Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Summer,
Sorry to hear about your current class of learning challenged students. I appreciate your comments about working through the class because you are right we have them ever so often. As long as we know we are doing all we can as professional educators to meet their learning needs we can find satisfaction in our efforts. The ownership of success is on them whether they chose to accept it or not.
Also, I do believe that the coffee shop down the street is hiring if you know anything about making low fat, mocha, expresso, grande, goat's milk de-caffeinated latte. And you thought being a teacher was hard!
Gary

Summer Cervantez

I also have to mention reading this section came at the perfect time for me. I was having one of those days every instructor can relate to, i.e. I wonder if the coffee shop down the street is hiring?

I think it's important to remember the vast majority of teachers/instructors care deeply and are passionate about their work. That is precisely why the bad days/weeks etc. can hit us so hard. We take it personally when students aren't or don't want to learn. I have one class this term that, short of me standing on my head and twirling batons of fire, have little enthusiasm for class. They have terrible attendance and little interest in doing beyond the minimum to pass the class. This class also feeds off each other's negativity. I've taught long enough to know sometimes it happens. It doesn't make the feeling any worse, doesn't mean I'm not going to try my best...but it is disappointing. Here's to REFOCUSING every so often....

Kathy Botts

I agree. This section has been the most beneficial to me so far. I've never given much thought to burn-out.

Kathy

Christopher Slade

Its tough sometimes to fight your own fatigue at the same time fighting a students fatigue.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Eric,
Great to hear! I wish you much success in your teaching and I know you will have it as a result of your dedication and enthusiasm.
Gary