Teaching (for Lupita)

[gratitude28]

Lupita,
I saw in the other post that you were still frustrated with your teaching position. I have a few ideas to help you clarify what you want/need:

1) Define what you expect from your students. Define how you want your interaction to be with them. Are you enjoying them at all? If not, they can sense that. Can you make the lessons a joint lesson (i.e. have the kids participate?) Are you able to tell when their attention is wandering and bring them back? If the lesson is not working, can you move along to something that engages them at that moment?

2) Define what you need from the staff. How do you want them to interact with you? Do you try to be kind, yet strong with them? Can you find a common ground so that you can open a relationship with them (something other than explaining how difficult the kids are).

3) Define what you need from the administration. If you have a student who threaten your health or welfare, they must help you. If you have a student who is unruly, keep records of everything and be prepared to show proof of the student's dispruptive nature.

What do you think, Lupita?

Love, Beth

[DailyMail]

That all sounds terrific.

I'd like to add something to the toolbox too, but I'd still like to know how far along Lupita is in her teaching career.  Experience and seniority are important factors to consider.

[Lupita]

Thank you so much for thinking of me, Beth.

I am very frustrated and irritated because it seems that you did not understand me. I appreaciate your effort, but I do not want to go further because it makes me feel that I have to start from the beginning again as if I never posted about that.
I have 176 students, only four misbehave and they are all in the sixth period. All my other classes arevery good, in fact they are excellent. But I do not want to start all over with my sixth period again, as if I never posted about it.

I do not have the energy to start from the beginning and say everything about all what has happened in the school. I dont feel like it.

Thank you Beth, thank you so much for thinking of me.

God bless you all.

[DailyMail]

I'm sorry Lupita, I came into this late I guess.  Would you be kind enough to point my nose in the direction of the thread where you would have said how much teaching experience you have?  I don't want to give out inappropriate strategies, especially when you're so clear on how upsetting your predicament is.

[Lupita]

Hi DM, I have to ask you a question, since you are offering strategies, are you a teacher? how long? are you an administrator? how long? Are you in education? do you have a degree?
Thanks.

[DailyMail]

I don't mean to be difficult, but this is a quid pro quo kind of situation

I've asked you thrice how many years you've been teaching and you haven't shared

that tells me something's going on at your end

care to share what that might be?

then maybe I'll feel better about answering your questions about me.

[Lupita]

Dont worry about it DM Thanks. God bless you.

[gratitude28]

Lupita,
I do remember your description of your classes. I was trying to help you find the solution. I hope it starts to get better soon.
Love, Beth

[Lupita]

I do not like PM. For the person that jost PMed me. I do not answer them.


Thank you Beth. I am sorry do not want to start my story again. Just dont feel like it. But, thank you, and really appreciate your effort to reach out to me.
God bless you.

[DailyMail]

well dagnabbit, I'm all confused again, trying to be helpful without putting myself at undue risk, willing to protect someone's privacy as well as my own by sending a PM

and stepping on toes again.

(???)

I apologize,

and if it means anything to you, it doesn't feel good to be dismissed.

[Lupita]

Sorry you feel that way.

God bless you.

[DailyMail]

Lupita,

I respect for whatever reason I am the one person you do not want to discuss this problem with.

I won't be trying anymore to understand you better so that I could offer something useful.

I would, however, like to tell you that I would have very much appreciated if you'd have shared with me why you decided not to discuss it with me, rather than just cutting me off.  I would have tried to empathize and seen/heard you, but as it was, all I felt from being dismissed was somewhat hurt.

I hope if this kind of situation comes up between us again you'll explain things to me publicly, if you refuse to do so privately.

I don't think I have been insensitive or callous in this forum (although clumsy and awkward does come to mind).  I know I am well intentioned.  But I am also willing to hear how my form or style irritated something in you.

[lighter]

DM..... Lupita will correct me if I'm wrong but....

I believe she's so frustrated with her situation, which has been ongoing and complicated.... very frustrating..... reviewing it may be beyond her right now.

Nothing to do with you personally, IMO.