How draining or stressful is teaching?

Question

I am returning to school to switch careers to teaching. I wonder how teachers would compare the stress and exhaustion of teaching to what I currently deal with?

I commute 2 hrs to get to work. After 3 yrs, I am at the midway point of my career, and I've been bored the whole time. I hate that I give so much of myself for a job that isn't interesting or challenging, and what I do doesn't make a difference to anyone except the shareholders. At the end of my 8-hr day, I commute another 2 hrs to get home, and I often bring work home with me. I'm so exhausted and drained by the time I get home, that I have no energy to enjoy my family or hobbies. All jobs even remotely related to my career seem the same.

Teachers...would you say that your stresses are significantly greater than what I currently deal with? Would you trade your stresses for mine?

Answer 1

No way would I trade! Teaching does have it's own "stresses" - depending on the grade you may have a high volume of students and many of them will have very diverse needs. Then there's papers to grade, plans to make and paperwork that must be completed for the school. But even so, I think it's a great job!

I have been teaching for 13 years and have found that when people ask me what I make that my answer is "a difference". That is what you have to keep in mind because in the beginning, it's stressful because you are finding your way. But after you get into the "groove" you will sail along. And students will come back and tell you that they are glad you were their teacher. And you will see young minds develop and blossom. Plus teachers get summers off - so there's plenty of time for hobbies and family. Of course you have to plan for these off months financially but it's worth it.

Now it's not an easy job and I do get tired but it all seems worth it. I think this may be because sometimes I think about teaching as not something I do but rather something I am. So sometimes I bring things home but I am pretty strict with myself and leave work at school. This is because I have a life too and the grades can wait a day or 2 (unless report cards are due. ) I do spend some time planning at home - finding resources and creating plans - but this is not every day. There are many times I find myself thinking about my class or our curriculum even when I'm "off" and so technically I guess I'm working but it doesn't really feel like it. It feels more like a sense of discovery - the light bulb goes off and I get excited! Sure there are students who are less than excited but then there's a new challenge - how to get them turned on.

So yes, there's lots of pieces and parts and you have to decide if this is the life for you. (It really is a way of life) Maybe you could go job shadow one day in your child's classroom. Then you can kill 2 birds with one stone and see what you think for yourself firsthand.

Good luck with your dreams - I hope this helps.

Answer 2

There are probably different kinds of stresses involved in teaching than those that you're used to.

Imagine looking after 20-30 kids at a birthday party, on your own, except your objectives aren't to help them have fun, but to teach them things that, often, they don't want to learn.

Then imagine doing that for four or five hours a day, every day.

Also, you want them to pass exams, and learn all of the skills they need to do well in life, and maybe sometimes you can't stop thinking about how to get them more closely engaged with the learning. The responsibilities are huge, and the future of the kids you teach will mean a lot to you.

There are coping mechanisms that you will develop, classroom management skills that you will learn how to use and, in the end, the happiness that you may get from getting things right might outweigh everything else... if you get it right.

You won't be "bored the whole time" though, teaching is challenging, and you will be making a difference to many different lives.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

To be honest, I would have to say that your job sounds very similar to mine...and I'm a teacher.

I love it some days. It's all worth it when there's one kid who just finally "gets it!"

Other days, the frustrations are endless. There is never a night that I don't bring work home. I get to school at 7 in the morning and I usually don't leave until 5 or 6 at night and I always have papers to grade and lessons to plan. Administrators demand superhuman abilities. Students are creatively challenging. State testing from No Child Left Behind is always breathing down your neck.

I am truly never bored, so if you're looking for excitement, you will definitely find it in teaching.

I'm not trying to scare you away from teaching, but I think if you're looking for a job that's easier, then teaching is definitely NOT it.

On the bright side, like I said before, it's all worth it when your students eyes light up because they understand. Teaching is very rewarding, but very difficult.

I believe it is the toughest job you'll ever love.

Good luck with everything!

Answer 4

"I hate that I give so much of myself for a job that isn't interesting or challenging" ----

Am i overstating the obvious, when i say you're probably in the
wrong profession?? Yes, teaching can be stressful, but I love it ! I also have to travel very far to get to my school, but I don't mind at all. Honesty, i look forward to going.

Answer 5

Become a substitute and leave all your worries behind. I agree the stress of dealing with the public and their kids are not rewarded near as much as the administrators or the PE teacher. So I suggest you move up to administration and make a change.

Answer 6

I have only substituted some, but I can tell you that you won't get bored!

The stress level could get pretty high. Just depends on the age and classroom setup.

Answer 7

"" UGH !!!! ""