Notes from a Stressed Out Teacher - I hate my school!

Ok, I'm going into my third year teaching, and I actually am starting to like teaching.... but I hate the politics. I've had such a shitty week, politics-wise, that if this is going to continue all year, I'm quitting. I'll get a job as a secretary. So, the Reader's Digest version of my story is that I'm sick of teachers thinking that what I do in the classroom is not valuable. I sent an e-mail to the fourth grade teachers on Monday explaining this recorder program. I gave them a link to the Omaha Symphony website, and I told them that they needed to let me know ASAP about it. At the staff meeting on Monday, one of the teachers said that she had penciled in her planner. I did not hear anything more about it until this morning when she told me that they didn't want to participate in the program. I was very upset by that. I had already faxed in the sheet (yesterday, although I was supposed to have done it on Wednesday). I sent them an e-mail at the end of the day saying that I understood that they did not want to go to the training session, but I still wanted to do the program (it involves having a visiting musician and finishes with a culminating experience with the students playing with the Omaha Symphony). While I was writing that, I got a message (which I did not read until I had sent the other one) from one of the teachers saying not only did they not want to go to the training session, they didn't want to take the time away from school that this would take (one morning). I wrote back and said that I had talked to the principal and that she really wanted them to do the program. I spoke with her after school today, and she said it sounded like a cool opportunity, but she understood their concerns. I will be so pissed if she (our principal) sides with the teachers. I think she will.... in which case I will talk to my supervisor. Also, when we were talking, our principal said that she had talked to the three boys, and they had said that they had been partners when that kid split his head open. I explained to her that they had been partners during the game, but that I was pretty sure that they hadn't been when the one hit his head. She said, "why would they tell me that they had been partners if they hadn't been?" Which basically means "you are lying or not remembering correctly." Then she reiterated, "I want to come and watch next time you play that game." I told her, "We won't be playing that game again." And she said, "ok" like she was glad that's what I had said. Now, my boyfriend accuses me of being a drama queen, but I don't think my discontent is unreasonable. Part of me wants to show her how the game is supposed to go.... but I'm just worried it won't go as planned. Then, I'll look even worse than I do now! If conditions don't change, then I'm out of here! At first I was really bummed about the whole thing, but then I thought, "Maybe this is just a sign that I'm supposed to go to graduate school next year."

Anyway, most of my Friday was great! My sixth graders were awesome. My second graders were a little chatty, but we did ok. I love the kids! I hate the politics! I need to find a job where people actually support the arts! I'm going to post my info about what music can do for children.

I'm SO glad that we have a three day weekend. My roommate and I are getting pizza!

Current Mood: furious and hurt
Current Music: Friend's theme song