Has anyone switched to a career in teaching to spend more time (summers) with your kids?
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Anonymous
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Yes, I left teaching for some of these reasons: lack of flexibility and control over my days, and boredom (another year, mostly the same curriculum).
I was so excited to be able to get a coffee when I wanted, or even use the restroom when I wanted!! I agree that you should really go into it only if it is a 'calling'. It is not really an easy job when you have your own kids. I work more hours now (in an office job), but I don't feel anywhere near as tired as I did as a teacher (you're basically 'performing' all day). |
Anonymous
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Yes, I have to agree with the people talking about the inflexibility of your schedule. It's really deceptive. One of the reasons I left after I had kids was that I spent all night, all weekend working.
Now, that does depend in a major way on the level, age, and content you're teaching, but in my position, it took every minute of my time. It wasn't worth the weeks off in the summer (which, also depending on where you teach, may be more taken up with professional development and meetings then you imagine it will). I would have gone back, though, to a very different school, but I changed careers instead. I still love teaching, though, and I knew that I did something every day that made a big impact on children. That part was awesome. |
Anonymous
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OP: Only go into teaching if you have a desire to teach and impact the lives of kids. Don't just get into it for the schedule otherwise you'll hate it and you'd be better off getting a flexible part time job.
Teaching can be extremely rewarding, but also exhausting as you are basically 'performing' all day. There's no chance to sit, use the bathroom when you want, or zone out for a few minutes. You'll get a half hour lunch break and a planning period, but you'll need those for planning and for meetings. You'll basically adopt 20-something kids to be yours for the year and that includes their academic and social-emotional growth and all of their needs. You'll attend planning meetings, meetings with the special ed teacher and other specialists, build a rapport with parents, and so on. Especially for the first couple of years you'll be busy both in and out of school hours planning and prepping. And the job can be physically/emotionally draining at first until you get used to it. |
Anonymous
| Not the OP but considering teaching. Thanks PP for the thoughtful responses. |
Anonymous
+1 My DD's school knows to call DH if my daughter is sick or whatever. I have my phone off (or at least muted) most of the day-- it's not like you can take a personal call in the middle of class. And while it's nice to have a similar schedule to your own children, there are things you aren't able to do. Forget about taking your kid to school on his first day of school to meet his teacher-- you'll be with your own class. Can't go to the Halloween /Valentine's Day / whatever party. You won't be able to volunteer for field trips, etc. As others have mentioned, the schedule has it's perks, but it's not flexible. |
Anonymous
| If you are choosing teaching as a new/second career, the dynamics of your family will change, especially for your spouse (I am the spouse). The first 3 years of teaching are super challenging for the both of you as it is literally 24x7. If your spouse isnt grading papers, planning for the next days work, communicating with parents, typing up lesson plans, going to meetings, attending professional development seminars/classes, etc etc, she will be talking about it. Many have regrets because those first few years are difficult. In addition, the non-teaching spouse has to pick up many of the household/family responsibilities that the other spouse used to handle. On the positive side, the pay is ok, the benefits are good and she only works 10-month and her vacations coincide with the kids..... |
Anonymous
| Plus factor in going back and getting the right undergrad courses; getting a masters degree, doing student teaching, taking the Praxis exams, and then figuring out how to get your foot in the door of one of the school systems (which isnt easy to navigate)..... |
Anonymous
FCPS teacher here - I agree. It is very inflexible during the school year. I have tons of sick leave since I have been teaching for 13 years. But it is not easy to just take a day off and if something comes up suddenly, you have to get sub plans ready no matter what. It is also inflexible during the day - hard to make dr's appointments, volunteer at your child's school, etc. But having the summers off to spend with my kids is a nice perk. |
Anonymous
| 12:38, I don't believe you are or were a teacher. You don't know the proper use of "its" vs. "it's"? |
Anonymous
| I switched to teaching but not because I wanted free summers. No, simply said my consulting jobs felt meaningless and boring. I am now teaching HS physics and loving it. And my kids spend summers in summer camps, nothing wrong with that. |
Anonymous
Awww come on and cut the person a break in this world of damn-you-auto-correct-that's-not-what-I-mean-to-write. 
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Anonymous
| Although if you become an Art or Phys Ed teacher......BREEEEZZZZZEEEE |
Anonymous
| Some art teachers teach the entire school! OP, I have several friends who teach and the hours are brutal. Not just weekends, but evenings for meetings and school events. Emails from parents, too. Grading, with narratives, whoa. I'm not trying to discourage you ... just want you to know that it's a challenging job! |
Anonymous
I disagree, but let's say you're correct and it's a breeze. Where are you going to get a job? Each school only needs one or two of these folks. It can be a real challenge to get a fulltime job in one school. |
Anonymous
+1 Seriously, PP. Why do people get off on being the grammar police? So. Lame.
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