If any job would make someone think they have add it would be teaching elementary students. I've taught for 22 years. Love my job dearly, and yes I've never admitted to having Add publicaly, but ask anystaff member and I'm sure they would all point my direction. We must remember that even though there are things that drive our own selves crazy, there are many positives traits we have such as creativity in the classroom! multitasking masters!, an ability to understand other chidren with ADD, patience, flexibility, etc. Focus on your strengths you bring to the classroom. So what if your desk is a little cluttered, just make sure you know where all of the important things are that your pincipal etc. would need on a moments notice! I file things right away. I don't remember doing it ,but I know it is there. I have talked with many elementary teachers and most feel they are add to some extent. I think you almost have to be to do so many of the things we do at once. I would be bored to death doing any other job!!

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I am also an elementary school teacher with ADHD. I've taught for 22 years, 10 in kindergarten and the last 12 as a fourth grade teacher. I agree completely with "Thinker:" Even though having ADHD makes the paperwork part of my job Hell on Earth, the important part (teaching!) is so much fun. I have no problem letting my students, parents, and co-workers know that I have ADHD; it lets the parents of my ADD/ADHD kids know right away that I "get" them. And guess what? My students "get" me, too, whether they have the disorder or not. I read "Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key" by Jack Gantos aloud to my class at the beginning of each year, and it opens up the door to dialogue about how wonderful and miserable life can be when you live with ADHD/ADD. I also agree that being an elementary school teacher is perfect for someone like me because you are performing multiple tasks constantly, all day long. In fact, when I was diagnosed 2 years ago, my doctor told me that she treats almost as many elementary school teachers as she does kids because the nature of our job "re-wires" our brains to some extent. I may have the attention span of a gnat, but these days, so do our students because of the instant gratification they get from instant messaging, texting, email, etc. So what if my paperwork is behind or I don't get graded tests back to the kids the very next day? I'm a damn good teacher because I'm patient, flexible, goofy, and I know how to make learning exciting, fun, and relevant to my students. So, embrace your ADHD/ADD, learn some coping skills for keeping organized (ugh!), and continue to be the great educators that your students know you are.

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Thanks for the responses. Very helpful and encouraging! One huge problem for me is lesson planning each day. I want to have a loose plan on paper and in my mind for each subject but I usually get scared and go into obsession over each detail which takes hours just for one day! On top of that we do not have a useable math series. We all look at our state objectives and just scavenge hunt for activities and lessons and worksheets. Our school also a few years back did Literacy First. Much of what I can tell from it uses "centers" for a portion of our day. But I have had no training so for that block of time I hodge podge with others to cobble up 4 different centers for a week it too lacks any support structure. Also I was alternatively certified for Elem Ed although I taught Phys Ed in Elem several years ago, substituted and been a mom for 20 years I wonder are there classes in college that would really help me with this everyday everyday lesson planning. What works for you? I am so excited to see the kids and get back to school but that daily grind of sitting and thinking of lesson plans rewriting obsessing for hours really wore me out last year! thanks again.

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It's funny, I was sitting in professional development earlier this week, thinking to myself that clearly the instructor had never worked with students with ADD. She talked to us for four hours, gave us a half hour break, then talked for another hour and a half. I must have taken 6 bathroom breaks, because I just could not sit still for that long. I'm glad there are other educators with ADD I can commiserate with.

As for lesson plans, I force myself to plan out a week in advance on the weekend, and then have to remind myself that it is ok if I end up changing somethings. This way, I at least have a framework to work off of.

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jlb said: Thanks for the responses. Very helpful and encouraging! One huge problem for me is lesson planning each day. I want to have a loose plan on paper and in my mind for each subject but I usually get scared and go into obsession over each detail which takes hours just for one day! On top of that we do not have a useable math series. We all look at our state objectives and just scavenge hunt for activities and lessons and worksheets. Our school also a few years back did Literacy First. Much of what I can tell from it uses "centers" for a portion of our day. But I have had no training so for that block of time I hodge podge with others to cobble up 4 different centers for a week it too lacks any support structure. Also I was alternatively certified for Elem Ed although I taught Phys Ed in Elem several years ago, substituted and been a mom for 20 years I wonder are there classes in college that would really help me with this everyday everyday lesson planning. What works for you? I am so excited to see the kids and get back to school but that daily grind of sitting and thinking of lesson plans rewriting obsessing for hours really wore me out last year! thanks again.

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Thank goodness there are other teachers out there...I've been feeling like such a FAILURE. I'm what's called "twice-exceptional," I am Gifted along with having an ADHD diagnosis. I'm currently unemployed and not really sure how much my ADHD and or Giftedness contributed to my situation. I've had 2 separate traumatizing and embarrassing experiences with administrators/supervisors that have left me feeling dejected and rejected as well. I was going to give a few details about my incidents so I could get feedback on what I could have done differently but I feel like it would be "crying" or having a "pity-party." I guess I feel so bad because I'm such a workaholic and not working only feeds my stress. Can someone offer some advice or direction? Thanks 4real

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Dear Feeling Like a Failure,

Teaching is hard but it can also be the funnest job in the world. If you love the kids and the teachable moments, don't give up. You may have encountered an overly rigid administration or a school culture that just didn't fit for you. It's a New Year, so get on every sub list you can and try to just keep working. You will make a lot of mistakes and learn a alot. But each day you will leave your mistakes behind and you will eventually get good at it. You will also put yourself in line for a real job once something opens up.

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Dear Feeling Like a Failure,

Teaching is hard but it can also be the funnest job in the world. If you love the kids and the teachable moments, don't give up. You may have encountered an overly rigid administration or a school culture that just didn't fit for you. It's a New Year, so get on every sub list you can and try to just keep working. You will make a lot of mistakes and learn a alot. But each day you will leave your mistakes behind and you will eventually get good at it. You will also put yourself in line for a real job once something opens up.

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Dear Feeling Like a Failure,

Teaching is hard but it can also be the funnest job in the world. If you love the kids and the teachable moments, don't give up. You may have encountered an overly rigid administration or a school culture that just didn't fit for you. It's a New Year, so get on every sub list you can and try to just keep working. You will make a lot of mistakes and learn a alot. But each day you will leave your mistakes behind and you will eventually get good at it. You will also put yourself in line for a real job once something opens up.

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Just starting a new (2nd) career, getting my Masters in Elem Ed and student teaching 4th graders starting in the Fall. Love the challenge, but the mound of paperwork SCARES me! Any advice, hints, tips, curriculum or website recommendations? I appreciate the encouraging posts on this thread. Helps me feel I'm on the right track, despite the fact the "tons of jobs" that were supposed to be available in education have now dried up.

Thanks for your support!

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I do everything I can to keep the kids organized and their papers organized. Doing that helps me keep things straight. I currently teach Kindergarten but have spent a number of years in the intermediate grades.

I color code everything & every child has a "number". For example -- homework in my classroom is ALWAYS on pale blue paper. Children write their "number" in the upper right hand corner of their papers and the papers get put into number order before they leave the room in an appropriately coded file folder (with a record sheet stapled in it)

For the intermediate kids, I would have a sheet for them to initial as they were placing their work in number order in the appropriate folder and I would staple the papers together in front of the children (so no one could say I lost it).

I would say that the Most Important Thing to do is to set aside a non-negotiable chunk of time each and every day with no interruptions/distractions to deal with your grading.

Have all of your fidgets & coping tools ready -- for me -- something to drink & something crunchy to snack on -- lights ON & a wooden straight back chair. (strange but true) -- I can have music in the background -- but no news and no TV. For me, that means doing my paperwork work neither in my classroom NOR at home. (too easy to get involved in something else -- the phone can ring -- I can get called to a meeting/office/classroom to solve a tech issue) Even with meds it is easy for me to have 20 tasks started & none finished if I do my work in either place.

Enter your grades into your gradebook As Soon As You Have Them and file graded papers / turn them back to the kids straight away. If things are in number order -- it makes things EASY. Even better -- unless it is a test / quiz and you don't need a "grade" -- the kids can self-correct. Even if they are dishonest -- you can make it safe for them to come to you & fess up -- and you keep circulating so you can catch things immediately. I would suggest using a seating chart to record completeness of classwork as you stroll around the room.

I also have a home/school folder and it is a certain color (whatever happens to work out in the penny sale before school starts) and I use a red symbol/hand stamp / sticker on the right (bring right back to school) and green on the left (can be left at home). I staple a color-coded reminder to each group of papers each kid has for the young ones -- and just announce which side of the folder to put papers in to the older ones. (Using color-coded pens / markers to correct / number them might help, too)

Even better than all of that -- get yourself a Moodle Account & set up a virtual classroom -- and have your kids take their tests electronically ---- Use technology to your advantage!

Now that I've overwhelmed you .... Congratulations on joining the profession -- and do post again!!

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I thought all my life that I wanted to be a teacher for all the reasons you quoted. I am creative, understanding of the children, and very involved in the learning process. I never get recontracted due to being too cluttered or scattered. I have not finished BTSA and am about to lose my credential. I love working with the children and wanted to perfect the craft in this field, but all signs have pointed to me being a failure. I am tired of haivng to relearn new school communities and being misuderstood or disappointing my employers! What do I do?

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thinker said: If any job would make someone think they have add it would be teaching elementary students. I've taught for 22 years. Love my job dearly, and yes I've never admitted to having Add publicaly, but ask anystaff member and I'm sure they would all point my direction. We must remember that even though there are things that drive our own selves crazy, there are many positives traits we have such as creativity in the classroom! multitasking masters!, an ability to understand other chidren with ADD, patience, flexibility, etc. Focus on your strengths you bring to the classroom. So what if your desk is a little cluttered, just make sure you know where all of the important things are that your pincipal etc. would need on a moments notice! I file things right away. I don't remember doing it ,but I know it is there. I have talked with many elementary teachers and most feel they are add to some extent. I think you almost have to be to do so many of the things we do at once. I would be bored to death doing any other job!!

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You just sang my whole life tune!!! I thought I was the only one! At least I am not alone.

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ADHD4real said: Thank goodness there are other teachers out there...I've been feeling like such a FAILURE. I'm what's called "twice-exceptional," I am Gifted along with having an ADHD diagnosis. I'm currently unemployed and not really sure how much my ADHD and or Giftedness contributed to my situation. I've had 2 separate traumatizing and embarrassing experiences with administrators/supervisors that have left me feeling dejected and rejected as well. I was going to give a few details about my incidents so I could get feedback on what I could have done differently but I feel like it would be "crying" or having a "pity-party." I guess I feel so bad because I'm such a workaholic and not working only feeds my stress. Can someone offer some advice or direction? Thanks 4real

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Although I realize this thread is quite old, I just had to reply, because I am desperate for the support of other ADD teachers! I am 39 years old, a 4th grade teacher, and I was just diagnosed with ADD a little over a year ago. SO MANY of the comments here are reflective of my own experiences! I've been trying to find other teachers with ADD so that I could learn some tricks for making it in this job, but search results always seem to turn up strategies for teachers of STUDENTS with ADD.

Like others, my strength in the classroom is my relationship with the students. I am very creative in my teaching approaches, and I truly care about the kids. I LOVE to read professional literature about teaching (though, of course, I never read anything in it's entirety!), attend professional development, and discuss theories of teaching and learning. I am therefore very knowledgeable about educational theories and probably know more than most at my school. People who come in to my classroom tend to think that I'm a "star" teacher, because my classroom environment is very nontraditional/progressive, and I'm very dynamic in the moment. My problem is, however is the planning, organization, time management, and follow through, and the extreme guilt that comes from feeling like I'm fooling everyone and failing the kids.

Even though I work CONSTANTLY trying to make things better, I never seem to get anything done. I can't find anything from any other year of teaching, so every year feels like my first year. I can't seem to plan a unit before it begins, so I'm just winging it each day and going nowhere. When I sit down to really plan, I fall in to hyperfocus and will spend hours just trying to write one lesson - and then when I get to school I'll realize that after all of that, I left some key part of the lesson at home! I can't seem to set up an organizational workflow plan, so I am constantly starting new routines or moving things around in the classroom, which isn't helpful to the kids. In the meantime, the papers pile up and the grading is the thing that gets put to the side, since I'm always in "crisis" mode just trying to get things together for the next lesson. I pull an all-nighter every time report cards are due, just like I used to do when I had to turn in papers in college!

My school is an urban, low-income school, and there is no real school-wide structure or accountability, so this has allowed me to continue in this way without consequence. I LOVE the idea of teaching, but the stress of not being on top of things has really taken its toll. I feel like I might be better off at a school that is more structured, where I don't have to design my curriculum on my own, and where there are stronger expectations and accountability. However, it's also possible that it would just be worse because my "last-minute" tendencies wouldn't be tolerated.

I would really LOVE to join a support group that is specifically for teachers with ADD. The ideas that were given about color-coding are brilliant, and I'm sure there are lots of great ADD-friendly tips out there for teachers. Does anyone have any suggestions for this?

Your ideas are much appreciated!!!

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I must tell you how much I relate to each and every thing you've said in your post. Are you still looking for a support group? Or have you found one? I cannot offer that...but I can offer dialogue and sharing. I too am a teacher who wrestles with much of the same frusatrations as you do. Perhaps we can help each other to bounce things off a similarly wired person!! I hope you're still around and looking at this forum!! If so...please let me know and we can converse....

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I cant take myself anymore! Is anyone still reading this thread? Please help!

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I am sorry I have not been responding. I had some huge developments in my immediate family with serious mental illness. My ds of 20 was diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features and we have been on a ride of mania, hospitalization etc. for the past 2 years. I still struggle along but it is better for me I have mess with trying to find a system for certain duties but overall I think my ADD/Adhd tendencies are on the middle to shallow end of the pool, not that I am the thriving whizz bang teacher I want to be, I have accepted my limits (my housekeeping and cooking are near 0) etc. but if I was much worse after all I have been through lately I would definetly pursue a psychiatrist and meds. Through IEP meetings and observing my students with ADD that is definetly what I would do if I were worse. Right now I am coping and gaining experience certainly slower than "normal" but not enough for meds/side effects. I did spend several visits with a psychiatrist this summer and a few with a counselor and they both didnt see my symptoms as debilitating. I was actually diagnosed with OCD and Generalized Anxiety. So I guess I am saying if you are still that desperate and down on yourself I would seek professional help. for me it ruled ADD/Adhd out (sort of for now) but coming here and remembering that I am different keeps me ok. I hope you find what works for you. But no matter what remember even with mistakes and failure you are valuable and helping kids even if all the outward grades, bulletin boards, etc, arent done the kids and you showing and them knowing you care about them are the MOST important. and you caring and forgiving yourself and valuing you and your talents. Take care.

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I am in my second year of teaching in public school. Previously, I taught for eight years in a little private school that had no structure, which allowed me to use my creativity and 'wing it.' I also tutored after school students from all surrounding schools who had dyslexia.

I am 56 years old and have always struggled with relationships, organization, forgetting important things, and mild dyslexia. But one thing I thought I was good at was teaching! My students loved me. They too knew ‘I got them!’ I’m the teacher who doesn’t demand complete silence, does hand’s on activities, and allow the students to learn through fun. That also helps in alienating my cohorts. Add that I am more tech savvy than they because I'm fresh out of school!

Now, I am being crucified! I am teaching in a small rural, low-income county public school. Everything is super organized, data-driven, and all we hear is 'be glad you have a job,’ and 'it's all about the children.' My principal just came out of the classroom and is obsessed with our EOG scores and our AYP.

I need to back up and give you a little history. Last year May, I was RIFFed (reduction-in-work-force;) over 170 of us were laid off. I was a first year teacher so I didn’t stand a chance of keeping my job. It was LIFO (last in, first out.) I had to move out of my classroom and spend the first half of the summer with resumes, and applications. The day before I was to collect my first unemployment check, the county informed me I was coming back, but I was reassigned to third grade from fifth grade, and to another school on the other side of the county. It was a 45 minute commute one way.

I didn't know anyone there. However; they had heard about me from gossips from my first school. The gossip was that I was not a team player (because I dared to share my ideas instead of going with the status quo), and was a know-it-all (because I dared to speak up and share my opinion.) I was never given a chance to fit in.

I found all this out when the head of HR and my new principal (in his first year) called me into the office. I was dressed down and told all the gossip being said about me and that perception had become truth and now I had two days to gather my personal belongings, that I was being sent back to the fifth grade where I had just been moved away from; into the same room. I was told it was up to me to prove everyone wrong. I was in shock. I literally had Thursday and Friday to move. The following Monday. I was expected to begin teaching fifth grade again, with the week’s lesson plans on my desk.

Things went from bad to okay. My new principal told me she was “going to give me a second chance.” I thought everything was going well until the principal told me I was being placed on a Directed Professional Development Plan. In short, I have 60 days to become organized or I'm out.

I have to (write and script out) three, 6-point lesson plans daily. I have to post my daily agenda on the board for the students. I must color-code my daily essential questions for each subject also on the board daily. I also have to rearrange my entire schedule (around resource times) to give my students an uninterrupted 90 minutes for science, math, and language arts. On top of that, I must observe a fellow teammate one day weekly. I was stunned. I just looked at her and told her she may as well say goodbye because there was no way I would be able to produce that much paper work for her I am most always the last car at school. It takes me at least a couple of hours to straighten up my piles from the day and try to catch-up. I always feel like I’m chasing my tail. I end up walking in circles and forget why I’ve walked to one side of the room to the other. I leave when I get to that point which is anywhere from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (That’s if I do not have a meeting after school!)

This last ambush happened two days before the Christmas break. I spent last night researching adults with ADD and everything the principal wrote up as negatives on the digital observation (which goes straight to the state DPI,) is a laundry list of my ADHD. She even held me accountable for the students with messy desks because I was unable to organize myself. (Now remember, I have been shuffled around, and have only been back to this grade and room for less than two months. I still have unpacked boxes in the back of the room.)

From what I have researched, I am a victim of discrimination through the definitions set forth in the ADA (American Disabilities Act.) I never considered myself as disabled. I did not check on my application that I had a disability. The question was, “Do you have a disability which would prevent you from performing this job?” I never in a million years thought ADHD would make me unable to teach.

Later in my first year (last year) I began to tell my coworkers I had ADHD. I thought it might explain a lot to them. But by then they had already ‘branded’ me.

I too am being told I am a terrible teacher, and now I am one step away from losing my job.

I was successful for ten years as a private teacher/tutor. I studied and went through the Basic and Advanced Level through the International Dyslexia Association, in the Orton-Gillingham Method. I went from being the only Orton-Gillingham teacher in three counties, sought after to teach one-on-one the students no other teacher could teach, to being told I don't know how to teach or what I’m doing.

I am so depressed. I have just wasted the last twelve years of my life. I went to school part-time while I continued to work. I don’t want to leave on their terms. I want to be successful but I don’t think I stand a chance. If you’ve bothered to read this post to the end, thank you for giving me a place where I might finally be understood. Does anyone have any advice for me?

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crcheatham said: I cant take myself anymore! Is anyone still reading this thread? Please help!

I am a 5th Grade teacher with ADHD. I just found this forum. I will listen! I just don't think I can offer anything more than a sympathetic ear. I am in a mess. I just posted my situation which you can read. Evidently there are more of us out there than I realized!

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Teach2......you echo a great deal of my story.......in fact, if you are like me then you are throwing out a life line over the Christmas Break in the hopes you can get things on track and in the right direction. If so, then you and I are on the same path, it's a small path, a path with little light that wanders through a deep forest and you are lost and alone; and scared to death of what might come around the corner at any minute (such as unemployment and further shame on every level, despite Herculean efforts on your part to make it not so!) Well, I hope to goodness you read this message so neither of us is alone. I would spend more time but I don't want to waste it (trying tobe more efficient). I dearly hope you post soon, because what you are doing right now is a very good sign....and I'd love to share this with you.

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Teach2....I'm going to be away for about an hour but I think I will be avaiable later this evening. I hope you can go to sleep a little better off than when you left this post

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that this forum is still up. I just came back from a psychiatrist appointment and she confirmed my suspicions of ADHD. I've been teaching for five years now, and the workload got to a point that I couldn't accomplish anything anymore. I was made team lead and have since then been drowning in obligations, papers, parent phone calls, and tears. I'm 31 years old and so thankful that there are others in the teaching profession that can support one another. My team members just tease...

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I so understand all the posts left in this thread. I have not been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, but I have a daughter that is is on the autism spectrum disorder and we struggle with her add daily. I personally see traits in her that I now am taking a second look at myself. I see there are some links in how she acts and traits of my own personality. I've often thought I had ADD but again, what elementary teacher doesn't think that?!? This is my first year back to the classroom, after being at home with my two children for 6 years. I am struggling and am feeling like I'm doggy-paddling just to keep my head above water. I'm the last teacher to leave school at night, and I bring home at least 2 or more hours of work each evening. I knew this first year back would be hard, but I feel my issues with organization and follow through are impedeing my effectivness and taking away my family time. I too, am looking for ideas on keeping organized with the mounds of papers/evaluations/tests that I have to give. I am at a school where we have not met our AYP for the last two years. We are feeling the pressure to get our kids where they need to be. We have a good percentage of ELL students and we are a Title 1 School. I am having doubts about my own effectiveness in this position and wonder if I should even attempt to return at all. My house is a mess, I have little time I get to spend with my family because of all the work I bring home, and I feel I am not providing the structure that my ASD daughter needs. heavy sigh

I wish I had the self-discipline and time to get my ducks in a row! I do love teaching! I feel if I could conquer this beast of organization and self-discipline, I could be a "star" teacher. If anyone knows of resources, please share! I think we are all looking for the same thing...order. I actually love having things in order. I just can't maintain it...ever!

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Yes, I am up late worrying about school tomorrow. Trying to plan, check email, and grade stuff from last quarter! Nevertheless, I am so relieved to find this thread.

I can identify with all the posts here but Teach2's story is most similar to mine. This is my 12th year teaching. Working tirelessly and feeling constantly stressed and anxious, I was quite successful for the first 7 years. A well-recognized teacher with a great reputation, I, too, was sought after by students, parents, and competing school districts.

About 5 years ago, it just all became too much and I could no longer compensate. Since then, I've felt like I've been squeaking by--each day ending with a sigh of "Thank, God, I was not called out on anything today. Maybe I can catch up this evening." However, that never really happens and the cycle continues.

Somehow, I had managed to cover up all my shortcomings and resolve my errors to the point that I felt secure in my job. I was department chair, PLC leader, etc. Inside, there was a growing sense of failure and guilt. Eventually, it got to the point that I just couldn't do my job and had to take third quarter off.

That was two years ago. When I returned from my leave-of-absence, I did a great job. The day after the last final, my principal told me he wanted me to resign. This seemed to come out of nowhere and I was DEVASTATED! A week later, everything was magically okay and I was asked to forget that he had ever made the request.

At the end of last school year, the same thing happened only this time, the whole administration was on board. Again, over the course of several weeks, my principal rethought his request and asked me to stay on.

At this point, I felt--and still feel--confused and a total failure as a teacher and have become a person with no self-esteem who is full of self-doubt. I've totally stopped responding to parent and student emails as the number of complaints about my teaching grows. The thing is no one can tell me exactly where I'm going wrong. They point out all the negative symptoms of ADHD but then don't relate it to an observation or measure of performance. Actually, I constantly asked to be observed and have only gotten one observation in the past three years.

According to the principal, it is mainly my reputation with the community that is jeopardizing my job. Many students find my class to be challenging and I do have trouble keeping up with grading. The result is rampant gossip among parents--who usually have not even communicated with me, ever!--about how horrible I am. At one point, the students and their parents even started a smear campaign on facebook and rateyourteacher.

Recently, they met with the district's leaders, and I was put on a Monitored (Directed) Growth Plan. The first words out of my principals mouth were, "Your job is not at stake." How am I supposed to believe that? I am lost and floundering. I just want to get out but I DO NOT want to leave on their terms. As others have expressed, I want to recover my reputation and work constantly--without success--to improve the situation. I'm too exhausted to look for another job as teaching is all-consuming and I can't just up and quit without serious financial consequences.

I am considering trying to get a 504. Hopefully, I can get some modifications and help to make it to the end of the school year.

Thanks for listening!

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Teach2 said: ... Now, I am being crucified! I am teaching in a small rural, low-income county public school. Everything is super organized, data-driven, and all we hear is 'be glad you have a job,’ and 'it's all about the children.' My principal just came out of the classroom and is obsessed with our EOG scores and our AYP.

... I didn't know anyone there. However; they had heard about me from gossips from my first school. The gossip was that I was not a team player (because I dared to share my ideas instead of going with the status quo), and was a know-it-all (because I dared to speak up and share my opinion.) I was never given a chance to fit in.

I found all this out when the head of HR and my new principal (in his first year) called me into the office. I was dressed down and told all the gossip being said about me and that perception had become truth and now I had two days to gather my personal belongings, that I was being sent back to the fifth grade where I had just been moved away from; into the same room. I was told it was up to me to prove everyone wrong. I was in shock. I literally had Thursday and Friday to move. The following Monday. I was expected to begin teaching fifth grade again, with the week’s lesson plans on my desk.

Things went from bad to okay. My new principal told me she was “going to give me a second chance.” I thought everything was going well until the principal told me I was being placed on a Directed Professional Development Plan. In short, I have 60 days to become organized or I'm out.

I have to (write and script out) three, 6-point lesson plans daily. I have to post my daily agenda on the board for the students. I must color-code my daily essential questions for each subject also on the board daily. I also have to rearrange my entire schedule (around resource times) to give my students an uninterrupted 90 minutes for science, math, and language arts. On top of that, I must observe a fellow teammate one day weekly. I was stunned. I just looked at her and told her she may as well say goodbye because there was no way I would be able to produce that much paper work for her I am most always the last car at school. It takes me at least a couple of hours to straighten up my piles from the day and try to catch-up. I always feel like I’m chasing my tail. I end up walking in circles and forget why I’ve walked to one side of the room to the other. I leave when I get to that point which is anywhere from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (That’s if I do not have a meeting after school!)

This last ambush happened two days before the Christmas break. I spent last night researching adults with ADD and everything the principal wrote up as negatives on the digital observation (which goes straight to the state DPI,) is a laundry list of my ADHD. She even held me accountable for the students with messy desks because I was unable to organize myself. (Now remember, I have been shuffled around, and have only been back to this grade and room for less than two months. I still have unpacked boxes in the back of the room.)

From what I have researched, I am a victim of discrimination through the definitions set forth in the ADA (American Disabilities Act.) I never considered myself as disabled. I did not check on my application that I had a disability. The question was, “Do you have a disability which would prevent you from performing this job?” I never in a million years thought ADHD would make me unable to teach.

Later in my first year (last year) I began to tell my coworkers I had ADHD. I thought it might explain a lot to them. But by then they had already ‘branded’ me.

I too am being told I am a terrible teacher, and now I am one step away from losing my job.

I was successful for ten years as a private teacher/tutor. I studied and went through the Basic and Advanced Level through the International Dyslexia Association, in the Orton-Gillingham Method. I went from being the only Orton-Gillingham teacher in three counties, sought after to teach one-on-one the students no other teacher could teach, to being told I don't know how to teach or what I’m doing.

I am so depressed. I have just wasted the last twelve years of my life. I went to school part-time while I continued to work. I don’t want to leave on their terms. I want to be successful but I don’t think I stand a chance. If you’ve bothered to read this post to the end, thank you for giving me a place where I might finally be understood. Does anyone have any advice for me?

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Hi Everyone,

I am a B.Ed student at Acadia University. I have ADHD and have been blown away by how there are virtually no resources available to teachers and professionals with ADHD and would like to get real academic dialogue started on this issue.

In my classes we talk about differentiation and how to identify and teach students with ADHD, while the classes I am taking are not differentiated or at all conducive to having ADHD! There are endless resources for teachers about students with ADHD, but nothing, asides from your fabulous forum posts, for us on how to cope in a professional setting with ADHD.

I struggled in my practicum, and watched all of the worst characteristics of me having ADHD come out in the classroom, and found I had nowhere to go for the specific assistance I needed.

I would like to have everyone's permission to use some of your dialogue from the forums in a paper I am writing for a class about this topic.

If you have any opposition, please let me know and I will omit anything I use from your posts.

Thank you.

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