This will be my last year of teaching

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is how you feel, I respect you for walking away, assuming you do it next year if your mindset doesn't change. We had a lot of great teachers at my (well regarded) public school, but also a ton who had stopped caring years before (assuming they ever did) and simply mailed it in year after year.

OP here. I had a good run. This is the beginning of my 10th year. I'm just so weary. Too much giving, giving, giving.

What are you going to do instead?

I don't know. I'm an educated, intelligent person. I have an M.A. and an additional 36 hours. I'll find something. I don't need to make a huge salary... only about 60k.

Sounds like you got used to having a lax schedule and can't handle a real job anymore.

NP here. You have absolutely NO IDEA what you're talking about. A lax schedule? Really? You're clueless. Teachers are constantly moving, doing, thinking, talking, helping, smiling, doing, doing, doing. And then there's the work they take home.

Gimme a break.

[Anonymous]

Op, first you've got to get off of dcum (all of the teachers do). For me, and several of my teacher friends, years 9-12 or 13 were the most demoralizing. After that, a sort of "f it, I'm here for the kids" mentality set it and it became a lot easier to filter out the things that don't matter. Maybe this is your last year, if so, I hope you find something that fulfills you.
But, try this:
Every day try to do something that reminds you of why you chose teaching to begin with. Don't worry about all the demands and admin stuff, focus on the kids. This approach has made my last few years so much more enjoyable!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have a very hard time getting back in the swing of things after three months off too. Thankfully it is a minor miracle if I can get even a week off, and usually have to work some when "off," so I never have to get back in the groove after a long break.

OP here. I worked summer school and camp. I worked all summer, barring two weeks off.

Now you're gonna tell me I'm burned out.

But isn't it your choice to work summers?

It is presumably your choice to work too.

Many teachers work in the summer to put bread on the table, pay the mortgage, etc . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have a very hard time getting back in the swing of things after three months off too. Thankfully it is a minor miracle if I can get even a week off, and usually have to work some when "off," so I never have to get back in the groove after a long break.

OP here. I worked summer school and camp. I worked all summer, barring two weeks off.

Now you're gonna tell me I'm burned out.

But isn't it your choice to work summers?

It is presumably your choice to work too.

Many teachers work in the summer to put bread on the table, pay the mortgage, etc . . .

The job allows a break because it is needed. If you choose to be shortsighted and work through because you can't live within your budget, it is good to accept the consequences, a new career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is how you feel, I respect you for walking away, assuming you do it next year if your mindset doesn't change. We had a lot of great teachers at my (well regarded) public school, but also a ton who had stopped caring years before (assuming they ever did) and simply mailed it in year after year.

OP here. I had a good run. This is the beginning of my 10th year. I'm just so weary. Too much giving, giving, giving.

What are you going to do instead?

I don't know. I'm an educated, intelligent person. I have an M.A. and an additional 36 hours. I'll find something. I don't need to make a huge salary... only about 60k.

Sounds like you got used to having a lax schedule and can't handle a real job anymore.

I'm not the OP but go away. Teaching is a hard profession and it is parents like you who make the job insufferable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, first you've got to get off of dcum (all of the teachers do). For me, and several of my teacher friends, years 9-12 or 13 were the most demoralizing. After that, a sort of "f it, I'm here for the kids" mentality set it and it became a lot easier to filter out the things that don't matter. Maybe this is your last year, if so, I hope you find something that fulfills you.
But, try this:
Every day try to do something that reminds you of why you chose teaching to begin with. Don't worry about all the demands and admin stuff, focus on the kids. This approach has made my last few years so much more enjoyable!

I agree with this. Especially with DCUM getting to you. For me, it gets me riled up when I read what people say about teachers and it's just not worth expending the emotional energy. I'm in year 11 and I've been focusing on treating my job like a job, not a lifestyle. I sit at meetings and smile and nod a lot even though I'm shooting daggers in my mind. I know not to invest too much time in any of the crap we have to do because some person who sits in an office and hasn't been in a school in 20 years has decided we must do it and "it won't take much of your time." Some teachers feel like they must give their all to all of the crap, and there's only so much time and energy one can give. I prefer to give my time and energy to planning engaging lessons and working with kids. Sure, I jump through the hoops because I have to, but don't put any more energy into it than I absolutely have to.

Every year I say this will be my last year, but by the end of the year I've figured out how to make it more manageable and how to compartmentalize my work and my personal life. Plus I've stopped feeling guilty about putting my family first, even though I work for a principal who is very good at making our staff feel guilty about that.

Good luck, OP! And if this will be your last year, say eff it and make it a great one for the kids and enjoy your time with them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is how you feel, I respect you for walking away, assuming you do it next year if your mindset doesn't change. We had a lot of great teachers at my (well regarded) public school, but also a ton who had stopped caring years before (assuming they ever did) and simply mailed it in year after year.

OP here. I had a good run. This is the beginning of my 10th year. I'm just so weary. Too much giving, giving, giving.

What are you going to do instead?

I don't know. I'm an educated, intelligent person. I have an M.A. and an additional 36 hours. I'll find something. I don't need to make a huge salary... only about 60k.

Sounds like you got used to having a lax schedule and can't handle a real job anymore.

I'm not the OP but go away. Teaching is a hard profession and it is parents like you who make the job insufferable.

+100 The ignorance on here is appalling. As others have said, too many people have no idea how much teachers work, and coach and counsel and be on committees and attend unending meetings, all for a salary that most people on here seem to sniff at.

OP, I applaud you for the 10 years you have given to teaching. I suspect most of the nasty commenters wouldn't last a year. Hope you find something else that is rewarding to you. Life is too short.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have a very hard time getting back in the swing of things after three months off too. Thankfully it is a minor miracle if I can get even a week off, and usually have to work some when "off," so I never have to get back in the groove after a long break.

OP here. I worked summer school and camp. I worked all summer, barring two weeks off.

Now you're gonna tell me I'm burned out.

But isn't it your choice to work summers?

It is presumably your choice to work too.

Many teachers work in the summer to put bread on the table, pay the mortgage, etc . . .

The job allows a break because it is needed. If you choose to be shortsighted and work through because you can't live within your budget, it is good to accept the consequences, a new career.

If you choose to go through life as an ignorant boor, PP, at least spare the rest of us your lack of empathy and social skills.

[Anonymous]

If you are ready to move on, do that. But changing schools renewed my passion. I had admin that ran the gamut of micro-manager, reactionary to checked out suit.

I found an administrator that really cares, gives us what we need to teach and respects our experience while encouraging us to set goals and grow as educators. I am truly thankful to be working at her school.

Maybe you need a switch. Also, don't teach over the summers, do anything else to get paid but that. You need a break.

[Anonymous]

I posted before. In the summers I do something totally unrelated to teaching and kids. I walk dogs. I get exercise and I get paid. It doesn't pay well but I need a break from school and teaching and kids and all of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have a very hard time getting back in the swing of things after three months off too. Thankfully it is a minor miracle if I can get even a week off, and usually have to work some when "off," so I never have to get back in the groove after a long break.

OP here. I worked summer school and camp. I worked all summer, barring two weeks off.

Now you're gonna tell me I'm burned out.

But isn't it your choice to work summers?

It is presumably your choice to work too.

Many teachers work in the summer to put bread on the table, pay the mortgage, etc . . .

The job allows a break because it is needed. If you choose to be shortsighted and work through because you can't live within your budget, it is good to accept the consequences, a new career.

Let me first say that teachers often don't get the respect they deserve, but I can't agree that teachers "need a break," at least any more than anyone else. Yes, it can be taxing work, but lots and lots of people have taxing work and get nowhere near the time off teachers do and working over the summer shouldn't leave a teacher so exhausted that he/she can't handle the new school year since virtually every other job requires people to worn year round.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have a very hard time getting back in the swing of things after three months off too. Thankfully it is a minor miracle if I can get even a week off, and usually have to work some when "off," so I never have to get back in the groove after a long break.

OP here. I worked summer school and camp. I worked all summer, barring two weeks off.

Now you're gonna tell me I'm burned out.

But isn't it your choice to work summers?

It is presumably your choice to work too.

Many teachers work in the summer to put bread on the table, pay the mortgage, etc . . .

The job allows a break because it is needed. If you choose to be shortsighted and work through because you can't live within your budget, it is good to accept the consequences, a new career.

Let me first say that teachers often don't get the respect they deserve, but I can't agree that teachers "need a break," at least any more than anyone else. Yes, it can be taxing work, but lots and lots of people have taxing work and get nowhere near the time off teachers do and working over the summer shouldn't leave a teacher so exhausted that he/she can't handle the new school year since virtually every other job requires people to worn year round.

Have you ever taught, PP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is how you feel, I respect you for walking away, assuming you do it next year if your mindset doesn't change. We had a lot of great teachers at my (well regarded) public school, but also a ton who had stopped caring years before (assuming they ever did) and simply mailed it in year after year.

OP here. I had a good run. This is the beginning of my 10th year. I'm just so weary. Too much giving, giving, giving.

What are you going to do instead?

I don't know. I'm an educated, intelligent person. I have an M.A. and an additional 36 hours. I'll find something. I don't need to make a huge salary... only about 60k.

Sounds like you got used to having a lax schedule and can't handle a real job anymore.

I'm not the OP but go away. Teaching is a hard profession and it is parents like you who make the job insufferable.

+100 The ignorance on here is appalling. As others have said, too many people have no idea how much teachers work, and coach and counsel and be on committees and attend unending meetings, all for a salary that most people on here seem to sniff at.

OP, I applaud you for the 10 years you have given to teaching. I suspect most of the nasty commenters wouldn't last a year. Hope you find something else that is rewarding to you. Life is too short.

Some teachers do all that you mentioned and those people I applaud. But way to any teachers do far less than that and simply coast . We had teachers who would literally pop in a video two or three days a week and just sit (or even nap) in the back of the class and this was at a good school. I am a fed and we have the same issue; lots of really dedicated people and lots of dead weight. But it is very hard to get rid of the latter, especially given the unions efforts to fight to protect the mediocre at best , rather than permitting any form of meritocracy that could attract better people to teaching and or the gov.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is how you feel, I respect you for walking away, assuming you do it next year if your mindset doesn't change. We had a lot of great teachers at my (well regarded) public school, but also a ton who had stopped caring years before (assuming they ever did) and simply mailed it in year after year.

OP here. I had a good run. This is the beginning of my 10th year. I'm just so weary. Too much giving, giving, giving.

What are you going to do instead?

I don't know. I'm an educated, intelligent person. I have an M.A. and an additional 36 hours. I'll find something. I don't need to make a huge salary... only about 60k.

Take a little time to make a "real" change, I had a friend who left teaching because of the parents whose kids were perfect and she did private tutoring for the first year along with some waitressing. She made more than she did as a teacher and had some time to decompress and make her own schedule. Good luck, and I'm sorry you feel so burned out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have a very hard time getting back in the swing of things after three months off too. Thankfully it is a minor miracle if I can get even a week off, and usually have to work some when "off," so I never have to get back in the groove after a long break.

OP here. I worked summer school and camp. I worked all summer, barring two weeks off.

Now you're gonna tell me I'm burned out.

But isn't it your choice to work summers?

It is presumably your choice to work too.

Many teachers work in the summer to put bread on the table, pay the mortgage, etc . . .

The job allows a break because it is needed. If you choose to be shortsighted and work through because you can't live within your budget, it is good to accept the consequences, a new career.

Let me first say that teachers often don't get the respect they deserve, but I can't agree that teachers "need a break," at least any more than anyone else. Yes, it can be taxing work, but lots and lots of people have taxing work and get nowhere near the time off teachers do and working over the summer shouldn't leave a teacher so exhausted that he/she can't handle the new school year since virtually every other job requires people to worn year round.

Have you ever taught, PP?

Nope, but do you think that teaching is so uniquely taxing that they need 3 months off to recharge when cops, firefighters, plumbers, doctors, folks working 80 hours per week in Biglaw, pilots, etc manage to work the whole year?

Nothing wrong with teachers enjoying the time off an the salary partly reflects that, but the idea that teachers need the time off to function just doesn't resonate given all the other professions that somehow manage to worn full time.