euro american, someone can call me white, it is a description, if someone takes offense to that, then they have far more issues than someone calling them by a descriptive color.

if you feel you have that calling, dont let a few punks, and their equally punkish mothers and fathers (hard to call what so many do today as parenting) because its all about why it ISNT their, or their childs, fault, its ALWAYS someone elses. they exist, and until enough people stand up to them, for what is RIGHT (one of the reasons i love the movie Lean on me. he didnt let people blames others. even if it WAS someone elses fault, you can STILL pick yourself back up and start again. letting others determine how you are going to live YOUR life, is the failure, and while i am sure some of the rules and stances schools and districts take have a history behind them, that does NOT mean that is the case NOW.

Hugs, dont let others decide who you will be, be who you are DESPITE them.

Teresa L.

Cameras are forbidden in classrooms by state law

waif's picture

In my state, I would need a separate letter of permission for every student of each class each day that I record.

I appreciate everyone's support and nice comments. I wrote the post at a low point and that is usually when I write things. I am pretty sure I will not continue in my current position. I wrote my resignation with a resolution to save it until after the State Assessment tests are completed. So I will make my final decision in 10 days. I think I will still feel the same about submitting it, but I will be less emotional about it.

hugs-n-kisses

waif

Be kind to those who are unkind, tolerant toward those who treat you with intolerance, loving to those who withhold their love, and always smile through the pains of life.

I've taught before, but only

Domoviye's picture

I've taught before, but only in China where teachers can almost get away with murder. I wouldn't dream of teaching at a public school in North America.
I'd recommend instead of dropping teaching to focus on three teaching areas, charter schools, private schools and training centers/tutoring businesses. Each of these would give you more support, the students generally want to be there, and you generally don't have to take as much crap from parents.
Good luck.

Applications

waif's picture

I am mailing out resumes everywhere I can think of.

Thanks

waif

Be kind to those who are unkind, tolerant toward those who treat you with intolerance, loving to those who withhold their love, and always smile through the pains of life.

Good luck

Angharad's picture

I hope you find something that appreciates your talents.

Angharad