Prep Teacher Overload

[Guest_10441]

I have been a teacher for 19 years and this is the worst year of my career so far. I’ve got 3 students in my Prep class that constantly reek havoc and I’m

not receiving enough support to manage them. Each day they are taking my things, engaging in dangerous play (jumping off tables, running around the classroom) hitting me or other people, screaming and swearing and I’m in a constant stress state. I feel so down about it all. This evening I snapped at my own son because of the emotional fatigue. I quit drinking 2 years ago and will not return to it, I exercise most days, I eat salads and fruit smoothies everyday, I get my 8 hrs of sleep and meditate everyday. I’m trying so hard to protect my mental health but am constantly miserable. I don’t see quitting as an option but not sure how I’m going to sustain this for a year. 

[Croix]

Dear New Member~

I'd like to give you a warm welcome to the Forum, hopefully it will give you a different perspective.

After 19 years I would be sure you would have had a lot of expereince in calming hyper students down and deescalating angry or wilful students too.

Now you have been given 3 that would seem to be beyond any one person's capacity to control and you are accepting this and as a result are very stressed to the point you  thought of resigning.

I would assume you have already discussed this matter with your superiors wihtout satisfactory resolution.

Perhaps you might consider the following rather than just trying to hang on. There are other approaches however I'll just offer this one for the moment.

The fault is not yours and really speaking you have to hand it back to your administration This stress is doing your mental state real harm and also giving you a most unpleasant life and affecting your family.

in order to hand the matter back and either have the students withdrawn or another capable staff member with you when they are present you probably need more than just your own documentation (which I hope is pretty detailed and may include a witness). I'd also suggest you see a doctor and possibly a psychologist not related to your work who can give a medical opinion that your metal state is caused by the teaching conditon you are forced to take. They may go so far as to suggest sick leave.

I'll point out in passing that their behaviour sounds as if other students may be injured, which will place the school in a uncomfortable legal position which they may try to blame on you.

Consequently I would suggest a formal complaint written by a solicitor and sent though Education Department channels, include a time limit, perhaps a week, for the matter to be dealt with in consultation with you and your advocate.

While having a healthy lifestyle (congrats on giving up alcohol, a pretty big triumph) it is not going to make the cause go away and your coping skills can only take so much.

In all of this are you on your own or is there anyone, family or friend or colleague to give you  support, not necessarily fix things but simply listen, understand and care. Being alone makes it much harder.

You  are always very welcome here

Croix

[Rustyswingset]

Hello, this sounds really frustrating. Being a teacher should be about giving you the time and support you need to nurture these kids, however from what I'm hearing it can be hard to put your teaching skills into use to figure out what the kids might need in order to channel their energy and feelings in a safer way. Not feeling supported to do your job working with a bunch of little people would be very overwhelming. My mum used to work HR and jobs working with people like this really take a lot of emotional labour, and it's no wonder you've snapped where you would otherwise have patience. sending hugs ❤️