Confessions of a First Time Teacher: Navigating through Chaos and Lack of Compassion

Prepare:

I had always imagined that if I had ended up with teaching as a profession, I would surely be a relatable and entertaining teacher. Ah, the rookie dream! Although, I planned every lesson down to the minute, imagined every student hanging on my every word, and thought I’d finally be the teacher who made learning “fun.”  Many teachers like myself begin by preparing the perfect classroom environment where lessons flow effortlessly and milestones are met flawlessly. I meticulously planned for my lesson, designed interactive activities, and did my research beforehand to prepare for this ideal scenario. I always entered the classroom feeling confident and putting my best foot forward to deliver the best.

Predict:

But of course, any veteran would tell you, always be prepared for the worst, right? However, how do you truly predict the worst? I always knew there might be possible challenges, such as unresponsive students, technical issues, or last-minute schedule changes; nothing that some quick action plans won’t fix. Turns out, the worst outcome is all of the above and then some.

Persist:

Teachers have been blessed with a superpower called persistence and going with the flow. Despite setbacks, I almost always persevered in executing my plans, demonstrating resilience for a successful class. In other words, Persistence is key, they said. Translation: keep going even if the lesson is sinking faster than the Titanic.  My persistence often involved reassuring students that everything is on track, re-explaining concepts for the hundredth time, and maintaining enthusiasm even though you are losing your grip on reality. I am sure you understand this can be a bit overwhelming for a normal human being.

Panic:

And when deadlines loom around you and goals seem out of reach, teachers do feel a wave of panic sweeping through them. This often arises from a sense of responsibility and the desire to ensure that we are in control of our situation. At the start of every session, you think to yourself; Panic? Who, me? Never. Except for, you know, when suddenly the syllabus looks like a cruel joke, lesson objectives feel like a collusion, and every meeting with administration makes your heart churn.

So you ask yourself, what is the real cause of this dilemma? I have come to the conclusion that teaching Gen Alpha feels like stepping into a parallel universe where consequences and empathy have lost its meaning and purpose. Especially in elementary and primary years, children often act with a startling sense of entitlement as they are told that their actions do not have any repercussions. Let’s not even address the issue involving discipline?

That’s a relic of the past, replaced by an overbearing mandate for "tolerance."

The tolerance and perseverance expected from any seasoned teacher involves an unfathomable amount of self-control. Minor things like enduring tantrums and blatant disrespect are so normalized that even I see it as an everyday norm. Sometimes the behavior is so outrageous it feels like you’re part of a reality show. Parenting them is practically taboo because heaven forbid anyone’s feelings get hurt.

So, I smile through the chaos, quietly wondering if we’re preparing them for life or just enabling a future where boundaries don’t exist.

Trust me, I never wanted to come across as one of those frustrated, middle-aged teachers who moan about the "good old days" who can never relate to their students. But, it’s not a simple case of youthful demeanor or typical childhood outbursts, there is an alarming lack of awareness about consequential actions and a noticeable decline in their capacity to empathize.

This dynamic shift has led to an environment where discipline is often perceived as obsolete, as we are forced to become enablers of this kind of behavior. In short, teachers are expected to accommodate mannerisms that would have been addressed more directly, in prior times.

I try my hardest to understand them, meet them where they are, and adapt to their ever-changing moods, but honestly, the generational gap when it comes to respect and empathy feels like an unbridgeable chasm. Before you say, it's just kids being kids, you cannot even fathom the casual disregard for others and the inability to see beyond themselves as if we have truly lost touch with basic human decency.

I truly believe that progress happens when you learn to adapt to the needs of the new generation, but some core values need to remain intact given the state of the world beyond.

While I, like many others, wait for this much-needed change to unfold, I will be here doing what I do best: preparing for perfection, predicting chaos, persisting through the madness, and, of course, panicking when none of it goes according to plan. After all, some things never change!