I thought there would be more time to get everything done. Although tired and surprised by the amount of work, first-year teachers usually maintain a tremendous amount of energy and commitment during the survival phase, harboring hope that soon the turmoil will subside. After six to eight weeks of nonstop work and stress, new teachers enter the disillusionment phase. The intensity and length of the phase varies among new teachers. The extensive time commitment, the realization that things are probably not going as smoothly as they want, and low morale contribute to this period of disenchantment.
New teachers begin questioning both their commitment and their competence.
Many new teachers get sick during this phase. Compounding an already difficult situation is the fact that new teachers are confronted with several new events during this time frame. Each of these important milestones places an already vulnerable individual in a very stressful situation. Some parents are uneasy when they realize the teacher is just beginning and many times pose questions or make demands that intimidate a new teacher. Parent conferences require new teachers to be highly organized, articulate, tactful and prepared to confer with parents about each student's progress.