We have always joked about it, but this last year has revealed that we are nothing more than free daycare for the working class. All this desperation from parents to open back up, and here were are...Seventy percent of the students on my roster are failing multiple classes. No one cares. I'm not going to pretend to teach anymore. If this is just babysitting, I'm just going to babysit. Forget it.

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After 31 years of teaching, my kids want to, and are, working right up to day 2. Great students, I will miss them. (Retiring on day 0)

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Congrats on 31 years. Congrats on having great results. I hope to be like you one day.

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Be there for the other 30% while you continue to try to make connections with the kids who struggle or don't care. If you can connect with them, you can get them to care.

likeuplifting

NCMS--I have not selectively left out that they are failing across the board. I said in an earlier posting that it sounds like a building culture problem. The rest of the faculty has given up as well. Seventy percent is a large number to have fail because of academics.

Look--I get that you are tired and frustrated. We all are. I get that it seems like you are powerless and that the inmates are running the asylum. And you can insult me all you like. But it doesn't change the fact that change comes in small doses. Mother Teresa said, "I all alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone and watch its ripples."

When you change the world for one, you have the ability to change the world for many. And all it takes is one. You need one of those kids who are failing to catch fire and you will see a domino effect.

But you can never give up.

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If you have so little regard for the 30% that are passing, you may want to think about changing careers.

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CMS1 You're right. I was harsher than I needed to be. I did apologize this morning for my judgments of the OP. I do, however, stand behind my belief that the problem is a building culture problem.

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I guess I read this post differently than many. I don't see this teacher as one who is giving up on students, but as one frustrated with the path education has taken in the last year. I am lucky to teach in a district with mostly motivated students and supportive parents. But in the last year, I have seen a sad change. When schools opted to "be flexible", "show grace", and adopted "no fail" policies for families and students struggling with issues related to the pandemic, some of them recognized the option to "check out" without consequences. After a year of lowered standards and expectations in attendance, behavior, and academics, we are now seeing the fruit of some of those decisions. For a teacher, whose very core screams to "reach every kid", the best intentioned teacher who has most likely worked harder this school year than ever, will eventually tire and become frustrated after running into a wall time and time again. Let's support and encourage those of our profession who are tired and struggling this year, instead of attacking. We need the support of each other now more than ever.

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NCMS--I see your dig at me, and I figure that it's just par for the course. As I re-read this thread, I see your frustration with the situation. I have worked in a district like the one you are describing. I worked there for seven years in Michigan. I quit the day a principal told me that they "wouldn't" suspend a child for being late to class 48 times, even though I had called home 14 times and sent 8 letters. The lack of follow-though on the part of the admin led to a serious building culture problem.

When I quit, I vowed that I would not go back into education, but use my degree in some other field. But teaching was what I was passionate about, and I eventually found my way to Arkansas. The culture in this building--this district--is nourishment for me. I am sorry for my harsh judgment of you. I pray that you will find the same culture that I have found--one where the kids and the parents really care about their studies and where we are making a difference in the lives of our students.

You have to make a change somewhere. Whether it is to a different district, or within your building. One thing is for certain, you cannot maintain this level of frustration without it spilling into your personal life.

Your original posting said that you were just going to start phoning it in, so to speak. That 30% do need you. They need your love and support. They need to know that you are there for them as an academic, and as a human. Don't let them down.

I once confided in my department head that most of the students don’t want to learn when I taught middle school. She told me to teach to the 30 percent that do want to learn and to hell with the rest of them. Sadly our profession has come down to this.

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CES1--Thank you for seeing my intention. I reread what I said, and it looks a lot different than its intent.

We can never give up. That is what a teacher does. S/he believes that ALL students are worth their time, and ALL students can learn.

Our building boils it down like this: Is it a will problem or a skill problem. If it is a will problem, we seek out the student to find out why. If it is a skill problem, we work together to advance the
student´s skill.

We use an RTI (Response to Intervention) model. Private message me if you are interested in knowing more.

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We had some seniors return to campus (option for parents) after Spring Break for two days a week. The teachers anticipated a great experience, but the students who did come to campus might as well have been mannequins. Many of them just sat there. No interaction. No questions. No dialogue. It seems they've been trained for a year to just sit at their computers (IF they actually stay at their computers while logged in to their online classes). After almost a month of this, the on-campus population plummeted as students realized they had a better gig going at home.

It's difficult to make school meaningful when some students realize their parents are collecting government checks for staying home. The work force is not roaring back, because people receive more in unemployment than if they got actual jobs in the community.

Students are facing a nation where laziness and mediocrity are rewarded. Those 30% that are doing well in your (our?) classes are the ones who have caring parents that are trying to teach their children they must contribute to society and better themselves if the world is to get better for everyone, or they are students who have the inner motivation to prepare for their future.

The other students may wind up living under an overpass or on the streets of LA or SF. I'm waiting for the government to start handing out sleeping bags and tents.

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