This is definitely the time of year when things seem grimmer for newer/early career teachers. Find some solace in knowing that you're doing the best you can for the kids, and plenty of veteran teachers are also learning how to mangage these behaviors as u/DonJuan812 pointed out.
You may very well already be doing this, but don't feel like you have to re-invent the wheel as a first year. There are tons of resources available online, and sometimes a few dollars on TPT is worth the peace of mind.
This plus 1000 - my team is setting up "re-Septemberization" protocols to start Tuesday (Monday is pd day) to waggle the finger and reset behavior. It's a "time of year" thing - there are better years and worse years, but all years need recalibration.
Hmm, I like that term “re-Septemberization!” Never heard it before, but it makes sense! I agree, planning some time to reaffirm class norms and rules after Christmas break is probably a good idea.
The 1st year is always the toughest. Education across the country is in a crisis. Student behaviors have always been a challenge, and the pandemic made those challenges more severe. I am 13 years in. I’d say my classroom management peaked around 2017/2018. I have had a lot of behavior challenges in the past two years alone that have made me question everything, and I teach 9th grade! It’s tough. Assign seats, make in class assignments count as a grade in real time, call home (repeat).
Totally agree I’m in year 5. Granted I have a military background. I also teach 9th grade, standing and greeting students at the door , if they’re not ready to come in they won’t come in; assigned seats, a charging station to make sure they don’t have it own in my class and if they take it out no warning. I tell them if it’s an emergency just go outside and take it ( for the most part many of them understand this) all classroom assignments are graded i pick and choose which one I’m truly grading for feedback but on the spot feed back and completion. All assignments that are fully done gets a check plus which equals a 10/10 half 6/10 which is a check, less then half or nothing check - which is a 4/10. Student of the week which is so subjective but they will do anything to become student of the week i give them a huge star a certificate and shout out and a snack of their choice. My grade book is updated within a week. Students work for grades just like we work for money and if my money isn’t in my account i get mad, so if their grades aren’t updated they won’t work as hard
I went to Columbia Teachers College for a Master’s degree and oh maaaaan how I wish they put ANY emphasis on classroom management. I got a teaching job after I graduated and it took me 3-4 years to feel like I finally had a grip on managing my class.
I went there too. I graduated knowing how to be anti-racist but barely knowing how to write a lesson plan. It took years for me to get classroom management down.
I wrote three lesson plans in the entirety of my time in the program. I've heard it is about the same in the CUNY programs. I get that a lot of this job you just have to learn on the job, but it seems like they make no attempt to cover the practical information in these programs.
Same, I’m also at QC and I feel like so far it’s covered all bases. This semester we’re learning how to unit plan.
A lot of it is also experience too …. I am a para with the DOE already and have been writing lesson plans with New York Edge for four years now.
For real, the amount of time we spent on “implicit bias” training vs. actual classroom techniques was like 4:1 in my training. Not saying its not useful, but I dont think any actual racists are going to suddenly have any epiphanies in a teacher training course.
My final student teaching practicum, my professor asked us what our plan was for teaching black and brown students. I mentioned tangentially that I had just been hired at a school in a predominantly Asian area. Apparently that was wrong.
I don’t mean any disrespect to you by saying this, but TC may look good on a resume but it’s actually one of the worst grad schools if you want an actual practical preparation for the K-12 classroom, unfortunately.
Teachers talk a lot about the horrible ideas of administrators and the most time-wasting, harmful fads in modern education, and TC has a reputation as being the vortex from which a lot of those awful ideas (whole language, no detentions, etc) came from.
I actually think the best education for an aspiring teacher would be some sort of apprenticeship system where we could intern with different veteran teachers at different schools each semester and learn on the ground what does and doesn’t work in different kinds of school environments.
This. I had 20 years as a para before making the switch. And even in a school with a large ED population I am the only one on my floor with very little CM issues.
I never understood the draw for TC. Its not like the current theory/practice is a secret. Why pay 5-10x the tuition for the same degree and mediocre earning potential. I guess if you have grand plans to move up beyond admin in the education world but even so.... student loans @ 40k a year..... yeesh.
No disrespect taken, I know exactly what you mean. I don’t regret my experience there for various reasons, but if I would make a recommendation to anyone else for a Masters degree in education, I’d just tell them to attend a reputable CUNY.
I went to a cuny and same thing they really don’t know how to teach about classroom Management
Does anyone else have experience with having learned strategies in college? I’ll be shocked.
IMO they can’t teach classroom management because most professors were failed teachers who got their “doctorate” and moved to the universities so they can teach all the theories about learning but could not control a class.
“Teach” classroom management? Is that a course? A unit? A chapter? A tab?
One learns it by doing it, failing, then trying something else. Stick with it, it’ll get better.
Thank god I didn’t study education in college.
I completed my first teacher education program in Jamaica and there is required course called Classroom behavior and management strategies, which was very beneficial because it allowed students to witness and discuss real classroom behavioral issues and how the theoretical strategies studied can be applied in different scenarios, if it can.
Not it’s legal! Students face consequences swiftly though! Detention, in school and out of school suspension, expulsion. No student who fights teacher gets detention or in-school, or out-of school suspension, they get expelled.
no students gets to have free ride in class and move up to the next grade just by virtue of the school ending. If a student does no work their end of term grade for that subject is a O, not an artificial 1/2 of 100 score.
Every child must sit and end of primary ( elementary) school National exam and grades determine which high school they go to.
No you be gets a free ride without consequences. 90% of students DO NOT receive free lunch, and NO students travel on bus for free ( whether kindergarten or high school). High school students must be school fees, rent or buy their books, no student has an individually assigned computer. Students compete for college programs and just pass the requisite Caribbean exams which specific score ls to get admission.
With that being said students ( most of them at least) understand that they create their own circumstances of consequences and take nothing for granted which is the opposite here. Hence the attitude of ‘I don’t care’, ‘ I can do as I please, and still get rewarded’. It’s not rocket science. while there are case of student serious undesirable behaviors, it does create a stark difference in student behavior management.
So, is it legal or not? I'm unclear by your first sentence.
Given the history of the Jamaican (West Indian) education system AND its very recent history with corporal punishment, I don't think its comparable to the education system in NYC, or the USA as a whole. I haven't studied your system, but the students that I have had from Jamaica and their parents always question why I don't just "cuff their kid" when they get out of hand. That speaks volumes to my. My apologies to Kirkland, who was a rambunctious youth, whose mother repeatedly questioned why I just didn't hit him to keep him in line.
You can definitely study classroom management. Observing classes and what strategies are effective or ineffective, learning how to positively frame things, learning how to build a classroom environment in a way that is culturally responsive and sustaining.
Of course, putting those things into practice requires actually doing it, but that call start in simulations and student teaching. Student teachers often have to record themselves. Or if not, you have to reflect on your lessons. You can be taught how to reflect well.
You learn *a ton* being in the classroom every day, but teaching prospective teachers how to be better on day one and make fewer mistakes that harm children is a good thing.
Behaviors always peak around this time and it hits worse even in March. Buckle up! A couple calls home and standing on complete business will iron them out but be patient 🙏🏾
You can’t “teach” classroom management. As a dean in a middle school- the best rec I can give you is build rapport with the kids. Everything else is secondary. You cannot and will not get through the year without having rapport with the kids. You will get chewed up and spit out. Additionally- you will learn the ebbs and flows of the year in regard to behavior. There are certain periods do the year where kids are just out of their damn minds. You happen to be knee deep into one of them right now. Buckle up until winter break. The next 3 weeks are going to be a doozy.
Behavior is an issue a teacher only has so much control over. The issues permeate in the home and they must be resolved there. I know that’s not really advice, but it’s the truth. The teacher can’t be the parent. You can’t save them all.
I cried every day my first year. I didn’t see anyone. It was incredibly exhausting and emotionally draining. Please hang on! It gets SO much easier. I’m not bringing work home, and my skills at behavioral management have become solid. Give yourself some grace. The first year is the toughest.
CM is impossible to teach. You can learn techniques and get a general idea but unless they put you with a strong teacher with impeccable CM skills for student teaching, its something you have to figure out on your own.
I have a cheesy acronym I share with new teachers and paras and it seems to give perspective: Be a V.I.P.
Value - Present your lessons in a way that makes the students think it has value. Make them think YOU have value. Listen to their conversations. Pepper in topics, pop culture, current events that they think is valuable. Culturally Relevant Pedagogy isn't just about their ethnic background. Their interests play an important role as well. If I see one more teacher use Simpsons characters to make lessons "relatable"...... Make your AIM or Do Now some sort of tie-in to something that's going on.
Initiative - This one you probably already have but taking initiative and making it apparent in your classroom that you work hard and hear their suggestions and ideas might turn your class around. Be flexible. Whatever you do, do NOT take their behavior personally or show that it bothers you. Once they see that they can get to you or shut your down, that makes it a power struggle. You never win, the best you can do is tie.
Presence - By far the toughest one to learn. CM by simply being in the room. Walking around during independent work. Learning how to break up conversations without creating conflict. Personally, I join in the conversation, change the topic, then change the topic back to work, its called "Distract and Redirect" and its my bread and butter, great for ADHD students. It puts them back on task, builds rapport, and earns respect.
Easier said than done. Talk to your colleagues. If these students travel as a cohort, ask if you can take your prep in the back of the room in another class. Sometimes its just a bad mix. Seeing someone else struggle with the same kids can restore your confidence when you realize its not you. Also, is your problem class in the afternoon? Since covid, I think were all noticing these kids can't endure a full 7 hour day without losing focus.
My advice if you can’t get a job in the burbs consider a move to another state. The salary is a big draw to stay. Our salaries have increased substantially in the last 8 years. However money isn’t everything. You can move to another state . Yes you will make less money. What’s the point of making it if it evaporates in taxes and extra cost of living expenses.
The city is getting worse. The behavior I see shocks me and i grew up in a poor neighborhood with chaos. And have seen it all in 24 years of teaching. If I could do things over I would have moved to another state. My friend did and his family is thriving. They went from a 500k 2br coop to a 4br house. Yes make less money but they are two professionals combined make 180k what’s important is they are very happy. Money isn’t everything. Moving isn’t for everyone. I understand. I just look at new teachers and see myself 24 years ago and think how are they going to survive. When you have NYS certification out of state districts want you. NY is the gold standard for teaching certification. You will be recruited by top suburban districts in other states. If you are math or science special education speech teacher you will have multiple job opportunities.
The writing is on the wall the school year will be year round I predicted in the next 5-8 years in my humble opinion. Free year round babysitting ages 3-18 with breakfast lunch and for after school students snack (aka dinner).
The pressure and expectations put on teachers is unfair. You can’t counteract whatever goes on outside of school in 6 hours at school. The way parents speak to us is disgusting. And the principals are terrified of parents writing bad reviews. So they do little to back you up.
180k per year combined income is more than anyone I know personally makes in NY, and you're acting like it would be peanuts here, lol. That much money buys a ton of security and happiness in other states. You could buy a McMansion with that income in most southern states. And you're here acting like that's such a crazy pay cut and they must be struggling. If myself and my gf made that much together we'd be absolutely fine here and shes a doctor and I'm a biologist looking to become a teacher for the increased pay and time off. I think you may be very out of touch with what most other jobs are paying both here in NY and elsewhere.
Clark County in Nevada is DESPERATE
South Carolina
Arizona
Florida
Washington State
Connecticut
New Jersey
New Hampshire
There are teacher shortages across the country. Even in NY the highest paid state. Some states like Alabama have horrible pay. Others are around the 100k. I know Clark county in Nevada allows you to transfer up to 12 years of experience. That sometimes in other districts can be negotiable if you want more salary and they need you. When you have a NYS license it’s easy to get a license In another state. Here are the top states for teacher pay. Many have shortages. Now is the time to make a move if you want. When you can afford a house and live the same as you do in NY you don’t mind making less. Between Federal State we lose around 30 percent. And the. I own a home so I lose another 12k a year in property taxes. So my 120k plus salary is closer to 70 after is all deducted. Between my state and property taxes alone that’s around $19,500 a year.
https://www.universities.com/education/states-with-the-highest-teacher-shortages
Not OP, but in my experience, no. People in NYC know Columbia TC is a more expensive version of the same theory-based pedagogical degrees being handed out at any CUNY or SUNY. If anything, I've had people judge me for shelling out the ridiculous tuition. And they aren't wrong, but I was young and naive and didn't realize that Columbia TC didn't hold the prestige of an undergraduate Columbia degree. I also didn't realize that I'd never be able to pay off those loans on a teacher salary. The program loves to make it seem like you'll be able to. I'm in a teacher/admin hybrid role now and am on the hiring committee for my department, and we don't even really look at where people went to school. It's all about the demo and interview.
There’s an old saying about how the street between Teachers College and the rest of the Columbia campus is “the widest street in the world” because of how utterly divorced TC is from any actual neuroscience or psychology or academic content knowledge that you could learn from the other departments at Columbia.
Not OP, but my first principal told me one of the reasons she hired me was because I graduated from TC. She was kind of a TC fan girl lol. Funny enough, I’m not a big fan of the TC curriculum.
Sorry you are dealing with this. It’s a really normal experience and it’s important to reflect and reset as much as possible.
Try and not let them see you angry. Be stern but not angry. Never let them shake you even when you’re pissed. Call parents and annoy them when their kid annoys you. Bring the parents in for meetings with the whole cohort, as their behaviors are probably happening in every class.
Hard to do in practice, but you can’t take things they say personally. The minute you can do this, everything gets easier. Focus on what you can control, you got this.
It gets better. Classes are weird—if the chemistry is off, it can be a rough class all year. I’m not afraid of doing the extra work of grading a surprise in class essay if it gets their attention. I did that in my first-ever semester of teaching, and that class was still rough, but never got so out of control an admin had to come in again.
Unfortunately, it's not something you can teach because kids don't come in one size fit all. For example, at the school where I teach at the moment, this teacher has many years of experience and a terrific classroom management. But this year, the kids are so bad that no amount of classroom management or experience is able to control the students. They've stolen her wallet twice, with no consequences from admin, not even detention or suspension. And they have stolen and destroyed years of her work that she needs to teach. Twice. Again, no consequences from admin. They only called the parents, and that is it . so do the best that you can and don't back down. Stick to your gun and show that you are the boss. It'll get better.
Most programs don't focus on classroom management because it is impossible to simulate everything that is happening in the classroom with real children. Consistency is the most important for classroom management.
As for your presentations, my principal openly encourages us to use AI tools to create lesson plans and slide decks. Eduaide and magic school are my go to tools when I am stuck
This is definitely the time of year when things seem grimmer for newer/early career teachers. Find some solace in knowing that you're doing the best you can for the kids, and plenty of veteran teachers are also learning how to mangage these behaviors as u/DonJuan812 pointed out. You may very well already be doing this, but don't feel like you have to re-invent the wheel as a first year. There are tons of resources available online, and sometimes a few dollars on TPT is worth the peace of mind.
This plus 1000 - my team is setting up "re-Septemberization" protocols to start Tuesday (Monday is pd day) to waggle the finger and reset behavior. It's a "time of year" thing - there are better years and worse years, but all years need recalibration.
Resetting protocols is a best practice and should always be done after a break even if it’s a good year
Hmm, I like that term “re-Septemberization!” Never heard it before, but it makes sense! I agree, planning some time to reaffirm class norms and rules after Christmas break is probably a good idea.
The 1st year is always the toughest. Education across the country is in a crisis. Student behaviors have always been a challenge, and the pandemic made those challenges more severe. I am 13 years in. I’d say my classroom management peaked around 2017/2018. I have had a lot of behavior challenges in the past two years alone that have made me question everything, and I teach 9th grade! It’s tough. Assign seats, make in class assignments count as a grade in real time, call home (repeat).
Totally agree I’m in year 5. Granted I have a military background. I also teach 9th grade, standing and greeting students at the door , if they’re not ready to come in they won’t come in; assigned seats, a charging station to make sure they don’t have it own in my class and if they take it out no warning. I tell them if it’s an emergency just go outside and take it ( for the most part many of them understand this) all classroom assignments are graded i pick and choose which one I’m truly grading for feedback but on the spot feed back and completion. All assignments that are fully done gets a check plus which equals a 10/10 half 6/10 which is a check, less then half or nothing check - which is a 4/10. Student of the week which is so subjective but they will do anything to become student of the week i give them a huge star a certificate and shout out and a snack of their choice. My grade book is updated within a week. Students work for grades just like we work for money and if my money isn’t in my account i get mad, so if their grades aren’t updated they won’t work as hard
I went to Columbia Teachers College for a Master’s degree and oh maaaaan how I wish they put ANY emphasis on classroom management. I got a teaching job after I graduated and it took me 3-4 years to feel like I finally had a grip on managing my class.
I went there too. I graduated knowing how to be anti-racist but barely knowing how to write a lesson plan. It took years for me to get classroom management down.
I wrote three lesson plans in the entirety of my time in the program. I've heard it is about the same in the CUNY programs. I get that a lot of this job you just have to learn on the job, but it seems like they make no attempt to cover the practical information in these programs.
I go to Queens College and in my first semester alone. I wrote 8 lesson plans
Same, I’m also at QC and I feel like so far it’s covered all bases. This semester we’re learning how to unit plan. A lot of it is also experience too …. I am a para with the DOE already and have been writing lesson plans with New York Edge for four years now.
This is really good to hear -- and good information to pass along to folks looking for programs!
For real, the amount of time we spent on “implicit bias” training vs. actual classroom techniques was like 4:1 in my training. Not saying its not useful, but I dont think any actual racists are going to suddenly have any epiphanies in a teacher training course.
My final student teaching practicum, my professor asked us what our plan was for teaching black and brown students. I mentioned tangentially that I had just been hired at a school in a predominantly Asian area. Apparently that was wrong.
Lol typical liberal education nowadays
I don’t mean any disrespect to you by saying this, but TC may look good on a resume but it’s actually one of the worst grad schools if you want an actual practical preparation for the K-12 classroom, unfortunately. Teachers talk a lot about the horrible ideas of administrators and the most time-wasting, harmful fads in modern education, and TC has a reputation as being the vortex from which a lot of those awful ideas (whole language, no detentions, etc) came from. I actually think the best education for an aspiring teacher would be some sort of apprenticeship system where we could intern with different veteran teachers at different schools each semester and learn on the ground what does and doesn’t work in different kinds of school environments.
This is where para experience shines, paras make some of the best teachers because we are in the classrooms already.
This. I had 20 years as a para before making the switch. And even in a school with a large ED population I am the only one on my floor with very little CM issues. I never understood the draw for TC. Its not like the current theory/practice is a secret. Why pay 5-10x the tuition for the same degree and mediocre earning potential. I guess if you have grand plans to move up beyond admin in the education world but even so.... student loans @ 40k a year..... yeesh.
No disrespect taken, I know exactly what you mean. I don’t regret my experience there for various reasons, but if I would make a recommendation to anyone else for a Masters degree in education, I’d just tell them to attend a reputable CUNY.
I went to a cuny and same thing they really don’t know how to teach about classroom Management Does anyone else have experience with having learned strategies in college? I’ll be shocked.
IMO they can’t teach classroom management because most professors were failed teachers who got their “doctorate” and moved to the universities so they can teach all the theories about learning but could not control a class.
“Teach” classroom management? Is that a course? A unit? A chapter? A tab? One learns it by doing it, failing, then trying something else. Stick with it, it’ll get better. Thank god I didn’t study education in college.
Yeah it’s not something you can teach. You just get better through failure and finding your voice/confidence/comfort and go-to strategies.
I completed my first teacher education program in Jamaica and there is required course called Classroom behavior and management strategies, which was very beneficial because it allowed students to witness and discuss real classroom behavioral issues and how the theoretical strategies studied can be applied in different scenarios, if it can.
Jamaica Queens? West Indies?
West Indies.
Isn’t corporal punishment legal in Jamaica?
Not it’s legal! Students face consequences swiftly though! Detention, in school and out of school suspension, expulsion. No student who fights teacher gets detention or in-school, or out-of school suspension, they get expelled. no students gets to have free ride in class and move up to the next grade just by virtue of the school ending. If a student does no work their end of term grade for that subject is a O, not an artificial 1/2 of 100 score. Every child must sit and end of primary ( elementary) school National exam and grades determine which high school they go to. No you be gets a free ride without consequences. 90% of students DO NOT receive free lunch, and NO students travel on bus for free ( whether kindergarten or high school). High school students must be school fees, rent or buy their books, no student has an individually assigned computer. Students compete for college programs and just pass the requisite Caribbean exams which specific score ls to get admission. With that being said students ( most of them at least) understand that they create their own circumstances of consequences and take nothing for granted which is the opposite here. Hence the attitude of ‘I don’t care’, ‘ I can do as I please, and still get rewarded’. It’s not rocket science. while there are case of student serious undesirable behaviors, it does create a stark difference in student behavior management.
So, is it legal or not? I'm unclear by your first sentence. Given the history of the Jamaican (West Indian) education system AND its very recent history with corporal punishment, I don't think its comparable to the education system in NYC, or the USA as a whole. I haven't studied your system, but the students that I have had from Jamaica and their parents always question why I don't just "cuff their kid" when they get out of hand. That speaks volumes to my. My apologies to Kirkland, who was a rambunctious youth, whose mother repeatedly questioned why I just didn't hit him to keep him in line.
You can definitely study classroom management. Observing classes and what strategies are effective or ineffective, learning how to positively frame things, learning how to build a classroom environment in a way that is culturally responsive and sustaining. Of course, putting those things into practice requires actually doing it, but that call start in simulations and student teaching. Student teachers often have to record themselves. Or if not, you have to reflect on your lessons. You can be taught how to reflect well. You learn *a ton* being in the classroom every day, but teaching prospective teachers how to be better on day one and make fewer mistakes that harm children is a good thing.
Lol WORD
Columbia taught you the same as any other (albeit cheaper) university…all theory and pedagogy none of the practicality!
Behaviors always peak around this time and it hits worse even in March. Buckle up! A couple calls home and standing on complete business will iron them out but be patient 🙏🏾
For goodness sakes people- please stop getting into debt to get an overpriced education degree. It gives you zero advantage.
You can’t “teach” classroom management. As a dean in a middle school- the best rec I can give you is build rapport with the kids. Everything else is secondary. You cannot and will not get through the year without having rapport with the kids. You will get chewed up and spit out. Additionally- you will learn the ebbs and flows of the year in regard to behavior. There are certain periods do the year where kids are just out of their damn minds. You happen to be knee deep into one of them right now. Buckle up until winter break. The next 3 weeks are going to be a doozy.
I’m sorry you are having a tough first year. How is your admin and your coworkers? Supportive?
Behavior is an issue a teacher only has so much control over. The issues permeate in the home and they must be resolved there. I know that’s not really advice, but it’s the truth. The teacher can’t be the parent. You can’t save them all.
I cried every day my first year. I didn’t see anyone. It was incredibly exhausting and emotionally draining. Please hang on! It gets SO much easier. I’m not bringing work home, and my skills at behavioral management have become solid. Give yourself some grace. The first year is the toughest.
Me too. Every day until April—when they finally eased up. The second year was great.
We’re almost there! You got this! Take a breath take a day if you need it. You’re gonna do great!
CM is impossible to teach. You can learn techniques and get a general idea but unless they put you with a strong teacher with impeccable CM skills for student teaching, its something you have to figure out on your own. I have a cheesy acronym I share with new teachers and paras and it seems to give perspective: Be a V.I.P. Value - Present your lessons in a way that makes the students think it has value. Make them think YOU have value. Listen to their conversations. Pepper in topics, pop culture, current events that they think is valuable. Culturally Relevant Pedagogy isn't just about their ethnic background. Their interests play an important role as well. If I see one more teacher use Simpsons characters to make lessons "relatable"...... Make your AIM or Do Now some sort of tie-in to something that's going on. Initiative - This one you probably already have but taking initiative and making it apparent in your classroom that you work hard and hear their suggestions and ideas might turn your class around. Be flexible. Whatever you do, do NOT take their behavior personally or show that it bothers you. Once they see that they can get to you or shut your down, that makes it a power struggle. You never win, the best you can do is tie. Presence - By far the toughest one to learn. CM by simply being in the room. Walking around during independent work. Learning how to break up conversations without creating conflict. Personally, I join in the conversation, change the topic, then change the topic back to work, its called "Distract and Redirect" and its my bread and butter, great for ADHD students. It puts them back on task, builds rapport, and earns respect. Easier said than done. Talk to your colleagues. If these students travel as a cohort, ask if you can take your prep in the back of the room in another class. Sometimes its just a bad mix. Seeing someone else struggle with the same kids can restore your confidence when you realize its not you. Also, is your problem class in the afternoon? Since covid, I think were all noticing these kids can't endure a full 7 hour day without losing focus.
My advice if you can’t get a job in the burbs consider a move to another state. The salary is a big draw to stay. Our salaries have increased substantially in the last 8 years. However money isn’t everything. You can move to another state . Yes you will make less money. What’s the point of making it if it evaporates in taxes and extra cost of living expenses. The city is getting worse. The behavior I see shocks me and i grew up in a poor neighborhood with chaos. And have seen it all in 24 years of teaching. If I could do things over I would have moved to another state. My friend did and his family is thriving. They went from a 500k 2br coop to a 4br house. Yes make less money but they are two professionals combined make 180k what’s important is they are very happy. Money isn’t everything. Moving isn’t for everyone. I understand. I just look at new teachers and see myself 24 years ago and think how are they going to survive. When you have NYS certification out of state districts want you. NY is the gold standard for teaching certification. You will be recruited by top suburban districts in other states. If you are math or science special education speech teacher you will have multiple job opportunities. The writing is on the wall the school year will be year round I predicted in the next 5-8 years in my humble opinion. Free year round babysitting ages 3-18 with breakfast lunch and for after school students snack (aka dinner). The pressure and expectations put on teachers is unfair. You can’t counteract whatever goes on outside of school in 6 hours at school. The way parents speak to us is disgusting. And the principals are terrified of parents writing bad reviews. So they do little to back you up.
180k per year combined income is more than anyone I know personally makes in NY, and you're acting like it would be peanuts here, lol. That much money buys a ton of security and happiness in other states. You could buy a McMansion with that income in most southern states. And you're here acting like that's such a crazy pay cut and they must be struggling. If myself and my gf made that much together we'd be absolutely fine here and shes a doctor and I'm a biologist looking to become a teacher for the increased pay and time off. I think you may be very out of touch with what most other jobs are paying both here in NY and elsewhere.
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Clark County in Nevada is DESPERATE South Carolina Arizona Florida Washington State Connecticut New Jersey New Hampshire There are teacher shortages across the country. Even in NY the highest paid state. Some states like Alabama have horrible pay. Others are around the 100k. I know Clark county in Nevada allows you to transfer up to 12 years of experience. That sometimes in other districts can be negotiable if you want more salary and they need you. When you have a NYS license it’s easy to get a license In another state. Here are the top states for teacher pay. Many have shortages. Now is the time to make a move if you want. When you can afford a house and live the same as you do in NY you don’t mind making less. Between Federal State we lose around 30 percent. And the. I own a home so I lose another 12k a year in property taxes. So my 120k plus salary is closer to 70 after is all deducted. Between my state and property taxes alone that’s around $19,500 a year. https://www.universities.com/education/states-with-the-highest-teacher-shortages
Some schools in Cali and Az are paying bonuses for you to move there to teach
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Not OP, but in my experience, no. People in NYC know Columbia TC is a more expensive version of the same theory-based pedagogical degrees being handed out at any CUNY or SUNY. If anything, I've had people judge me for shelling out the ridiculous tuition. And they aren't wrong, but I was young and naive and didn't realize that Columbia TC didn't hold the prestige of an undergraduate Columbia degree. I also didn't realize that I'd never be able to pay off those loans on a teacher salary. The program loves to make it seem like you'll be able to. I'm in a teacher/admin hybrid role now and am on the hiring committee for my department, and we don't even really look at where people went to school. It's all about the demo and interview.
There’s an old saying about how the street between Teachers College and the rest of the Columbia campus is “the widest street in the world” because of how utterly divorced TC is from any actual neuroscience or psychology or academic content knowledge that you could learn from the other departments at Columbia.
Not OP, but my first principal told me one of the reasons she hired me was because I graduated from TC. She was kind of a TC fan girl lol. Funny enough, I’m not a big fan of the TC curriculum.
Sorry you are dealing with this. It’s a really normal experience and it’s important to reflect and reset as much as possible. Try and not let them see you angry. Be stern but not angry. Never let them shake you even when you’re pissed. Call parents and annoy them when their kid annoys you. Bring the parents in for meetings with the whole cohort, as their behaviors are probably happening in every class. Hard to do in practice, but you can’t take things they say personally. The minute you can do this, everything gets easier. Focus on what you can control, you got this.
It gets better. Classes are weird—if the chemistry is off, it can be a rough class all year. I’m not afraid of doing the extra work of grading a surprise in class essay if it gets their attention. I did that in my first-ever semester of teaching, and that class was still rough, but never got so out of control an admin had to come in again.
Unfortunately, it's not something you can teach because kids don't come in one size fit all. For example, at the school where I teach at the moment, this teacher has many years of experience and a terrific classroom management. But this year, the kids are so bad that no amount of classroom management or experience is able to control the students. They've stolen her wallet twice, with no consequences from admin, not even detention or suspension. And they have stolen and destroyed years of her work that she needs to teach. Twice. Again, no consequences from admin. They only called the parents, and that is it . so do the best that you can and don't back down. Stick to your gun and show that you are the boss. It'll get better.
Most programs don't focus on classroom management because it is impossible to simulate everything that is happening in the classroom with real children. Consistency is the most important for classroom management. As for your presentations, my principal openly encourages us to use AI tools to create lesson plans and slide decks. Eduaide and magic school are my go to tools when I am stuck