This past week, I held parent conferences and went over the latest report card. For most parents, I had good news and just a short list of things that they needed to work on with their child, but I also had to tell some parents that their child isn't making enough progress to go on to the next grade level. It's hard to break the news, but I try to let them down as easy as possible and stress that it really will be best for the child. And ultimately, the decision is up to the parents. I just see some students struggling in my class and don't want them to lose the little bit of confidence that they have if they get pushed on to a much more challenging grade level. I'm trying to spend more time with these students in small groups, but one teacher can only do so much with a classroom of 20 busy students.
And that brings me to the unfortunate part of this year, when teachers are unsure if they'll have a job next year. Each day is a different story, but this year it just seems far worse than it's been in the past three years. I, most likely, will go back to substitute teaching in a different class each day, never knowing where I'll be or if I'll even have work every day. It's so frustrating to want to do something so badly, but not be able to do it full-time or be making any progress. No pay raises for substitute teachers and I'm not building any seniority, so when teachers are hired back I'm still at the bottom of the list. At least I'm gaining experience and meeting new people and in some ways, I'm still making a difference.
