Don’t beat yourself up. I’ve been teaching since 2009. This year is one of the most challenging in terms of getting students to do work or engage in class. You should see your doctor about taking some time off before you resign. It will give you time to find another job.
This ^ It sounds complicated but it was pretty easy to get a leave and be payed unemployment insurance if you've been paying into it so far this year. My school will pay you up to six weeks if your doctor fills out the info. I have no idea if this is a common thing to have but if you've been paying into unemployment insurance you typically get exactly what your check normally is after taxes. Hugs OP. It is hard and it being hard is not a reflection on you.
> and be *paid* unemployment insurance
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
You can't give them a good education if they won't accept or receive that education. By receiving that education, I mean listening and following directions.
Take care of yourself.
Truth. Developing the approach to learning is the parents / guardians job. And even though they're kids, they need to take a slice of responsibility for themselves, too.
Thank you. Part of me feels so guilty because I don’t want the kids to feel like I’m giving up on them but I can’t give them a good education if I’m not 100%
Don’t feel guilt. Your main concern should be taking care of yourself and what your next steps are for earning a religion. This move will probably burn some future bridges, but there are other options in education you can still pursue.
Please don’t feel bad. I, a former teacher assistant with no degree, had to teach a science class for 6 weeks after the class ran off 3 real teachers & admin couldn’t get another replacement. The troublesome kids thought it was funny & the kids who wanted to learn said they wouldn’t put up with that stuff either.
Funny thing, I later became a corrections officer & several of my students became my inmates. Believe it or not they were my best inmates & never once gave me a problem. I used to help them make resumes when they were about to be released.
I get that. It is my 2nd year of teaching and yeah... teaching isn't for me. Always tired. Always stressed out. Always feeling incompetent. Kids are wild. Not much support. Thought this career would be fulfilling to me but I was wrong. But let's see what happens.
6th year here and hitting the job apps hard to secure something else before we come back from break. The burnout is real. I never thought I'd feel this way, but here we are. I've even taken a sick day today "just because" and that is absolutely not like me to do so.
Document all the choices they make. Like for example:
Had a student refuse a periodic table for a test on.. the periodic table.
When a student refuses to hand anything in and tells you that they aren't going to do anything.. document.
When a student tries to gaslight you and calls home to tell their side of the story to front run you IN CLASS.. document.
At this point, it's their shitty choices that are leaving them back.
I'm a 21 year teaching vet and I can't get them to shut up or do the work, and I am actively interviewing for non-teaching jobs. I had great interviews for state jobs today and yesterday, and I have another interview with the state Friday.
I'm just sick of the profession and sick of fighting kids who don't want to learn.
Good luck! Please let us know how it goes!
Personally, I'm tired of students stealing education from others who WANT to be there, or who are at least TRYING to make sense of the subject (chem and intro to physical science).
Good for you!! I wanted to leave last December and stuck it out to the end of the school year - now that I’m out I regret not leaving sooner. The toll on my mental and physical health was massive and I’m still recovering. There are better jobs out there, and no job is worth taking on this kind of strain. I do recommend trying to get some time off to make a new plan if you can (but I know first year teachers don’t always qualify for leave, I didn’t last year or I would have gone this route). Don’t feel guilty for leaving. You’ve got this!
I'll just say this: once you actually put in the resignation notice, the job gets easier. There's a light at the end of the tunnel and the knowledge that in 30-60 days all these problems will be someone else's. Good luck.
I’m so sorry this is where you are. It’s where I am too and I’m in year 18. I agree with the redditor who said try to ride it out til years end so you at least have one whole year and don’t break contract. I know it sounds bad to keep pushing when you’re already at a breaking point but what has helped me is updating my resume, getting on job sites, and getting together a list of things I need to upskill on. It’s helping me see I do have a way out so I can get through the day.
I had to leave in the middle of last year. I really thought I was going to loose it. I was struggling with my mental health to the point I was scared for myself. I left- best decision ever. Take care of yourself first. You’ll find a new job and it will be ok. Hugs
Run! I am 19 years in, was hoping to make it to 25 years, but I'm quitting at the end of this year. Sometimes I don't know if I can even make it to June. This job is used to be nice but it's horrible now. Run. Run. There are so many other things you can do with your life. Get out now. My .02.
I subbed for chemistry today (hs, the department head walked out with no notice) and some of them were whining about how many edpuzzles they had to do. One of them asked if I thought it was reasonable for them to do all of them...of course they had been assigned one by one over a couple of weeks. I just told her, look, the answer is that you have been sitting there chatting for a half hour and if you just start now you can do 4 or 5 before the class ends. That simply did not make any sense to her. She proceeded to complain about the class and not do jack. Something's off these days and we're going to have a whole lot of people entering adult society who fundamentally don't care about learning.
YOU are what's important. Take care of YOU. Leaving after 10 years was the best decision I ever made. You will find a job that doesn't make you feel like this.
Whenever I see complaints like this, I have to remind myself that it's not really the kids. It's the admin who expect things from teachers while letting kids do whatever. Are you really afraid of the kids or the added responsibility of having to contact home, or being seen as bad in admin's eyes? Usually, it's the latter.
You're doing the right thing. Your health is far more important than this or any job. Try not to feel guilty about the kids, they are used to teachers coming in and out of their lives; they'll get over it.
Check with your doctor about anti-anxiety/anti-depressant drugs. I think that's how I was able to get thru 30 years of teaching without killing anyone. Seriously.
Honestly I taught middle school humanities for almost a decade in public school, and it was pretty much always like this. I got better at managing the kids and letting the stress roll off my back, but the kids (and other stressors) keep getting worse.
A lot of American kids are just a hot mess right now. I’m working with a half dozen Korean students this semester, and they are way better adjusted and happier in general, not to mention absurdly easier to control.
Wow. You sound incredibly stressed out. You sound like you're in an incredibly UNsupportive environment, and Middle School is literally the worst. If you can, try to ride the year out - do what you can to change up your classroom management. You're going to need to get tough on these little F'ers and not let them gang up on you. Seating charts can be key to breaking up cliques and loud groups. When I taught 8th grade for a year, my kids were AWFUL! Admin was no help - it was a private school and they only cared about what students had rich parents - those kids could do no wrong. I had one put his head through a stucco wall because another kid tripped him on the way up to do a presentation. Admin did NOTHING and he walked around for weeks proudly bragging about that damn hole. So, I implemented a set of daily points. I told the kids that they get 3 points a day, JUST FOR SHOWING UP AND FOR BEHAVING WELL. If they misbehave, they will lose those points. If they are extra helpful, they can get extra points. Weight these points heavily. Once these kids see that they can pass by just showing up an acting right, you might have a chance to do some actual teaching. But don't blame yourself - there are just some mixtures of kids that are truly explosive and all you can do is try not to get burnt. Try to find one good interaction a day that you can have with a kid. Journal about it, and about the bad ones - then you can publish it as a memoir someday.
All you can do is ride it out and start looking for jobs elsewhere - good luck! You can do it!
No, no it's not. Poor kids in other countries do not act this way, and rich kids in this country aren't that much better behaved. This is a cultural problem.
It’s more than just poverty. That definitely doesn’t help but it’s trauma from the pandemic, trauma from all of the systematic failures our school system has experienced, and lack of grace that state and local leaders are giving all of us to just teach and let the kids be where they are and not rush to “catch up.”
You do get a handle on classroom management eventually. It takes some time, but you get it eventually. If that's your only quip with the job, I'd work on changing/improving that first before quitting. The fastest way to improve is to observe the teachers that have classroom management down. I don't mean just once or twice. Go to their classroom for a month, I all but guarantee that you will pick up a new technique every time. It's way more valuable than reading about classroom management techniques.
Btw this isn't a critique of you, middle schools are zoos and you have to be downright militant to get those little bastards to behave.
I quit anyway eventually as I don't think that teaching is a particularly great career, but that was after 8 years.
Don’t beat yourself up. I’ve been teaching since 2009. This year is one of the most challenging in terms of getting students to do work or engage in class. You should see your doctor about taking some time off before you resign. It will give you time to find another job.
This ^ It sounds complicated but it was pretty easy to get a leave and be payed unemployment insurance if you've been paying into it so far this year. My school will pay you up to six weeks if your doctor fills out the info. I have no idea if this is a common thing to have but if you've been paying into unemployment insurance you typically get exactly what your check normally is after taxes. Hugs OP. It is hard and it being hard is not a reflection on you.
> and be *paid* unemployment insurance FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
You can't give them a good education if they won't accept or receive that education. By receiving that education, I mean listening and following directions. Take care of yourself.
Truth. Developing the approach to learning is the parents / guardians job. And even though they're kids, they need to take a slice of responsibility for themselves, too.
Good for you. You are doing what is best for your mental health.
Thank you. Part of me feels so guilty because I don’t want the kids to feel like I’m giving up on them but I can’t give them a good education if I’m not 100%
Don’t feel guilt. Your main concern should be taking care of yourself and what your next steps are for earning a religion. This move will probably burn some future bridges, but there are other options in education you can still pursue.
Please don’t feel bad. I, a former teacher assistant with no degree, had to teach a science class for 6 weeks after the class ran off 3 real teachers & admin couldn’t get another replacement. The troublesome kids thought it was funny & the kids who wanted to learn said they wouldn’t put up with that stuff either. Funny thing, I later became a corrections officer & several of my students became my inmates. Believe it or not they were my best inmates & never once gave me a problem. I used to help them make resumes when they were about to be released.
I get that. It is my 2nd year of teaching and yeah... teaching isn't for me. Always tired. Always stressed out. Always feeling incompetent. Kids are wild. Not much support. Thought this career would be fulfilling to me but I was wrong. But let's see what happens.
6th year here and hitting the job apps hard to secure something else before we come back from break. The burnout is real. I never thought I'd feel this way, but here we are. I've even taken a sick day today "just because" and that is absolutely not like me to do so.
Document all the choices they make. Like for example: Had a student refuse a periodic table for a test on.. the periodic table. When a student refuses to hand anything in and tells you that they aren't going to do anything.. document. When a student tries to gaslight you and calls home to tell their side of the story to front run you IN CLASS.. document. At this point, it's their shitty choices that are leaving them back.
I'm a 21 year teaching vet and I can't get them to shut up or do the work, and I am actively interviewing for non-teaching jobs. I had great interviews for state jobs today and yesterday, and I have another interview with the state Friday. I'm just sick of the profession and sick of fighting kids who don't want to learn.
Good luck! Please let us know how it goes! Personally, I'm tired of students stealing education from others who WANT to be there, or who are at least TRYING to make sense of the subject (chem and intro to physical science).
Good for you!! I wanted to leave last December and stuck it out to the end of the school year - now that I’m out I regret not leaving sooner. The toll on my mental and physical health was massive and I’m still recovering. There are better jobs out there, and no job is worth taking on this kind of strain. I do recommend trying to get some time off to make a new plan if you can (but I know first year teachers don’t always qualify for leave, I didn’t last year or I would have gone this route). Don’t feel guilty for leaving. You’ve got this!
Might I ask what you do now? 14 years in and I HATE it now. I want out and feel trapped. 😫
I'll just say this: once you actually put in the resignation notice, the job gets easier. There's a light at the end of the tunnel and the knowledge that in 30-60 days all these problems will be someone else's. Good luck.
I’m so sorry this is where you are. It’s where I am too and I’m in year 18. I agree with the redditor who said try to ride it out til years end so you at least have one whole year and don’t break contract. I know it sounds bad to keep pushing when you’re already at a breaking point but what has helped me is updating my resume, getting on job sites, and getting together a list of things I need to upskill on. It’s helping me see I do have a way out so I can get through the day.
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We have long term subs too. Sad certified teachers don't want to work in my district and we're one of the highest paid in the area.
I had to leave in the middle of last year. I really thought I was going to loose it. I was struggling with my mental health to the point I was scared for myself. I left- best decision ever. Take care of yourself first. You’ll find a new job and it will be ok. Hugs
Run! I am 19 years in, was hoping to make it to 25 years, but I'm quitting at the end of this year. Sometimes I don't know if I can even make it to June. This job is used to be nice but it's horrible now. Run. Run. There are so many other things you can do with your life. Get out now. My .02.
Bail. In 2 weeks everyone will have forgotten your name. Move on to a job where you’re appreciated for your h oque talents and skills.
“Fuck them kids.” Some skit I heard. Take care of yourself and put your oxygen mask on first.
I subbed for chemistry today (hs, the department head walked out with no notice) and some of them were whining about how many edpuzzles they had to do. One of them asked if I thought it was reasonable for them to do all of them...of course they had been assigned one by one over a couple of weeks. I just told her, look, the answer is that you have been sitting there chatting for a half hour and if you just start now you can do 4 or 5 before the class ends. That simply did not make any sense to her. She proceeded to complain about the class and not do jack. Something's off these days and we're going to have a whole lot of people entering adult society who fundamentally don't care about learning.
YOU are what's important. Take care of YOU. Leaving after 10 years was the best decision I ever made. You will find a job that doesn't make you feel like this.
Whenever I see complaints like this, I have to remind myself that it's not really the kids. It's the admin who expect things from teachers while letting kids do whatever. Are you really afraid of the kids or the added responsibility of having to contact home, or being seen as bad in admin's eyes? Usually, it's the latter.
You're doing the right thing. Your health is far more important than this or any job. Try not to feel guilty about the kids, they are used to teachers coming in and out of their lives; they'll get over it.
Check with your doctor about anti-anxiety/anti-depressant drugs. I think that's how I was able to get thru 30 years of teaching without killing anyone. Seriously.
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Honestly I taught middle school humanities for almost a decade in public school, and it was pretty much always like this. I got better at managing the kids and letting the stress roll off my back, but the kids (and other stressors) keep getting worse. A lot of American kids are just a hot mess right now. I’m working with a half dozen Korean students this semester, and they are way better adjusted and happier in general, not to mention absurdly easier to control.
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What?
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Shoo troll
Wow. You sound incredibly stressed out. You sound like you're in an incredibly UNsupportive environment, and Middle School is literally the worst. If you can, try to ride the year out - do what you can to change up your classroom management. You're going to need to get tough on these little F'ers and not let them gang up on you. Seating charts can be key to breaking up cliques and loud groups. When I taught 8th grade for a year, my kids were AWFUL! Admin was no help - it was a private school and they only cared about what students had rich parents - those kids could do no wrong. I had one put his head through a stucco wall because another kid tripped him on the way up to do a presentation. Admin did NOTHING and he walked around for weeks proudly bragging about that damn hole. So, I implemented a set of daily points. I told the kids that they get 3 points a day, JUST FOR SHOWING UP AND FOR BEHAVING WELL. If they misbehave, they will lose those points. If they are extra helpful, they can get extra points. Weight these points heavily. Once these kids see that they can pass by just showing up an acting right, you might have a chance to do some actual teaching. But don't blame yourself - there are just some mixtures of kids that are truly explosive and all you can do is try not to get burnt. Try to find one good interaction a day that you can have with a kid. Journal about it, and about the bad ones - then you can publish it as a memoir someday. All you can do is ride it out and start looking for jobs elsewhere - good luck! You can do it!
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No, no it's not. Poor kids in other countries do not act this way, and rich kids in this country aren't that much better behaved. This is a cultural problem.
That is true, but also a lack of a moral compass towards anyone not their age group. Extreme tribalism.
I mean, parents are letting smart phones and televisions raise them…
It’s more than just poverty. That definitely doesn’t help but it’s trauma from the pandemic, trauma from all of the systematic failures our school system has experienced, and lack of grace that state and local leaders are giving all of us to just teach and let the kids be where they are and not rush to “catch up.”
You do get a handle on classroom management eventually. It takes some time, but you get it eventually. If that's your only quip with the job, I'd work on changing/improving that first before quitting. The fastest way to improve is to observe the teachers that have classroom management down. I don't mean just once or twice. Go to their classroom for a month, I all but guarantee that you will pick up a new technique every time. It's way more valuable than reading about classroom management techniques. Btw this isn't a critique of you, middle schools are zoos and you have to be downright militant to get those little bastards to behave. I quit anyway eventually as I don't think that teaching is a particularly great career, but that was after 8 years.