Just discovered this thread and immediately subscribed. I've needed an outlet for teacher issues all year long and I should've looked here when all my ish was going down. Glad to be subscribed now. :) Secondary English teacher in NYC here, entering my fifth year in September, which feels like so long. My current school's wifi/internet was down today, and every one of my classes was so nice because I didn't have to juggle a half-assed lesson for in-person and on Zoom. It felt so nice to actually teach again.
I got a shout out in the valedictorians speech tonight and another student came up to me in tears after because she was so happy about her accomplishments and reminded me I was her favorite teacher and was following up with me about her college application adventure that we had talked about before and was so excited to tell me one of her dream schools was possibly accepting her off their waitlist. Nights like this are a good reminder why I love this job. Really needed that after this year.
I am also a secondary English teacher in NYC that is finishing year 4. What borough are you in? Public or charter?
I was teaching at a private religious school in Queens, but I'm going to be teaching a private international school in Manhattan come September. DM if you wanna talk more specifics! Always down for shop talk.
When the calendar gets to late August again and you’re wondering why that bastard keeps letting the start of the school year get here:
I have high hopes for this year compared to last. At least for now, the only COVID-related accommodations we have in place are wearing masks. We are no longer offering a virtual option, we aren’t separating the school by cohorts, there is a lot less faculty-required supervision and duties, etc. Teachers come back tomorrow, classes start the first. #goodvibesonly
One of the BOE members at my home district's meeting tonight tried to propose anti-CRT policy language. It did not go well for her -- the dunking on her by other BOE members and the massive applause by the audience were very satisfying.
Welp. Here we go. Students start tomorrow. Our state is having daily case numbers as high as they were in the winter spike. Hospitalizations about half of where they were during that spike. Test positivity rate at 7.5%. At least we have mask mandates. But still. Year 2 of teaching during a pandemic (that first spring barely counts)
So...how's everyone's year going? Our students are absolutely horrible this year. At least, our 9th graders are. So many fights. The hallways are constantly filled with students walking around. It sucks. Our union may be filing a grievance against the principle.
It's been pretty good so far. I have one group of kids who act like they've never attended school before, but my other two sections are exceptional. Building-wide, discipline is completely lacking; administration is non-existent., and their communication has been horrible. Still, feeling much better right now than at any point last year.
I moved up to 11th Grade and AP Lit after 15 years of teaching 8th grade, and after a quarter and a half I don’t know why I didn’t do this sooner. It’s been both personally and professionally fulfilling thus far.
I’ve only lost my prep twice so far but it does suck. my year is fine. I only have 15 students right now
Going okay. Teach 7th grade social studies. I'm generally easy going and students recognize that I am and behave appreciatively off that, but I had to get strict with one of my classes cause they were 7th graders acting like 4th graders. Put a little fear in them and now they're good again. Basically called a few parents, did some textbook/worksheet stuff for a few days and told them that I give them respect and they should be giving me respect. Back to a normal fun class and the students are better. But usually I don't have to do something like that.
This year sucks ass and is much worse than last year. I'm special education teaching freshman English. None of our bathrooms have soap dispensers anymore and half of them are missing mirrors from the TikTok bullshit in September. Our tardies are up 30% from last year and kids are just roaming the hallways not caring about getting to class. There have been more fights, and more disruptive behaviors during class. It just seems like kids have forgotten how to be students since some of them have been home for 18 months. So I get it... but it just seems like parents and admin expect things to go back to normal now and that's not the case at all.