Comments on: Something’s gotta give…

By: Tom Chambers

Tom Chambers — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:44:20 +0000

Doesn’t it seem that you could be hurting your students in the end here?

If you’re not sure about teaching and don’t have the motivation to provide the positive work environment that so many students need to strive, then why teach?

In my opinion, the sooner you get out of there the sooner you can have the time with your family that you desire.

If you don’t do it for yourself, why don’t you do it for those students who would have to deal with a teacher who has a lack of motivation?

In the end, you’re not happy and I imagine that it is fairly obvious to your students.

“A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on a cold iron.” – Horace Mann

By: Jeanette

Jeanette — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 01:23:48 +0000

This is a delayed response… but only because I too, have been feeling way behind. In fact, as I began to read your post, it sounded exactly the way I’ve felt for the last six weeks or so. But here’s the thing – I’m not a classroom teacher. I’m a principal, and have been out of the classroom since 1999. Trust me – you don’t have all that you have on your plate because of the job you have – you have it on your plate because of the person and professional that you are. That tendency, to take on more and more, will follow you into whatever specific job you take on.

So, follow your heart – go where you want to be, and do what makes you feel fulfilled. Find balance in whatever you take on, and enjoy the challenges your choices bring. It’s part of who you are, so the trick is to pull it together into a “you” that makes you happy.

By: Clay Burell

Clay Burell — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:42:17 +0000

I’m going to keep it short and say thanks for the Twitter connection – I followed back – and if you haven’t read Sean Law’s Slam Teaching, he has a nice way of challenging ideas of the necessity to follow the rules of homework and piles of grading in order to be a “good teacher.”

Hope you continue charting your evolution. My own post “On Leaving Teaching to Become a Teacher” has blown me away with the response. Lots of people feeling this.

By: Ann O

Ann O — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 03:03:12 +0000

Take it one day at a time. I’ve been teaching computers/ math for six years now. I get the spread thin feeling, too. It’s so important to put first things first (family) and the rest will follow. I can’t follow everything myself at times, but I know more now than I did six years ago by just doing one new thing at a time. Getting involved in blogs, wikis, Twitter (and Pownce) has helped me grow. Look at all your options and see where your heart leads you. As Marie said, questioning is healthy.

By: Marie Coleman

Marie Coleman — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:19:14 +0000

The questioning process is stressful, but healthy! I’ve no doubt if you keep your eyes and ears open, you’ll ‘discover’ your next step – whether it be something entirely new or just changing from within! And to plug ‘lifelong learning’ – never hurts to explore those courses or certifications that might open the door when you are ready — speaking from 25+ years of experience!