why i quit teaching after one year | my teaching experience
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 เม.ย. 2022
- I quit teaching after one year... here's why. I explain in detail why teaching is so difficult and why I made the personal choice to quit. I taught Kindergarten, first grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade at 3 different schools. I miss my kids daily, but it was the best decision for me.
Wanna be friends on insta? Come find me! / simplysaraspalding
Go check out my website www.simplysaraspalding.com for even more content!
So thankful for you all!
“I don’t get paid enough for this, but I knew I loved those kids.” Teaching in one sentence. I get it. I’m leaving in 3 weeks! Wishing you the best!
No, it's not the Gen Z in you...it's the reality of understanding limits
Proud of you for leaving! Thanks for the sweet comment.
@@heatherwinter6616 exactly...thank you so much!
Hi can u cut hair
I wound up not liking my kids and hating the parents who raised them. Fuck you, society!
Thanks for being so transparent. I have taught for 20 yrs and now I'm exhausted and looking to pivot. You're very self aware and just know that the teaching profession is extremely difficult now. Kudos for you taking care of yourself!
this is so kind!! thank you! Wow, 20 years! that's amazing! Yes, I am all for pivoting into something that brings life instead of takes it! Rooting for you :)
I totally get it. I decided during my teaching program that I was not cut out for teaching. I dealt with all of the same problems but with middle and high school students. I was only a student teacher and I never got a break. I was constantly bringing work home to grade, making lesson plans up to the last minute, and trying to get all of my assignments from my regular classes done on time. I worked 7 days a week at full throttle. My physical and mental health suffered because of the sheer stress of it all, it was unbelievable. It was, without a doubt, the worst experience of my life; I have never been unhappier, ever.
It's a tragedy, really. The week that I quit my program, two bathrooms at my high school were destroyed, two students were found unconscious with evidence of drug abuse, and another student attempted suicide. Police officers were stationed at every bathroom for the rest of that week. The email I got from the principal said things like this had become a regular occurrence at the school. And mind you, this wasn't at an inner-city school with a large number of minorities from poor backgrounds where violence and drug abuse are stereotypically associated. No, it was in a predominately white school in a fairly affluent neighborhood in San Diego, California.
My advice for those thinking about quitting. Do it. Save yourself. You will be much happier. For those who're thinking of becoming teachers, make sure you know what you're getting into. Very little to nothing you learn in your teaching college will apply to the actual classroom. Your students, while forgiving at first when they meet you, will eat you alive and walk all over you when they sense weakness in your teaching. They have no self-discipline, no self-control, and no interest in learning. You won't actually be teaching, most of the time you'll be scrambling to get the students to pay attention and follow instructions. You'll only have an hour (if you're lucky) to get what you need to say out there, but each student has so many peculiar needs that you won't be able to help them all the way they need to be helped in the little time you have. Forget having the weekends off or even a social life, if your students have homework, then you have homework; have fun grading 150 papers every week Not to mention the petty office politics and toxic gossiping between teachers and administrators. It's just a bad deal, overall.
If you want to be a teacher, then you have to be obsessed with teaching. I'm talking about the kind of obsession where you can't sleep at night if you're not teaching or thinking about teaching. If you have the faintest hint of doubt, don't do it. Save yourself the time, money, and headache.
"Very little to nothing you learn in your teaching college will apply to the actual classroom." Seems you could say that about many, if not most, college degrees. Makes you wonder if education itself has become inefficient, burdensome and a net hindrance to individual opportunity.
@@phillatella6470 Maybe some, but there's a reason 1/2 of all new teachers leave within the first 5 years.
What did you decide to do instead?
You nailed this so hard I screenshotted it
I always wonder what would happen if teachers collectively chose not to work after contract hours. Everything would fall apart. I also taught a year and went through all of this as well.
I used to say that all the time...lol wishing you the best!
@Chip Belori lol what are you talking about. 🤣
@Chip Belori 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣You are delusional!
Also, what would happen if they didn't sponsor or participate in the after school events and clubs? All of this is done for free. Administration expects you to be available before and after school and on weekends. All the extra paperwork and micromanaging were just too much. I'm happily retired.
@@janie6913 yes, absolutely.
I quit my job as a registered job last two years ago after almost 10 years in the field, it was not an easy decision, but life is too short to dread going to work everyday. No amount of money can buy real happiness lol but friends I'm not asking you to resign from your job or abandon your business but be wise!!
I don't really like my job but I love what it provides for me and my family. The pandemic has people rethinking working
@Sara Griffinn I currently own my own business, and while I was still employed, I made plans to retire early. I made about $2,000 per week from my retirement investment portfolio while attempting to build more side jobs and additional income.
@Sara Griffinn There are many investing alternatives, including real estate, CR ypto, ETFS, and stocks, but my greatest recommendation is to let a professional guide you toward lucrative ones so that you can make wise financial judgments. precisely what I did
@@emilyrose5386 so true definitely agree with you on this a professional FA will help you make the best decision about investing
@Sara Griffinn I work with Rachel Blanc; she provides excellent, reasonably priced service. She's amazing, and I recommend her to anyone at any time.
You are able to conduct your own research.
I started teaching 31 years ago. My mother was a teacher and I followed in her footsteps. Teaching has changed so much. It seems that every time teachers got a raise, new responsibilities were added. There are more forms to fill out, more tutorials, more expectations of you and the students. I love my students ❤️. I've been with some horrible principals and wonderful principals. I teach because I care about the students I'm entrusted with. But I am now looking at the light at the end of the tunnel. The bureaucracy is definitely beginning to outweigh the love of teaching. I can't imagine a new teacher coming into this. The stress is real. Good for you to be brave enough to walk away. Thanks for sharing!
I quit after 5 years of teaching. It was the best decision of my life.
Same
Same for me
What do you guys do now instead of teaching
Same. Except it’s only been 2 years. Long enough to realize that it’s not for me.
@@charitybogart8276 I went back to graduate school to become a speech-language pathologist! I overlapped my first year of grad school with my last year of teaching. 15 out of the 40 students in my program were all school teaches.
I can relate- I was never a licensed teacher, but have worked as a long-term substitute teacher for the last two years and it soured me from going into teaching for a lot of reasons that you mentioned. No matter how much I loved the kids and the teachers I worked with, the higher-ups, entitled parents, and student motivation/discipline issues made it too difficult for me to keep going. I know of three teachers at the elementary school I worked at that are quitting at the end of the year, and one of them even cautioned me against teaching. It's heartbreaking
Funny because I wanna go back to subbing now due to the demands of full
Time teaching
I am a 29 year veteran at the elementary school level and this year has been extremely difficult. I have felt like a first year teacher at times because of all the new things administrators want teachers to do, and they can be very overwhelming. Sometimes administrators forget what was like to be in the classroom and so they make decisions without really thinking how they will affect teachers. Thank you for your video presentation.
This is very reassuring..thank you and thanks for all you do! 29 years is amazing!!
The worst are the administrators who have never been in charge of an entire classroom. They have no clue what the actual dynamics of teaching are, but expect everyone to happily jump through their hoops.
My hat is off to you John Lopez. I retired a 36-year veteran. I taught high school English, and the only thing I miss is the great relationships I had with the kids. I am so sorry it has been so hard for you this year! You certainly are not alone. Many many of us literally feel your pain.
You're right, this year is a mess, except it's a mess everywhere. It's been the worst year we've had so far at my kids school. I have middle schoolers. Before the pandemic school was great. Now I feel like students, parents and teachers all have PTSD from the current school year.
It's a thankless profession. I stayed longer than I should have but finally got out :)
Proud of you!
What profession do you have now? I can't seem to find a job other than teaching.
@@marteung I was a Spanish teacher. I currently work as an English-Spanish translator/interpreter. It never occurred to me to look into this field until a friend suggested it to me. You have to do a very honest self-evaluation of your skills and talents as you weigh your new career options, but if you conduct a careful self-examination, there's no doubt in my mind that you'll find the right career choice. I know that there are recruiters and career coaches that can be very helpful in this regard. Moreover, jobs related to the subject you teach is in my view a very good place to start your search..
Let's be real. here in Germany you can't just find someone that pays that well..
Teaching colleges will share a statistic with their students that ~50% of those who graduate from teaching college will give up their teaching careers within 5 years. This was true decades before Covid-19 which of course only made the career even harder. I do appreciate the points you make in the video of why you didn't enjoy teaching and those things are of course common to the profession, especially more so as the government has gotten more involved in the education process over the decades. Government tends to wreck everything it touches that is outside of the scope of what they were originally put in place to do. Add to that of course of the degradation of society in general and the lack of structure that parents tend to provide for their children and the classroom becomes an almost impossible place to work and only people with a certain mindset and toolbox of skills and ideals can cut it.
Yes exactly!
Glad you left after 1 year. About to start my 8th and I’m completely done! Making a plan! Happy for you and best wishes 💜💜💜 Micromanaging is the main reason I’m leaving
I understand exactly how you feel! I quitted teaching at two schools within 6 months. The first time was at a rural high school; I was forced to resign due to a student and his parent lying about he didn't do this and that to me. The principal and superintendent took the student and parent side due to fear of getting sued. After leaving the high school, I started teaching 8th graders at an inner-city middle school. Those students were HORRIBLE! I couldn't teach nor control the class. The principal was an old school simp who sided and kissed the students
Inner city school = Jungle 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
My advice when you "teach" at an inner city school is that you got to do what you got to do to get through the day because you are on your own. Like I said, it's a jungle in there. 🤣🤣🤣
Suspensions are rare these days. Make parents have to come pick up their kids from school for being horrible. They’ll be pissed and hopefully the message begins to register.
@@bluesky5384 What if the parents don't pick them up? What then?
I guess our entire new teacher generation is crying like me :') I'm glad I'm not alone, this was so relatable to watch. Keep posting.
This makes me so happy!
"teachers" not just try to make the kids trans or BLM. They probably can't even do basic English or math. The teachers I mean.
I'm a 21 year vet & we are crying, too! Imagine working for years towards a pension, but still having 14 years to go to get your full pension!
Teaching was a great gig until about 10 yrs ago. I quit too. Good for you. System is broken. All the best!
I saw it starting to go downhill around 2,001 with Bush's NCLB. It has gotten worse every year. I loved teaching in the 80's and 90's.
Nearly twice your age (Gen X), a career changer, now English certified, grades 5-12. After a semester long long term sub English job, I agreed to a Special Education Teacher job with a co-teacher and adjustment counselor, and 8 students with “social-emotional disabilities.” Though I did a great job, it was stressful, too much work and not enough support, even from my two colleagues. I resigned effective the end of this school year and am counting down the days. I have a strong work ethic and don’t get sick so, unlike my two co-workers have 7 of the remaining 18 days off-thank God! My two long term sub English jobs were not much better, so I’m thinking about earning my Master’s degree full-time, probably in Creative Writing, which is something I’m passionate about. Thinking I could teach community college where my students actually want to be there!
I quit teaching 8 weeks before I received my credential. 😅 I just knew, based on everything I'd seen, that I'd never use it. And since I knew it'd just expire, I figured there was no point finishing. It broke my heart to leave the kids at my placement, but I still feel like it was a good call. Thank god I didn't have to teach during COVID. 😵
What did you decide to do instead?
@@LivinLifeLikeLauren Home organization
You made the right decision. Good luck with your new job. Things are harder now than when I taught.
Thank You for stating so clearly at the beginning of your video that this is YOUR experience. Having said that and only 8 minutes into your video, I realize you are speaking my truth and I have clarity hearing it from you. I am much older than you and still teaching( 5 years) at this moment; but not for long. I have struggled to be as honest and clear about how I felt about the systematic shenanigans necessary to be a teacher in our educational teaching system. After using other's experiences,especially younger posters I am glad they were quicker to see the problems that many others just accepted and struggled through.
I’m glad you were able to figure out all of these things before you spent years as a teacher. I resigned as a classroom teacher of record in January of 2022 after nearly 20 years in the classroom. My physical and mental health are both so much better now. Best to you and yours.
I graduated from H.S. in 1968. I only remember one problem kid he was in my health and safety class. He was disruptive in class. Teachers were treated with respect and kids behaved well. I don't recall any real problems.
Yep, I graduated in the mid 1990’s and same thing, the kids were not horrible like they describe today, respected the teachers. No violence against teachers, students feared being expelled or suspended. You had the occasional student fight and drug use, but it was minor. Nothing like they talk about now with students threatening teachers, committing violence in class, etc. it’s 100% the paremts.
Our society has disintegrated big time..social media, lack of attention and discipline from parents. too many lenient. Kids are not shielded fr bad influences..there are many on social media and they spend many hours. Kids being accommodated to instead of being trained and raised by the adults .
Kudos to you for leaving and taking care of your mental health! I’ve been teaching for 9 years so far and it’s still extremely hard even with having a supportive admin (extremely rare and the top reason I’m not leaving my school until I leave the profession).
Thank you so much, this is so kind! Yes, never leave the good admin they are few and far between lol
It’s Saturday. 4:20pm. I spent all of Friday night and all of today preparing for next weeks lesson. My feet are still killing me from walking my 7TH GRADE students up and down the stairs each period. I left a really good school to go to someplace that literally saps me of all of my energy daily.
I can totally relate!
I left after 4 years. Florida schools are tough. I appreciate your honesty and am happy you're advocating for yourself. 💖
Glad you can relate! Yes they are... thank you so much for your kind words!
You're not kidding. Taught there for 4 years. Couldn't make a living. Had to go.
I am an elementary school teacher in Germany. Some things here are similar, some things aren't. We certainly share the part about those ridiculous standards some administrators, school districts and the government demand from us sometimes.
The differene is, that we are public servants as teachers and as such we can't be layed off or fired - (almost) ever. We would have to commit some serious crime and be convicted in court to loose that status. We get payed reasonably well, I would say. Certainly way better than in the US.
As an elementary school teacher I have to teach every grade (1-4), which means I have the same children for 4 years. This summer my big kids will leave elementary school, which I am really sad about, and I will get a new first grade after that.
This is my first year teaching, and after three weeks, my life has been turned upside down! I'm stressed, the work overload is unbearable. I wish I would of known all of this before signing the dotted line.
I'm right there with you. i really want to quit
My friend and I just resigned (3rd year and 1st year). If you feel miserable every day, resign.
@@ElizabethDevore1996 I'm going to leave in December. 50 more days to go. I EFFING HATE IT
@@jennom2195 Between toxic admin, too many expectations, behavior problems, and in-denial parents, I don’t blame you. I wish you nothing but the best! Remember, good things are coming. ❤️
@@ElizabethDevore1996 and the same day you posted this last comment, was the day I gave my two weeks. I couldn't make it to December. I was coming home depressed, immediately going to sleep, waking up and grading...only to go to sleep again and start the day all over. When the bell would ring for class to start, my stomach would drop. I didn't bother packing a lunch because I was too tense/nervous during the day to eat. My family wasn't getting the best of me because my job has taken and taken and taken until there is nothing left of me to give. I have 9 more days and I already feel like I'm getting my old self back. 9 more days of IEP meetings. 9 more days of students disrespecting me and trying to buck the system. 9 more days of watching students on their phones while I'm up in the front of the classroom trying to teach them. 9 more days of seeing heads down, not caring to pay attention to what I'm saying. 9 more days of putting out fires. Education is a broken system. A complete and total reform needs to happen, and it probably never will. I refuse to put my kindness and love into 160 students who treat me like absolute garbage. I'm choosing myself, now. Elizabeth, thank you for your support. You have no idea how much it means to get support from someone who knows what it's like and GOT OUT. I'm so happy for you.
I taught for 12 years before getting out. However, I knew the very first class of my very first day of teaching that it wasn't for me. If I could go back in time I would have told younger me to move on earlier.
Good for you!
There are 3 guarantees in life: Death, Taxes, and Teacher burn out.
Good for you for not sticking it out. I was a college professor for 11 years. I just finished summer II. In about a week in a half I start back to school to become a clinical psychologist.
I wish I would have been like you and left much sooner.
As a previous preschool teacher I completely relate to your thoughts. I worked for about 8 months and then quit because of how overwhelming it was especially compared to how much you get paid. I’m really glad you shared your experience!!
I retired early from teaching only having taught for 16 years. It was a change in professions for me. Just couldn't do it anymore. Disrespectful students and parents. COVID finished me off after 2 years of jumping to every new change the district wanted to implement to appease parents. Decided to retire after a long debate with myself. Do not regret one day nor do I miss it. Hats off for those that stayed but I felt I wouldn't be a benefit to the students or my health.
I am an Out of School Suspension Facilitator. I completely understand where you are coming from. I have been given more duties with the same pay but have stayed only because of the children. The program I work under is supposed to have a teacher's assistant but they have yet to hire one. My students are with me from 6:50-12:45 without a break. Sometimes my students come to my center with no classwork so I create it for them. I have gone above and beyond to help my students and still not given the resources I need to be successful. I won't miss the cons of my job but I will miss the relationships I have built with my students.
I wish you the best and hope that you have found the best career for you. Hats off to you because I should have quit a long time ago.
I get it. Thanks for sharing.
A friend of mine had false allegations, biased lesson observations, backstabbing, bitching, overwork, under resourced and sabotage to deal with. He was an excellent teacher, his students loved him and he helped them achieve some great results. He left, and he said he’d rather drink bleach than do it again.
Loved this video Sara keep up the great work ❤️❤️❤️
How wonderful that you had a mentor teacher. Not every new teacher gets one. Most are on their own when they first start.
Had one at every school! It was great
Haha! I’m so sorry you had to go through that! Trust me, I feel your pain and frustration! I finally “retired” after 20 years as a special education teacher in 2020 to help my daughter and son-in-law when he was diagnosed with cancer while already on dialysis. I jumped from one school and state to another for the most part, but taught in Philly at the high school level for 3 years and had finally found my “groove” in Hawaii teaching middle school. I still tutor part-time online now to supplement my Social Security. But honestly Covid made things SO much worse as a teacher than they already were! I put up with a lot of crap to stay in teaching (my brother had Down’s syndrome which is what drew me to special Ed.) But I couldn’t handle all the information overload of being expected to do everything that is expected of a teacher on top of learning to teach online overnight, then “hybrid” which for special ed meant in person when things were even scarier. I love teaching but I didn’t want to die! I’m so happy you got out early! Lol!
About 7 years ago I taught a bus-ed class where half the kids were SpEd. Without any para support, I frequently visited the SpEd dept head, where I asked her once how does any SpEd teacher survive a career. Either dead-pan or dead serious, she said "alcohol".
Love your video, my husband and I decided to quit teaching in the U.S. and live abroad... more time to travel, more money, and our kids are learning so much! ❤️
Same, I quit a month into it, same thing about too much unpaid work. Props! I'm sure that there are teachers who truly do the work out of love, but I didn't love it enough to sacrifice my well being. I would rather not be a teacher than be a bad, unhappy teacher.
I made it 6 months! Taught high school math from January to June in 1994, said “eff this” and went into computer programming instead, lol. Whew! Dodged a bullet!
I’m in my first year of teaching right now at an elementary school and the number one thing that has surprised me is the lack of support that we get with challenging behaviors. Im considering leaving after the school year is over
Absolutely same. It’s hard to leave considering it’s my first year but for all the reasons she discussed and more it’s necessary.
The parents, man.. the parents. Especially the ones who are power hungry and sadistic and hate you for nothing. They want to sue me sometimes about the most absurd stuff and I do SO much for those kids I care for so dearly! Without them I would run without another thought! The first half of a year in my teaching career I got ulcerative colitis... chronic.
I have the same issues, ADHD and poor classroom management. I got my teaching degree in 1990 and every few years I’d go back. Honestly, I feel I and it got worse every time, even tho it was better areas (started teach in really bad parts, lots of gangs, one of the poorest zip codes in the US, etc). So, if you think of going back, look at this video and remember it’s not worth the stress.
Yesss you get me! Good reminder, thanks for the wonderful support!
I dabbled in teaching as a day care worker. I still remember the smartest little two year old that I’d ever met. He could read, and spoke like an older child for sure. His name was Austin and he moved to Texas.
I understand everything you are saying. I just got high blood pressure from all the stress. Not sure how much longer I will be teaching
This is my 1st year as a teacher, and after only three weeks, I am seriously regretting this decision.
i think for me its my personality too. im still on the last leg of my first year and they introduced a new student in early march, missed several weeks, just absolutely ridiculous behavioral problems, i feel abused everyday, little admin support, parent screams on the phone and is uninvolved, but what really nailed it was when my mentor teacher told me the exact same thing that my previous school where i was in for an americorps program said. "youre too soft spoken. you need to engage with the kids more" she really said that after a whole year of watching me go through hell with these kids. all my life ive been bullied, harrassed, and tortured by anxiety and depression because of the constant barrage of unsolicited comments about my introverted personality, and interestingly, a lot of it came from teachers throughout my life, including my mom who taught 3rd grade for 30 years. i shouldve known better. it seems, only very specific types of people can be teachers. if youre not neurotypical, dont respond/think quickly enough or have a naturally quieter voice or prefer to not antagonize the quieter kids by humiliating them or dont hover over the kids like a dog or dont have 100 eyes in the back of your head and have psychic powers to sense when a kid is going to get hurt 2 minutes into the future, then you are not a "good" teacher. early childhood is the micromanager of education fields. they'd rather have people who enable problems in the system if it means they suck up to admin. not my kind of job.
Oh, totally! I will say that one “advantage” of special education classes is the administration (and sadly) parents have such low expectations for “those kids” that they aren’t as much standing over the teachers, especially at the middle and high school level. The downside is that I got practically no involvement from high school parents. Very few of them attended IEP meetings!
There is nothing wrong with your personality. Everyone's got different personalities and that makes the world interesting. There are.introverted teachers who still maintain respect from students.
As an educator, once I took a masters level class on classroom management skills it made all the difference in the world... before in the classroom the kids were basically in control and knew it. After the classroom management course I was in control. The students knew the rules and the consequences and the classroom atmosphere was one of peace. Following through and being consistant is the key. I think this course should be required for all those who are going to work in a classroom. I'm guessing many new teachers get so frustrated with out of control students that they leave the profession.... nonsupportive administrators are also a big stressor and there's not much you can do about that except ask for more support...
What consequences can you give? I have a hard time giving any meaningful consequences for things like speaking out of turn. I am discouraged from sending people to the office or calling home for such infractions.
@@nombre1575 first have the rules posted somewhere in the front of the room so students can review them daily. Make sure students are aware of the consequences. consequences can be posted along side the rules. When a student breaks a rule write their name on the board as a warning. If they break a rule again ( second time) put a check after their name and take 5 minutes off their next recess. If they break the rule for the third time put a second check after the first check and take another 5 minutes off their recess for a total of 10 minutes. If they break another rule put a third check after their name and say three strikes your out and set them in the hallway for 15 minutes and they loose their whole recess. This worked really well for me and put me in charge of the classroom instead of the students.
Mr. Ingersoll, at the risk of being rude; Have you ever been a teacher? I am a teacher and doing all that you have suggested, and having experience with many different ages of students. The "masters level ..classroom management course" isn't worth much if the students tell you where you can stick the "rules and consequences", are both defiant and entitled and in control.
@@dorianmac7466 teachers need to work with their principle to have consequences that are severe enough to effect change. Yes I worked in classrooms everyday with my guidance curriculum . at the elementary level recess was a huge motivator and when 5 or 10 minutes were taken away from there recess along with consistent enforcement I had very little problems with rule breaking... no you did not sound rude, you sound like a very nice person...
this seems like a good idea!! i would even go as far as to give them an opportunity to gain the minutes back! ❤love this
My first year was ridiculous, my class was stacked with academic and behaviour on purpose because they knew a new teacher was coming. The admin made changes right before I started. I feel you it is terrible
I have been teaching for 28 years and have seen a lot. I have had seniors for the past 8 years and love it after 20 years of ninth and tenth graders. I made my class online entirely and self-paced. The kids love it. I just help as needed and encourage them. Grading is never at a level that is unmanagable because the work trickles in. Greatest shortcut I ever came up with. It took me years to figure out how to keep my stress level down. My advice to the less experienced teachers is to ask the veterans how they do it. I will be retiring in a few years and worry about our younger educators. I try to give them advice, but they don't listen and fall apart. Every school year is a marathon, not a sprint. Learn shortcuts, use sick days, control what you can, and learn from the vets, only do the things that you know you have to do. Many requirements are not checked by administration. Vets know what to do and what to ignore.
Thank you!
making it all online sounds like a great idea!
Omg !!!! I had almost the same experience from our team leader/mentor being a super role follower and me like you !! I’m currently pregnant and will NOT be returning after maternity leave.
Love that!
Let's do the math. You have 130 students to teach a day and 45-50 minutes a day to grade their work. It is unattainable. Also that 45 - 50 minutes is sometimes taken a way with useless meetings and covering other teachers' classes. And then admin and parents are on your back about not having enough grades.
I’ve been teaching 29 years and everything has changed so much. It’s always been stressful and filled with expectations that are unrealistic. I’ve had two classes that scored top in the nation for the Iowa Assessments. The challenges are overwhelming and quite different these days. Financially, it’s not rewarding. It’s emotionally and mentally draining on a daily basis. Since technology has taken over our young minds, their attention span has lessened and the fascinating lessons from the past are totally blasé. Anyway, in today’s crazy world I would do the same thing and choose another profession that would be rewarding and enjoyable on a daily basis. Stay blessed and good luck!
I want to quit so bad. I don’t understand how they can put so much on us and expect us to do everything in just 8 hours. I cry all the time and don’t understand how they can do this to us
Girl I feel you. Get out! Im completely switching careers at 24 years old and am much happier. Get out sooner than later.
Look at teaching abroad!!! Best decision my family made, we will never reach in the states again.
I just resigned. I’ve never been happier in my life.
Right here with you girl! I’m unhappy/borderline depressed. This job has RUINED my mental health in a blink of an eye. I just started and I can’t wait to get out
Your experience is what I want to hear.
I agree, teaching is a large boat to stir especially when you have ADHD. It’s hard to reign everything in all at the same time and to create balance let alone maintain it. I agree, teaching feel like your life is being drained out of you because for the first five years you’re trying to get a foothold but everything is shot at your in rapid-fire mode. Even if you don’t have ADHD, teaching is a beast that is hard to tame. Yes, it’s so hard to have a balance between work and home. The pressure on teachers is intense and the work load is unrealistic especially if you have your own children or are a single-parent.
Yes exactly.
I'm looking for a non teaching job right now. The things that are required of teachers is insane. The most overworked, underpaid people in the world.
The 1st 3 years are always the hardest. With that said, I'm a veteran teacher of 21 years and I WISH I would have left early on. Now I am stuck in this very dangerous district where I am in the midst of violence, chaos and severe verbal abuse every single day. It is by far the most toxic environment imaginable (teachers & cops have a lot in common in some communities.) My pension is the ONLY thing keeping me here (although we have had MANY teachers put their pensions in jeopardy by quitting mid-year). I might have to leave sooner than I wanted, though, because I have been hospitalized several times due to stress-related physical problems. And the thing is, I PREFERRED BEING HOSPITALIZED THAN GOING TO WORK!
Oh goodness. I hope you make it through.
I'm going to be a first year teacher in the fall. However, I started teaching summer school in July.
Honestly, I hate it. It's been so stressful and I have had such little support. I have a child with extreme autism and I cannot control him. I did not major in special education. I was not trained or prepared to handle a child with severe behavioral problems. Everyday is a struggle. When he gets riled up, my class gets riled up too. I'm scared that I already want to quit when the school year hasn't even started.
I had the same feelings my first year too and as I look back, I wish I would have just left. Research other passions. Jobs that will make you money and happiness. And don't be scared to start over. You re too young not too. I believe in you.
@@sonialilly5688 and when the fuck did I say it was the child's fault?? I said I was tired and disappointed in MYSELF not him! I have the right to feel what I feel. I never EVER showed any distain for the child. In fact, I felt disappointed because I couldn't help him as much as I'd like too.
You invite other student's parents to come sit in your classroom and then have them complain to the principal about how that child is disrupting YOUR child's education and that you want that child moved to a more appropriate environment. They'll listen to other parents long before they'll listen to their teachers.
I just resigned after 3 years. Best decision of my life.
I'm in my 27th year. I agree with everything you said!
Smart decision. It does NOT get better if you stay. Best to get out while you are young and can easily enter another field. Very hard to get hired after 50.
Thank you! Very reassuring!
She is not in that age group.
When I graduated from high school I had zero desire to teach. I came to it while going through my divorce as a 36 year old with two school age children. I don’t know how young people go right into teaching with no experience but student teaching. I subbed for two and a half years then did music and art specialties for about five years before I got licensed this December same as you and even with all that experience it’s tough! I thought I’d be teaching teenagers but ended up doing elementary music. I often get left out of the loop about what’s going on with some of the kids and I have to learn the names of every kid in the school but compared to the main home room teachers, my job is cake. I’ve also had friends who got the full time jobs I thought I was going to do and left teaching because of all the extra meetings and “busy” work they had to do. I never would’ve stuck with teaching if I would’ve started at your age so I can’t blame you at all.
Thank you! Means a lot!
The way this sounds EXACTLY like my first year experience right now!
I've been in education for 15 years
I saw the difference years ago
Parents work long hours
Parents can be arsed to read to kids or help with homework
Children miss out on learning communication skills
Children attend school, unable to communicate or behave appropriately
Children become naughty
Pressure put on teachers
Naughty kid ruins learning experience for all yet is still allowed in school
Just an example why people leave the profession
Short reason... Parents.... Parents are at fault, too scared of their own kids, refuse to Parent and would rather be their best friend
I got hired mid year and ended the year (about 4.5 months in all.) 12 hrs at work each day. I did not renew the following year.
I’m also a former teacher and I do want to scare you if you’re considering being a teacher. Don’t.
The profession you think you are entering doesn’t exist. There’s no fixing it at this point without scrapping the existing system completely and starting over, but if you keep up with what Texas and Florida and Arizona are doing you’ll see they are stressing the worst while killing what little good is hiding in it by allowing angry parents to personally sue teachers for teaching facts that go against the parents religion or politics. Not for expressing opinions but literally for teaching facts.
Do not enter this field. It’ll economically, physical, emotionally, and spiritually break you if you care about the kids as people instead of as a means to getting the equivalent of a minimum wage paycheck.
Good advice
Glenn thornton.. crt is not facts.. gender bender awareness inforcement is not facts..
Facts are what I was taught back in 1968 to 1979.. and we stood for a silent prayer as a group...stood for pledge of allegiance as a group...
I am so thankful for my education..
@@carlbass4449 “Awareness information” is literally facts. You weren’t educated. You literally don’t even know the difference between a fact or opinion, much less what CRT is.
You were indoctrinated during the end of Segregation to pledge allegiance to a government that at the time legally refused to educate non-white kids. Generations of people were denied access to education, health care, and basic services like police protection while being targeted by laws that weren’t enforced against white people especially when it came to voting laws. Those are facts, facts that are illegal to teach in several states. Think about that, if you can. It’s literally illegal to teach about the state of American public schools when you were in school.
As for silent prayers, that absolutely wasn’t allowed then or now for non-Christians. Forced Christianity has never been a positive except for those who use it to abuse others. And oh boy, how much abuse from those years you mentioned have come to light since then. There’s a reason your faith runs on faith instead of facts. Facts reveal how corrupt and evil your faith and a Christian America really is.
Since you can’t tell the difference, that last part was an opinion and not a fact.
I started public school in first grade ...one of the hardest things I have ever done. The next year I moved to fourth grade and it was so so wonderful in comparison. K and 1 is just so much prep and constantly "on" bc the kids aren't independent and their attention span is low. My suggestion is keep your credentials active even if you quit. Im 42 now and have gone back and forth with teaching MULTIPLE times ...lol. I'll get tired of it....quit. then I often felt better later and realized it was one of the best paying jobs with benefits I could get. I live in CA where a lot of teachers average about 100k a year so it's hard to just hop to something else that pays that.
My daughter in law is a tele-teacher. She left her first job in a city school because of the crime in the school and outside. She teaches Spanish on the monitors in different schools. She loves it.
Good video. I'm getting into teaching after 31 years in the military. We'll see what happens.
Wishing you much success! This is my 1st year teaching, and after 3 weeks, it has been a major struggle. I dont know how much more I can take.
Very true !
I also left after 9 months. No regrets at all
love this lol
Are you ever thinking of coming back? I’m in my first year and I don’t think I want to renew my contract for next year. I am physically and emotionally drained everyday and I realized that unfortunately it’s not what I thought it was. My only fear right now is that if and/or when I want to come back my certification won’t be valid. Do you know anything about that?
Sounds about right! This is why veteran teachers are leaving too. The districts keep saying that there are enough students in college who will take these jobs, but it just isn't true. The veteran teachers need more support, so that they stay. If districts don't do this, we won't have any more teachers!
Even in the best of circumstances, teaching is tough and challenging jobs. It’s a lot for one person. I almost quit after the first two years of teaching.
Are you still teaching now?
Sounds like a new micro-manager Principal! Pathetic how they make teachers feel most never having spent time in the classroom themselves.
Me too! Quit after 1 year!
Ohhh where I as I used totally agree about the windows, I’m thinking now with the constant gun violence in school it may be safer. I’m so with you, I’m a 7th grade L/A teacher and the other teacher that was here left & them these kids are so bad, they ran through two replacements and sub after sub. Currently they moved me down to the old computer lab and the entire grade is on my plate 💀. Smallest group is 56 and largest is almost 70, entering grades into the last assigned teachers grade portal because they cannot fill this position and it’s such a violation. Needless to say, I’m counting down until June 😩
Haven't had a chance to watch h yet...but I quit after 3 years of teaching. Never regretted the decision
Haven't regretted it yet! Best decision I ever made
What did you decide to do instead?
I became an RN for 8 Yeats. Now I stay home with my kiddos and homeschool. :)
I just left after year 3 too! Never going back.
My mentor teacher is completely rude and awful :( it’s made my first year an absolute living hell
My principal is like that
Proud of you for quitting. I think the best reason to quit is when it’s not right for you. Thank you for sharing this. I completely feel you on the “I don’t like to work when I’m not getting paid. ” I was in the military and I got out last year but i always hated that no matter if i worked 40 or 60 hours or worked weekends I would get the exact same pay.
I worked 18 -19 hours in the Navy off the coast of Vietnam. I was grateful to have a shower...3 good meals a day and a clean bunk to sleep on.
@@briang.7206 thank you for your service 🖤 I was grateful as well but knew there was a better life for me
I’m so drained I feel like a huge failure . I have kids destroy my room hit others refuse to transition . There’s been two shootings in my schools neighborhood and I’m afraid that if this happens while I have kids refusing to move me or other kids can get hurt. The kids don’t listen and constantly interrupt me. I stay after two hours after my time wake up at 4 am to do things for them and nothing. I want to cry and just quit but I don’t want to lose my certification but I’m just at my breaking point and is just September. 😢
I was told by a teacher I know, that it's super stressful. Said she has to do everything short of standing on her head to get their attention.
As a special education teacher aka *education specialist, the dual role of case manager and special education teacher is insurmountable.
*They upgraded the title of education specialist at a weak pretense to make special education teachers FEEL better about their marginalized position.
Amen !
taught for 1 year. It took a huge toll on my mental health. I thought, why should I have to struggle and feel so miserable with the possibility that it MIGHT get better. I struggled with classroom management and not having enough time to lesson plan. Granted, I made it through and the parents thanked me for everything and I did a good job for my first year, but it made me feel so terrible and exhausted all year long. I felt like a failure because I didn't enjoy teaching or feel passionate as much as my college friends who always made posts about themselves as teachers. I quit after my first year and still feel like a failure, but I'm now pursuing another career path that that I always wanted to do as a 2nd choice and it seems like a better fit for me and hoping for the best. It's just so hard seeing people I went to school with seem as though they got the hang of teaching right away and they are able to continue
What are you doing instead now?
@@LivinLifeLikeLauren Graphic Design and loving it! I noticed that even though both professions are hard, I'm still enjoying my work as a graphic designer and it doesn't make me feel miserable. I know so many people who find their passion right away, but I learned that not everyone is the same and we need trial and errors sometimes!
Your comment really resonated with me. Im feeling the same. It’s my first year and this weekend after so much stuff being put on me the last straw finally broke my back and Im really thinking of not renewing my contract. I love the kids and my team but I just can’t. Im emotionally and physically tired everyday and I don’t know if I have a passion for this like I did in college and it’s so disappointing to know that everything I thought it’d be…isnt. And I look at my college friends and think to myself “why can’t you just have passion and stick it out like they are” but it’s gotten to the point where I think I have to put myself first. I’m not sure if I’ll come back but I know right now I don’t want to do this. If you have any advice I’d love some.
@Mayte Palacios I feel you. It's so hard and people with other careers wouldn't completely understand. I'm still going on my journey in my new career path, so I can't tell you exactly how it will turn out. But I can say that it feels like a brighter path for me and my mental health is so much better. Looking back as a teacher, I was so incredibly stressed, overworked, and exhausted that it changed my whole personality and took a toll on my mind and body. I feel much better now. My advice would be to understand yourself. People always say that the 2nd year of teaching is better since you have familiarity and more resources. So if you can endure it, go ahead. But if you have a passion or desire for something else, try exploring that. We're still so young and should be allowed to change instead of feeling trapped. Its not a failure to have a different life than your peers. The biggest difference that I noticed in my new career path is that even though the work is still difficult, I get fulfillment and enjoyment from doing the work because I have that passion and drive which was missing when I was teaching. I say, test trial the whole year. You might find your groove and routine and it may get easier for you. Definitely try to get support from veteran teachers at your school or your team. Choose what's best for you and not what others think, good luck!
I quit after my first year now I’m back. I still feel the same but I need insurance and I don’t want to work in the summer 😩
I also quit after my first year and am returning to a much better school, grade, district, and environment in the fall so we will see.
My son is a senior at a low-performing school in GA. - they get a 3 out of 10 rating from Great Schools. But they have AMAZING teachers who really care and try hard. For whatever reason, this low performing school seems to get top-level teaching talent. Unfortunately for them - they are fighting an uphill battle.
**70% of the students are Spanish and many of their parents don't really speak English.
**There are some gangs and guns and drugs - which may be typical in many schools these days.
**And unfortunately, most of the kids simply do NOT care about the classes or getting good grades.
**Most of my son's friends seem like good kids but it appears no one at home is really guiding them to do well in school - or care about it. So the teachers are really NOT going to be able to force many of them to become good students.
**The teachers are forced into giving passing grades and extra credit for literally walking in the door. Kids are able to do retests when they do poorly - and 2nd time around they already have the answers - basically the teachers do whatever they can to have the kids pass so the school's official "testing scores" are totally bogus and fake. If things were done legit - more than half would not graduate so the teachers have to do what they have to do - or are told to do...
**Good Luck to you! Making money online IS the way to go! Internet Marketing is the #1 skillset to achieve an awesome career, IMO. 👍
You are so right.
I started in September and will most likely be quitting before Winter Break. I don’t find anything about this job appealing or redeeming … not even spending time with the kids. I never imagined I’d be in this position so miserable after years of trying to become a teacher. And in less than 2 months i hate it.
Your experience is very typical. Most young teachers leave within 3-5 years.
Because they’re smart!
Yes, its quite sad but it is the reality.
Haha Yes!
Any suggestions for other careers cause teaching is not it!
MESSAGE TO EVERY FORMER TEACHER - what career do you have now? After years of teaching, I feel stuck because there's too much teaching experience on my resume - how did you guys manage to turn around?
Check out my other videos on online business and passive income! I have lots of ideas for former teachers!
@@saraspalding3972 😮 😮 Checking NOW 😮 😮
Community Engagement and non profit
Did you teach in Brevard?
I taught in Bradenton and Sarasota!
@@saraspalding3972 I knew it had to be Central. :)
Yes. I'm a substitute teacher and I just accept that it's the lowest paid babysitting job you'll ever have. There should be max 10 kids in K-2nd because it's just not safe. Often the playgrounds have openings near busy streets and I have heard stories of kids escaping class and ending up across busy highways. And a highschool student escaped and got arrested during class time. Another got killed in a car accident while supposedly in class. The teacher has to spend the whole day counting 24-50 heads every 5 minutes to be sure none escape. And you can get that same pay for just watching 3 kids as a nanny. I only substitute because someone in our society has to watch the kids of the general population while the parents work. I consider my job volunteer work. Very difficult and important volunteer work to make sure kids survive the day while their parents work. No kids will escape when I'm there. It just sucks having to feel like a prison guard. And yes no windows in those tiny dungeon rooms.
And I am 50 yrs old. I think young teachers are not ready for the huge responsibility of watching 24-50 kids at once. It's too stressful and no one should have to do it honestly. They need to reduce class sizes, cut them all in half.
SO TRUE smaller class sizes would help so many issues!
Dear Lass, you did great, it's not about the kids anymore , the shite that comes with it, and the changes that have been made, schools curriculum teach 0 practical skills , if you talk to kids in class about it, they all love it , but then the curriculum has to be taught, and the system sucks.
If you want to teach do it part time as a private tutor , better to get out as soon as possible, the pay is shite, just move on from it.
what were your top 5 student behavior problems?
Depended on the grade - kinder was not following directions, screaming, fighting, tattling, etc. In 5th there was a ton of disrespect, physical fights, refusal to listen/do work, nonstop talking, drama, etc.
@@saraspalding3972 If you could get classroom management training that taught you how to solve all of these problems, completely 100% solve all of these classroom behavior problems, would you return to teaching?
@@a.m.6847 NEVER. I will never go back for anything.
@@a.m.6847 Unfortunately no Classroom Training for the teacher, can make maladjusted students behave responsively.
Did you do a practicum in a school before you started - I would think you would learn a lot if you were required to do that - yes it is hard but you never gave it enough time - like everyone was the best but work and life is hard. Are you going back to school? I still don't get paid enough for what I do but I still do it!
Yes, of course. I student taught during covid so it was a built different. This wasn’t me saying “omg this is way too hard o quit.” This was hours upon hours of unpaid work, unsupportive admin and teachers, hours of lesson planning that the state mandated. You have no idea what Ive been through. Quitting teaching was the best thing I ever did. And teachers who have taught for 20 years agree with me. I can do hard things. Teaching was hard. It’s also soul sucking. Don’t judge how hard I worked based off one video.
That is called a split class, and it never works.
Teaching is the only job you are expected to perform like you’ve been there for 20 years on day 1.
My first question was … what state. Im so sorry. but having been through that public system in that state is indeed the bottom of the barrel (not the teachers…the environment and parents are DAF)
They should have real teachers promoted to top so they are more understanding. Principles don’t have to have any teaching experience.
You should not have to buy supplies for your classroom. Ridiculous.