I really do not like being a teacher. I like most of my students and I know that I am good at teaching...I care a lot about giving my students a good education. But I hate disrespectful teens (I am a high school teacher). This is my 3rd year teaching and I realize that I am a sensitive person, I take things personally, and that is not going to change. Also, the workload is enormous (I teach English). There is a lot of pressure and keeping up with everything I need to do (lesson planning, teaching, and grading is just a PART of my job) plus I float! I am always stressed. I try to put on a happy face, but it is hard and I worry that people can see through it. I know I have kids that count on me to be there and look forward to seeing me. I just really hate it all and I am depressed. Teaching was my 2nd choice as a career. Are there any other past teachers out there who went through what I am going through? If so, do you have any advice on how to make my year more bearable?
2006-11-15 07:57:38 · 6 answers · asked by cammie 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
I'm sorry you feel this way.
The sad reality is that there are rude teens and just plain rude people everywhere. Consider this a lesson in humanities for you, and learn from it . As for heavy workloads, unless any one of us is fabulously wealthy and works for "sport", there always seems to be more work than time no matter which is our chosen field.
What you are missing is "passion" for what you do. To begin, I suggest you stop using the word "hate" when you describe your job, and use your energy for more positive aspects. Sub-consciously, you are feeding your situation; you must change this. This is "key" for your plight right now. Change your attitude in a positive way, find joy in as many aspects of your daily work as you are able, "give" of yourself, and focus on what matters to you. Focus also on organizing more eficiently for the "drudgery part" of your work; i.e. the old maxim, "work smart not hard". Find solace in the small wonders of your life.
Be kind to you and find your passion. Visualize your dream job. Take steps to go out there and make it happen. Next year can be so much better, if you plan *now* for it!
2006-11-15 08:21:15 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You sound like my daughter did two years ago. She expressed many of the same feelings about teaching. She too was a high school teacher. She left teaching and is now completing a program to be a machinist with a mining company, where she will make much more money than she did as a teacher, and she will eventually teach the programs for the mining company. She will still be teaching, but it will be adults who are motivated to learn.
My advice would be that if you are that unhappy in teaching, begin to plan to leave it. During my career I had a few years where I counted everyday, every moment, waiting for the end of the school year, but mostly I loved my work. You cannot continue in a job that makes you so unhappy. There are always other options. You are an articulate and accomplished young person. The teaching profession will lose a good person, but you have to be true to yourself.
I think that when you have finally made the decision you will feel better. You will see that there can be an end to the way you feel right now. If you really want to continue in teaching, get involved in adult education. You will find that it is totally different from high school. The other option might be elementary school. Teaching younger kids who can be more appreciative may give you more job satisfaction. You might want to consider whether a different school or a private school might be what you want.
”This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
-Shakespeare-Hamlet
I hope this helps. Best of luck.
2006-11-15 08:18:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My instinct is to say pull her out and home school, but I know it's a hard decision with some kids because my youngest daughter is the same way (without all the recent traumatizing events your 13 year old has experienced). The fact that she's been through so much makes me wonder what the point is of making her suffer any more than she has to. She's 13. She can be home alone some days (if you just work part time). She can do most of her work even, by herself and wait for you to get home and help her with projects or clarify assignments. It doesn't even have to be permanent but I think it's worth considering seriously.
2016-03-19 08:50:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This sounds like my first and second year. You wont' believe what was said and done to me my first year and how many times I would tell my husband that i wanted to quit, and he (being a teacher himself) told me to take it one day at a time and to try to have a good day everyday, try to find the best in every situation, and to realize that even veteran teachers have bad days.
Every teacher has gone through this. The thing that got me through my first years of teaching was a wonderful mentor teacher who had been teaching for a while. Is there a person on staff that you feel comfortable talking to? Don't be afraid to talk to other teachers. They all have felt the same at some point.
What are you in teaching for? Is it for the income? You have to remember every day why are you teaching. You sound like you love kids, and that's why we teach. Even if the kids the kids dont' show love back. There are things going around you that are positive, but you can't see the big picture all the time.
I wish you the best of luck.
2006-11-15 11:30:50 · answer #4 · answered by Whizzo Butter 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm husband is in a similar situation. He hates the stress. He teaches history at the academy . Wow he even feels the same way! He runs 2 clubs on top of it all. The paper-load and lesson planning almost kills him. We don't have hardly anytime together. All he does is work and he falls asleep with his paperwork! I know I've seen a complete change in him with this job. He has been trying yoga, wine, bubble bath, stress management, and take a weekend vacation. Good luck!!!!!!!
2006-11-15 08:14:35 · answer #5 · answered by Apple 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wow, sounds like your having a really rough time. i'm in high school, and you sound like the kind of teacher that everyone can pick on because you are sensitive. that has gotta suck. i would suggest (since you mentioned that you are good at teaching) is to find something else to teach. special ed might work for you (i dont know you, so i couldnt say) because the kids you would be helping are also sensitive, and you wouldnt have to be grading as much work and stuff. another suggestion is to teach a lower level. sounds like you're cut out to be an elementary teacher! as far as this year.... i guess you just have to deal with it. on weekends, you could go do something you really like to do. and SLEEP as much as possible! it will make you feel happier.
2006-11-15 10:43:24 · answer #6 · answered by karli r 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I teach school also and I swore that I would never teach at the HS level. Most school districts consider internal applicants first for any upcoming openings. Check out their job listings and see if they have a primary or secondary level job. I love my fourth graders.
2006-11-15 08:31:12 · answer #7 · answered by DB Cash 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋