Anguish as a Second Language

Sorry to hear about your bad year, but know you are still producing excellent work

But the picture at the end reminds me of what we do as Writers. We invest so much effort, performing as well, and yet these days, people people can't even properly read graphical adverts, much less read a long-form article. I don't know about US but down here I hear of university professors being called to the office to "up" the grade of certain students who don't put enough effort. It is very sad, and disturbing as well.

Apparently Insights has disappeared from the site. Or maybe the Vocal app needs much improvement. With the Medium & Substack app you can write, Vocal's app is only a reader.

Congratulations on top story!!!!

I’m sorry your year has been so hard. Everything seems more difficult these days. It would be interesting to do a survey and find out why students aren’t showing up. I remember my daughter having a required class that conflicted with another one semester. The only way she could stay on her graduation track was to have a friend tape the lectures for her when she couldn’t be there. I’m sure Covid disrupted life for the next decade too. Almost all the kids I know that started a degree program in those years dropped out of school and haven’t gone back. I feel lucky Spring 2020 was my daughter’s last semester- which she completed at home. The world has completely changed.

Interesting to see from a teacher's perspective. It is hard being a teacher these days. That is why I admire teachers that genuinely care about their students. I'm sorry that this year was hard. I hope it gets better next session 🙂

Wow Kendall, that is quite sobering! Classrooms represent one of those "Canary in the Cage" moments, but it feels like nobody is acting on the direness of the scenario and coming up for air. Sincere gratitude for your heartfelt sharing ❣

You put into words so well what I have tried to find the words for. I see so many indifferent students, there is an epidemic of apathy. I have always felt that I was pretty good at fostering positive connections in the classroom, but much of what I'm seeing has me sad for this generation. Optimism and hope are the reason to continue. That hope that you reach at least some. A veteran educator friend of mine put it this way. If they don't seem to be taking it to heart now, realize it is making an impact you might never know. We are planting seeds for their tomorrows.

You're incredibly relatable even tho I'm a stay at home parent lol

Thought I had commented! sorry your year has been so trying, can only imagine how you feel! Im glad you put the jokes to one side and shared this eloquent piece of writing with us! Congrats on Top Story and hope it was at least helpful a little to get out there!

I am so sorry this year was so hard for you Kendall. Never feel pressure to be funny or brush it off - you're allowed to feel it! I really hope things improve soon. On a writer's note: excellently written and flows very well haha

Feel this Kendall. So much. I love being in the classroom, admin not so much, There has definitely been a shift towards apathy in recent years - not disruptive as such just soul destroying. It's human nature to be curious...yet...IDK Anyway, I hope you have a better next semester and things shift again. Most things in ed. and life are a cycle 💜c

reading this after speaking to a friend who is a teacher. a sad state to read about. my friend is planning to retire early - if she can hold out another few years. A student threw a basketball at her, and missed her head by less than an inch. She mentioned the constant disruptions, lack of attention, and overall disrespect.

Your honesty captures the struggles of modern education. Keep holding onto your passion—students may not show it now, but your effort leaves a lasting impact.

I was kind of expecting something less serious when I started reading this piece, but it got more depressing as it went on. I hope things get better for you.

Teaching is an entirely different realm of profession these days. Unlimited paperwork requirements, administrative demands, and unrealistic goals and standardized testing have slowly lead to a demise of the profession and a decrease in interested students. Very sad indeed, and I am very sorry you are having to contend with such things at such a crucial and pivotal time (for both you and students alike).

So, do they expect they'll are get their degree/diploma anyway so they can't be bothered?

I am sorry you have deal with this. I've never been a teacher, but I have volunteered at the school in the past (pre-COVID). I've always admired the teachers because they have to deal with so much and they do so while sacrificing so much of themselves. Kids and adults, people in general, are not easy to deal with, but it sucks that you are losing the interaction with the kids thanks to online schooling and apathy. But just to reiterate, I appreciate everything you teachers do to try and teach your students. Thank you.

I haven't done classroom teaching for a while now, but this sounds dispiriting. I taught on a social work course which had an attendance requirement to access the bursary, but even that couldn't guarantee students would turn up. I feel bad for the students because the face to face teaching really is the best part of their academic life. Hope it turns a positive corner soon.

I found someone to replace me last year. I was adjunct. It was all online with very little face to face contact. Left over from the pandemic. Students didn't seem to mind. A few chose to do no f-2-f, even though it was for points. They took a B rather than add those few points to push them into an A. The class was more independent study. I didn't like it as I am used to groups, face to face, and interaction, not just me saying what needs to be done and having it come in with little to no direction. It's sad!

Kendall, I taught nursing students in both classroom and clinical. Our program also saw this as a trend. I don't think we should take it personally, per se because it's a different world now. Students often prefer online studies. Engaging and inspiring students is our calling, so I get it. But it was difficult for me to sit through classes back in the 90s before the internet. I retained more when I sat home with my book, read, and highlighted with a yellow marker. I feel their struggle, not that I didn't appreciate the efforts of good teachers...My office door was always open if and when they needed me. Hope it all gets better for you soon.

This sounds like an incredibly tough situation - I can imagine it's hard not to take such apathy personally!

I cant edit my origininal comment - another theory is that it could be a financial issue. People are dropping out because it's unreasonable for us to go into debt anymore for higher education... that higher education does not help us get paid more at the end. They claim it does, but it doesn't. I would know from personal experience. I honestly doubt that you have anything to do with it - you're awesome.

teaching is hard. Not for the faint of heart. And they are dramatically underpaid. Thank you for caring about your students. There should be more teachers who do this. You are doing amazing just keep hanging in there

My father was a teacher. When I was young, I always thought I'd be a teacher. It didn't work out. :-/ I admire you for your chosen profession. And I appreciate you writing about it here! ⚡♥️⚡