Is it time for me to seriously look for another job?

I really think that it is time for me to find another job! I know it sounds ridiculous, but yet I can't seem to escape that feeling. I have enough time vested in the retirement system to retire this January; and ever though I know I couldn't afford it, the prospect intrigues me.

Teaching music should be fun! The students should want to be there, and by the time they're in high school you should have some outstanding people, and I believe I do. Why is it that it gets harder every day to motivate them and keep them focused? Why should I have to work harder at something that some happen naturally?

I have over 20% of my 6th grade class failing choir. How hard is it to pass 6th grade choir. Music theory, the same as I have taught it for the past 30 years, gets these kids nowhere. When assignments are supposedly done in the class, why do almost 40% of them fail to turn it in. Why did over 20% of the class fail their last test, EVEN WHEN THEY COULD USE THEIR NOTES?

The advanced high school kids don't respond unless they're yelled at. Let a total stranger talk to them and everyone responds; they don't even respond when I say "hi" anymore.

I know I'm burned out; I know I still care. I think that's what bothers me the most, is that it still bothers me when I can't get to them. They don't seem to care, why do I have to be the only person who does care?

I sat down here, before writing in the blog, to look for other positions. With it being mid November I realize that the jobs are few and far between. I should be happy that I have a job I suppose, but it sure is miserable.

To make things worse our high school is a disaster. No adult runs the building. Our principal is rarely seen and even less effective when she is seen. The assistants have their hands tied trying to complete all aspects of the school. The inmates are running the asylum and the students KNOW it.

I guess I need to keep buying lottery tickets!

2011 Update

Wow, it's been over 18 months since my last post. It would be impossible to summarize in a short space how much has happened and is currently happening, but here goes:
Michelle and Steve got married in June, 2010, so they're married over a year now. We now have three grandsons: Triston, James and the latest addition, Marino. Triston and Marino are brothers; Rachel is their mom. James is Nick's son. Don't make me think of their birthdates...it's mind boggling sometimes.

Redford Union Schools is quickly drowning in debt, likely to be taken over by a state appointed Emergency Financial Manager, or F-em, as they're known. Job security is a thing of the past and perhaps retirement, forced or otherwise, is on the horizon.

I plan on writing more often, mostly for self-therapy for the stress of job and family situations. Marino has been diagnosed with scaphocephaly, or a fusing of the skull plates in the head, something not uncommon for preemies, I read. More on that later I'm sure.

What's the good word? The MSU Spartans beat UM for the fourth year in a row, The SL Cardinals just won the World Series, I love my wife and kids, and grandkids. Expecting a visit from Michelle and Steve soon, the weather has been acceptable. We had a great fall camping trip this year to St. Ignace, Michigan. So the year hasn't been a total write off.

More to come!