TheApple

There's a lot of talk about The 8 Toughest Education Jobs. Which do you think is the toughest?

So true, John! The grass does always seem greener and sometimes the job we currently have does seem the hardest.

Maybe the question should be, "what's the hardest education job you've ever had?"

Okay, for once I disagree with John. I want to pick someone else's a s being the toughest. I don't find it tough I find it a rewarding challenge. But if we are talking about it making one cry then I would say pre-k or Kindergarten. I am not capable of doing it without crying.
My position is not tough. It is challenging, but I embrace every challenge.

johnslat says ... 

P.S. Actually, considering the current economic scene, the toughest job now in education just might be "Not having one."

Well said.

Okay I guess I wasn't paying close attention. I just skimmed and that is how I came to the conclusion I disagree. Sorry, I need to focus.

John, that is affirmative.

 It's all tough and it's all rewarding. I'd have to say that subbing in an inner city school would be really hard, but anyone can get through the day.

Here's why I think my gig is one of the toughest. I teach kindergarten in a high poverty, poco ingles type of environment. Among the 20 children I have to teach ( so here's to you uppers that have 36 right now ) , Jorge and Evelyn are put in the same class. Why is this tough? Jorge and the like have been, in my view, abused (neglect) by their so-called "parents". He scribbles like a one-year old, wants only to play (he just wanders off to the centers/blocks), and asks me in very broken English when are we going to eat lunch all day long. Evelyn, on the other hand, explains to me that on Sundays, she has swim class. She helps me and others clean up and her parents check up on her every day. Then there is every gradation or level in between. 

If I were teaching children how to ski, I would have advanced, intermediate and beginning skiers all in the same class. Where would I take them all? Which slope? What would I teach them?

I don't think it gets any tougher. Wait! I just thought of something. We have an "academic" kindergarten which means our district expects children to score at a certain level in reading at the end of the year. We also have a SBRC (Standards Based Report Card) which values hitting the mark and not making progress (below basic, basic, proficient, advanced). If you are not proficient, the school is not proficient.

This is the cloud and shame and stress that TEACHERS have over their head. Nobody wants to admit that it's mostly the parents, their income level, and the child's exposure to literacy and meaningful cognitive experiences from age 1-5 that determines school success.

Hey, it's rewarding, just like Superman's ability to fight criminals, but I don't think there is anything out there that is tougher in education.

math_evans says ...

Teaching year-round in a juvenile detention facility is tough. 

 

THE WINNER!!!!!!

I teach year-round in a juvenile placement for boys grades 9-12. Since it is a private facility, there are lots of challenges: an inner city population, all with criminal records, almost all have some sorts of special needs, few supplies, and an administration whose primary objective in this economy is keeping us open. I teach 9th and 12th grade English, and for the first year I had to create my own curriculum. I also am not blessed with textbooks.I'm also one of only two female teachers (though there are a few more in our special ed. department). It's extremely difficult, but I'm in my third year now. With our high teacher turnover rate, I am considered a seasoned veteran. The daily struggle is exhausting, but reaching even one child once in awhile and focusing on tiny victories make it a worthwhile endeavor.

ljgray says ...

I teach year-round in a juvenile placement for boys grades 9-12. Since it is a private facility, there are lots of challenges: an inner city population, all with criminal records, almost all have some sorts of special needs, few supplies, and an administration whose primary objective in this economy is keeping us open. I teach 9th and 12th grade English, and for the first year I had to create my own curriculum. I also am not blessed with textbooks.I'm also one of only two female teachers (though there are a few more in our special ed. department). It's extremely difficult, but I'm in my third year now. With our high teacher turnover rate, I am considered a seasoned veteran. The daily struggle is exhausting, but reaching even one child once in awhile and focusing on tiny victories make it a worthwhile endeavor.

I commend you on your work. I know that you do make a difference. It takes a big heart and a lot of will to do the job you do and receive only the hope that your kids are getting it and you are making an impact.

So I want to say "YOU GO GIRL, AND KEEP IT UP".

Braincrapper,

I would disagree with you. I had the best first year ever. It is this year I am finding difficult. I am not teaching full ltime. I do have a very supportive school in which I permanently sub until something full time opens. I don't think it is a first year thing.

how about the choice- substitute teacher in an inner city with a city run school district and no budget b/c PA cannot pass a budget on time... but I LOVE MY JOB!!! Praise Him!

Thank you to all the teachers, educators, lunch ladies and lunch lads, janitors, tutors, assistants, aides, counselors, PRINCIPALS, assistant principals, bus drivers, crossing gaurds, mentors,

& students

& parents!

you all rock!

As A  teacher I teach in the pre-k age group it is both challenging and rewarding and the children are still young enough that they can be taught to listen and follow rules etc.etc. As a parent I would have to say Middle School,my son is 12 and started Middle School this year  and those teachers have to put up with alot of crap,crap they might not have to put up with,if they were permitted to disipline students. And I dont meant detention and in school suspension,I mean displine.

When I was in school,you were still allowed to disipline students and then the adults had control of the school not the kids.When my principal gave licks you heard it all over the school.for those of you to young to know what licks are that is the   paddle you were permitted to swat a kid with,boy or girl.

So many kids today have no respect for rules or any kind of authority,they do what they want,whenever they want and there seem to be no consequences for their actions.I apologize for my diatribe.I would like some feedback though,if you guys don't mind.

hatesstarwars says ...

As A  teacher I teach in the pre-k age group it is both challenging and rewarding and the children are still young enough that they can be taught to listen and follow rules etc.etc. As a parent I would have to say Middle School,my son is 12 and started Middle School this year  and those teachers have to put up with alot of crap,crap they might not have to put up with,if they were permitted to disipline students. And I dont meant detention and in school suspension,I mean displine.

When I was in school,you were still allowed to disipline students and then the adults had control of the school not the kids.When my principal gave licks you heard it all over the school.for those of you to young to know what licks are that is the   paddle you were permitted to swat a kid with,boy or girl.

So many kids today have no respect for rules or any kind of authority,they do what they want,whenever they want and there seem to be no consequences for their actions.I apologize for my diatribe.I would like some feedback though,if you guys don't mind.

That would be the "Board Of Education"!

braincrapper says ...

“Our strongest and most vivid human memories are usually associated with strong emotional events such as those associated with extreme fear, love and rage. For many of us, our deepest memories are mental snapshots taken during times of high emotional impact or involvement."

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/adrenaline-helps-brain-store-traumatic-memories_100111003.html

So if this is true, then right before a paddling, wouldn't your adrenaline be pumping? (if you were afraid anyway) Some of my more vivid memeories are paddlings. And I could tell you why I got them too. And I deserved them too. :)

Ooops...Off topic...don't ban me dude!