Sometimes, I wish I were oblivious to the problems with the economy and the threat of losing my job. Reading the news stories that said my job would be cut... Then hearing it at school... 1st, 2nd, 3rd year teachers you're as good as gone... I've not felt this anxiety, this lack of control, this fear of something being so unknown and unsure.
Now, it's been said we (1st, 2nd, 3rd year teachers) are "safe"... the stimulus funding will help... but I'm again just a 1st year teacher in the city... am I really safe? My name is Low on the seniority list. (I mean LOW as in at the bottom, almost.)
Weingarten is right. Teachers start hearing they'll be losing their jobs, and we all start thinking about what to do, where to go, etc. etc... which means, we are Not putting all of our energy into teaching our students who desperately need all the teaching time they can get (at least mine do!).
The whole "not enough" thing scares me, because as I said, I'm the bottom of the totem pole. This is when I wish I knew nothing. This issue of layoffs is so far out of my control. There isn't a thing I can do to prepare myself. I try to push it out of my mind... I'm trying to be optimistic.
Teaching in this city is 100 times more stressful than I ever wish upon anyone.
6 comments:
Another bit of advice is to look into adding things to your resume. Perhaps take an extra specialized course or two during the summer that might give you an edge over others. Embrace technology and help other teachers in the building. Realize that there are other jobs out there, and take time to enjoy the now.
I certainly know how you feel. I lost my job at least four times as a result of being low on the totem pole. It's counterproductive and stupid when the DoE makes threats like that.
When it happened to me, the UFT was no help at all. I put on a suit and walked into every school I could find until someone hired me. That's my best advice, should the worst happen, which it appears it will not. New teachers are very attractive to principals, though, so you'd probably be OK in any case.
Same here... my job is actually paid for by a grant that has been eliminated next year. Will I be as well? Only time will tell...
I trust your anxiety and stress will turn out to be for naught.
Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement. I'm definitely going to work on not worrying about what is out of my control...
Hedgetoad, hopefully things will fall into place to secure your job... I am in the same mood as you... Only time will tell...
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