u/Weeg02

I’m a 2nd year K-4th teacher in Connecticut who isn’t just struggling but is witnessing what public schools are. Please make it through my rant and see if you can help me with my question below.

Im a PE teacher who wants to teach PE. I do not want to just roll a ball out and say “Go play”. I struggle to be the teacher I want to be.

A regular class can look like….

Students who stare me straight in the eye and ignore my every instruction.

Students right in front of me (4 feet away) name calling and shoving.

Constant interruptions, yelling for the sake of yelling, and students who are 7 years old saying “I don’t care” and proceeds to do what ever they want.

Teaching should not be….

Calling for support every class for the support staff to just stare and watch the same chaos I’m enduring due to state laws preventing them from doing anything.

Parenting other peoples kids for them.

Being a side character in Soap opera that we call our elementary school staff.

Doing more of everything else than teaching.

They say it gets better but does it really ?

I’ve spoken to the classroom teachers who are 5-20 years in and I get similar reactions from them. They keep it brief and short but I remember hearing a classroom teacher respond to our principal when she asked “If everything is going well?” She responded with “They just don’t listen to me”.

What really sent me off today was…

Recently a 2nd grader has been off the rails. Constant profanity, walking out the classroom, and their behavior is so spiteful. Today I heard them say the N word, multiple times. I spoke to their classroom teacher and they are already aware of it. Yet they get to hangout in the office, go to recess, and probaly get snacks. I guess I just gotta deal with that behavior like it’s normal.

The list of other issues go on and on.

I’m really not debating on what or who’s to blame. The school system, admin, the laws, lack of consequences, the president, parents, kids being on technology, or even my own management and instructional skills. It doesn’t matter and I want out.

I’m in my 2nd year with a bachelors in physical education. I’m certified to teach in Connecticut but I am yet to get my masters.

When I head back to school to pursue my masters which I will have to do to if I decide to continue teaching. What other career paths are open to me ? With a similar or greater pay, benefits, and retirement. What degrees should I look out for ? Whether it be staying inside the schools but not a direct teaching position or a completely different career.

The most ridiculous thing in this game. A 98 mph fast ball that breaks in 2 directions, produces ground balls, and can be placed almost anywhere in the zone.

I’m a second year elementary PE teacher, and while it’s definitely hard and I still have a lot to learn, I think I’m doing a solid job. I make an effort to expose my students to a wide range of skills, exercises, and activities.

I use a whiteboard daily to go over skills, goals, and expectations, and I base my lessons on a curriculum with standards, at least most of them. I don’t fully agree with every standard, though. I think there should be some flexibility, and that not everything should be dictated strictly by data and research. Teaching isn’t one size fits all.

My classes generally have a good flow, and we transition through units about every month. I haven’t fully implemented assessments yet because I feel like my classroom management and instruction still need a lot more work.

Overall, I’d say I’m a good PE teacher. I could be better and put in more effort but Im almost living pay check to paycheck so I’ll pass on that. With that said, there are definitely weeks where I take a step back. Do things like freeze tag, free play, or some kind of fun, less structured game just to get through the day.

What I’m really curious about is the stereotypical PE teacher. The ones who don’t seem to do much. The ones who recycle the same handful of games all year, don’t follow a curriculum, and treat PE like recess. You know, the “I rolled out some balls, go play” type of teaching.

We all have off days like that, but have you ever come across teachers who operate like that all year? How do they keep their jobs? How do they get away with it? I’m genuinely curious because I haven’t personally encountered anyone like that.