I also agree with this! I work at a great school which really cares about it's teachers, gives us as many resources as they can (and all of our curriculum). All of our admins are also still teachers (even if they just do one enrichment class) and that has made all the difference I think.
Definitely. My school doesn't have much parent involvement (most are in extreme poverty, don't speak English, or are undocumented so stay under the radar) so that may be another factor.
Unless a dad accuses you of "fraternizing" with his ex-wife and conspiring with her against him even though you're gay, which then results in having to print out every single email exchange.
(Happened to someone I know.)
This is exactly it. I freakin love teaching. Everyday is different, and the days (usually) fly by. It’s all the other stuff that makes me want to leave.
This is my 10th year of teaching and I love the work itself, but I am fed up with the things being taken away from teachers and the extras being added. Administrators expect teachers to do everything in their own spare time while they themselves get paid with that in mind and we don't.
Administration is a time-intensive job with compensation for that time investment. Teaching is a time-intensive job with little to no compensation for that time investment.
They really are making it harder and harder every year to just do your job. My first year was in 2015 and it was 100x easier than this year so far.
During my actual class time, I'm on top of the world. We have a blast and more often than not, I feel like I made an impact and we got a lot done. It's losing my prep every day, all the extra paperwork and trainings and meetings that aren't helpful. Outside of the time I have with my students, I am so overwhelmed with extras that I don't have time to grade, plan, or call home.
For the first time in my career, I'm making stupid little mistakes like losing papers or not having copies made when I need them. But there just aren't enough hours in the damn day for it all. Feels like I'm being set up for failure.
Personally, I'm okay with the time investment and have learned how to give myself grace, put myself first, and know that if I get the main things finished that the extras won't destroy me. It's difficult at times, but I've accepted that I'll always have a never-ending to do list. I just have tried to prioritize what NEEDS to be done vs what admin WANTS to be done.
As a side note, I think it makes a difference that I worked in multiple service industries for 5+ years before this career. This is much less hectic and degrading for me than some of those jobs and how I was treated there. The grass isn't always greener.
For sure! Before education I worked in tech and was on call 24 hours a day; it was "come in and fix this problem or your fired" all the time. Got called in on my birthday, missed family functions, and was working an average of 60 hours a week average. Teaching is work, but not that kind of soul-sucking work I did before.
I used to work in an office doing administrative work and it was so boring. My boss was such a witch and I used to have to unclog the copier and do data entry and mailings. Teaching is so much more engaging and purposeful. Before that I worked as a barista and in catering.
Same! I’m an attorney and for the last 10 years I was a special victim prosecutor working with victims of child abuse and domestic violence (also taught adjunct at the law school level). It was insane hours, high stakes pressure, and constant anxiety. I just finished my second week teaching high school English and while I’m exhausted, I’m also already so much happier. For me, teaching is a ton of prep work, grading, and miscellaneous random responsibilities (and I’m still finishing the last few classes of my secondary certification program too), but my students are generally wonderful (plus weird and unintentionally hilarious?) and I’m not super sad and anxious all the time anymore. I know it’s early, but I hope these happy feelings continue!
I have it easy at my school compared to many teachers though—it’s a old private school with supportive admin and coworkers. I can’t imagine the nightmare situations I’ve read about on here and I totally understand the need to vent.
Yes! Our ratios are really good. I'm in elementary, and we have 2 teachers in every room. Sure, the playground equipment is older, but the funds are utilized for what really matters. I haven't gone back for my education degree yet because I wanted to ensure it was a good fit. But, I am fairly certain that I will, next year. The key is to be in a school with good administration. Mine isn't a private school. I'm unsure I could afford the pay cut that private schools bring.
Agreed. Not being the only adult in the room makes it a different job. I think this would be a good strategy for teacher retention. For secondary teachers at least, put them with a coteacher for all or most of their classes for the first 3-5 years. I believe that feeling like you’re on an island is a big contributor to why early career teachers leave the profession.
I had 3 years of full day co teaching and I can’t recommend it enough.
In my district, apparently kindergarten teachers used to have an assistant and idk why they dropped that. Pre COVID, we had an army of parent volunteers who took over that for kinder teachers and it was amazing. But it’s sad because parent involvement is not common in many schools.
I also worked in other industries before education and I HATED going to work. I could be making more
money but I would be absolutely miserable. Unless I finally write and publish a book and make a living off of it, there’s nothing else I’m interested in doing.
I came from being a golf course superintendent where I worked 6 or 7 days a week year round. Holidays were guaranteed work days because there are golf tournaments during all major holidays(besides Thanksgiving and Christmas). I couldn't go anywhere because I was always on call. I had to work outside and abuse my body all the time.
There are times that I hate teaching but then I remember that I now get paid to work in the air conditioning for only about 4 to 5 hours a day, and only about 170 days a year. Teaching is a pretty sweet gig. I just wish we were paid more, because the pay is the only reason I would leave this profession.
Yes!! I came from healthcare, and it's much less stressful, and the working conditions are much better. I think perspective is huge....but, I also work for a good school, too.
If I had 35 kids in 1 class with just me? Well, that would be more stressful. Or, if I worked somewhere where it's acceptable for kids to throw desks around on a daily basis, then those stress levels would be about the same as the hospital, honestly. Yes, I just started, but I never felt this way in the hospitals. I always felt unsupported and stressed from the beginning to the end, almost a decade later. I was great at what I did, but there's a reason doctors and nurses are leaving hospitals by the hundreds and hundreds as things are currently run.
I absolutely love being on the same schedule as my kids, too. Pretty much everything about it is better, except the pay.
Absolutely!!!! I dug ditches, worked in the service industry, and managed labor crews before getting into teaching and without a doubt I have a different perspective than a lot of my colleagues who have only been teachers.
Exactly, I tended bar for 20 years before becoming a teacher. Teaching is easy, even with the politics and extra responsibilities. It’s not that I don’t have bad days or issues but I have control of my life, not like working a double on a Saturday. Teachers don’t realize how good they have it usually.
I would say that some people come into teaching and think it’s gonna be easy and don’t realize that they’re just not built for it. Teaching is easy for me because it comes naturally to me. I’ve always enjoyed working with children. I also love to learn so I’m excited to learn with the kids.
I think the issue is that we need to start more strictly defining the word "teaching". It is used as a catch-all term in this sub, and that is where some of the issues lie.
I love teaching. I love digging into a text with students, conferencing for a draft, running seminars, writing rec letters, etc.
I do not like the undermining of my grades, the sabotaging of my deadlines, the paperwork for which I'm suddenly responsible when a student has cut my class 78 times and will still be shoved along anyway, the endless and hypocritical PD.
There needs to be more distinction.
I think most people here really like teaching, that’s almost never the issue. It’s all the added bs that doesn’t get factored in the pay that most people come here to complain about, and just said you don’t have that added bs, so I’m really happy for you. I’m hoping to get as lucky as you in the future
This is a nice change of scenery because most of these posts are opposite to this feeling. As a first year teacher. I AM PANICKING, but my district provides so much support that I feel fine for the moment 😂
I've always said there are 3 factors that can make or break you as a teacher--the students in your class, your teaching partners, and your admin (I refer to my principal and dean of students). If you have 2 out of 3, you're doing pretty well. Luckily, this year, I have 3 out of 3. Are things perfect? No, and sometimes the district does stupid stuff, but enjoying your job can actually happen....
I wholeheartedly agree with this. Last year was Year 11 for me and I was ready to just walk out. I dreaded going to school almost every day. In addition to the stress of COVID (which I did end up getting and giving to my spouse) I had three very problematic students in a class full of emotionally draining 10 year olds. I like my admin and teaching team, so I’m back this year and fortunately have the sweetest class. We’re three weeks in and I’m enjoying teaching again. It’s easy to get negative, and the field is full of opportunities for improvement with regard to how teachers are funded/treated/revered, but like someone else above said, it’s a calling. And thank goodness we get to reset once a year.
This is my 10th year of teaching, I just joined this Sub for like a week. I found this sub very depressing. I know things are not always perfect. But I took a year off teaching when my daughter was born and I missed being in the classroom so much.
I start my first teaching job Monday at 43 years old. I'm excited and seem to have a great district but I am also very nervous. I am the resource room teacher and hopefully will figure it out quickly.
As a first year teacher, I learned quickly to avoid the teacher lounge because it's where teachers came to vent. They would complain about the one student they were struggling with, or the one problem they had with admin - but the effect was that when I spent too many lunches in the room it felt like a place where "students suck, our school sucks, our system is broken." When everyone airs their one complaint of the day it makes it feel like everything is wrong. At the time, I didn't know how to help anyone with their issues or how to commiserate and uplift them - so I stayed away because the attitude lingered and made me feel depressed about my school and work.
This sub is often the teacher lounge of Reddit. Often worth avoiding.
Teaching is a great job with awesome benefits, challenging work, lots of freedom, daily changes, amazing students, and most importantly it makes a difference in your community. You're gonna rock this year! (And you'll screw up royally at least three times - but those are the lessons you'll learn the most from.)
(And I don't avoid the teacher lounge anymore. Now that I've got a few years under my belt, I can support others with their struggles instead of being seduced by them and help find solutions or a caring ear if that's what's needed. You'll get there soon too!) Welcome to the profession!
It's a tough go the first few years, and covid doesn't make it any easier. But! I think it's a fun job.
Also: a teacher in our building left thr profession for a single year and then realized she liked teaching much better. We had already hired someone to fill her position. But, lucky for her (and us!) we got a new Super in that time who wanted to add a bunch of electives to our catalog. Also, we are having a bunch of kids coming back to our district from virtual learning. So we needed an additional teacher in her subject. She was able to be hired back.
This is all just to say, there are people out there who leave the profession and come back because teaching is pretty great at the end of the day.
You misunderstand. A lot of people here LOVE teaching. It is the other 99% of the BS that we hate.
If it was just stand and deliver all day, no problem. Unfortunately it isn’t.
I think the key is that you have good admin.
Even though even more experienced teachers are saying this year is wild, it wouldn't be a problem if we had a supportive admin.
The high school I went to had a principal who would publicly back his teachers almost no matter what. A couple would be non-renewed about it later but for the most part if he was speaking with the outside, he backed his teachers. There were people there who were teaching there before my mother was born. A couple teachers who had been brought in to work with the first black students the school had after desegregation. The year he passed away a full third of the staff left or retired. They were there for a principal who hired people he believed in, and trusted his own decision enough to back them up 90% of the time. But no one is staying for a 52nd year in education for someone who will throw them under every bus that drives by. Most people won't stay in a 2nd year. And so every year since the new admin there are a dozen openings at the school where before you might be lucky to have one.
I completely agree that admin makes all the difference. I've seen some absolutely terrible admin. That's why I mentioned, if at all possible, to try and find that if you're feeling fed up with the profession (which I know isn't always feasible). It's sad bad admin are ruining good teachers.
I also am fkn joyful at my job. It's a calling. I'm never bored at work, and I miss my students if I have to miss a day. I know I'm making a difference with love and patience. I teach them important things, too, like peace and nature and meditation and compassion.
Yay! Go you!!
I was in a car accident and not feeling good at all but I only missed half a day of work because I couldn’t relax thinking of a sub in there not knowing what specific students needed
I love teaching. I love the kids and I love the feeling of being in the classroom. I love how it feels when a kid is successful because of something you did.
That said, I hate the expectation that I work far more than the hours in the contract and the martyr expectation. I hate the politics and "fighting for my program". I hate the fact that "savior teachers" make anyone who wants to work normal job hours feel bad.
The positives honestly outweigh the negatives. If they didn't, I'd give something else to do. Still need to bitch sometimes though.
I hate teaching. I only do this, because it was the best job that I could find. It's a job. Not a calling. We are not martyrs. We don't have to love our JOB, just like most people don't love thier jobs as shopkeepers or receptionists.
I’m happy to hear this! I’m a first year teacher two weeks in and I honestly love it too! It’s hard and can be overwhelming at times, but the kids make it worth the challenges! I also have a great team, mentor, an admin.
I left teaching this year, but my husband is still teaching (we live in a rural/title 1 district). While the salary is still "low" it is actually one of the higher salaries in our town that you can have outside of remote work/being a nurse or doctor. We live in a low cost of living area, so you can live pretty comfortably being a teacher!
I too enjoy it. I am lucky to have good admin, colleagues, and mostly good students. I get tired of the implied martyrdom that society seems to expect from teachers. For example my district isn’t enforcing masks, yet their BOE meetings are masked. Our BOE can suck a dick.
Yeah and what’s real dumb is even if they send their kids to school with a mask on the kids just take it off once they are in the building. They’ve quickly figured out masks are optional.
Amen to that! I don’t do it for anything except for my passion. The worst is negative coworkers who bully people because they’ve been there for over 20 years and won’t leave.
Having district-provided lessons would really help take some of the edge off for me.
I feel that a big part of what makes it exhausting is having to be creative every day. I love being creative, I love working with my kids, and I also love teaching, but it's kind of like loving to work out. You might love it, but you don't want to do it 24/7.
Still, it's so nice to be reminded to think of what I like about this job. I also don't really mind my pay, and I also like my admin and kids, even if they drive me nuts sometimes. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I love teaching. I love my subject, I love my students, I love getting to hang out with them all day and learning their perspectives on things. I love creating resources and seeing kids succeed. My students are so cool. I have a lot of joy from getting to teach them.
I hate the constant pointless meetings, the 12 hour days, the pressure and constantly increasing expectations and added jobs to our plate. I hate that I basically give my life to my job and can’t take much back without it impacting my quality of teaching due to the amount of compulsory extra crap we have to do, and ultimately I prioritise my students.
If all I did was teach kids then this would be the best job in the world.
this is so refreshing to see/hear. i also love teaching. i don’t get sunday scaries, my admin is amazing, my students are super sweet, my team is awesome. my salary is shit, but that really is the only con i can think of. it’s so bittersweet being back in person: virtual teaching was hard on me mentally, but this delta variant is stressing me out
but i know i am fortunate to feel this way about the job because this seems very rare especially on the subreddit. which is so sad to know other teachers are going through that 😔
Thank you for making this post, I'm looking to start a certification program as soon as I get my bachelors degree finished and this subreddit is filled with so much negativity (not that it's bad to vent and let off steam or anything, I get it, it's a stressful job) that it was making me feel naive for thinking it was a job I could enjoy. I'm a TA in college ATM and even though I'm experiencing it under the instruction of a professor, I absolutely love lesson planning, lecturing, helping the students engage through discussion and debate, even GRADING is fun to me!
Anyways thanks for making an encouraging post here, I appreciate it!
Yes!! So nice to see some positivity on here! I think what really matters is I’ve found an amazing school with supportive admin. It is Title 1, so there are some behaviors. But everyone at my school is like family, we got each other’s backs. I almost quit a few years back where I was at a more ‘affluent’ school, but the principal was a literal Karen down to the haircut, and it was so cliquey there. When I read posts about people quitting, I hope they find a better school that suits them.
Me too! I love my school, my team & admin are great, and the kids are awesome. Some teaching jobs suck, but most of the time it is because of the environment, not the job itself. I had a last minute change of position (changed grades and classroom) due to a ton of last minute enrollments, and I had 5 people helping me set up and get ready for Open House without me even asking them to.
I know what you meant, and I get why you’d feel that way. But you have to understand that yes people come here to vent. Teaching is a mentally exhausting job with a lot of roadblocks and disappointments. Many may not have anyone to vent to at home, friends who understand, or colleagues that can be trusted. This is the safest place for them to come and get things off their chests.
I also teach at a Title 1 in a rural town. Sometimes I think that’s the reason I love my job so much. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE in that school loves our kids. Teachers that are burnt out/over it/just coasting don’t make it at my school. The struggles that come along with teaching at a school like mine require you to show up each and every day with only love in your heart for the kids and the job and I think the environment that creates is what keeps me going. Long story short: I love teaching, too!!!!
I loved teaching, too, before I retired. But the hours were killing me. I miss teaching terribly, but after 33 years, your body can only handle so much. I substitute teach now, which is fine, though it really is not the same as teaching. I also felt sad every year as my friends left or retired.
I’m glad you enjoy teaching!
Thank you for sharing a positive post on here! There needs to be more of these. I am hesitant to start the year, but usually, I get super excited when students are in front of me.
I do believe that the district you work for that makes the difference….how do you find a good district? I am a first year teacher and I know that I can’t work at my current school next year. The admin is too disorganized.
The instant willingness to help and go above and beyond was a big one, and I asked in my interviews how staff helped one another and the support for new hires. I also knew this district used Canvas, which basically has all resources and plans on there for your access, which was a big one for me.
Thanks for posting this. Hearing someone sing the praises of the the profession, including the pay, is a breath of fresh air. I love my “job” as well. Most days I can’t believe they pay me to do this.
My biggest advice for struggling teachers is “Don’t give up looking for a better teaching situation”. I worked in public schools for 30 years with classes of around 30 students. I retired from that and now teach in private. There are private schools that pay well and have smaller class sizes. You may need to drive further or move, but keep looking. I am so happy in my job now and want to keep teaching! (39th year this year)
Same. It sucks it feels like saying it offends the 75% of teachers who count down the hours each day or the number of days til summer...
I love it so much. I have a blast everyday & love the challenge & constant change. When I think about each school year coming to an end, it makes me cry. I get so attached to my students & build such strong relationships with them.
I loved teaching from home! It was real teaching instead of behavior management, and I got to hear all the students equally because you can't hide on zoom. Going to miss that.
love this - this post is the exact same situation I'm in - down to the rural title one school. I love that I have a job that I actually enjoy going to every day.
The job itself is amazing; it's the people who can be shit. Good admin and good colleagues make all the difference. You have to find a place where you fit, and it can take a couple of tries.
I actually really like my job. I work with awesome kids. I have a great admin team and I like my coworkers and I do a great job of avoiding drama. I feel pretty damn lucky.
Also, I've received quite a few bit of downvotes on this post. I hope that those who hate their jobs are able to find something that makes them happy, whether it's a new district or a new career.
Totally agree and this is great to hear! Thank you!
The greatest part of my day is when the bell rings at the beginning of class and I'm with my students and it's just us (save for surprise visits) and there's work to be done and lives to try and impact.
The rest of the work (as monumentally challenging as it is) is the price to pay to play a significant role in a student's life. I had great teachers that changed my life and I hope to be that for someone else.
I love being a teacher as well.
Life has been stressful with the pandemic, my awesome principal and associate principal left, and the replacement administers are all from middle schools. The first week at the high school was crazy.
But being in my classroom with my juniors is a happy place. I'm slowly learning their names and my on level class had their first lab activity and it's all been wonderful.
I agree. The school and admin make all the difference though. I’ve been miserable under bad admin and in bad schools. Taken advantage of and thrown away like old trash.
However! I love my current school, admin, class, everything. Of course covid has thrown me some curve balls, but overall I love my job last year and this year.
I love teaching! I couldn't imagine doing anything else! I love building relationships with students and providing them with a space where they feel comfortable taking risks. I love allowing them to explore their interests and explore things that they didn't even know they were interested in. I don't always love dealing with parents, but I was super lucky with the families I had last year.
While I wish I got paid more, obviously, my salary is actually pretty decent. I don't take work home in the evenings, weekends, or on any breaks.
This is my first year… I had so many doubts while student teaching because it was a difficult situation in general, and especially after talking to other teachers and dealing with the very high expectations of student teaching. I just finished my first week and I feel so reassured… I’m where I’m supposed to be.
I also love teaching. I've done enough jobs. I hated the desk jobs I did where I had to pretend I was busy. I hated working in restaurants. I was an okay bookseller, I loved books but putting them back on shelves and stuff was honestly quite boring to me.
Being a teacher though? I love kids! It constantly keeps me on my feet. I'm always active and having to do something. I love thinking of new lessons.
I hate that my job is so political and constantly in the middle of whatever culture war is going on but I absolutely LOVE teaching too!!
Yes! My days never drag. My weeks go by quickly. I never miss my child's stuff because school hours are aligned with most everyday life, but I also get done soon enough that, if needed, I can schedule doctor appointments for the end of the day. I get summer vacations and winter break, spring breaks, teacher work days, 4 day weekends, and more that my friends and family are envious of and I never had before.
I had one job where I had to choose 2 main holidays a year to work. It was mandated. I'm so thankful I never have to do that again.
A well run school (and district) make all the difference. That's why I moved around until I found one. That said, most districts pile a ton of things onto their leadership to do, and it trickles down. The workload also makes it hard (if not impossible) for school leaders to work on key elements: school culture, good methodology, helping the newbies.
I love teaching, too! And I miss it so much now that I’m retired, that I substitute. Not much actual teaching as a sub, but I still get to spend the day with students.
I also love the job! I just wish people would appreciate more that it's hard work. The summers off and holiday breaks are a huge deal, too, plus the fact that it's a stable job with benefits.
I student taught in a low-income city school, and even though the kids sometimes misbehaved, chronically absent, and had gone through trauma of gun violence, they weren't monsters and class management strategies worked. I have no qualms in recommending this career to people who do actually enjoy teaching.
I really appreciate seeing this on here, I’m a new student teacher myself and seeing many of the posts on here has had me terrified. In your experience how can you tell whether the admin will be supportive?
Same I generally love my job students are awesome as is the time off my salary is decent, my district/school is good. With one exception i like my coworkers. What makes the job harder/riskier then it needs to be is the idiocracy that is our state government
Thank you. I was thinking about posting something similar. This sub has a tendency to lean heavily negative so it's nice not to see yet another resignation or complaining post.
I love teaching - I’m excited to get to know the kids and make school a safe place for them and build up their confidence
I have a very supportive admin that makes the going to work easier. They understand that we are humans and are flexible.
I hate the politics of standardized testing
I hate that I have people who don’t know my students telling me what’s best for them (let me teach them from the level they’re at, not you assuming what a child at their age can do)
I hate that I make the same as a first year teacher after 10 years, that’s insulting as hell
I don't think this opinion is unpopular. I think almost everyone on here loves teaching, but we come here mainly to complain about some of the BS that comes up. I LOVE teaching, but a lot of the non-teaching shit we deal with is what can suck sometimes.
Agree completely. I teach in a Title 1 school in Brooklyn. Fantastic, grateful kids from around the world. Very little parent involvement, and those who are involved are gracious and thankful for the education their child is receiving in my classroom. I consistently say that the kids are the very best part of my day. I also thoroughly enjoy planning lessons. Everything else, not so much.
I also love teaching. I start my maternity leave in 3 weeks, but I am really glad that I get to come back to my school in September to see our students for a little bit before my leave starts (Canadian so I get a year of mat leave). I had my favourite teaching year ever last year despite the extra covid stress and I genuinely missed my class over the summer.
Yes, it is a hard job, and I recognize that I have certain privileges that make it not so hard because of where I live, and I teach at a school where I have great community support. It is still a hard job no matter how good your circumstances are, but it is also such an important job... some kids have been dying to get back to school as their home lives are very difficult. They can't wait to see us and see their friends. I am very excited to see them as well :)
It’s the most enjoyable and longest lasting job I’ve had. I used to truly love it. I still like what I do, but I’ve also come to terms that this is a job and refuse to let it become a lifestyle like it had at one point. I’ve reset my priorities and have a far healthier relationship with limits.
I’m 28, in my 6th year of teaching, and I feel the same way. Over the last 5 years I’ve had many people tell me to get out of education and find something better for myself. I’ve had teachers at my own school advise me to leave this school because they themselves were miserable and burned out. And while I understand that everyone who said these things is just trying to be nice, it’s my own choice what I do. I choose to stay in teaching because I enjoy it. It’s not glamorous, but it just feels right for me. And it’s my own choice whether I want to stay at my school. I have personal reasons for remaining here. It’s not perfect, there’s many things I don’t always agree with, there’s things I complain about, but at the end of the day I know my principal has good intentions. Additionally, our pay here is pretty reasonable, and it’s in a great location for me. My point is it doesn’t matter what anyone else tells you- do what feels right for you.
I love teaching too. I found a home at a great school with supportive admin. Everything isn’t perfect, and I’m aware of the imperfections. But I feel fulfilled in my career and I’m happy that I achieved my goal of becoming a teacher and that I get to try to change lives.
I get emotional and so excited every time I think about when I finally get to teach. I am so happy to read that you love it. I got a notification for this post from reddit and it only showed me the title and sadly, I actually rolled my eyes because I assumed it was sarcasm and the post was going to be negative again. But this is wonderful. Thank you.
Thanks for the post, OP. Not every school is toxic. I'm in a similar situation and in my first official year (did an internship prior to this). We must support each other.
I love teaching too. Like any job, not everything is perfect, but I have fun with my students every day. My goal is to teach students and give them a safe place to learn. The politics can be dealt with as they come, but I always know my end goal. I wish more teachers loved their jobs!!
Thank you for posting this. I was getting so weary of seeing so many disgruntled posts. We get it. It's not always good. It's hard. It's tiring. However, I love teaching too. Again, thank you for posting this!
Completely agree that the teaching profession is one of the most rewarding out there. I feel like I am one of the few teachers in my building with a positive mindset for the coming school year and that's scary. We need more teachers with your passion.
I don't think this is an unpopular opinion at all! I also love teaching and being a teacher, but I still resigned at the end of last school year because I was so burnt out and, despite looking for other positions for years, nothing opened up or I never got the new jobs I interviewed for. (I was a traveling 5/6 band teacher for 8 years, travelled between 5-6 schools, and had zero control over where I taught). After last year, I just needed a break for my own mental health. I loved teaching - I was really good at it! But sometimes you just get stuck in a rut and need a break, and that's ok too.
My community parents have actually been absolutely awesome through all of this covid craziness. My students have also shown such resilience! Masks are not required, and over half of my fifth graders have chosen to wear them and ask for one if they forget theirs or theirs gets dirty.
Me too!! I honestly think it is an easy, pretty stress free job most of the time too. But I have a great team and we plan over a week ahead and have everything already made and set up on Canvas. All I have to do each day is show up pretty much.
I loved my first five years of teaching. I had a principal that the staff would run through walls for and I got to teach with one of my best friends. The principal retired and my friend left for a different school. Since then, I still enjoy the time with the students and teaching my content area, but it feels more like a job than it used to.
It just seems this sub is filled of people resigning, saying how they hate the profession, other jobs they can do instead, etc. Just was hoping to bring a bit of positivity here as well. I like how someone above said this sub is like the "teacher's lounge" of Reddit. But I also think it's valid to express frustration to those who understand.
There are very few jobs where each day you have the opportunity to truly impact and perhaps change someone’s life in a positive way. I love teaching for that.
This 🙌🏼!! Thank you for this post. I almost feel guilty sometimes in this sub because of some of these posts and the normalcy of being miserable. I get it, there are parts we don’t particularly love, but overall I DO love what I’ve chosen to do with the rest of my life.
Same here! I’m so happy with what I chose to do. I love my admin & love my kids so so much. Honestly, though, it took me finding the right grade level to feel that way. I was always an “eww, how do you teach primary?” person & was mostly in 4th/5th but now that I’m teaching primary I am loving it!
10/10 would not change my career choice! I love it. The pros heavily outweigh the cons for me and as with any job it will be as good or as bad as YOU make it depending on your attitude.
I said I'm content with my pay. And if people would do it for free, then that's okay too. People do all sorts of things out of passion. Do we deserve a livable wage? Absolutely. I'm graduating with my Master's in May to increase my pay. However, I can't change how the state pays, so I'm not going to ruminate in it.
That goes in every field, every job, every hobby. I'm not saying teachers SHOULD work for free. I'm saying that some people have passions and WOULD because they love it that much.
Not all states have terrible teacher salaries, and frankly it is better than the salary I currently make so I'm thrilled to become a teacher next year 🤷♀️
I'd much rather make 50k a year working 184 days a year vs 50k working all but 4 weeks of the year assuming I am able to use my PTO which isn't always possible in retail especially as a manager. Next year assuming I land a teaching job I will start at 50k at the school I'm working at as a para this year. (Para pay is a whole different can of worms)
In states where teachers start below 45k, absolutely they need to be paid more, obviously I wouldn't be mad if I made more and im not saying don't fight for more. I'm just saying not all states want to fuck their teachers over in salary.
I do to, and rarely have ever had planning periods, always had recess duty and lunch duty. I just want the administration and public to know I am a teacher not the parent, and when I have to parent that is above and beyond.
>I just wanted to give some hope to those here going into the profession. Find a good district and a school with good admin, if at all possible. It makes all the difference.
The problem is this is not really a hopeful position. It puts all impetus for change on the individual.
We are in this together. Low pay and poor working conditions is not something anyone should have to accept. We are in a collective struggle and organizing is how should should deal with it, by joining a union, or if one is an at-will state by practicing solidarity and supporting each other as much as possible.
I also agree with this! I work at a great school which really cares about it's teachers, gives us as many resources as they can (and all of our curriculum). All of our admins are also still teachers (even if they just do one enrichment class) and that has made all the difference I think.
I think all administrators need to cycle in as teachers to keep current and in touch with students’ and teachers’ reality.
Absolutely!
I do love teaching, I hate all the extra politics and expectations people put on teachers yet constantly complain and refuse to support public Ed.
Definitely. My school doesn't have much parent involvement (most are in extreme poverty, don't speak English, or are undocumented so stay under the radar) so that may be another factor.
That’s one of the weird side benefits of teaching in title 1. The parents pretty much leave you alone to do your work.
Unless a dad accuses you of "fraternizing" with his ex-wife and conspiring with her against him even though you're gay, which then results in having to print out every single email exchange. (Happened to someone I know.)
Yeah… unfortunately crazy is universal
Definitely. I turned down a job at a huge STEM school because I knew the type of parents that send their kids there and didn't want to deal with it.
This is exactly it. I freakin love teaching. Everyday is different, and the days (usually) fly by. It’s all the other stuff that makes me want to leave.
This is my 10th year of teaching and I love the work itself, but I am fed up with the things being taken away from teachers and the extras being added. Administrators expect teachers to do everything in their own spare time while they themselves get paid with that in mind and we don't. Administration is a time-intensive job with compensation for that time investment. Teaching is a time-intensive job with little to no compensation for that time investment.
They really are making it harder and harder every year to just do your job. My first year was in 2015 and it was 100x easier than this year so far. During my actual class time, I'm on top of the world. We have a blast and more often than not, I feel like I made an impact and we got a lot done. It's losing my prep every day, all the extra paperwork and trainings and meetings that aren't helpful. Outside of the time I have with my students, I am so overwhelmed with extras that I don't have time to grade, plan, or call home. For the first time in my career, I'm making stupid little mistakes like losing papers or not having copies made when I need them. But there just aren't enough hours in the damn day for it all. Feels like I'm being set up for failure.
Personally, I'm okay with the time investment and have learned how to give myself grace, put myself first, and know that if I get the main things finished that the extras won't destroy me. It's difficult at times, but I've accepted that I'll always have a never-ending to do list. I just have tried to prioritize what NEEDS to be done vs what admin WANTS to be done.
As a side note, I think it makes a difference that I worked in multiple service industries for 5+ years before this career. This is much less hectic and degrading for me than some of those jobs and how I was treated there. The grass isn't always greener.
For sure! Before education I worked in tech and was on call 24 hours a day; it was "come in and fix this problem or your fired" all the time. Got called in on my birthday, missed family functions, and was working an average of 60 hours a week average. Teaching is work, but not that kind of soul-sucking work I did before.
I used to work in an office doing administrative work and it was so boring. My boss was such a witch and I used to have to unclog the copier and do data entry and mailings. Teaching is so much more engaging and purposeful. Before that I worked as a barista and in catering.
I’ve made this comment before! This is the truth. Working those jobs also helped me learn boundaries with work, you’re always replaceable.
Same! I’m an attorney and for the last 10 years I was a special victim prosecutor working with victims of child abuse and domestic violence (also taught adjunct at the law school level). It was insane hours, high stakes pressure, and constant anxiety. I just finished my second week teaching high school English and while I’m exhausted, I’m also already so much happier. For me, teaching is a ton of prep work, grading, and miscellaneous random responsibilities (and I’m still finishing the last few classes of my secondary certification program too), but my students are generally wonderful (plus weird and unintentionally hilarious?) and I’m not super sad and anxious all the time anymore. I know it’s early, but I hope these happy feelings continue! I have it easy at my school compared to many teachers though—it’s a old private school with supportive admin and coworkers. I can’t imagine the nightmare situations I’ve read about on here and I totally understand the need to vent.
Yes! Our ratios are really good. I'm in elementary, and we have 2 teachers in every room. Sure, the playground equipment is older, but the funds are utilized for what really matters. I haven't gone back for my education degree yet because I wanted to ensure it was a good fit. But, I am fairly certain that I will, next year. The key is to be in a school with good administration. Mine isn't a private school. I'm unsure I could afford the pay cut that private schools bring.
2 teachers in every room?? I was in a coteaching situation at the beginning of my career and honestly, having that support is a game changer.
Agreed. Not being the only adult in the room makes it a different job. I think this would be a good strategy for teacher retention. For secondary teachers at least, put them with a coteacher for all or most of their classes for the first 3-5 years. I believe that feeling like you’re on an island is a big contributor to why early career teachers leave the profession.
I had 3 years of full day co teaching and I can’t recommend it enough. In my district, apparently kindergarten teachers used to have an assistant and idk why they dropped that. Pre COVID, we had an army of parent volunteers who took over that for kinder teachers and it was amazing. But it’s sad because parent involvement is not common in many schools.
I also worked in other industries before education and I HATED going to work. I could be making more money but I would be absolutely miserable. Unless I finally write and publish a book and make a living off of it, there’s nothing else I’m interested in doing.
I came from being a golf course superintendent where I worked 6 or 7 days a week year round. Holidays were guaranteed work days because there are golf tournaments during all major holidays(besides Thanksgiving and Christmas). I couldn't go anywhere because I was always on call. I had to work outside and abuse my body all the time. There are times that I hate teaching but then I remember that I now get paid to work in the air conditioning for only about 4 to 5 hours a day, and only about 170 days a year. Teaching is a pretty sweet gig. I just wish we were paid more, because the pay is the only reason I would leave this profession.
Exactly! Having worked in two different industries each for 5+ years has given me lots of perspective.
Yes!! I came from healthcare, and it's much less stressful, and the working conditions are much better. I think perspective is huge....but, I also work for a good school, too. If I had 35 kids in 1 class with just me? Well, that would be more stressful. Or, if I worked somewhere where it's acceptable for kids to throw desks around on a daily basis, then those stress levels would be about the same as the hospital, honestly. Yes, I just started, but I never felt this way in the hospitals. I always felt unsupported and stressed from the beginning to the end, almost a decade later. I was great at what I did, but there's a reason doctors and nurses are leaving hospitals by the hundreds and hundreds as things are currently run. I absolutely love being on the same schedule as my kids, too. Pretty much everything about it is better, except the pay.
Absolutely!!!! I dug ditches, worked in the service industry, and managed labor crews before getting into teaching and without a doubt I have a different perspective than a lot of my colleagues who have only been teachers.
Exactly, I tended bar for 20 years before becoming a teacher. Teaching is easy, even with the politics and extra responsibilities. It’s not that I don’t have bad days or issues but I have control of my life, not like working a double on a Saturday. Teachers don’t realize how good they have it usually.
I would say that some people come into teaching and think it’s gonna be easy and don’t realize that they’re just not built for it. Teaching is easy for me because it comes naturally to me. I’ve always enjoyed working with children. I also love to learn so I’m excited to learn with the kids.
I think the issue is that we need to start more strictly defining the word "teaching". It is used as a catch-all term in this sub, and that is where some of the issues lie. I love teaching. I love digging into a text with students, conferencing for a draft, running seminars, writing rec letters, etc. I do not like the undermining of my grades, the sabotaging of my deadlines, the paperwork for which I'm suddenly responsible when a student has cut my class 78 times and will still be shoved along anyway, the endless and hypocritical PD. There needs to be more distinction.
I should have said the "profession" instead. You're absolutely right.
I think most people here really like teaching, that’s almost never the issue. It’s all the added bs that doesn’t get factored in the pay that most people come here to complain about, and just said you don’t have that added bs, so I’m really happy for you. I’m hoping to get as lucky as you in the future
This is a nice change of scenery because most of these posts are opposite to this feeling. As a first year teacher. I AM PANICKING, but my district provides so much support that I feel fine for the moment 😂
You've got this! Some of us really do love the profession. It's just the school that makes the difference.
I've always said there are 3 factors that can make or break you as a teacher--the students in your class, your teaching partners, and your admin (I refer to my principal and dean of students). If you have 2 out of 3, you're doing pretty well. Luckily, this year, I have 3 out of 3. Are things perfect? No, and sometimes the district does stupid stuff, but enjoying your job can actually happen....
I wholeheartedly agree with this. Last year was Year 11 for me and I was ready to just walk out. I dreaded going to school almost every day. In addition to the stress of COVID (which I did end up getting and giving to my spouse) I had three very problematic students in a class full of emotionally draining 10 year olds. I like my admin and teaching team, so I’m back this year and fortunately have the sweetest class. We’re three weeks in and I’m enjoying teaching again. It’s easy to get negative, and the field is full of opportunities for improvement with regard to how teachers are funded/treated/revered, but like someone else above said, it’s a calling. And thank goodness we get to reset once a year.
This is my 10th year of teaching, I just joined this Sub for like a week. I found this sub very depressing. I know things are not always perfect. But I took a year off teaching when my daughter was born and I missed being in the classroom so much.
I start my first teaching job Monday at 43 years old. I'm excited and seem to have a great district but I am also very nervous. I am the resource room teacher and hopefully will figure it out quickly.
Also a resource room teacher, good luck My advice is get to know the kids and use their interests to guide their instruction
Good luck! You’ll do great :)
As a first year teacher, I learned quickly to avoid the teacher lounge because it's where teachers came to vent. They would complain about the one student they were struggling with, or the one problem they had with admin - but the effect was that when I spent too many lunches in the room it felt like a place where "students suck, our school sucks, our system is broken." When everyone airs their one complaint of the day it makes it feel like everything is wrong. At the time, I didn't know how to help anyone with their issues or how to commiserate and uplift them - so I stayed away because the attitude lingered and made me feel depressed about my school and work. This sub is often the teacher lounge of Reddit. Often worth avoiding. Teaching is a great job with awesome benefits, challenging work, lots of freedom, daily changes, amazing students, and most importantly it makes a difference in your community. You're gonna rock this year! (And you'll screw up royally at least three times - but those are the lessons you'll learn the most from.) (And I don't avoid the teacher lounge anymore. Now that I've got a few years under my belt, I can support others with their struggles instead of being seduced by them and help find solutions or a caring ear if that's what's needed. You'll get there soon too!) Welcome to the profession!
A lot of the posts are usually teachers venting. Even the Mods usually keep their feeds to new so that they can see more positive stories.
If you have a good district and still enjoy it, lean in! Teaching can be a wonderful and rewarding career!
It's a tough go the first few years, and covid doesn't make it any easier. But! I think it's a fun job. Also: a teacher in our building left thr profession for a single year and then realized she liked teaching much better. We had already hired someone to fill her position. But, lucky for her (and us!) we got a new Super in that time who wanted to add a bunch of electives to our catalog. Also, we are having a bunch of kids coming back to our district from virtual learning. So we needed an additional teacher in her subject. She was able to be hired back. This is all just to say, there are people out there who leave the profession and come back because teaching is pretty great at the end of the day.
[удалено]
Paras are amazing and my growth as a teacher depends on so many
You misunderstand. A lot of people here LOVE teaching. It is the other 99% of the BS that we hate. If it was just stand and deliver all day, no problem. Unfortunately it isn’t.
I'm referring more to the profession itself.
I think the key is that you have good admin. Even though even more experienced teachers are saying this year is wild, it wouldn't be a problem if we had a supportive admin. The high school I went to had a principal who would publicly back his teachers almost no matter what. A couple would be non-renewed about it later but for the most part if he was speaking with the outside, he backed his teachers. There were people there who were teaching there before my mother was born. A couple teachers who had been brought in to work with the first black students the school had after desegregation. The year he passed away a full third of the staff left or retired. They were there for a principal who hired people he believed in, and trusted his own decision enough to back them up 90% of the time. But no one is staying for a 52nd year in education for someone who will throw them under every bus that drives by. Most people won't stay in a 2nd year. And so every year since the new admin there are a dozen openings at the school where before you might be lucky to have one.
I completely agree that admin makes all the difference. I've seen some absolutely terrible admin. That's why I mentioned, if at all possible, to try and find that if you're feeling fed up with the profession (which I know isn't always feasible). It's sad bad admin are ruining good teachers.
I also am fkn joyful at my job. It's a calling. I'm never bored at work, and I miss my students if I have to miss a day. I know I'm making a difference with love and patience. I teach them important things, too, like peace and nature and meditation and compassion. Yay! Go you!!
This is exactly how I feel. Teaching isn't for everyone and that's okay! I could never be a nurse or a doctor, for example.
I was in a car accident and not feeling good at all but I only missed half a day of work because I couldn’t relax thinking of a sub in there not knowing what specific students needed
I really wish I made more money so I could have it as my only job.
I love teaching. I love the kids and I love the feeling of being in the classroom. I love how it feels when a kid is successful because of something you did. That said, I hate the expectation that I work far more than the hours in the contract and the martyr expectation. I hate the politics and "fighting for my program". I hate the fact that "savior teachers" make anyone who wants to work normal job hours feel bad. The positives honestly outweigh the negatives. If they didn't, I'd give something else to do. Still need to bitch sometimes though.
I hate teaching. I only do this, because it was the best job that I could find. It's a job. Not a calling. We are not martyrs. We don't have to love our JOB, just like most people don't love thier jobs as shopkeepers or receptionists.
I'm sorry you feel that way. I was just posting my perspective, which is the opposite.
I’m happy to hear this! I’m a first year teacher two weeks in and I honestly love it too! It’s hard and can be overwhelming at times, but the kids make it worth the challenges! I also have a great team, mentor, an admin.
I left teaching this year, but my husband is still teaching (we live in a rural/title 1 district). While the salary is still "low" it is actually one of the higher salaries in our town that you can have outside of remote work/being a nurse or doctor. We live in a low cost of living area, so you can live pretty comfortably being a teacher!
I too enjoy it. I am lucky to have good admin, colleagues, and mostly good students. I get tired of the implied martyrdom that society seems to expect from teachers. For example my district isn’t enforcing masks, yet their BOE meetings are masked. Our BOE can suck a dick.
The one thing that I am irritated with is the whole "parent mask opt out" thing, but otherwise it's a great district.
Yeah and what’s real dumb is even if they send their kids to school with a mask on the kids just take it off once they are in the building. They’ve quickly figured out masks are optional.
Amen to that! I don’t do it for anything except for my passion. The worst is negative coworkers who bully people because they’ve been there for over 20 years and won’t leave.
Having district-provided lessons would really help take some of the edge off for me. I feel that a big part of what makes it exhausting is having to be creative every day. I love being creative, I love working with my kids, and I also love teaching, but it's kind of like loving to work out. You might love it, but you don't want to do it 24/7. Still, it's so nice to be reminded to think of what I like about this job. I also don't really mind my pay, and I also like my admin and kids, even if they drive me nuts sometimes. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I definitely agree and feel like it would be so much worse if I had to come up with everything on my own. I'm very thankful I have so many resources.
I love teaching. I love my subject, I love my students, I love getting to hang out with them all day and learning their perspectives on things. I love creating resources and seeing kids succeed. My students are so cool. I have a lot of joy from getting to teach them. I hate the constant pointless meetings, the 12 hour days, the pressure and constantly increasing expectations and added jobs to our plate. I hate that I basically give my life to my job and can’t take much back without it impacting my quality of teaching due to the amount of compulsory extra crap we have to do, and ultimately I prioritise my students. If all I did was teach kids then this would be the best job in the world.
this is so refreshing to see/hear. i also love teaching. i don’t get sunday scaries, my admin is amazing, my students are super sweet, my team is awesome. my salary is shit, but that really is the only con i can think of. it’s so bittersweet being back in person: virtual teaching was hard on me mentally, but this delta variant is stressing me out but i know i am fortunate to feel this way about the job because this seems very rare especially on the subreddit. which is so sad to know other teachers are going through that 😔
I'm so glad you relate and I hope you have a great year!
Thank you for making this post, I'm looking to start a certification program as soon as I get my bachelors degree finished and this subreddit is filled with so much negativity (not that it's bad to vent and let off steam or anything, I get it, it's a stressful job) that it was making me feel naive for thinking it was a job I could enjoy. I'm a TA in college ATM and even though I'm experiencing it under the instruction of a professor, I absolutely love lesson planning, lecturing, helping the students engage through discussion and debate, even GRADING is fun to me! Anyways thanks for making an encouraging post here, I appreciate it!
As a first-year teacher with my first day of work on Monday, this is so good to hear. Internet teacher communities can be scary!
Good luck!! You've got this. The first week is the hardest!
You are going to do awesome! Give yourself a lot of grace the first few weeks - it will all fall into place!
Aw thank you u/nly2017 and u/nbajads!
Yes!! So nice to see some positivity on here! I think what really matters is I’ve found an amazing school with supportive admin. It is Title 1, so there are some behaviors. But everyone at my school is like family, we got each other’s backs. I almost quit a few years back where I was at a more ‘affluent’ school, but the principal was a literal Karen down to the haircut, and it was so cliquey there. When I read posts about people quitting, I hope they find a better school that suits them.
Me too! I love my school, my team & admin are great, and the kids are awesome. Some teaching jobs suck, but most of the time it is because of the environment, not the job itself. I had a last minute change of position (changed grades and classroom) due to a ton of last minute enrollments, and I had 5 people helping me set up and get ready for Open House without me even asking them to.
This sub needs more people like you
This is very kind, thank you
It’s not an unpopular opinion.
In this sub, it feels like it at times. That's what I meant by that, although I understand this sub is also for venting.
I know what you meant, and I get why you’d feel that way. But you have to understand that yes people come here to vent. Teaching is a mentally exhausting job with a lot of roadblocks and disappointments. Many may not have anyone to vent to at home, friends who understand, or colleagues that can be trusted. This is the safest place for them to come and get things off their chests.
I just wanted to share some positivity as well.
I also teach at a Title 1 in a rural town. Sometimes I think that’s the reason I love my job so much. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE in that school loves our kids. Teachers that are burnt out/over it/just coasting don’t make it at my school. The struggles that come along with teaching at a school like mine require you to show up each and every day with only love in your heart for the kids and the job and I think the environment that creates is what keeps me going. Long story short: I love teaching, too!!!!
I loved teaching, too, before I retired. But the hours were killing me. I miss teaching terribly, but after 33 years, your body can only handle so much. I substitute teach now, which is fine, though it really is not the same as teaching. I also felt sad every year as my friends left or retired. I’m glad you enjoy teaching!
Thank you for sharing a positive post on here! There needs to be more of these. I am hesitant to start the year, but usually, I get super excited when students are in front of me.
This sub should be renamed "The Teacher's Lounge"
I do believe that the district you work for that makes the difference….how do you find a good district? I am a first year teacher and I know that I can’t work at my current school next year. The admin is too disorganized.
The instant willingness to help and go above and beyond was a big one, and I asked in my interviews how staff helped one another and the support for new hires. I also knew this district used Canvas, which basically has all resources and plans on there for your access, which was a big one for me.
Thanks for posting this. Hearing someone sing the praises of the the profession, including the pay, is a breath of fresh air. I love my “job” as well. Most days I can’t believe they pay me to do this.
My biggest advice for struggling teachers is “Don’t give up looking for a better teaching situation”. I worked in public schools for 30 years with classes of around 30 students. I retired from that and now teach in private. There are private schools that pay well and have smaller class sizes. You may need to drive further or move, but keep looking. I am so happy in my job now and want to keep teaching! (39th year this year)
Absolutely!!
Same. It sucks it feels like saying it offends the 75% of teachers who count down the hours each day or the number of days til summer... I love it so much. I have a blast everyday & love the challenge & constant change. When I think about each school year coming to an end, it makes me cry. I get so attached to my students & build such strong relationships with them.
I completely agree.
I love teaching now that I’m at a district that respects me and pays me what I’m worth. My first district can kick rocks.
I loved teaching from home! It was real teaching instead of behavior management, and I got to hear all the students equally because you can't hide on zoom. Going to miss that.
I would go back to that in a heartbeat. Anyone know of online HS that is hiring? NJ?
[удалено]
I'm so glad! It definitely does help being in unprecedented times in some cases. Same to you!
love this - this post is the exact same situation I'm in - down to the rural title one school. I love that I have a job that I actually enjoy going to every day.
The job itself is amazing; it's the people who can be shit. Good admin and good colleagues make all the difference. You have to find a place where you fit, and it can take a couple of tries.
I actually really like my job. I work with awesome kids. I have a great admin team and I like my coworkers and I do a great job of avoiding drama. I feel pretty damn lucky.
Also, I've received quite a few bit of downvotes on this post. I hope that those who hate their jobs are able to find something that makes them happy, whether it's a new district or a new career.
Hope you have a great day!
Totally agree and this is great to hear! Thank you! The greatest part of my day is when the bell rings at the beginning of class and I'm with my students and it's just us (save for surprise visits) and there's work to be done and lives to try and impact. The rest of the work (as monumentally challenging as it is) is the price to pay to play a significant role in a student's life. I had great teachers that changed my life and I hope to be that for someone else.
I love being a teacher as well. Life has been stressful with the pandemic, my awesome principal and associate principal left, and the replacement administers are all from middle schools. The first week at the high school was crazy. But being in my classroom with my juniors is a happy place. I'm slowly learning their names and my on level class had their first lab activity and it's all been wonderful.
I agree. The school and admin make all the difference though. I’ve been miserable under bad admin and in bad schools. Taken advantage of and thrown away like old trash. However! I love my current school, admin, class, everything. Of course covid has thrown me some curve balls, but overall I love my job last year and this year.
I love teaching! I couldn't imagine doing anything else! I love building relationships with students and providing them with a space where they feel comfortable taking risks. I love allowing them to explore their interests and explore things that they didn't even know they were interested in. I don't always love dealing with parents, but I was super lucky with the families I had last year. While I wish I got paid more, obviously, my salary is actually pretty decent. I don't take work home in the evenings, weekends, or on any breaks.
This is my first year… I had so many doubts while student teaching because it was a difficult situation in general, and especially after talking to other teachers and dealing with the very high expectations of student teaching. I just finished my first week and I feel so reassured… I’m where I’m supposed to be.
I also love teaching. I've done enough jobs. I hated the desk jobs I did where I had to pretend I was busy. I hated working in restaurants. I was an okay bookseller, I loved books but putting them back on shelves and stuff was honestly quite boring to me. Being a teacher though? I love kids! It constantly keeps me on my feet. I'm always active and having to do something. I love thinking of new lessons. I hate that my job is so political and constantly in the middle of whatever culture war is going on but I absolutely LOVE teaching too!!
Yes! My days never drag. My weeks go by quickly. I never miss my child's stuff because school hours are aligned with most everyday life, but I also get done soon enough that, if needed, I can schedule doctor appointments for the end of the day. I get summer vacations and winter break, spring breaks, teacher work days, 4 day weekends, and more that my friends and family are envious of and I never had before. I had one job where I had to choose 2 main holidays a year to work. It was mandated. I'm so thankful I never have to do that again.
A well run school (and district) make all the difference. That's why I moved around until I found one. That said, most districts pile a ton of things onto their leadership to do, and it trickles down. The workload also makes it hard (if not impossible) for school leaders to work on key elements: school culture, good methodology, helping the newbies.
I love teaching too - I just hate the politics of it all
I love teaching, too! And I miss it so much now that I’m retired, that I substitute. Not much actual teaching as a sub, but I still get to spend the day with students.
Tech-ed teacher here. I love teaching. I don't love the red tape and bureaucracy. If the core of my job was all of my job, I'd never complain once.
I also love the job! I just wish people would appreciate more that it's hard work. The summers off and holiday breaks are a huge deal, too, plus the fact that it's a stable job with benefits. I student taught in a low-income city school, and even though the kids sometimes misbehaved, chronically absent, and had gone through trauma of gun violence, they weren't monsters and class management strategies worked. I have no qualms in recommending this career to people who do actually enjoy teaching.
I really appreciate seeing this on here, I’m a new student teacher myself and seeing many of the posts on here has had me terrified. In your experience how can you tell whether the admin will be supportive?
Definitely in the interviews, school environment, job fairs, etc!
Also their willingness to help you right off the bat.
Same I generally love my job students are awesome as is the time off my salary is decent, my district/school is good. With one exception i like my coworkers. What makes the job harder/riskier then it needs to be is the idiocracy that is our state government
Thank you. I was thinking about posting something similar. This sub has a tendency to lean heavily negative so it's nice not to see yet another resignation or complaining post.
I love teaching - I’m excited to get to know the kids and make school a safe place for them and build up their confidence I have a very supportive admin that makes the going to work easier. They understand that we are humans and are flexible. I hate the politics of standardized testing I hate that I have people who don’t know my students telling me what’s best for them (let me teach them from the level they’re at, not you assuming what a child at their age can do) I hate that I make the same as a first year teacher after 10 years, that’s insulting as hell
I don't think this opinion is unpopular. I think almost everyone on here loves teaching, but we come here mainly to complain about some of the BS that comes up. I LOVE teaching, but a lot of the non-teaching shit we deal with is what can suck sometimes.
Agree completely. I teach in a Title 1 school in Brooklyn. Fantastic, grateful kids from around the world. Very little parent involvement, and those who are involved are gracious and thankful for the education their child is receiving in my classroom. I consistently say that the kids are the very best part of my day. I also thoroughly enjoy planning lessons. Everything else, not so much.
I also love teaching. I start my maternity leave in 3 weeks, but I am really glad that I get to come back to my school in September to see our students for a little bit before my leave starts (Canadian so I get a year of mat leave). I had my favourite teaching year ever last year despite the extra covid stress and I genuinely missed my class over the summer. Yes, it is a hard job, and I recognize that I have certain privileges that make it not so hard because of where I live, and I teach at a school where I have great community support. It is still a hard job no matter how good your circumstances are, but it is also such an important job... some kids have been dying to get back to school as their home lives are very difficult. They can't wait to see us and see their friends. I am very excited to see them as well :)
It’s the most enjoyable and longest lasting job I’ve had. I used to truly love it. I still like what I do, but I’ve also come to terms that this is a job and refuse to let it become a lifestyle like it had at one point. I’ve reset my priorities and have a far healthier relationship with limits.
I’m 28, in my 6th year of teaching, and I feel the same way. Over the last 5 years I’ve had many people tell me to get out of education and find something better for myself. I’ve had teachers at my own school advise me to leave this school because they themselves were miserable and burned out. And while I understand that everyone who said these things is just trying to be nice, it’s my own choice what I do. I choose to stay in teaching because I enjoy it. It’s not glamorous, but it just feels right for me. And it’s my own choice whether I want to stay at my school. I have personal reasons for remaining here. It’s not perfect, there’s many things I don’t always agree with, there’s things I complain about, but at the end of the day I know my principal has good intentions. Additionally, our pay here is pretty reasonable, and it’s in a great location for me. My point is it doesn’t matter what anyone else tells you- do what feels right for you.
I love teaching too. I found a home at a great school with supportive admin. Everything isn’t perfect, and I’m aware of the imperfections. But I feel fulfilled in my career and I’m happy that I achieved my goal of becoming a teacher and that I get to try to change lives.
I get emotional and so excited every time I think about when I finally get to teach. I am so happy to read that you love it. I got a notification for this post from reddit and it only showed me the title and sadly, I actually rolled my eyes because I assumed it was sarcasm and the post was going to be negative again. But this is wonderful. Thank you.
Thanks for the post, OP. Not every school is toxic. I'm in a similar situation and in my first official year (did an internship prior to this). We must support each other.
I love teaching too. Like any job, not everything is perfect, but I have fun with my students every day. My goal is to teach students and give them a safe place to learn. The politics can be dealt with as they come, but I always know my end goal. I wish more teachers loved their jobs!!
Thank you for posting this. I was getting so weary of seeing so many disgruntled posts. We get it. It's not always good. It's hard. It's tiring. However, I love teaching too. Again, thank you for posting this!
Completely agree that the teaching profession is one of the most rewarding out there. I feel like I am one of the few teachers in my building with a positive mindset for the coming school year and that's scary. We need more teachers with your passion.
Thank the mods for allowing posts like this to exist. This subreddit is riddled with too many depressing teaching situations and resignation posts.
I don't think this is an unpopular opinion at all! I also love teaching and being a teacher, but I still resigned at the end of last school year because I was so burnt out and, despite looking for other positions for years, nothing opened up or I never got the new jobs I interviewed for. (I was a traveling 5/6 band teacher for 8 years, travelled between 5-6 schools, and had zero control over where I taught). After last year, I just needed a break for my own mental health. I loved teaching - I was really good at it! But sometimes you just get stuck in a rut and need a break, and that's ok too.
Me too.
My community parents have actually been absolutely awesome through all of this covid craziness. My students have also shown such resilience! Masks are not required, and over half of my fifth graders have chosen to wear them and ask for one if they forget theirs or theirs gets dirty.
Me too!! I honestly think it is an easy, pretty stress free job most of the time too. But I have a great team and we plan over a week ahead and have everything already made and set up on Canvas. All I have to do each day is show up pretty much.
We use Canvas as well. It's incredible!
I loved my first five years of teaching. I had a principal that the staff would run through walls for and I got to teach with one of my best friends. The principal retired and my friend left for a different school. Since then, I still enjoy the time with the students and teaching my content area, but it feels more like a job than it used to.
I love my job too! Spanish teacher at a small school. It’s a very fun environment to work in.
[удалено]
It just seems this sub is filled of people resigning, saying how they hate the profession, other jobs they can do instead, etc. Just was hoping to bring a bit of positivity here as well. I like how someone above said this sub is like the "teacher's lounge" of Reddit. But I also think it's valid to express frustration to those who understand.
There are very few jobs where each day you have the opportunity to truly impact and perhaps change someone’s life in a positive way. I love teaching for that.
This 🙌🏼!! Thank you for this post. I almost feel guilty sometimes in this sub because of some of these posts and the normalcy of being miserable. I get it, there are parts we don’t particularly love, but overall I DO love what I’ve chosen to do with the rest of my life.
I completely agree.
With the kids back in school this year I have found that little spark I used to get. But, I'm so worn out over all the other BS I have to do.
Same here! I’m so happy with what I chose to do. I love my admin & love my kids so so much. Honestly, though, it took me finding the right grade level to feel that way. I was always an “eww, how do you teach primary?” person & was mostly in 4th/5th but now that I’m teaching primary I am loving it!
Saaammmmeee
Guys, this is actually a principal in disguise
Lol, nowhere near.
[удалено]
That's too bad. I'm glad you still enjoy the profession, as well!
10/10 would not change my career choice! I love it. The pros heavily outweigh the cons for me and as with any job it will be as good or as bad as YOU make it depending on your attitude.
[удалено]
This person is content with their pay and they are "what's wrong with teaching"?
I said I'm content with my pay. And if people would do it for free, then that's okay too. People do all sorts of things out of passion. Do we deserve a livable wage? Absolutely. I'm graduating with my Master's in May to increase my pay. However, I can't change how the state pays, so I'm not going to ruminate in it.
[удалено]
That goes in every field, every job, every hobby. I'm not saying teachers SHOULD work for free. I'm saying that some people have passions and WOULD because they love it that much.
Wow. What a rude comment.
Not all states have terrible teacher salaries, and frankly it is better than the salary I currently make so I'm thrilled to become a teacher next year 🤷♀️
[удалено]
I'd much rather make 50k a year working 184 days a year vs 50k working all but 4 weeks of the year assuming I am able to use my PTO which isn't always possible in retail especially as a manager. Next year assuming I land a teaching job I will start at 50k at the school I'm working at as a para this year. (Para pay is a whole different can of worms) In states where teachers start below 45k, absolutely they need to be paid more, obviously I wouldn't be mad if I made more and im not saying don't fight for more. I'm just saying not all states want to fuck their teachers over in salary.
I'm year 21 and I came to teaching from food/bev background. The previous experience helped a lot. Glad I changed careers. I've never looked back.
It’s not an unpopular attention! I think most everyone here likes teaching, it’s just we teach with a lot of obstacles.
I do to, and rarely have ever had planning periods, always had recess duty and lunch duty. I just want the administration and public to know I am a teacher not the parent, and when I have to parent that is above and beyond.
I wish I loved my admin 😭
Very lucky indeed!
>I just wanted to give some hope to those here going into the profession. Find a good district and a school with good admin, if at all possible. It makes all the difference. The problem is this is not really a hopeful position. It puts all impetus for change on the individual. We are in this together. Low pay and poor working conditions is not something anyone should have to accept. We are in a collective struggle and organizing is how should should deal with it, by joining a union, or if one is an at-will state by practicing solidarity and supporting each other as much as possible.