I have 5 more years to go in my teaching career?

Question

I am so burnt out....many classes a day, I have 250+ students per day.....I don't know if I can do it that much longer. I am the bread winner in the family...I am 50. I can't give it up at this point, we need the money. I need advice.......??????

Answer 1

I always thought that's what Summer vacation / Christmas vacation / Easter Vacation and all them other holidays was about......getting a break to rejuvenate. Or.....

It's called getting off you tail and finding another job. Quick the whining and be the adult you're suppose to be. Make a decision for yourself. Are we sure you need to be a teacher, especially if you need advice from total strangers. For goodness sakes. GROW UP.

Answer 2

My hats off to you. . . Staying in the teaching profession, while trying to have your own life, is an extremely difficult thing to accomplish well. There is a big question you need to think about: What kind of teacher are you? Are you teaching because it is your passion or are you teaching because it pays the bills? I find it hard to believe that you have stayed in the profession this long if your heart really isn't in it. You need to remember why you became a teacher in the first place. You knew it wasn't going to be an easy job. What is it about teaching that you really enjoy? How long has it been since you have been happy teaching? What will help you enjoy your job again? Are there any extra responsibilities that you can let go of that will help you feel less overwhelmed?

I read a fantastic book a couple years ago when I started doubting my ability to withstand the endless schedule of my teaching career. It's called The Energy to Teach (Donald Graves) and it really put things in perspective for me. Read it, especially during those times when you feel like you can't do it all. It will give you some really good advice on how to balance everything. Good luck!

Answer 3

I would suggest trying a different aspect of teaching like applying to be a reading specialist (assuming that are qualified) or working with beginning teachers as a full time mentor. Also look into your state's department of public instruction and see if there are any positions that involve you being a consultant or temporary help to a struggling district.

The education field needs your expertise!

Also, this is something that is hard for teachers to do, but learn to say NO to some of your current obligations. Maybe give up a committee or two or put a hold on you sponsoring a certain club. Also don't take papers home! What can't get done at school...leave it.

Answer 4

250 is a very large number. If you're working high school, consider getting a certificate in early education, K-4, because you'll get one group of kids to deal with and stay with them all day long. It'll decrease the paperwork and tests and headaches, though dealing with immaturity can be an issue. It's just 5 years. I know education has declined drastically over the years, but you can stick it out for 5 more years.

Another school could help, but if it's the numbers you're dealing with, then you may have the same problems somewhere else.

As far as the other replies, no one truly understands what it's like to teach. It's a lot of work, stress, drama, and you don't get paid crap for doing any of it. People who think it's easy are the same ones who were little pains in the a** when they were in school. Think about getting a pension and how in five years you can go on drawing a pension and actually work another job you may like way more than education.

After all, I've never met a teacher who said, "this is great, I wanna do this for the rest of my life!" I'm one of 'em...good luck. I have 26 more years to go.

Answer 5

Get these books, and read at your own leisure and pace.

1) The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher's Life, by Parker J. Palmer

2) The Courage to Teach: A Guide for Reflection and Renewal, by Rachel C. Livsey & Parker, J. Palmer

Teaching was my passion - was, because I have since switched to cater more to pupils with learning needs as a psychologist. I believe we got to learn to like what we do. Easier said than done, especially when our limits are tested. The above two books were recommended to me by a very passionate mentor in the teaching field, and I am still inspired by both titles despite the fact that I no longer teach. (But I cannot wait to go back to teaching again in a few years' time.)

Have good breaks whenever you can, because believe me when I say I understand - because you deserve the breaks anyway.

Answer 6

I feel your pain. What the people who tell you to quit or get a different job don't understand is that you can't. No one in any other profession would expect you to. It is only teachers who are supposed to invest their entire lives in their students. Yes, you should be passionate about teaching but what a lot of people don't want to acknowledge is that IT IS A JOB!!! You didn't enter the priesthood or become a nun. That is devoting your life.

Now to your question. I think one of the writers suggested trying to change your subject. That is my best suggestion also. I am also 50 (Congrats to us both!) and have felt the same way for quite a few years. I teach in the inner city where it is extremely stressful; undisciplined students (worse than the norm), insane expectations, lack of supplies, no parental support just to name a few. I had taught in the primary grades for more than 20 years. I couldn't imagine teaching older kids. About 3 years ago I opened my big mouth to the principal and made a suggestion that veteran teachers be encouraged to take turns substituting in a 5th grade classroom that had no permanent teacher and the kids kept running off all the subs. Well, her remark to me was, "Are you going to volunteer?" Well, obviously I had no choice. Thanks to my being such a team-player and volunteering to help, she moved me to the 5th grade the next year. (In all fairness, she lost a position in the 2nd grade that I was teaching and had to move someone.) I found out much to my surprise that I LOVED IT!! I moved to the 6th last year and loved them even more. Due to the fact that I can't travel up and down the stairs I will have to go back to the 5th next year. I wouldn't go back to primary unless I had absolutely no choice.

Being that you are a veteran teacher, you probably have the certification to teach something other than one subject like most of the recent graduates. Try a different grade level. Are you certified to teach middle school? How about changing to a Title program or reading specialist or something like that? Do you have any outside interests to give balance to your life?

I would suggest you read the book the one writer suggested. I haven't read it, but I think I will try to find it also.

I wish you luck because I completely understand. If it gets too bad, consider a few sessions with a therapist. It might do a world of good just to be able to vent without judgement.

Answer 7

Our school boards have employee assistance programs (EAP) that provide professional counselling to staff. If you have access to one I would contact them as soon as possible. In the meantime...

As a retired teacher who went through burnout and survived, I can understand some of what you are going through.

Try to find a way to bring in changes to your teaching that will enliven not only your students but also yourself.
- Are there any workshops or seminars that you can attend which might give you a new perspective? E.g. Are you using cooperative learning strategies? If not, try introducing them.
- How are you applying the Multiple Intelligences to your teaching? Keep a daily checklist and if you have not used all of them in a day, focus on that missed one in your next day of teaching.
- Can you become a mentor for a new teacher? Working with younger teachers can be contagious especially if we are open-minded towards their enthusiasm and allow ourselves to be swept along on their wave of youthful energy.

The professionals talk about balance. Personal life, family life and professional life need to be an evenly balanced triangle. Are you staying physically active? Are you setting aside "me" time to indulge yourself?


If you are not already keeping a journal for professional reflection, start one. Focus on positive reflection and make sure you find at least one positive per day. (Get a magnifying glass if you have to.)

If you are experiencing frustration at achieving success with certain aspects of your teaching, sit down and analyze the problem and start working out an action plan to resolve it.

Don't count down the years and days to retirement. That will only make things intolerable and make you someone no one else wants to hang around.

When you think you are 2 years away from retirement, begin planning for that phase in your life and actually spend your summer break "rehearsing" it.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Wow! You average over 40 students in a class, assuming you have 8 periods a day with 1 period of prep and 1 of lunch. I think I'd be burnt out too.

Can you switch to a different school in your system with a lower teacher/student ratio? If not, could you move to another school district?

Good luck!

Answer 9

I originally trained as a high school teacher but I learned that that wasn't for me. I still loved teaching so I switched to teaching adults (ESL and ESL methodology). Its still a lot of work but its more satisfying because I can focus on teaching instead of classroom management and all the stress of dealing with ungrateful teenagers. I don't make as much money but I've adjusted financially and I'm a lot happier.

Answer 10

don't feel too bad, we will be having over 150 students in gym class at 9 periods a day next year
We expect about 1,000 5th and 6th grade students next school year.
There are 4 of us gym coaches but still is alot of students.They already told us we will not get another teacher or aide.
They will be building another High school, two middle schools and one Jr.High within the next school year!

Hang in there.I realize it's tough ! !

Answer 11

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