Job Discussion Forums

doublethinker · Joined: 11 Mar 2010 Posts: 57

I just started a job two weeks ago as full-time sub for secundaria and prepa (eventually as other teachers leave I'll get my own classes). I was super excited to get the job because it pays a lot and I really, really wanted to work with youth. Also, the principal, vice principal and all other staff are really nice and they do a lot of professional development. It's one of the more expensive private colegios in the city (I'm not going to mention the name.)

I knew it would be hard and there would be behavior problems, but I am shocked, just shocked at how bad the kids are. I wish I could just be the laid back teacher, but if I don't discipline 75% of each class just talks over me and completely ignores their work. So (encouraged by my principal) I've decided to be strict so the students will actually work and pay attention. Not "sit down you little *beep*" strict, but "Juan, Maria, it is really frustrating to try to teach with you two yelling, this is the third time I've asked so you need to go down to the office." Nice but firm... so I thought. Instead the kids are revolting and calling me a bitch and threatening to tell their parents.

Now, there are some nice groups, but others are devils. Today one class was so rowdy I asked a few people to leave but the behavior continued. I needed to show consequences so I called the principal in (a very nice lady.) She gave them a quick talk about respect and told them they have to stay in for recess. (With a few exceptions, the 6 good students could leave.) As soon as she left I started hearing a lot of "que tonteria de puta" and as soon as recess started they literally swarmed me and yelling at me and pushed me out the door.

I really want to teach, and there are a lot of nice students at the school and it brings me a lot of joy talking to them and encouraging them and hearing their opinions. But I just don't know if I have it in me to be good at classroom management.

Soooo... I'd like to ask, for those that have taught in Mexico (preferably at a similarly fresa school) and abroad, are my students really bad or are all adolescents so impossible to control? I'd like to think that if I can get through a couple years here that if I go back to Canada or another country to teach that the behavior will be a little better. Like, is it all uphill from here? Or perhaps my personality would be more suited to returning to adult ESL or even primary school.

Thanks for your opinions!

Enigma2011 · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 60

The kids are terrible in Mexico my friend; must be a cultural thing since respect is not something that you see a lot of here in the DF. That includes adults and the kids. Having substituted in the States, I can tell you that the kids here really are a nightmare. It is not worth the money they are paying you my friend. And no, I am not culture bashing. It is not culture bashing if it is the truth.
Remember, adults would be much better...if you can get the adults to actually show up and pay on time. That probably requires an engaging personality though. Wink

Enchilada Potosina · Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 344 Location: Mexico

Secundaria and especially prepa in Mexico will either make you or break you as a teacher. It's not a nice experience per se, but you do learn a hell of a lot. I hated it too but after I taught prepa for a year, everything else was much easier and funnily enough, my prepa students are the ones that remember me most when I see them around the city.

al capone · Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 72

University students are not much better as they are generally imature and act like 14 year olds

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 11:50 pm Post subject:

Prof.Gringo

doublethinker · Joined: 11 Mar 2010 Posts: 57

Ha ha ha thanks guys. Well, I have to do it for a year at least for both personal reasons for staying in Mexico and financial reasons, so after that things will certainly seem easier!

One of the worst students is being declined admission next year. The little charmer sang me a song about rape yesterday. Lovely.

donato · Joined: 05 May 2010 Posts: 98 Location: Mexico City, Mexico

I taught fourth graders for a bit. I loved the children outside of class, but during class...my advice is to RUN don't walk away as soon as possible hahaha. I'm teaching business executives now (almost all one to one) and I feel like I'm in heaven by comparison. Actually teaching without having to babysit is refreshing.

Dragonlady · Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:02 am Post subject: teenagers

FreddyM · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 180 Location: Mexico

This site has a lot of useful and practical tips for classroom management, as well as other things related to learning.

There are paid seminars you can sign up for, but they also have a lot of free material.

Worth a look.

http://wholebrainteaching.com/

tjteachin · Joined: 22 Jan 2011 Posts: 32

I get much enjoyment from working with teens. It's also rewarding. They can be funny at times, whether they mean to be or not. But at times it can be frustrating. Often it seems their priorities lie elsewhere besides academic advancement, so they act out during class. To the extent possible I try to make my classes as interesting as possible (when teens aren't stimulated, they create their own stimulation, and that's when they act out). I also involve them as much as possible in deciding where the class should go and what's required of them to get there. My inspiration for consulting and sharing decisions comes from Alfie Kohn.

Most recently I've been teaching at a university in Oaxaca. The groups I've worked with recently graduated from prepa. Their maturity level is closer to that of high schoolers than university students. A colleague made an interesting point to me about that. The fact that they still act like youngsters means they aren't growing up too fast and they're not having children too soon without preparing themselves first or completing their education.

doublethinker · Joined: 11 Mar 2010 Posts: 57

Well, as an update it is getting a bit better. Luckily the people at the school (including the administration) are great and supportive. I've been getting a lot of advice which is also helping. I'm still not sure this is the right age group for me... my favourite students are the grade 7s (1 bachillerato) so maybe I'd be suited to teach ages 8-12 or something.

I'm trying to focus on the nice students and even the funny things some of the bad students say. That makes it a bit better.