Teaching woes

I can't believe we're already at the start of the 4th term of the school year. Feels like just yesterday I walked into my very first class where I was completely in control (no cooperating teacher to stand over me) of all of the decisions in the room. I feel a whole lot more comfortable now than I did back then, but I still don't feel 100% certain that this is what I want to do with my life.

I'm still bothered by the fact that most people (parents, students, administrators) are so unappreciative of teachers. As the 3rd quarter ended on Friday, it is time to submit grades and make recommendations for what classes students should take next year. It's sad that I had to recommend a lot of my honors students to take college prep Spanish next year. They're by no means less smart than their classmates who will be moving on to the next level in honors, but they also don't have the dedication and work ethic that those students have. "Honors" students do their homework, participate in class, complete all assignments and projects and do so in a timely manner, study on their own, and seek extra help when they don't understand a concept or even just to be sure that they really do understand the concept. Non-honors students don't do their homework, don't participate in class, don't complete all assignments and projects, don't study on their own, and don't seek extra help when they don't understand. I'm sorry to burst many of their bubbles, but they are not all honors students.

I'm pretty disappointed with all of my students this year, honors and college prep alike. They have no work ethic whatsoever. They also have no respect for their classmates, teachers, or themselves. This is not just in my class. Most of the students that are failling my class are also failing most of their other classes. Something is definitely wrong in the system. Parents blame the teachers, students blame the teachers, administrators blame the teachers. What about blaming the students? Why can't they take 5-10 minutes to do their homework a night? I mean is doing a worksheet or a simple activity really that hard? Is it going to kill you to look over your notes for 5 minutes before (or even after) you watch tv and hang out with your friends?

And what about the parents? Are they not to blame also? Why is it that after every term and report cards go out I get a billion (okay, that's exaggerated. let's say "many") phone calls from parents asking 1) why does my child have a D in your class?, 2) why does it say that my child wasn't in class 8 times this term when I sent him off to school every morning? I always say, "Well, have you asked your child while he/she has a D in my class?" "Have you asked your son/daughter why he/she has 8 absences?" Many times they have no answers. I usually have them. "Your child didn't turn in a project that was worth 20% of his/her grade, even when I gave up to three days after it was due for a reduced grade of 5 points per day." "Your child doesn't participate in class, so his/her participation grade hurts his/her final grade." "Your child has done one homework assigment this term. There is homework every night." "Your child has been asked to come after school for help but has yet to show up." "Your child is frequently unprepared for class." "Your child has skipped class before and was reported to the principal." "Your child has made frequent trips to the nurse during class, and per school rules, being out of class for any reason for more than 20 minutes is considered an absence." "Your child had 10 tardies this term, and every 3 tardies is considered an absence."

What I really want to say is, "What are you teaching your child by blaming his/her teachers for the bad behavior/choices your child makes?" "Why aren't you making sure that you check your child's homework at night or in the morning before school?" "Why are you telling your child that Spanish is not an important subject?" "Why aren't you trying to find out what your kid is doing instead of coming to class or doing homework or studying?" Really. Blaming me for struggling to do my job while your child is the one who's not doing the right thing is just plain wrong and unfair.

So, this whole Parent/Student lack of respect thing is what is really making me consider finding another career. Perhaps I'll give it another year, but if things don't change at least in my classroom, I'm outta there. I can't go through life feeling unappreciated. Many times it's just not worth it.