Why I Almost Walked Out of My School and Quit Teaching
I didn't because my work is still undone
Last week, I was ready to quit teaching. The week was already difficult, but Wednesday was horrible. I manage in-school suspension in my school. Now, I bet you are scratching your head, wondering why I would do this to myself. Why would I work in a classroom populated by, at most, 15 difficult children? It's okay, but it requires lots of behavior management.
On Wednesday, I had some of the school's challenging seventh graders. These students do not need to be together. Their personalities are too prominent to be in one room. The stress was intolerable. I was constantly redirecting kids all day. It wears on you to tell someone to stay in their seat and to be quiet.
By the end of the day, I was done. I was emotionally empty. Empathy was gone, and sympathy was bleeding on the sidewalk. I had nothing left. I was ready to walk out the door and kiss my career goodbye.
The 8th hour is my planning period or my class period off. I was eager to get a few minutes away from my "lovely charges." Another teacher relieved me so I could go.
When the new teacher removes his bag from his shoulder, several children swarm him. They were waiting to get a crack at him because he might be more forgiving…
