Survey response

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Survey response
By Thrid Grade Teacher

1) My first day of class was wonderful! After finally having my own room set up, I still didn't have everything exactly how I wanted it. My students were very sweet and we basically spent the first couple of days doing "getting
to know you" activities.
2)Areas that concern me: Meeting the needs of students with behavioral problems. I am not at a Title I school, and basically trouble making kids just sit in the office where they are supposed to do their work. The next day, they are back in the classroom -- with the same problems.
Another area of concern -- all the time wasted meetings that we have to

attend. It really is ridiculous.

3) Resources that are available to me -- a copier, a laminator, any color construction paper, a small Teacher resource section of the library, the internet, a computer and printer, a digital camera, bulletin board paper. Any "toys" that I find on the playground. Student fees, PTO monies, parent donations, a paraprofessional 40 minutes per day.

4) My view of administration is that they are supportive, however, when it comes to your view versus theirs, theirs will win out. Also, the new kid (teacher) always is asked to do the grunge work that the tenured teachers refuse to do. Tutoring, coaching, etc.

5)Things they didn't teach us in college -- LOTS!
Placing the Scholastic and Troll book orders via the internet, documenting time spent on parent communication, keeping a gradebook, what to do when a so-called colleague yells at you, tips for remembering to give a student his medication, That you can actually THROW OUT student work, that you don't keep a grade for every thing they do (I take a math grade perhaps one or two times per week), that the students LOVE to do worksheets (weren't these the biggest no no?)that it only takes 45 seconds to DO a worksheet (for some) others it takes 7 days, how to actually make these kids behave, that achievement tests DO matter to your bosses, that you will never have to write those elaborate lesson plans again, that people you do not know will treat you with added respect and admiration when they learn you are a teacher, that you cannot use the bathroom ALL DAY!, that you should be prepared 2-3 days in advance of getting your period just in case you do, because you can't go to the bathroom ALL DAY!
That you should invest in high$ shoes because you will be on your feet ALL DAY, That preparing for and coming in after a substitute teacher is more trouble than just coming in to school and working, how to spot lice, how to organize your textbooks so you know whose books are back at the end of the year, That you will cry, what to do when you cry, that you will be exhausted and that you will work 10-12 hours a day (no lie).

Good luck!