To quit or not to quit?

Question

I am a 28 year old teacher from Switzerland. So far I've worked in 5 different schools (as a substitute). Now, for the first time, I've got an open-ended contract at this tiny school in a village near my home (kind of "everyone knows everything about anyone"). Even though I should consider myself lucky, I feel tied town and overwhelmed with responsibility. I replace an old teacher, who everyone loved and I struggle with the heritage. I am being bullied by two of my colleagues and find it more and more difficult do my job, since they only seem to wait for my mistakes..
I don't know if I should quit. Does that look bad in a future CV? Or is it more important to pull myself together and try to cope?

I am thankful for serious advice.

Answer 1

I think that you should try and hang in there for awhile. Try and be nice to them and still keep your sanity. I do not know if it is appropriate for you to nicely confront the bullies when they try to bully you? I have not been a teacher, but I have worked for and with bullies. Bullies usually are insecure deep down, they feel as if they have to get others before others get them. That does not make your day any better as you try to put up with them. Can you apply for a position someplace else while you still work here? Then if you get another position you can give notice and move. I have always hated to give in to bullies, but if I could do it over I would change my behavior and figure a way to outplay them. I hope in someway I have been helpful and I wish you good luck. I am 58, live in the States and have worked in the auto repair business, sold retail furniture and industrial chemicals.

Answer 2

That's difficult, and I'm sorry you were faced with this situation. I would quit, but it's up to you. Since it's a everyone knows everyone community, it would almost seem that if you quit, not only two colleagues would be picking on you-- but the whole community! Maybe you should consider quitting / relocating.
Good luck! But remember, there will be bullies everywhere!

Answer 3

Hi there,

i can understand that you have difficulty to decide. Do you have another offer at a different school? Would you want to move away from home? Ask yourself those kind of questions that will help you to figure out what you should do.
But maybe you can give it a go to stick with the school for 6 months, just to see if you will get used to it. Sometimes it just takes sometime to get used to new environments.

Answer 4

You have a great opportunity to create your own legacy. But absolutely don't give in to the harassment by your bully colleagues.

Stand your ground against their nastiness and at least get the respect of others if you can't sway the bullies to leave you alone.
If those bullies are old, perhaps you wont have long to wait until they retire or die.

Good luck!

Answer 5

You need to consider why you're teaching. If it's something you want to be doing, then consider the pros and cons of this job. If it meets what you want in terms of jobs satisfaction and pay etc, stick it out...it is difficult to adjust to a new place and there will be office politics no matter where you work.
If you arent happy teaching or want to be in a bigger city, you should look for opportunities where you want to be . It's very frustrating in the long term to be stuck doing something that you dont really like. Especially, if you have a choice.

Answer 6

I understand thoroughly what you're asking. that is available to stop quitting, regardless of the indisputable fact that it really is a lot harder that quitting going to the gym. you opt on a source of motivation and thought. Make some targets. Than advantages your self. solid success =)

Answer 7

I'd never quit. You have to pull yourself together and stand up to these colleagues, and don't make any mistakes they can pounce on you for. Better yet, I'm sure they have some weak spots you can expose. This experience can make or break your career, and make you a better person once it's all said and done.

Answer 8

If it is any consolation to you, I am a nurse, and nurses are the same way, often times. They like to pick on the new people. If you stick it out and ignore them they may leave you alone. It has worked for me in nursing jobs. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Answer 9

i am really sorry for giving you such an answer. i really like all my teachers soo much . so i am giving you such an answer . any way some new teacher has to replace the old teacher hence you can yourself work instead of him or her . your character should be loved by all students then if your collegues give any wrong information also yourstudents will rescue you

Answer 10

if u love the job stick it out. if its humiliating, the pay sucks or just not worth it then quit. the difference between a job and a career is wether you can advance and wether you love it or not!