Am I Washed Up or Burned Out
By DW Davis
@DWDavis (25812)
Pikeville, North Carolina
February 23, 2017 4:14pm CST
Today I had my EVAAS Evaluation meeting with my Principal. It did not go well. Last year my science students did well on the year-end final exam.
However, according to some eggheads at some company that charges the states millions a year to predict where the students’ scores should be based on their performance over the prior three years, my students didn’t score high enough to show enough growth – they showed growth – to make the eggheads happy.
So, I got called on the carpet today and was basically told that if my students this year don’t show enough growth to make the eggheads happy, I should probably start looking for a different line of work.
All the positive energy and optimism I'd been feeling this week after the change of homerooms and the good things that seemed to be flowing from the change disappeared in an instant.
This is the thanks I get for 16 years of pouring my heart and soul; blood, sweat, and tears into these kids.
What would you do if you were in my shoes?
15 people like this
17 responses
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
23 Feb 17
I think it's so sad. Teaching used to be about learning new things while enjoying it. Now it's just about passing tests. 
I'm sorry your going through this-it's unfair.
I'm sorry your going through this-it's unfair.4 people like this
@rebelann (111310)
• El Paso, Texas
23 Feb 17
What a shame. I would think those silly eggheads would look at each student individually to see where their strengths lie so that they can better determine if those students were actually equipped to perform as they would want.
It seems to me that too much emphasis is placed on a teachers abilities instead of a students abilities. Academics like other talents is not often taught as much a honed.
I know, apply for an egghead position, once you've achieved that oppose those fools.
3 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
24 Feb 17
The system keeps making it harder and harder on students and teachers. Kids hate taking tests. Our schools implemented the Common Core last year and all the students struggled with it, but teacher's assessments are based on how well the kids are doing.. and that's not right.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
24 Feb 17
@DWDavis Gawd!! Nobody would want to take a test that long! Ugh!
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
24 Feb 17
@katsmeow1213 Yet our kids have to from 3rd grade through 8th grade. And in 5th and 8th grade they take not 2, but 3 such tests.
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
24 Feb 17
@DianneN Out of nearly 100 7th graders I teach, regular ed mind you, less than a dozen are doing math at a 7th grade level. Most are between 3rd and 5th. A few are not even at 3rd grade level. Yet, like you were, I am expected to prepare all of them to test at the 7th grade level by the end of May.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247219)
• United States
24 Feb 17
@DWDavis I had to teach my sped. students 6th grade math when most of them were on a 3rd grade level. I'm being very generous here when I say grade 3. What I am saying is that I had to teach to the test. It was so stressful with kids with such low IQs and no appreciation for school. But I had to make Central offices and both principals proud!
1 person likes this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
23 Feb 17
It's all about the results, baby! The day we stop insisting on results being the be all and end all, will be the day that children start to warm to learning. Education is a one size fits all phenomena, but everybody knows that this isn't true. *sigh* ... you're a brilliant teacher and your skills may be more appreciated in a different school. How disheartening and demoralising, you poor thing.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
24 Feb 17
A 16-year veteran called on the carpet so to speak? What are you supposed to do, beat it into the kids? You would be dismissed because some kids test scores aren't good enough? That's how you are appraised? Crazy. Just finish out the semester as best you can and try to recharge during summer vacation.
2 people like this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
24 Feb 17
That about sums it up. My Principal is worried because if our scores as a school don't improve her job is on the line, so she's pressuring us to bring up test scores no matter what it takes. Time to stop teaching math, and teach to the test.
2 people like this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
24 Feb 17
@JohnRoberts I am at least pondering a change of venue from public to private schools.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
24 Feb 17
@DWDavis I know you have to have steady paycheck, but are you weary of the hassles and perhaps ponder a career change?
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
24 Feb 17
It is ridiculous that teachers are not allowed to teach and those eggheads you mention call the shots. Guessing this will never stop. Seems we have been fighting this battle far too long. What else do you love to do?
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
24 Feb 17
@PatZAnthony Many years ago I taught a intro to taxes class at the local community college. It was actually rather fun. Nowadays I couldn't do it as I don't have a masters in taxation or accounting and one or the other is a must or the credits won't transfer to a 4-year school.
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
24 Feb 17
@DWDavis What about teaching adults? Oh, wait! They are terrible-don't do it!
1 person likes this
@Beatburn (4287)
• Philippines
24 Feb 17
Assessments, while they are helpful in giving an idea of a students' progress, should not be the only reference to determine teacher effectiveness.
They should get feedback from the students.
Don't let those evaluators affect you. They are a bunch of ____holes.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49158)
• United States
24 Feb 17
So sorry this happened. It really stinks when we feel unappreciated.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
24 Feb 17
@Tampa_girl7 Thanks. I've got a lot of thinking and praying to do.
@Tampa_girl7 (49158)
• United States
24 Feb 17
@DWDavis I hope that you make the right choice and that things will get better.......hugs to you
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
24 Feb 17
I'd be ticked off @DWDavis . I'd be telling 'them' to get their butts down into the classroom for a solid week of learning.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
27 Feb 17
@nanette64 The days when we were number one harken back to the days when, like the nations we are being measured against, only the college bound took the tests by which such things are measured. Now, everyone takes the test. In NC, all high school juniors take the ACT, not just the college bound.
Those nations rated higher than us only let the highest scoring students, bound for university, take such tests.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
25 Feb 17
@DWDavis Since the US went from #1 in the world to #27 in Education, maybe that's why the higher-ups want to mess with the stats.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
23 Feb 17
The "eggheads" work for a consulting company that has a long-term contract with the state. They won't be going away anytime soon. If our school doesn't do a whole lot better on this years end-of-grade tests, my Principal will probably be on her way out, too.
I am looking at other options.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
23 Feb 17
I have no idea, that was just a plain out insult! Its not like you can MAKE them learn, all you can do is teach what the books tell you to teach them.
Look for a new job, I am sure there is a school out there that needs a good teacher.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
23 Feb 17
I am looking into some options outside of the public school system. It is a broken system and it only gets worse every year. For 16 years now I've watched it go from good to fair to poor to just-plain-FUBAR, and I think I've had enough.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
24 Feb 17
I don't know what I'd do in your shoes.
I think I'd feel disheartened, disappointed and not valued...especially due to what your principal said...that was pretty harsh.
I'd probably want to get out but I'd weigh up options beforehand.
I don't know your financial circumstances or if taking early retirement would have an impact on your pension etc.
So I'd say if I was you I'd be looking for another job with the same/more money and less stress...and better managers
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
24 Feb 17
@Mike197602 I will give leaving my current job a lot of thought before I make a move, and I'll only leave if it is to go to a better job. I have some leads to jobs at private schools I'll be following up on.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
24 Feb 17
@DWDavis I've been in a similar position before and cut off my nose to spite my face
Don't make my mistake.
Even if you feel terrible in your job it is often better to stick it out than to resign and get a job with less benefits.
I hope things go well for you, keep us posted
Don't make my mistake.
Even if you feel terrible in your job it is often better to stick it out than to resign and get a job with less benefits.
I hope things go well for you, keep us posted1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
23 Feb 17
I can definitely understand your frustration. Kids today have absolutely no interest in learning.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
23 Feb 17
And it's not all the kids that are a problem. What bothers me is that no one is looking out for the good kids who are there to learn. Everyone is so worried about the "troubled" kids who don't give a sh!t about themselves or anyone else.
2 people like this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
24 Feb 17
@DWDavis You and other caring teachers are looking out for the kids, but those 'in charge' don't listen and never will it seems.
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
24 Feb 17
I remember the teaching to a test and left because of it. Sorry to hear this is happening to you now. Its sad when the best teachers are treated badly. Public Schools are so different, then when I attended school. Good luck and hope things work out well.
@snowy22315 (170736)
• United States
24 Feb 17
That is tough...there is so much pressure on teachers today. I would tell your principal you are open to suggestions as to how to improve the student's scores. Maybe you should also look for a job where you are appreciated!!
@just4him (307644)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
24 Feb 17
Don't teachers need to recertify every couple years? I would think that would keep you up to date with what to teach students. Did the evaluation show what area you were weak in with your students? You asked what I would do - I would take that evaluation as a battle plan, something to fight for and go after giving those students a new approach to learning that would make those eggheads happy. Your students happy too. If you make learning fun and interesting, the students will learn.
