I Got Fired, yep Options

[Jen]

So, those of you who know me on here know that I am in school to become a math teacher. I'm in my junior year, and things were going great. I got a job that gave me a jump start on my career, and things were fabulous. This job was as a math tutor, which is definitely in my field. After a few months of working there, I got fired. I GOT FIRED. I was told that I should reconsider my career choice, and that I'm apparently not that great in math. He said that I wasn't very helpful with the older kids (high schoolers), and it's best I know now than later.

This killed me.

What were As in all of my math classes soon turned into Ds and Fs.

I'm unmotivated, and I feel like an absolute idiot.

It's like, his words subconciously made me believe that I really do suck in math, and that I really do have no idea what I'm doing. I'm letting it effect me THAT much. It's like, he ruined my dreams.

I've tried not thinking like that, but nothing has worked.

I just want to drop out of school because I feel so worthless.

What's a girl to do? Change my major back to primary education? I don't know. I'm utterly lost.

[LewFX]

so sorry to hear that jen, something good will come soon for you because you deserve it...
side story:
i got fired after working for a month then 3 months later they wanted me back, its been a rollercoaster since ive been back, some days makes me wanna change jobs, but i havent yet

This post has been edited by LewFX: Jun 10, 2007 - 4:34 PM

[BloodyStupidDave...]

After a few months of working there, I got fired. I GOT FIRED. I was told that I should reconsider my career choice, and that I'm apparently not that great in math. He said that I wasn't very helpful with the older kids (high schoolers), and it's best I know now than later.

That's bollocks, but unfortunately rather common in business. I don't rate any organization that gets rid of people without putting the effort in to making them better at their jobs. I especially hate companies that fire people that they have never put on training. It is a little different for public organizations - but not much. They still should have a duty to invest in people IMHO.

What were As in all of my math classes soon turned into Ds and Fs.

That alone suggests to me that the person that got rid of you was just saying ****.

As to what to do: first, go talk to your form tutor and your maths tutor. Tell them exactly what happened and put emphasis on the bit about being completely unmotivated. It sounds like you may be a little demoralized or depressed also. It is really important to tell people how you feel. You may also want to start thinking about putting yourself back into a similar situation. Don't actually do anything just yet, but think about it.

People tend to act two ways to a setback - they either shy away from it and avoid similar situations in the future, or they go out to prove others wrong. How you react to this situation might very well dictate how you'll react to similar situations through the rest of your life.

[Consynx]

Junior year in math
so you're past things like Differential Equations and Calc 3 n such i'm guessing...

maybe it just got real hard and will take another time to pass. . .

If you feel math is your strongpoint, and that you are good at explaining things to people, than keep it up.

i started as secondary ed: math @ Duquesne, and on summers help get my lil' sis ahead in math, but yea, just keep it up if it is what you want to do

[3WayStunna]

I raise the b/s flag on this one....alrite sis, dont really know you, but irregardless, if teaching is your dream, the you shouldnt let that one person get you down....if i was still in school, i wouldnt mind you being my teacher, esp since your hot, and i know that you have to go through alot of college to get where you are....anywho, your new to the teaching game right, well the guy that fired you shouldve given you some time to get use to teaching classes before he just said what he said...anywho, i hope that you find a better job ^_^

[j0e_p3t]

sorry to hear that jen. but don't let that prevent you from reaching your goal. there's always gonna be people telling you it can't be done and what-not. so the only thing for you to do is to prove them wrong and rub it in their stupid ass faces afterwards. besides, i'm sure you're a great tutor. maybe them high schoolers (boys) just find you somewhat distracting and it prevents them from focusing on their work? so yeah, stay away from them or try not to look so pretty or what-not. but please, whatever you do, don't you ever stop doing what you love to do. no one can take away your dreams. okay? okay. hope this helped set you straight.

This post has been edited by j0e_p3t: Jun 11, 2007 - 2:18 AM

[C3L1CA]

Don't let it get you down! If you really want to be a math teacher then keep going for that. Its your life not that dick who let you go, its his loss. Keep your head up and keep going for whatever is going to make you happy in the long run!

[Hanyo]

Emotions and confidence are like a roller coaster on a hair trigger.

If the right things add up and hit the bone, even titans will fall. I know, I've been there. Its just alot of collective **** that adds up and makes you feel like crap.

Jen, I think your confidence has been hurt and also math classes are increasing in dificultly. That is why your doing poorly.

Since math is so closely related to economics, have you considered tutioring for economics? I mean, teaching math is a very difficult job. It either clicks in the students head or it doesn't. I believe there is no way to properly teach math without the student actually putting 100% of there effort into to it.

You should make a list of pros and cons of why you should be come a math tutoir. be real with yourself. Then take a step back and see if the arguments are stronger for and against it.

Since your still young, i would still pursue your goal. **** advice from others. If you want it bad enough you can get anything done. simple as that.

[Jen]

This is what I've decided. I'm taking a semester or two off. I'm going to start substitute teaching, and trying to get my inspiration back. I need a break, and I need my inspiration back. It's just so depressing, how I let things subconciously effect me. I hate it.

[tomazws]

Believe what you believe in. Don't let anyone put you down. If anyone talk you down, you should proove them wrong and not allow them to inject false statements into your head.

[celica3sgte]

I'm not sure who told you to reconsider you career, but if I were you I'd bring up what was said to their supervisor. I'd have to say that's very unprofessional. What they said is an opinion and it's not up to them what you choose as a career. I wouldn't take a semester off, you should blast out the last year or so of classes, and just find a job somewhere else. Who wouldn't want summers off with pay?

[Culpable04]

This is what I've decided. I'm taking a semester or two off. I'm going to start substitute teaching, and trying to get my inspiration back. I need a break, and I need my inspiration back. It's just so depressing, how I let things subconciously effect me. I hate it.

Jen, I don't recommend you to take semesters off, that you were not so hlepful to those kids, doesn't mean you s*ck on math, you may be great on math but have to work on your teaching techniques, we all agree that sometimes we get a professor that we don't get to fully understand; that doesn't mean he doesn't know the subject, is just that he's using the wrong examples or not simplifying the theory enough for us as students. Understanding / knowing math is way different than having to explain it to someone, you may not understand with the same examples I would and such. try to talk to some of your professors at school or seat down and think about it with a cold mind. taking semesters off have led to very few good results.


good luck jen !

[yyet]

I would also not suggest taking a couple semesters off. It's going to be hell trying to go back. IMO, once you pass Calc. 2, its all downhill from there. 3 and 4 are pretty straight foward and Diff Eqns. are pretty easy. So if you grabbed A's in Calc. 1 and 2, then it should be all G. As far as tutoring, knowing something and explaining something are 2 different things, so yeah, maybe brush up on the explaining part.

This is what I say when it gets difficult... "If it was easy, then everyone would do it." So yeah, it's not going to be easy, but you know, just stick em out.

Good luck

[Driveby]

It sounds to me like the div who sacked you needs to brush up on his teaching technique, after all you are a student also. Does he go around his classes telling his students that they should drop out if they cant get theyre head around a particular equation? Dont let it get to you Jen, stick in and prove him wrong, then when your his boss, sack the fool