Since school started back up in January

[DonRedwood]

This teacher:

Has not had a lunch break.
Has not had a planning period.
Has not had a 15 minute break.
Has spent $37 buying supplies out of my own pocket (I'm at over $450 for the first three months of school)
Made several work phone calls while I was sitting on the toilet because, well, I had no choice.
Has put in at least 8 hours of overtime at my desk each week.
Has had to do all my prep at home. Last night I finished at 10:45.
Is still struggling to do my DECember paperwork.
I have two large school reports to write by the end of the month...they take 8-10 hours a piece.
Has been told my district might be laying off all workers by Feb but just in case my supervisor just told me I have to go and present to a state group in the hopes that we can save ourselves.

I have stress hives and the first cold sore I've had since college.

And no matter what I do, I'm still behind, every day, no matter how much extra I put into the job.

If the U.S. people don't wake up soon, the right will have succeeded in killing public education...one teacher at a time.

[jehop61]

1. Hey

Don't forget to hone your shooting skills and qualify to carry.

[Bigmack]

2. Damn slacker...!

You better figure weapons training in that loose schedule of yours!

(I taught for 30 years, so I know, Don. You're an everyday hero. Question is: how long can teachers go on carrying the school systems?)

[DonRedwood]

7. When I started the district had two people helping with paperwork, setting up meetings

How am I supposed to teach when I have to put together a meeting and invite 12 different people, all of whom, legally, must have a paper invitation in their mailbox and most of them are never at a desk to answer a phone so you leave a message for 12 people, "Hey, can you meet on the 20th at 12, the 21st at 2 or the24th at 4? Call me back and let me know." And since the funding for the student is often based on the paperwork from that meeting, you cannot risk being late and out of compliance. There have been days when half my time is spent trapped on my phone and email trying to get a meeting put together.

But, they've cut all those support staff people so there is no help...and since they cut janitorial, once the kids leave, we have to stop what we are doing and get to cleaning up. Mopping was not part of my Masters program but I'm sure getting good at it!

The truth is though, the job has been set up to fail. I'm good at my job and I can't keep up with it.

And, on that note, Goodnight DU, I have lesson plans to turn in tomorrow and that's gonna take the rest of my evening.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. My heart breaks at the lack of funding for our schools. Can't pay teachers enough

and can't hire more because, well you know, the every government is flat-out broke. But let's cut local taxes!

[sadbear]

4. I was a teacher for three years.

Except for the hives and cold sore, my experience was very similar to yours'. I got out as fast as I could.
Loved teaching. Hated everything else about the job.
Good luck.

[DonRedwood]

6. I love my job :0) It's the paperwork that is killing me.

[Wednesdays]

5. K & R