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demtenjeep

(31,997 posts)
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 07:45 PM Apr 2020

Being a teacher during this time is heartbreaking

I call my students weekly -sometimes more

I worry for their safety
I worry for their hunger
I miss their smiles
Heck-I even miss the abuse they piled on this year

I teach PBS students-more commonly known as emotional disturbed. Many were born addicts of some kind and some are obviously abused in their home. This year I had 8 sixth graders and all have had incredibly hard starts in life. Before we left for Spring Break (not knowing it would be the last time to see them) I had made some reports based on some students concerns.

I worry about them constantly and I miss them.

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Being a teacher during this time is heartbreaking (Original Post) demtenjeep Apr 2020 OP
Recommended. H2O Man Apr 2020 #1
my grand daughter is missing her graduation his year :( samnsara Apr 2020 #2
You are a good person. Eko Apr 2020 #3
K and R dewsgirl Apr 2020 #4
My son teaches kindergarten Mz Pip Apr 2020 #5
so very sorry Skittles Apr 2020 #6
My Wife Was With Kids Like That ProfessorGAC Apr 2020 #7
thank you demtenjeep Apr 2020 #8
SO is a public school teacher in FL mcar Apr 2020 #9
I realized something today. EllieBC Apr 2020 #10
we are using Teams demtenjeep Apr 2020 #11
Our school was going to use Zoom as well until the hacks. EllieBC Apr 2020 #12
My daughter the teacher called today. Her cohorts were on zoom to have conference with Superintenden gibraltar72 Apr 2020 #13
My oldest daughter cried the day they shut down schools Victor_c3 Apr 2020 #14
for us we didn't even get to say goodbye. We had kids on March 12 a Thursday and then spring break demtenjeep Apr 2020 #15
I hope you'll be back in the classroom with the kids soon. JustABozoOnThisBus Apr 2020 #16
With you. WinstonSmith4740 Apr 2020 #17
Yes, the lack of abuse does cause withdrawals, but you get used to it world wide wally Apr 2020 #18
Bless you. n/t. NNadir Apr 2020 #19
It's nice to know..... SergeStorms Apr 2020 #20
Today-Good Friday was supposed to be the last day off during the school year demtenjeep Apr 2020 #21

samnsara

(17,570 posts)
2. my grand daughter is missing her graduation his year :(
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 07:48 PM
Apr 2020

...but your students are missing the secure environment you provided. Thank you.. they will remember your kind influence..

Mz Pip

(27,404 posts)
5. My son teaches kindergarten
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 08:06 PM
Apr 2020

He trying to keep things going with online lessons. It’s hard.
School is out for the rest of the year and who knows what the fall will be like.

Skittles

(152,966 posts)
6. so very sorry
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 08:23 PM
Apr 2020

I hate working from home but I keep thinking of doctors, nurses, teachers, the newly unemployed and I tell myself to SUCK IT UP.

ProfessorGAC

(64,425 posts)
7. My Wife Was With Kids Like That
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 08:25 PM
Apr 2020

She was a co-teacher/in-class social worker. I know what kind of person it takes to do that well.
You must be one of those.
Take care!

 

demtenjeep

(31,997 posts)
8. thank you
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 08:36 PM
Apr 2020

I really love them and miss them.


I sent them all cards the first week telling them we will see each other again and that I was proud of them and that I loved and missed them.

One mom told me her son taped his card above his bed.


I hope they feel they can still come to me if they need me


yes-these kids are not easy by any means. But once they let you in or let their guard down, you can see the need from afar

mcar

(42,210 posts)
9. SO is a public school teacher in FL
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 08:45 PM
Apr 2020

He is teaching from home. He's HS math and most of his students are seniors so it's not been too difficult, except for the transition. He's nearing retirement so if perfectly happy to be home.

We have been wondering how elementary and special needs teachers can do this, though. More than 50% of the students in our district qualify for free/reduced meals so that's an issue too.

Thank you for your commitment to your students. It is so important in these times.

EllieBC

(2,961 posts)
10. I realized something today.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 08:59 PM
Apr 2020

My middle kiddo's teacher called (Kindy/Garde 1) today to make sure I got the distance learning packet and to tell me there would be a video on Class Dojo everyone morning from her to the kids going over the calendar. She said to call, text, message her about anything. My oldest is in a grade 4/5 and her teacher uses Google hangouts to meet with the class every morning for 1.5 hours and go over calendar, ideas, etc. She also has "office hours" in the afternoon when they can reach her to ask a question or even just chat.

It dawned on me that while homeschooling is a pain in my butt even though these are my kids...this is my children's teachers LOVE and PASSION. This is hurting them too because they WANT to spend 6 hours a day smiling, sometimes sighing, and teaching our kids. They love them and they aren't getting to do what they love.

So teachers, please know some of us realize this and hear you. You are missing out on doing your passion.

 

demtenjeep

(31,997 posts)
11. we are using Teams
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:01 PM
Apr 2020

at first we were going to use Zoom but no-freaks had to mess that up.



Yes it is our Love and Passion and as crazy as it sounds, we feed off of them as much as they feed off of us

EllieBC

(2,961 posts)
12. Our school was going to use Zoom as well until the hacks.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:06 PM
Apr 2020

Could have been awesome but jerks always gotta ruin everything. Google is doing ok for now.

gibraltar72

(7,486 posts)
13. My daughter the teacher called today. Her cohorts were on zoom to have conference with Superintenden
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:21 PM
Apr 2020

She knows him well said she could tell he'd been crying. They all feel helpless.

Victor_c3

(3,557 posts)
14. My oldest daughter cried the day they shut down schools
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:35 PM
Apr 2020

She loves going to school and takes pride in her work and loves the connections she’s building with friends and with her teachers. They’re all wonderful people and it’s obvious they take pride in what they do.

 

demtenjeep

(31,997 posts)
15. for us we didn't even get to say goodbye. We had kids on March 12 a Thursday and then spring break
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:54 PM
Apr 2020

started and the following Monday during spring break schools were shut down

kids left us for what they thought was 10 days . None of us knew it would be for the rest of the year

JustABozoOnThisBus

(23,283 posts)
16. I hope you'll be back in the classroom with the kids soon.
Wed Apr 8, 2020, 05:32 AM
Apr 2020

I think, at the end of this, parents will have a much deeper appreciation of teachers.

You do so much more than merely throwing erasers at students

WinstonSmith4740

(3,048 posts)
17. With you.
Wed Apr 8, 2020, 11:40 AM
Apr 2020

I teach high school health, but have taught SPED. And I know what you mean...I worry about those kids, and for some reason miss saying "Put the phone away" 20 times a day.











world wide wally

(21,719 posts)
18. Yes, the lack of abuse does cause withdrawals, but you get used to it
Wed Apr 8, 2020, 01:08 PM
Apr 2020

I retired 5 years ago, but i do know what you mean.

SergeStorms

(18,903 posts)
20. It's nice to know.....
Wed Apr 8, 2020, 04:33 PM
Apr 2020

that there are teachers who haven't become jaded in these times. You're a great teacher, and my hat is off to you.

 

demtenjeep

(31,997 posts)
21. Today-Good Friday was supposed to be the last day off during the school year
Fri Apr 10, 2020, 06:14 AM
Apr 2020

Instead, I am going to spend the afternoon calling my students and telling them Happy Easter.



Had we been in the the classroom, I would have given them Easter Eggs.


the last gift I gave them was little Valentine planes to put together with little hearts on them and a huge valentine heart chocolate

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