Has Anyone Left Teaching because of the Stress?

Question

I am wondering if anyone has left the profession because of the stress? I have given notice on my new teaching job because of stress.

I'm starting to question my decision, though.

Do you know of anyone who has left because of stress, or have you left because of stress?

esch ... you have obviously never known anyone in the teaching profession, if you think that is what teaching is! Wow!

Mad ... I am questioning my decision because it is hard to leave the kids. I love kids. But I get so stressed out that I feel like there is nothing else in my life but my job.

I have taught at other places before, and it was the same thing -- very, very stressful for me.

Some people can handle the stress fine, but I have always gained weight and felt unhealthy from it. This is my fifth time through, and I am finding the level of stress. I think I will just stick with my decision.

Answer 1

no but it can be stressful

Answer 2

A lot of teachers don't make it through the first year.
I was a teacher for 7 years. I was getting pretty fed up with it and had a great opportunity to do something else. So I quit teaching and starting working at a video game company for a year. My new job was stress-free and easy compared to teaching but I was miserable! It really confirmed the fact that teaching is where I belong.
The fact that you question your decision to quit tells me that you still see some positive aspects of teaching that you like. On the other hand, perhaps like me, you need to take a break from it to find out where you truly belong? It may be teaching or something completely new to you.
Whatever you decide, don't let your decisions along the way stress you out too much. Life is about the journey, not the destination.

Answer 3

Yes, I know several teachers who have left not only because of the stress but because there is no respect for teachers today. Kids get away with murder in the classroom. No one backs up the teachers. Had a niece leave the teaching profession because she was ORDERED by the principal to pass a student who was failing. That evening she made the decision to start law school.

Answer 4

I have not left.....yet. I am seriously considering leaving because of the stress and lack of support that we get from administration. Staff morale is at an all-time low and a lot of people just want out. I'm sorry to hear you are going through the same thing. Most reasons why new teachers leave is stress related from a HUGE lack of support and motivation from their administration. Perhaps you can talk to your Principal and see if anything can be done. Mine was oh so nice during the interview and on the first day, and then after that she disappeared. My mentor would say something like, "So, do you have any questions, no, ok, see ya. " I was left on my own to struggle. So, when daily tasks are difficult to get through, add the pain of getting 30+ kids to do what you need them to do and perform well at it.....well, yea.....I can see why so many of us want to leave. SUPPORT people...that's what we need.
Peace. :)

Answer 5

I earned my degree and teaching license many years ago. However, I found during student teaching (high school level) that it was extremely stressful and made huge demands on my after school time (I had a baby then), so decided it was not what I wanted to do. Now, I don't know. Nobody ever said it was an easy job. Talk with a mentor within the school. You'll probably find that your feelings are normal. Good luck.

Answer 6

I haven't left, officially, but I am on leave (new baby) for the year. I knew there was no way I could take care of my son and be an effective teacher (many teachers do it all the time, I made the decision not to). I, along with many of my co-workers, strive to be the very best teacher he/she can be. Because of this we work hard to plan engaging and effective lessons that meet or exceed state standards, we stay up late making tests/quizzes/activities/projects. We work over the weekends to grade (in my case, essays--English teacher). I interact with my students all the time--giving up a lot of my "free" time to help them succeed. I wouldn't have it any other way.

But, it all comes at a cost. Nine months out of the year I am a different person. I seldom see my husband, and if I do, it is between lesson planning and grading. I skip everything from hair appointments (which is why I look like a shaggy dog at the end of the school year) to dentist appointments. Being social usually is a stretch, because if I'm not planning/grading, then I tend to fall asleep by 9 pm. I'm an English teacher yet I am lucky to get through one book during the year (outside of material I have to read for class). I seldom cook. Laundry piles up (until my husband does it or it starts crawling up the staircase). I can't talk long on the phone with family and friends (the pile of grading is looming). The list goes on . . .

Now, for those who say--"But you have all that time off." Are you kidding me? Most teachers I know (myself included) are doing things for school--getting professional development in, taking classes, attending workshops. And, if they aren't doing that they are finally getting to all those canceled appointments, or cleaning their house (which has probably been neglected the better part of the year). And, because of our "lucrative" salary, many others are working another job (over 50% in our district tutored or worked summer programs).

It must be said that we CHOSE this profession. In some cases it CHOSE us. Regardless, it was a choice. We knew it was a thankless job with low pay and demanding hours/work/schedules. However, after a while it wears on you . . . the bureaucracy, the drama, the red tape, the uninvolved parents, the nonsupporting administration, the low pay, the continually dwindling benefits, the critical community . . . as a teacher, it is hard to win the fight, much less continue the battle.

Last year we lost excellent teachers. One left for a textbook company, another decided to stay home full time with her children, another left for physician assistant school, and the final teacher is on maternity leave trying to decide what to do next (that would be me). I love the actual act of teaching. I love seeing my kids and watching them learn and grow. But this is a very demanding job . . . rewarding in many ways, but demanding in many, many more.

Answer 7

I have one foot out of the door right now. I have switched jobs in an effort to see if I will still like it, but I, like you, am still under a considerable amount of stress. In fact, I now have serious health problems because of it.

I do suggest that if you have only taught at one school, to teach at a couple of other schools. Sometimes, it may just be the school. After that, if you are still stressed out, then maybe a move is for you. They say the turn-over rate for teachers is 2 years...after that, people move on.

It is a crazy job, I know, I am now looking for something that does not require I leave work and still have 3 more hours of work to do.

Good Luck!

Answer 8

sad to say, but teaching is not for everyone. aft says that 50 percent of teachers leave in their first 5 years. Often it is the underestimation of the work load and stresses involved.

I often tell new teachers that you have to be like those animals they introduce into childrens wards.... They have to have the right demeanor as they will be poked, prodded, pulled and pinched...but they cannot react negatively. I teach grade 7.....thats the level where you have to "get" the kids or the stress will eat you up.

Perhaps a change in level might suit you?

Answer 9

I am not a teacher but I had to go into my 15 year old son's class because he couldn't behave. The teacher asked me to sit in. You teachers need to get paid way more then you do. I think it is a thankless job and must be very stressful. The 3 months off is probably the only good thing about teaching.I swear I think parents should take turns sitting in the classrooms to maybe help the children behave properly. The children (especially the teenagers) act like 5 year old babies.

Answer 10

Many teachers have and I recall getting something a few years ago from the teachers association regarding job stress and burn out. No surprise, we have a high stress job.

I left one job for medical reasons, but would have eventually left because of stress created by the administrations shananagans. You can take so much and then, you burn out.

What are you starting to question about your decision?

Answer 11

I worked as a room mom and volunteer librarian and playground and lunch room monitor while my kids were in school. I could not get control of the children. I also went home in tear on 1 occasion. I don't know how teachers to it but Thank the Lord there are people like you willing to give it a shot.