ditto, but.....

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ditto, but.....
By loretta

I have had the exact same issues. I have been teaching for 12 years. My principal is very kind and supportive. I have an autistic, 3 ADD, 4 RSP, 2 special case IEP types, 2 severe class clowns and loud mouths, 3 with no mothers,
raised by steps, 5 working far below grade level. I love teaching, being creative, I have so many ideas my head swims but I narrow it down. My students enjoy my class. I to have several animals in the class.
I have read so many discipline books (Wong, Canter) out there, went to seminars, spoke at length to new teachers to see what they are told, and I have been feeling like maybe

I don't belong in the classroom.
Some say follow the Madeline Hunter style of teaching, you can't go wrong. Others say be more of a constructivists that's more effective. Don't need to be so strict, just have good behavior management tools in place and your class will work. Every school I go to, each and every year I seem to receive the worse behavior problems, yet, the other teachers will say I have mine too. I do all the positive crap, keep them in a recesses, talk to parents, send computerized grades every 2 weeks so parents can see all the missing work and grades.
I will try this partially. We will practice how to come in from recess, work in a group, sit and wait when papers are being passed out. My principal suggested to make sure I was clear as to transition time, reward class points, (which was already clearly on the board), behavior expectations. I didn't want to seem rude, but, I had already done all of that. It was just that my 13 students seem mindless regarding set classroom procedures. They do listen when I get the ugly hostile face and talk, but I constantly explain that school/work can be fun. It doesn't have to be a drudgery. We can work together, and for those of you students who are well behave aren't responsible for any of this, then what part of the solution are you????? We brainstorm on ways to be part of the solution. I apologize to and recognize the "good" students. They do understand. I am sorry for going on and on but I am losing sleep and I am very upset. I always wanted to be the best teacher. AFter 12 years I really am feeling discouraged. My SAT 9's are strong every year,
No thanks I don't need cheese with my whine. I would like more teachers like the one who wrote: Shut Down, and another one on the gripe session who said, ask colleagues to come in and observe so they can help you improve. Are there any other ideas?
I sure would love to hear more on these special types of students. Thanks
loretta@aub.com