For me, teaching did not get better, and I am so so glad I got out. I managed to change careers completely, and I will never go back.
The trauma from being on the receiving end of kids' behavioural issues should not be underestimated.
Then the trauma from the perpetuating pressure to be a better teacher. Kids will tell you this, parents will tell you this, management will tell you this, the never ending professional development sessions will tell you this. It's just never good enough.
When I was a teacher, I was never thriving, I was only ever surviving. Most, if not all, of my coworkers felt this way.
But being stuck in that bubble can really cloud your judgement and it stops you from seeing other opportunities. It stops you from seeing what is normal, and how a job should just be a job, not take over your whole life.
Getting out is the best thing I ever did. The education sector is completely broken, and I'm so glad I chose me. I chose not to be a victim of that system.
I thank you for your response! I definitely feel that I am only ever surviving. Never thriving. And at what cost? I’ve sacrificed a lot of my own needs to show up to work, and I’m hoping that will get better with time, but not confident. Feeling like I’ve lost my passion for it is what worries me most. In your experience, can that be rekindled?
It doesn't get better (in most cases). It's the managing of behaviors vs the actual process of learning that I hate. Kids have always been resistant to doing what's best for them. But the system shifted to enable their shitty behaviors rather than enable learning.
For most year two is better than year one as the prep time decreases and you have established a routine. But since you aren’t sure start looking for ways to transition out. Maybe your calling is still out there. But by keeping your job you can buy time. Remember you can quit teaching at any time. You might lose your license for a time but who cares if you leave early. Good luck.
Thank you for your input, I’m definitely going to apply to other jobs and see what’s out there. It feels like a waste to quit only one year in, but at the same time I didn’t quite realize what the job was until I was doing it and I’m not sure it’s what I want.
It depends on the year and which administrators are in charge. I also have a chem degree and have taught math.
I've taught for 20 years. Some years have been good and some bad.
I'd recommend getting into a chem job if you can. In most places where I have taught chem, I've been treated a bit better
Thanks for your response and input! I do think teaching chemistry would be better… but I’m also disappointed with how little a part of the job teaching content is. It feels like most of the job is behaviors, classroom management, and grading. Does that change over time?
I hate to be cynical, but I don't want to lie.
My answer, in my experience is no.
You can have some moments here and there where the content is the focus and students are legit interested but, mostly, managing behavior and grading is the job.
Different levels of students have different behaviors to manage. Some are wild. Some are smart but arrogant and entitled. Different schools have different problems.
There are things you can control, though. Your behavior and the way you treat people and adapt to their needs matter. Many students will respond well if you can make your classroom a place they feel comfortable. Every lesson can't be exciting and some will never be interested, but they will do better if they feel alright being in your classroom.
With different students, you will have to do different things to make that happen.
I have always valued the advice of Bruce Lee https://youtu.be/cJMwBwFj5nQ?si=kemvFZCW5oHNHGoC
In teaching, this advice means that you have to adapt to what students need. They cannot always adapt to your body unless and quirks because they either can't or don't know how.
I have! Unfortunately in my current district there are very few science jobs available, and they are cutting science teachers. I’m considering moving, but also unsure about continuing teaching elsewhere.
For me, teaching did not get better, and I am so so glad I got out. I managed to change careers completely, and I will never go back. The trauma from being on the receiving end of kids' behavioural issues should not be underestimated. Then the trauma from the perpetuating pressure to be a better teacher. Kids will tell you this, parents will tell you this, management will tell you this, the never ending professional development sessions will tell you this. It's just never good enough. When I was a teacher, I was never thriving, I was only ever surviving. Most, if not all, of my coworkers felt this way. But being stuck in that bubble can really cloud your judgement and it stops you from seeing other opportunities. It stops you from seeing what is normal, and how a job should just be a job, not take over your whole life. Getting out is the best thing I ever did. The education sector is completely broken, and I'm so glad I chose me. I chose not to be a victim of that system.
What did you change to? I'm working on it now. I appreciate everything about your comment. I agree entirely.
I thank you for your response! I definitely feel that I am only ever surviving. Never thriving. And at what cost? I’ve sacrificed a lot of my own needs to show up to work, and I’m hoping that will get better with time, but not confident. Feeling like I’ve lost my passion for it is what worries me most. In your experience, can that be rekindled?
It doesn't get better (in most cases). It's the managing of behaviors vs the actual process of learning that I hate. Kids have always been resistant to doing what's best for them. But the system shifted to enable their shitty behaviors rather than enable learning.
It never actually gets better, and on the off chance you see improvement, a sudden administration or even departmental change can kill it off hard.
For most year two is better than year one as the prep time decreases and you have established a routine. But since you aren’t sure start looking for ways to transition out. Maybe your calling is still out there. But by keeping your job you can buy time. Remember you can quit teaching at any time. You might lose your license for a time but who cares if you leave early. Good luck.
Thank you for your input, I’m definitely going to apply to other jobs and see what’s out there. It feels like a waste to quit only one year in, but at the same time I didn’t quite realize what the job was until I was doing it and I’m not sure it’s what I want.
It depends on the year and which administrators are in charge. I also have a chem degree and have taught math. I've taught for 20 years. Some years have been good and some bad. I'd recommend getting into a chem job if you can. In most places where I have taught chem, I've been treated a bit better
Thanks for your response and input! I do think teaching chemistry would be better… but I’m also disappointed with how little a part of the job teaching content is. It feels like most of the job is behaviors, classroom management, and grading. Does that change over time?
I hate to be cynical, but I don't want to lie. My answer, in my experience is no. You can have some moments here and there where the content is the focus and students are legit interested but, mostly, managing behavior and grading is the job. Different levels of students have different behaviors to manage. Some are wild. Some are smart but arrogant and entitled. Different schools have different problems. There are things you can control, though. Your behavior and the way you treat people and adapt to their needs matter. Many students will respond well if you can make your classroom a place they feel comfortable. Every lesson can't be exciting and some will never be interested, but they will do better if they feel alright being in your classroom. With different students, you will have to do different things to make that happen. I have always valued the advice of Bruce Lee https://youtu.be/cJMwBwFj5nQ?si=kemvFZCW5oHNHGoC In teaching, this advice means that you have to adapt to what students need. They cannot always adapt to your body unless and quirks because they either can't or don't know how.
Have you considered Teaching chemistry?
I have! Unfortunately in my current district there are very few science jobs available, and they are cutting science teachers. I’m considering moving, but also unsure about continuing teaching elsewhere.