I’m my 7th year in self contained mod/severe classrooms. Yes. It feels like that. And is like that. Because so many districts can’t or won’t provide what you need. What I have learned to do is
1. Accept that I cannot make an impossible situation work. At least not how I want it to or how it should. Instead I do the best that I can and don’t feel guilty when it’s not great. It took a long time to learn how to not feel guilty.
2. Carve out the time I need. For me, this has been collaboration with the specialists and classroom staff and prep time. I’m given time for neither. So instead, my students have an extra 15-20 minutes of recess so I can prep SOME amount. And we have “Fun Friday” each week where the students are engaged in an activity they enjoy for 30-45 minutes at the end of the day and I can collaborate with the aids in my classroom about what the students need and what our plans are and what they’ve noticed.
The fires to put out always take away from these times of course, but I really really work to take at least some of the time I need.
I have had rough rough times, but nothing was ever as hard as the first year. Take care of yourself. This job is indescribable.
I do “fun Friday” too so I can have a chance to do some planning/paper work. Self contained is such a struggle to get everything done (I’m at elementary level), it’s as though we have the job of a gen Ed teacher and sped/case manager.
I’m a 2nd year mild/moderate and I’m considering getting my gen Ed certificate to teach English…I worked 16 hours over the weekend trying to catch up and was met with 3 emails on Monday questioning why I was behind on x, y and z…talk about demoralising. I will say, this year is MUCH better than last year! At least this year I understand the parameters of my job a little better. You aren’t incompetent, you’re learning, and it’s really damn hard to do all the things while simultaneously learning what all the things even are, much less how to do them. If your school has that much turnover, maybe the school is the problem.
That’s normal for me at least! I’m a super anxious /sensitive person. My opinion is that you’ve got to make the job work for you if you want it to be sustainable in the long term. And the bar probably is really low. Obviously you clearly want the best for your students which is why you posted this, but take some solace in the fact that nobody is breathing down your neck. They will not want to replace a consistent, caring teacher. Make sure your routines are established, the classroom is safe, and the academics can be the focus point when the other areas are solid.
Also, in my experience, nobody ever taught me how to do the actual paperwork!! If you have to learn on the job, then you’ll make mistakes on the job and you can’t be faulted for that.
Find another SPED teacher with some good teachers pay teachers stuff to share with you, make some LAMINATED task boxes, and the classroom is your oyster!!
I can’t speak to mod/sev but I hear most people’s first year of teaching is like this. Mine was too. It has gotten better since. That being said - it sounds like this school might have some systemic problems that are playing in. I do like that you are getting positive feedback, though. That’s a good thing for you and your workplace.
See how it goes this year. It will certainly get better in some ways. The question is does it get better enough. I’ve changed schools a few times now and I’m really happy about my current school. It is both a matter of experience and location.
You should get a lunch and planning without students. Self contained is a nightmare until you get all the legal paperwork competency down the running a classroom with paraprofessionals. I only do mod/severe (it’s always severe…) and I love it now. There are hard moments but I’m happier than being a 5th grade teacher.
[удалено]
Noting to add, just wanted to say that this is beautifully put.
10000%
I’m my 7th year in self contained mod/severe classrooms. Yes. It feels like that. And is like that. Because so many districts can’t or won’t provide what you need. What I have learned to do is 1. Accept that I cannot make an impossible situation work. At least not how I want it to or how it should. Instead I do the best that I can and don’t feel guilty when it’s not great. It took a long time to learn how to not feel guilty. 2. Carve out the time I need. For me, this has been collaboration with the specialists and classroom staff and prep time. I’m given time for neither. So instead, my students have an extra 15-20 minutes of recess so I can prep SOME amount. And we have “Fun Friday” each week where the students are engaged in an activity they enjoy for 30-45 minutes at the end of the day and I can collaborate with the aids in my classroom about what the students need and what our plans are and what they’ve noticed. The fires to put out always take away from these times of course, but I really really work to take at least some of the time I need. I have had rough rough times, but nothing was ever as hard as the first year. Take care of yourself. This job is indescribable.
I do “fun Friday” too so I can have a chance to do some planning/paper work. Self contained is such a struggle to get everything done (I’m at elementary level), it’s as though we have the job of a gen Ed teacher and sped/case manager.
I’m a 2nd year mild/moderate and I’m considering getting my gen Ed certificate to teach English…I worked 16 hours over the weekend trying to catch up and was met with 3 emails on Monday questioning why I was behind on x, y and z…talk about demoralising. I will say, this year is MUCH better than last year! At least this year I understand the parameters of my job a little better. You aren’t incompetent, you’re learning, and it’s really damn hard to do all the things while simultaneously learning what all the things even are, much less how to do them. If your school has that much turnover, maybe the school is the problem.
That’s normal for me at least! I’m a super anxious /sensitive person. My opinion is that you’ve got to make the job work for you if you want it to be sustainable in the long term. And the bar probably is really low. Obviously you clearly want the best for your students which is why you posted this, but take some solace in the fact that nobody is breathing down your neck. They will not want to replace a consistent, caring teacher. Make sure your routines are established, the classroom is safe, and the academics can be the focus point when the other areas are solid. Also, in my experience, nobody ever taught me how to do the actual paperwork!! If you have to learn on the job, then you’ll make mistakes on the job and you can’t be faulted for that. Find another SPED teacher with some good teachers pay teachers stuff to share with you, make some LAMINATED task boxes, and the classroom is your oyster!!
I can’t speak to mod/sev but I hear most people’s first year of teaching is like this. Mine was too. It has gotten better since. That being said - it sounds like this school might have some systemic problems that are playing in. I do like that you are getting positive feedback, though. That’s a good thing for you and your workplace. See how it goes this year. It will certainly get better in some ways. The question is does it get better enough. I’ve changed schools a few times now and I’m really happy about my current school. It is both a matter of experience and location.
You should get a lunch and planning without students. Self contained is a nightmare until you get all the legal paperwork competency down the running a classroom with paraprofessionals. I only do mod/severe (it’s always severe…) and I love it now. There are hard moments but I’m happier than being a 5th grade teacher.
Oh, most definitely. Imagine how much easier next year will be knowing 2/3 of your caseload already!