Leaving teaching

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think evoking a lot of guilt and emotion is just one of many toxic reasons teaching has turned into a hellscape. It's a job. That's all. If the job isn't a fit, then start working on employee retention, but guilt isn't appropriate.

My mother was a teacher - classroom and then specialist for 35+ years. At one point long after she retired she said she regretted always giving the district 110% to the detriment of the family. Guilt is used as a tool, but the appreciation factor is quite low.

NP. It's not guilt, it's responsibility. Your mother knew that, even when she was complaining.

responsibility to who though? moral? requirement? duty? the kids are 100% why most teachers stay. I was at a preschool Halloween parade and every kid had a parent there EXCEPT for my sons friend whose parents are both teachers. Took pics for them but when all the kids got to give their family member a hug, he was left standing there. I called my best friend, also a teacher, and it dawned on me how much of their own children's lives they miss to be there for other people's children. And it doesnt come with enough pay to offset being a 50-60 hours workweek. There are no funds to outsource compared to physicians and sales. There are no FT rotation positions in the school so that people can leave for a few hours or miss one period. It isnt worth it to make the sub plans to only take a few hours so when most teachers take leave, they have to take 1 full day and the calculus for taking 1 day out of the 6 (?) they get doesnt make sense.

Former teacher and this is so sad. I was discussing this with my DH because sometimes I miss teaching (for the kids of course, was a SPED teacher) but he makes way more and it just doesn't make sense for me to go back for such measly pay with him having to take off for DC's sick days, appointments, etc besides all the extra stress. Thinking back on it, almost no one that I worked with (who had kids) was UMC... anyone whose spouse made an UMC salary left once they had kids because it's not worth it.
Anyway, OP - in my state we need to provide 30 days notice otherwise they can take your license. Check into that and give at least whatever the minimum is.

[Anonymous]

My district won't take my license. I know our leadership very well and that's not who they are. When I asked my principal if I could still use her for a reference (and she said unequivocally yes, she'd give me a glowing reference) I did also ask about my license. She also said they'd never, ever do that. Besides which, I'm never going back to the classroom. So even if they decided to go after it, it wouldn't really matter. Me leaving will matter to my students, their families, my colleagues and my principal. But I suspect after a week or two, if it takes even that long, they'll move on and so will I.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In most jobs, two weeks notice seems pretty standard. I'm leaving my teaching job. If you are a principal or administrator in a school, does 4 weeks notice seem like enough?

If you are an at-will employee yes, but be forewarned that they will retaliate if you give notice. Depending on the district you teach in you can have strike on your license.This happens in Maryland, especially with bitter administrators. Just be sure you definitely never plan to return to the field or the district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Less is better due to potential retaliation and hard feelings across staff and admin. If you were important to them they would have done more to keep you to begin with. Move on, don’t look back. Don’t burn bridges either though, leave everything in order, cross your T’s dot your I’s.

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you at least teach through December? It's going to be hell trying to fill your position.

It's not going to be better in December. It's better to leave earlier in the year for a number of reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Less is better due to potential retaliation and hard feelings across staff and admin. If you were important to them they would have done more to keep you to begin with. Move on, don’t look back. Don’t burn bridges either though, leave everything in order, cross your T’s dot your I’s.

No, that's the wrong calculus. In return for a year contract without worrying about getting fired or laid off, teachers agree to not quit midway through.

It's not a job where you can be let go at any point, and where you may quit at any time. So your advice is off target.

[Anonymous]

How do you know? This person could be working at-will.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Less is better due to potential retaliation and hard feelings across staff and admin. If you were important to them they would have done more to keep you to begin with. Move on, don’t look back. Don’t burn bridges either though, leave everything in order, cross your T’s dot your I’s.

No, that's the wrong calculus. In return for a year contract without worrying about getting fired or laid off, teachers agree to not quit midway through.

It's not a job where you can be let go at any point, and where you may quit at any time. So your advice is off target.

[Anonymous]

In most counties, you have a contract. If you leave before the end of it, you will not be eligible for future county employment, and should not expect a good reference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Less is better due to potential retaliation and hard feelings across staff and admin. If you were important to them they would have done more to keep you to begin with. Move on, don’t look back. Don’t burn bridges either though, leave everything in order, cross your T’s dot your I’s.

No, that's the wrong calculus. In return for a year contract without worrying about getting fired or laid off, teachers agree to not quit midway through.

It's not a job where you can be let go at any point, and where you may quit at any time. So your advice is off target.

You can think this all you want, doesnt make it true. Teachers can quit like anyone else

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In most counties, you have a contract. If you leave before the end of it, you will not be eligible for future county employment, and should not expect a good reference.

You get that most people who are leaving don't care about this anymore, right? That you can't hold this over their heads as a club anymore?

They just don't care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Less is better due to potential retaliation and hard feelings across staff and admin. If you were important to them they would have done more to keep you to begin with. Move on, don’t look back. Don’t burn bridges either though, leave everything in order, cross your T’s dot your I’s.

No, that's the wrong calculus. In return for a year contract without worrying about getting fired or laid off, teachers agree to not quit midway through.

It's not a job where you can be let go at any point, and where you may quit at any time. So your advice is off target.

Err... this depends on where you teach. Some places you can absolutely be let go mid year. Not likely in this climate, but definitely possible especially in a right to work state.
FWIW, when I left (due to having a baby) and took off a while before I was due, I gave notice to my admin but kept it under the radar from most colleagues until the last minute. I was glad I did because some made pretty rude comments and made my job(I was SPED, had to work closely with reg ed) more difficult. It was an uncomfortable few weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Retired principal here. Years ago, I had a French teacher leave for a better paying job with two weeks' notice. I was able to find a teacher - luckily - to take the class (and she turned out to be a great long termer). A couple years after this happened, I was talking with a few of the students in the class (they were seniors by then) and they were still angry about that first teacher walking out on them -- they took it very personally (they were a great class).

This is a dramatic story, I know, but the kids are almost always negatively impacted. Leaving at a natural break (quarter, semester, holiday, etc.) if always better when possible.

Experienced teacher (15+ years) looking for another job right now-
I understand the impact my abrupt departure may have on my students. I’m a pretty well-loved teacher. The problem is I am absolutely miserable right now. I can’t work 60-65 hour weeks anymore. I can’t put my work over my family anymore. I can’t cover for my admin anymore, taking on every little thing they need me to do.

The “my students will suffer” idea kept me in this job for years. It can’t anymore. My own children are suffering. I am suffering. I know I have leverage now because of teacher shortages, so the threat of losing my license doesn’t really scare me. If I can find a better placement, I’m going to take it. I’ll feel bad that I’m leaving my students, but I won’t feel bad because of what it does to admin. Admin is why I’m trying to leave.

I don't understand why you are working 60-65 hours a week and why you can't say no to admin. I would work on that skill first, how to say no, because that will still be a problem wherever you end up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Retired principal here. Years ago, I had a French teacher leave for a better paying job with two weeks' notice. I was able to find a teacher - luckily - to take the class (and she turned out to be a great long termer). A couple years after this happened, I was talking with a few of the students in the class (they were seniors by then) and they were still angry about that first teacher walking out on them -- they took it very personally (they were a great class).

This is a dramatic story, I know, but the kids are almost always negatively impacted. Leaving at a natural break (quarter, semester, holiday, etc.) if always better when possible.

Experienced teacher (15+ years) looking for another job right now-
I understand the impact my abrupt departure may have on my students. I’m a pretty well-loved teacher. The problem is I am absolutely miserable right now. I can’t work 60-65 hour weeks anymore. I can’t put my work over my family anymore. I can’t cover for my admin anymore, taking on every little thing they need me to do.

The “my students will suffer” idea kept me in this job for years. It can’t anymore. My own children are suffering. I am suffering. I know I have leverage now because of teacher shortages, so the threat of losing my license doesn’t really scare me. If I can find a better placement, I’m going to take it. I’ll feel bad that I’m leaving my students, but I won’t feel bad because of what it does to admin. Admin is why I’m trying to leave.

I don't understand why you are working 60-65 hours a week and why you can't say no to admin. I would work on that skill first, how to say no, because that will still be a problem wherever you end up.

+1

There is a teacher shortage and they don’t want to have to find someone midyear. Just say no- and who cares if you get an angry parent email? I do think teachers bring this on themselves sometimes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Retired principal here. Years ago, I had a French teacher leave for a better paying job with two weeks' notice. I was able to find a teacher - luckily - to take the class (and she turned out to be a great long termer). A couple years after this happened, I was talking with a few of the students in the class (they were seniors by then) and they were still angry about that first teacher walking out on them -- they took it very personally (they were a great class).

This is a dramatic story, I know, but the kids are almost always negatively impacted. Leaving at a natural break (quarter, semester, holiday, etc.) if always better when possible.

Experienced teacher (15+ years) looking for another job right now-
I understand the impact my abrupt departure may have on my students. I’m a pretty well-loved teacher. The problem is I am absolutely miserable right now. I can’t work 60-65 hour weeks anymore. I can’t put my work over my family anymore. I can’t cover for my admin anymore, taking on every little thing they need me to do.

The “my students will suffer” idea kept me in this job for years. It can’t anymore. My own children are suffering. I am suffering. I know I have leverage now because of teacher shortages, so the threat of losing my license doesn’t really scare me. If I can find a better placement, I’m going to take it. I’ll feel bad that I’m leaving my students, but I won’t feel bad because of what it does to admin. Admin is why I’m trying to leave.

I don't understand why you are working 60-65 hours a week and why you can't say no to admin. I would work on that skill first, how to say no, because that will still be a problem wherever you end up.

Nope don’t buy this crap. Just leave.
I’m a 20+ year veteran and looking around for something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Retired principal here. Years ago, I had a French teacher leave for a better paying job with two weeks' notice. I was able to find a teacher - luckily - to take the class (and she turned out to be a great long termer). A couple years after this happened, I was talking with a few of the students in the class (they were seniors by then) and they were still angry about that first teacher walking out on them -- they took it very personally (they were a great class).

This is a dramatic story, I know, but the kids are almost always negatively impacted. Leaving at a natural break (quarter, semester, holiday, etc.) if always better when possible.

Experienced teacher (15+ years) looking for another job right now-
I understand the impact my abrupt departure may have on my students. I’m a pretty well-loved teacher. The problem is I am absolutely miserable right now. I can’t work 60-65 hour weeks anymore. I can’t put my work over my family anymore. I can’t cover for my admin anymore, taking on every little thing they need me to do.

The “my students will suffer” idea kept me in this job for years. It can’t anymore. My own children are suffering. I am suffering. I know I have leverage now because of teacher shortages, so the threat of losing my license doesn’t really scare me. If I can find a better placement, I’m going to take it. I’ll feel bad that I’m leaving my students, but I won’t feel bad because of what it does to admin. Admin is why I’m trying to leave.

I don't understand why you are working 60-65 hours a week and why you can't say no to admin. I would work on that skill first, how to say no, because that will still be a problem wherever you end up.

I’m the PP. I’m curious… what should I give up? Should I give up planning? That took five hours this weekend. If I don’t plan, I don’t have lessons. Babysitting 140 students with nothing to do sounds dreadful. Should I give up grading? I’d LOVE to do that, but it seems students and parents expect feedback on assignments. Should I give up responding to emails?

That’s the problem. If I give something up, my job gets harder. These are required tasks that I need to complete to function in the classroom. This isn’t about me going overboard. This is about a job that requires 20-30 hours a week of behind-the-scenes work, but I am given 4.5 hours of uninterrupted time to get it done.

It isn’t about saying “No.” I refuse to do things ALL THE TIME. If I didn’t, I’d be working over 80.