Teaching is not the job for all of us. It's really not. On the outside, teaching looks a lot easier than it really is. Hollywood has a way of making everything look glamours. In reality it is hard work, stressful nights, and exhausting. For new teachers sometimes this stress can be too much. For VETERAN teachers this stress can be too much. Often we hear about the October blues of teaching. Well its October 1st and teachers are dropping. I have had long conversations with several teachers about whether they can make it through the year. It's hard to see the impact you're having in your class when you are in the trenches. My advice for those in October blues is is to stay the course. It may not look like you are having an effect right now, but you are. We often expect perfection right now but we forget it our students have only been with us a month and a half. They are getting used to you and your class. They are learning your expectations. They will catch up and then you will see their learning soar. You yourself are still figuring out what works for you and what doesn't. The planning gets faster, the execution gets easier. There is hope.
If it does become too much though, then you have to think about when and how to leave. Think about the message you are giving the kids. Abandoning a class. Most likely a substitute will take over for weeks if not months. Then your students start over with a new teacher. You owe it to your kids to explain why you can not be there anymore. That is hard, but they deserve an explanation. As teachers we send many messages, not just through our lessons but through our actions. Unfortunately I have seen a few teachers leave during the year my past few years teaching. Walking out of a class is a loud and negative message. Students are frustrated and confused. They want to understand what happened and blame themselves. Even if it was the students, it wasn't all of them. All I ask is to take a second, and think about the effect you are having.
If it does become too much though, then you have to think about when and how to leave. Think about the message you are giving the kids. Abandoning a class. Most likely a substitute will take over for weeks if not months. Then your students start over with a new teacher. You owe it to your kids to explain why you can not be there anymore. That is hard, but they deserve an explanation. As teachers we send many messages, not just through our lessons but through our actions. Unfortunately I have seen a few teachers leave during the year my past few years teaching. Walking out of a class is a loud and negative message. Students are frustrated and confused. They want to understand what happened and blame themselves. Even if it was the students, it wasn't all of them. All I ask is to take a second, and think about the effect you are having.
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