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teach1st

(5,928 posts)
Thu Aug 3, 2017, 06:28 PM Aug 2017

The travails of the beginning of the school year for a loner teacher

People who know my preferences for being alone and for limiting social engagement sometimes ask me how I can teach. If you don't like being in crowded rooms, they ask, if you don't like being around people, how can you stand being in a roomful of kids?

The answer, of course, is that being a teacher in a roomful of kids, I control the space somewhat. (Additionally, a roomful of students is much different from a roomful of adults.) So, teaching isn't bad at all. I love it.

What I don't love, what I dread, is the beginning of a school year, the time before the students return, when we're required to attend trainings and meetings and other forms of torture.

This week, we had an all-day school meeting full of team-building and ice-breaking. I had to sit in the middle of a large room pretending to like it. The day after that, today, we had training, which consisted of four sessions in cramped high school classes, again, involving much interaction. I don't fault my school or our district for these trainings; a few activities and trainings were well worthwhile. But, after two days of it, after team-building and group activities, after having to introduce myself more times than I'd like, I am drained. I was able to get back-of-the-room seating for most of today's sessions, but still I came close to panic at one point. How nice to get out of there and out of the heavy traffic on the drive home (today's training was 45 minutes away) and into my place, where I live alone. I'm recovering nicely.

I do try to make my classroom a cooperative space, but in an nonthreatening manner. I don't require participation in beginning-of-the-year activities. I always have a few "loner" students each year, and I would wager that I'm more aware of their needs and triggers than many teachers. Over time, I am usually able to gently steer those students into important classroom roles in which they don't feel threatened. Anyway, here's to a great school year, one that includes everybody, and one that has room for a wide-spectrum of student preferences.

Thanks for letting me unload! A few more hours of music and reading and I'll be back to my normal!

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The travails of the beginning of the school year for a loner teacher (Original Post) teach1st Aug 2017 OP
and other teachers try to cram their religion down you throat nt msongs Aug 2017 #1
I've been pretty lucky about that teach1st Aug 2017 #3
I was a loner nurse Warpy Aug 2017 #2
I like the playing a role angle teach1st Aug 2017 #4
Oh, man, that's what I did at work. It really helped. Still, I love being retired!! Nay Aug 2017 #7
PS: There was one redeeming part of today's training teach1st Aug 2017 #5
I thought a number of times about teaching high school. But, Hoyt Aug 2017 #6
It sounds like you're a wonderful teacher! Rhiannon12866 Aug 2017 #8

teach1st

(5,928 posts)
3. I've been pretty lucky about that
Thu Aug 3, 2017, 06:35 PM
Aug 2017

Maybe I just look like the kind of person to whom one shouldn't bring up religion.

Warpy

(110,903 posts)
2. I was a loner nurse
Thu Aug 3, 2017, 06:33 PM
Aug 2017

and I took my cue from showbiz: being on the job was playing a part and that distanced me just enough that I could manage meeting a dozen or so new people every week, people who were definitely not at their best, and coping with them and helping them get well.

There was only one nurse I ever worked with who had a religious axe to grind and she very wisely avoided trying to grind it on me. I guess she realized I know a lot more words than she did.

teach1st

(5,928 posts)
5. PS: There was one redeeming part of today's training
Thu Aug 3, 2017, 06:40 PM
Aug 2017

I was in the back of the high school cafeteria, standing up to get away from the crowded tables, and I noticed that a teacher in the middle of the room was browsing DemocraticUnderground on her computer instead of looking at the educational standards we were supposed to be absorbing. Yay for rogue teachers!

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
6. I thought a number of times about teaching high school. But,
Fri Aug 4, 2017, 03:16 PM
Aug 2017

the anxiety and -- and a natural predisposition to sweat whether nervous or not -- just didn't work for me. Heck, I'd probably have an anxiety attack and go running down the hall.

I speak before adults a lot, but it's usually an hour and I take off afterwards. I finally just started carrying a big towel and when my head started sweating I pulled it out and dried off. Folks always got a kick out of that, so that helped some.

Made it through college with very good test scores, research papers, etc., but hardly ever spoke in class and always sat in the very back or by the door. Used to have projects and would try to get in with a group of the football players -- or slackers -- because I knew I could convince them that I'd handle it and they'd all make "As." They were quite receptive.

We adapt. I have gotten much better.

Also when my wife passed away years ago, I found that on-line dating services were made for someone like me. I've since met someone who understands loners and we get along great, especially if I'm willing to do a few things that I'm not as comfortable.

I bet you were a great teacher.




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