topic Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS in Community Chat

NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

catlover — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 00:03:50 GMT

Are you ready?

After having the summer off...............

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and the kids on Thursday!

A little anxious-but after 10 minutes it feels like you never left.......like a long weekend.

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

docsgirl — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 00:13:55 GMT

CATLOVER, (I'm a cat lover, too),

I'm 71 years of age and retired but began my teaching career in 1969 in the New York City Schools. Received my Bachelors and Masters, as well as my late husband, at St. John's University in Queens. Took a 2nd Masters and became a reading specialist. WOW!! That was eons ago. I did not retire from there. When I got married, we moved to the South Shore of Long Island and I taught there. If memory serves me correctly, we started the day after Labor Day. The 3 days preceeding, we went in for meetings and to set up our classrooms. Although I've been retired for many years, I work as a substitute teacher here in Ohio. I work in a great district and work every day.

Have a wonderful school year. docsgirl

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

maestra — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 00:25:58 GMT

As a retired middle school teacher I take a certain amount of sarisfaction sleeping late the day after Labor Day.

The stuff dreams are made of...

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

Denise in PA — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 00:40:38 GMT

I have a question for teachers/former teachers.

I taught elementary students in a private school for a few years (2001-2008). I left teaching when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. I had surgery and treatments and decided not to return to the classroom. I was very unsure of myself after going through cancer and didn't know if I could handle a classroom setting.

Fast forward to 2017 - I applied for a teaching position last week. I do think I will be invited to interview.

My question is: how do I address my decision not to return to teaching before this time? I interviewed last year for an administrative position in county government and was unprepared when asked why I did not return to a classroom setting.

Any input is appreciated!

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

catlover — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 00:43:44 GMT

@Denise in PA

just be completely honest....................that's the best you can do.

No one will question you after what you have been through...............

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

fthunt — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 01:01:00 GMT

When you get that interview - slide in the conversation that you are still young and have a lot to give this younger generation. (boy, we all know kids today need all the help they can get) Briefly explain your past medical situation - and now you want to give your knowledge and teaching abilities another go at it. Good Luck - we need more like you.

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

docsgirl — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 01:18:07 GMT

Denise,

I heartily concur with CATLOVER...just be honest. In the school where I substitute, we had a 6th grade teacher who had breast cancer and as soon as she could, she returned to school. Last year, we had another 6th grade teacher with breast cancer. She was able to finish out the school year but decided to retire as she wanted to spend as much time as she could with her family, even though she was declared cancer-free. Everyone approaches situations in the way that is best for them. Good luck. I hope you get the job. docsgirl

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

Pandalady — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 01:55:47 GMT

@catlover Best wishes on a new school year. I teach first grade in Georgia and our kiddos came back on July 31st. We are on balanced calendar and have the week of Sept. 18 off. You are right, once it begins, it does feel like you never left.

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

Pandalady — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 02:03:18 GMT

@Denise in PA I agree with the other posters that you should be honest in the interview. If it were me, I would explain that I know now that I am excited to return to the classroom and eager to make a difference in the lives of the children I will teach. Best wishes to you!

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

haddon9 — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 02:05:28 GMT

The kids in my local school district in PA start tomorrow.

I remember several years ago I was discussing something with another poster here which was school related and it turned out that she had been a student teacher in the elementary school I attended in Brooklyn (PS152)!!

After looking the school up online out of curiosity it seems that things are certainly different today than they were when I attended back in the early 1960s. I think it's now a science magnet school.

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

Lindsays Grandma — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 03:48:38 GMT

I have nothing but the utmost respect for all teachers, past and present. We as parents hand(ed) our children over to you five days a week for most of the year and yours is no easy task.

I grew up in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York. I loved my elementary school except for a math teacher I had, did not like her at all. My absolute favorite was Schimer Junior High and my favorite teacher was Miss Burns who taught my English class. My, that was a lifetime ago. I attended and graduated from Richmond Hill High which was a fantastic experience but my least favorite.

Elementary School was about six long blocks from home which of course my sister and I walked each way on our own. When attending Jr. High we had to use public transportation, two buses, take one, get a transfer, take the other which dropped us off right in front of the school. High School was one bus, again public transportation. There were no school buses in those days that I knew of and stay at home moms didn't drive, who had two cars per family in those days?

I can remember Mr. Harding, the shop teacher for the boys in Jr. High. When the boys were lined up in the hall they wouldn't dare move or open their mouths because he would give them a swat or slap them with whatever he had in his hand. Try doing that today, major lawsuit. But you know what, he got respect from those boys.

I compare school and children from when I was a growing up and the world today, and there is a vast difference. Some may say everything is relevant but I disagree with that. The children of today are not anywhere near like those of my generation. The world today is far different from the world I grew up in and, no disrespect intended, I liked my world a whole lot more, I think it was easier. Granted we didn't have the technology of today but we did just fine.

Seeing all these posts from teachers got me started, sorry about that, didn't mean to get carried away. I think with all that is going on right now, the Harvey Hurricane, the fires in CA and other states and the world in general has made me nostalgic and I am escaping to another time and place of fond memories. God Bless all the teachers, the children need each and every one of you.

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

meallen616 — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 09:55:41 GMT

@catlover,

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

Mmsfoxxie — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 11:57:13 GMT

Good luck, @catlover and all of you teachers going back into the struggle of being a teacher. It is a very difficult profession but worth it.

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

LTT1 — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 22:05:36 GMT

@Denise in PA

Maybe you could tell how the CA made you have some realizations about life? If that is true, it seems this would confirm your decision to return. ?

Good luck! You will be great for the kids!

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

LTT1 — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 22:26:45 GMT

@catlover

and all teachers

Teach those kitties well!

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

bonnielu — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 02:56:47 GMT

Yes, now sleeping late with fond memories of my teaching career. Also a reading specialist who had 30 plus years in middle school. When someone asks how old I am I always say " I AM ELEVEN---NEVER GOT OUT OF THE 6TH GRADE.

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

Bridgegal — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 14:45:45 GMT

@docsgirl wrote:
CATLOVER, (I'm a cat lover, too),

I'm 71 years of age and retired but began my teaching career in 1969 in the New York City Schools. Received my Bachelors and Masters, as well as my late husband, at St. John's University in Queens. Took a 2nd Masters and became a reading specialist. WOW!! That was eons ago. I did not retire from there. When I got married, we moved to the South Shore of Long Island and I taught there. If memory serves me correctly, we started the day after Labor Day. The 3 days preceeding, we went in for meetings and to set up our classrooms. Although I've been retired for many years, I work as a substitute teacher here in Ohio. I work in a great district and work every day.

Have a wonderful school year. docsgirl

I could have written your post. Same age, former teacher (HS and college) and now work PT, not teaching, at a school for talented and gifted students 2-3 days a week. I love being around great kids and great teachers a few days every week.

Re: NYC SCHOOL TEACHERS

wvumountiefan — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 23:17:07 GMT

I work in a public school as an LPN/Teacher's Aide and this quote from Frank Martin is so true. My take on kids today is: If you expect a lot from a kid, they will give you a lot, but if you expect little from them, then they'll give you little. Most of the time kids really want acceptance and love and teachers are some of the greatest people on earth!! ❤️