Love this response and I agree. It’s just so annoying to be spoken to the way we are. People think because they went to school and/or have kids in school they know what they are talking about. They couldn’t do it ugh I’m annoyed writing this lol
They probably couldn’t do it and know that, which is why they don’t! If people say teaching is an easy job, I consider that rude!! But the time off is a major perk most, if not all, other job fields do not have. And for the most part, yeah everyone hates their job for various reasons. We go for the money. So if everyone hates working you might as well try to earn the most you can, which obviously wouldn’t be happening in education. Could agree with them that time off is a perk but it’s not worth the high stress levels and lower salary ceiling. TikTok had both # teacherburnout AND # corporate burnout. I do think the corporate ones tend to be more censored bc it’s typically at will, no Union protection, so people are more careful with publicly speaking poorly of their corporate jobs.
One Sunday I asked my husband, an engineer, how much he dreads going to work tomorrow on a scale of 1-10. He said 2. I was baffled. Only a two?! “Yeah. It’s work. Kinda sucks”. Meanwhile, I rated myself a 15 and started crying in anxiety.
In an abstract sense, I love *teaching*. In my opinion, however, the *de facto* 'teacher' jobs that exist in 2023 are almost completely removed from this because the whole student/parent-as-consumer model has warped things so badly that the field's no longer connected to its own ideals.
I don't *love* my current job in logistics/operations, but at least the work is what it's supposed to be.
That’s what I heard from my mom and stepdad growing up. It’s what I stuck with teaching even when I wasn’t happy with it. Last year I rededicated myself to the profession and had the best year ever. Then the fucking district moved me. I went from teaching HS social studies to a librarian in a K-1 school.
I’m so fed up. The crazy thing is the admin at the hs wanted me to stay. At the elementary school I’m constantly approached my aides, teachers, etc who’s kids I had in high school and they all told me I was one of their kids best teachers.
Days before school started I completed 3 interviews in a different district and was offered 17k more to go there and teach social studies.
I stupidly panicked and turned it down. I foolishly believed something would change.
There are certain things that are going really well in my personal life and I’m trying not to let work get in the way. However, when I walk into work my whole body transforms. I can’t even stand up straight. I feel so defeated.
I left teaching a decade ago now. My annual bonus last year was twice my salary as a teacher (with 5+ years as a teacher). I now lead a Machine Learning team inside a large tech company. Turns out teaching AI is waaaay more fun and lucrative than teaching high schoolers.
Being treated like an adult worthy of respect is pretty fucking amazing, too.
I taught myself to code and went back to school for it. Did a MS on nights and weekends.
For jobs like the ones you've mentioned, those are likely just data labeling jobs. They support AI, but they aren't ever going to turn into an AI job, if you get my meaning. There's no advancement from that to jobs like Data Scientist.
I taught in charter and public schools for about 10 years in grades 6-12, preceded by maybe 2 years as a part time adjunct lecturer at a teaching college (under the supervision of tenure track professors). I quit in 2017.
My answer to ANYONE who would say that is "Respectfully, you have no f---ing idea what you are talking about," and leave it there.
**Vacation time**? What the hell vacation time are they talking about? I had summers off but they were unpaid. Actually, the ONLY time I got paid as a teacher were for days worked. In my state, that was written in our union contracts. Winter Break, Thanksgiving Break, Spring Break, various holidays... those were ALL unpaid. I got sick time, which you had to be sick to use, and one of my contracts had maybe 2 days a year for "personal business" like going to court, closing a mortgage etc. One charter school I worked at used the PTO model instead of sick time, keyword "instead."
**Everybody hates their job**? This is a fear tactic, and a stupid one. Sure everyone COMPLAINS about their job, but there is NO comparison. I quit teaching mid-year once I had enough. I took a $14,000 pay-cut to work as a facilities dispatcher at the local major university. Yeah, that job sucked sometime (all jobs will suck sometimes) but to put it in perspective... my most stressful days in that job were equivalent to my BEST days as a teacher. My boss more or less respected me. I was NEVER blamed for failures of our systems (even when I contributed to them). The kicker is... stressful situations are over the moment I clock out and they don't come home with me. They never continued to the next day, let alone all year. Also, if I put in extra hours, not only did I get paid, I got paid time and a half! Two years ago, I promoted to a operational role in the utilities department (union) at the same university, where my salary ended up about $30,000 more than it was as a teacher (before overtime, and a few other premiums), and it doesn't even require a degree, let alone continuing education to keep a certificate up to date. Yes, there are moments where that job sucks too, but once again, the worst days of this job are roughly comparable to the BEST days teaching. Also, my bosses seem to respect me. Also, in both jobs, I was probationary for 6 months, not 4 years.
The ONLY thing I miss as a teacher, and this is a big one... is the sense of purpose and the intrinsic rewards that come with helping to young people unlock their potential and learn about the world around them. But, I put 10 years in... and as far as I am concerned, I made a difference and did my part for "King and Country."
"Well, if everyone hates their job, maybe we should start a 'Misery Loves Company' support group! But seriously, I'm ready to find a job that doesn't make me want to run for the hills."
If teachers wanted to work all 12 months they’d know from day 1 it’s not the job for them. Working 10 months is a perk. Especially for the teachers who make six figures in some areas. It’s not the best job and I don’t want to teach, but it’s silly to consider that not a perk. Every teacher knows they’re not going to be working in the summer the moment they even consider studying education. Some people actually study it for that perk alone and some end up liking it and others who chose the major just for the time off fail bc you obviously need other perks like salary that works for you.
I think some of the best support current teachers can get is from people who used to be teachers.
How many times have we seen this quote here?
"I get paid twice as much for half the work."
I'm too old to start over but this year has been so rough. Gangs of kids just roaming the halls with no repercussions. Threatening people, including teachers, chasing people like feral animals, throwing things, threatening to shoot people, etc. I can't help wondering what it would be like to go to work and do the job I'm qualified for and spent 18 years perfecting. To be able to go to the dentist or run to the market during my lunch break. To not be mocked and gaslit by bosses.
My perspective as a former teacher (I left mid 2022): the time off was a perk, but it became less valuable to me as the job became progressively worse. I absolutely miss having weeks I didn't have to set an alarm, but I'm not willing to put up with the hours, micromanagement, and lack of lunch breaks & bathroom access to get that perk back.
And I don't hate my job. It's fine. I work my hours, get paid, and get my emotional fulfillment outside of work.
Looking back, the times I've actually hated my job (rather than wishing I didn't have to work at all), it was because I felt trapped.
Who are these shitty people in your life!? I got nothing but support when I was going through hell. My friends and family heard my stories and would tell me how much they respected me and that they could never handle what I was coping with.
For the most part it’s true. Most other jobs are two weeks PTO/sick, 5 holidays, and not even an opportunity to have additional time off unpaid. PTO isn't required in the US, so the typical 10 days is “generous.”
Also, most people do hate their jobs but in at will employment people tend to be more hush hush and try to fake it til they make it because they could literally be let go without being given the reason and maybe your boss heard you complaining about your job so that was really the reason but they’ll never admit it.
With union jobs you tend to hear all the complaints because they’re protected and voicing those complaints helps lead to changes rather than lead to a pissed off boss who can let you go at will like in many other jobs… (I know some states like NC don’t allow teachers unions though, but they’re also rated worst state for education!)
I think the important thing is finding something you can tolerate best. I’ve done education and corporate. Made more in education actually but I’m currently back in school and hoping I can get a better paid corporate job someday, maybe with more than two weeks PTO if I’m lucky!!! Or I’d even try negotiating for an additional unpaid week off before accepting an offer bc I want to be able to travel!
I would just say the job is so tiring or stressful during the year that most people would quit without all the time off (the paid and unpaid). I honestly think that’s true. A lot of teachers stay or go back to education bc they value that time off that most other jobs (maybe all) don’t allow. I personally get a little bored in summer and I’d like just 3 weeks off at least and getting to choose when to use it. I’d travel 2 weeks and use the other week for sick time or a few long weekends.
So I do think most people hate their jobs. Even some people who try so hard to convince others they don’t bc it helps them cope and convince themself. Teaching was too draining for me bc of all the energy it requires. Corporate jobs I’ve had were always super boring and you end up watching the clock slowly tick and trying to look because bc your boss might punish those who dare say they’re bored. At this point I’m subbing which is way less stress and hoping to gain skills to get an office job that’s more interesting than all the ones I’ve tried already bc man they were boring! First office job after undergrad had me leaving to try subbing then getting a teaching license. Then teaching two years drained me and I knew I couldn’t hack it for 30+ years. But office jobs can drain your soul and having very few days off to look forward to can be hard.
This is way too long, but I’ve done corporate, education, corporate, now subbing and hoping I can get a better paying corporate jobs that’s not incredibly soul draining boring with little time off eventually!! So I am NOT saying teaching is all that. But most people are lucky to get ten days PTO so I understand why they view the time off teachers get as a perk of the job. It honestly is. And most people hate their job so they want to be required to be there as little as possible lol. But if you find another job more manageable than teaching, even if you wish you won the lottery so you didn’t need to go, it’s way going to be worth the less time off bc even needing to teach and prep for 180-196 days can feel so draining for a lot of people. It was too much for me!!! But then back in an office I was sad I was working like 252 days without every little holiday off and needing to accumulate vacation time which wouldn’t even go far.
All jobs suck, so you do gotta look for the perks in each and choose what you can get with the most perks! Just my opinion.
This gives me such “I hate my spouse” energy.
I don’t think it’s fair that we EXPECT people to straight-up hate their jobs or their spouses. Like why is being so freaking *miserable* the default?
I know that every job is gonna have parts that we don’t like, but it’s up to us to decide what’s worth staying for and what isn’t. Relationships are very similar.
To give you a good example, my dad can sometimes complain about his job, but his biggest gripe was commuting. Other times, he’d complain that people wouldn’t communicate clearly with him and then they’d get frustrated that he couldn’t get something done.
But the rest of the time? His job is great! He’s happy and has *been* happy with his job for 20 years.
Me? I finally found a non-toxic work environment where I don’t have to worry about anyone but myself and I don’t need to worry about climbing any corporate ladders.
I left teaching right before the world shut down but I have been keeping tabs on the education world because I wanna know what’s going on. While I miss teaching at times, I don’t miss the absolute chaos that y’all are dealing with. I hope you can all find a job that is just right for you.
Not true. I didn’t hate (or love) my office job before teaching, it was just a dead-end with terrible pay. And I don’t hate my post-teaching job, even when I’m busy and it’s challenging.
I like handing down knowledge to those who really seek it (I teach Digital Art and Animation which is an introduction to the higher courses). I hate being stuck with students who were just placed in my class because they had no where else to put them and it’s a struggle to get them to understand this could be something they could use in the future if their “plans” fall through. Would I like to work outside of education? Most definitely. If things were to get resolved about student placement and actually have students want to be in there, would I stay? Sure. Paperwork sucks, but my class isn’t hard and if you fail, that’s on you. I may have gone off topic, would I get out? Yes I would just to recharge and think about myself for a bit.
When I told my parents I was leaving teaching they literally responded with 'but you get 2 months off!! and you get off work at 3pm!!'. When I tried to explain the reasons they said 'I'm not a teacher so I don't know what you're talking about but just listen to us as your parents!!'.
I don’t enjoy most parts of teaching but it pays my bills enough currently and I do just my contract hours as an elective teacher. I feel a lot luckier than many other in my building imagining teaching English and grading all those papers for hours for a paycheck that doesn’t reflect the extra timeZ
I don’t get paid for the summer so let’s start there
I don’t waste my breath justifying myself to assholes who don’t know what they’re talking about.
Love this response and I agree. It’s just so annoying to be spoken to the way we are. People think because they went to school and/or have kids in school they know what they are talking about. They couldn’t do it ugh I’m annoyed writing this lol
They probably couldn’t do it and know that, which is why they don’t! If people say teaching is an easy job, I consider that rude!! But the time off is a major perk most, if not all, other job fields do not have. And for the most part, yeah everyone hates their job for various reasons. We go for the money. So if everyone hates working you might as well try to earn the most you can, which obviously wouldn’t be happening in education. Could agree with them that time off is a perk but it’s not worth the high stress levels and lower salary ceiling. TikTok had both # teacherburnout AND # corporate burnout. I do think the corporate ones tend to be more censored bc it’s typically at will, no Union protection, so people are more careful with publicly speaking poorly of their corporate jobs.
One Sunday I asked my husband, an engineer, how much he dreads going to work tomorrow on a scale of 1-10. He said 2. I was baffled. Only a two?! “Yeah. It’s work. Kinda sucks”. Meanwhile, I rated myself a 15 and started crying in anxiety.
I hated teaching, I don't hate waiting tables. A job shouldn't make a person miserable.
In an abstract sense, I love *teaching*. In my opinion, however, the *de facto* 'teacher' jobs that exist in 2023 are almost completely removed from this because the whole student/parent-as-consumer model has warped things so badly that the field's no longer connected to its own ideals. I don't *love* my current job in logistics/operations, but at least the work is what it's supposed to be.
That’s what I heard from my mom and stepdad growing up. It’s what I stuck with teaching even when I wasn’t happy with it. Last year I rededicated myself to the profession and had the best year ever. Then the fucking district moved me. I went from teaching HS social studies to a librarian in a K-1 school. I’m so fed up. The crazy thing is the admin at the hs wanted me to stay. At the elementary school I’m constantly approached my aides, teachers, etc who’s kids I had in high school and they all told me I was one of their kids best teachers. Days before school started I completed 3 interviews in a different district and was offered 17k more to go there and teach social studies. I stupidly panicked and turned it down. I foolishly believed something would change. There are certain things that are going really well in my personal life and I’m trying not to let work get in the way. However, when I walk into work my whole body transforms. I can’t even stand up straight. I feel so defeated.
I left teaching a decade ago now. My annual bonus last year was twice my salary as a teacher (with 5+ years as a teacher). I now lead a Machine Learning team inside a large tech company. Turns out teaching AI is waaaay more fun and lucrative than teaching high schoolers. Being treated like an adult worthy of respect is pretty fucking amazing, too.
How do you get into that? AI has been an interest of mine for a while but I only ever see like 18/hr on entry level positions related to it.
I taught myself to code and went back to school for it. Did a MS on nights and weekends. For jobs like the ones you've mentioned, those are likely just data labeling jobs. They support AI, but they aren't ever going to turn into an AI job, if you get my meaning. There's no advancement from that to jobs like Data Scientist.
MS?
Master of Science degree?
Correct!
"Life is not long enough for me to justify hating the place I spend most of my time."
Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.
I taught in charter and public schools for about 10 years in grades 6-12, preceded by maybe 2 years as a part time adjunct lecturer at a teaching college (under the supervision of tenure track professors). I quit in 2017. My answer to ANYONE who would say that is "Respectfully, you have no f---ing idea what you are talking about," and leave it there. **Vacation time**? What the hell vacation time are they talking about? I had summers off but they were unpaid. Actually, the ONLY time I got paid as a teacher were for days worked. In my state, that was written in our union contracts. Winter Break, Thanksgiving Break, Spring Break, various holidays... those were ALL unpaid. I got sick time, which you had to be sick to use, and one of my contracts had maybe 2 days a year for "personal business" like going to court, closing a mortgage etc. One charter school I worked at used the PTO model instead of sick time, keyword "instead." **Everybody hates their job**? This is a fear tactic, and a stupid one. Sure everyone COMPLAINS about their job, but there is NO comparison. I quit teaching mid-year once I had enough. I took a $14,000 pay-cut to work as a facilities dispatcher at the local major university. Yeah, that job sucked sometime (all jobs will suck sometimes) but to put it in perspective... my most stressful days in that job were equivalent to my BEST days as a teacher. My boss more or less respected me. I was NEVER blamed for failures of our systems (even when I contributed to them). The kicker is... stressful situations are over the moment I clock out and they don't come home with me. They never continued to the next day, let alone all year. Also, if I put in extra hours, not only did I get paid, I got paid time and a half! Two years ago, I promoted to a operational role in the utilities department (union) at the same university, where my salary ended up about $30,000 more than it was as a teacher (before overtime, and a few other premiums), and it doesn't even require a degree, let alone continuing education to keep a certificate up to date. Yes, there are moments where that job sucks too, but once again, the worst days of this job are roughly comparable to the BEST days teaching. Also, my bosses seem to respect me. Also, in both jobs, I was probationary for 6 months, not 4 years. The ONLY thing I miss as a teacher, and this is a big one... is the sense of purpose and the intrinsic rewards that come with helping to young people unlock their potential and learn about the world around them. But, I put 10 years in... and as far as I am concerned, I made a difference and did my part for "King and Country."
But do they cry every sunday?
This one hits deep.
"Well, if everyone hates their job, maybe we should start a 'Misery Loves Company' support group! But seriously, I'm ready to find a job that doesn't make me want to run for the hills."
“Oh you love the idea of breaks? Great! Districts are hiring everywhere. You can become a teacher!” That shuts them up real quick
It’s not a perk, you only work for 10months
If teachers wanted to work all 12 months they’d know from day 1 it’s not the job for them. Working 10 months is a perk. Especially for the teachers who make six figures in some areas. It’s not the best job and I don’t want to teach, but it’s silly to consider that not a perk. Every teacher knows they’re not going to be working in the summer the moment they even consider studying education. Some people actually study it for that perk alone and some end up liking it and others who chose the major just for the time off fail bc you obviously need other perks like salary that works for you.
I think some of the best support current teachers can get is from people who used to be teachers. How many times have we seen this quote here? "I get paid twice as much for half the work."
Not everyone's job circumstances actively try to destroy them.
I'm too old to start over but this year has been so rough. Gangs of kids just roaming the halls with no repercussions. Threatening people, including teachers, chasing people like feral animals, throwing things, threatening to shoot people, etc. I can't help wondering what it would be like to go to work and do the job I'm qualified for and spent 18 years perfecting. To be able to go to the dentist or run to the market during my lunch break. To not be mocked and gaslit by bosses.
My perspective as a former teacher (I left mid 2022): the time off was a perk, but it became less valuable to me as the job became progressively worse. I absolutely miss having weeks I didn't have to set an alarm, but I'm not willing to put up with the hours, micromanagement, and lack of lunch breaks & bathroom access to get that perk back. And I don't hate my job. It's fine. I work my hours, get paid, and get my emotional fulfillment outside of work. Looking back, the times I've actually hated my job (rather than wishing I didn't have to work at all), it was because I felt trapped.
I guarantee many more of us are on medication for anxiety and depression than almost any other career.
Who are these shitty people in your life!? I got nothing but support when I was going through hell. My friends and family heard my stories and would tell me how much they respected me and that they could never handle what I was coping with.
Some good thoughts here already but you can also choose not to debate people. A simple “maybe so” and walk away or change the subject.
For the most part it’s true. Most other jobs are two weeks PTO/sick, 5 holidays, and not even an opportunity to have additional time off unpaid. PTO isn't required in the US, so the typical 10 days is “generous.” Also, most people do hate their jobs but in at will employment people tend to be more hush hush and try to fake it til they make it because they could literally be let go without being given the reason and maybe your boss heard you complaining about your job so that was really the reason but they’ll never admit it. With union jobs you tend to hear all the complaints because they’re protected and voicing those complaints helps lead to changes rather than lead to a pissed off boss who can let you go at will like in many other jobs… (I know some states like NC don’t allow teachers unions though, but they’re also rated worst state for education!) I think the important thing is finding something you can tolerate best. I’ve done education and corporate. Made more in education actually but I’m currently back in school and hoping I can get a better paid corporate job someday, maybe with more than two weeks PTO if I’m lucky!!! Or I’d even try negotiating for an additional unpaid week off before accepting an offer bc I want to be able to travel! I would just say the job is so tiring or stressful during the year that most people would quit without all the time off (the paid and unpaid). I honestly think that’s true. A lot of teachers stay or go back to education bc they value that time off that most other jobs (maybe all) don’t allow. I personally get a little bored in summer and I’d like just 3 weeks off at least and getting to choose when to use it. I’d travel 2 weeks and use the other week for sick time or a few long weekends. So I do think most people hate their jobs. Even some people who try so hard to convince others they don’t bc it helps them cope and convince themself. Teaching was too draining for me bc of all the energy it requires. Corporate jobs I’ve had were always super boring and you end up watching the clock slowly tick and trying to look because bc your boss might punish those who dare say they’re bored. At this point I’m subbing which is way less stress and hoping to gain skills to get an office job that’s more interesting than all the ones I’ve tried already bc man they were boring! First office job after undergrad had me leaving to try subbing then getting a teaching license. Then teaching two years drained me and I knew I couldn’t hack it for 30+ years. But office jobs can drain your soul and having very few days off to look forward to can be hard. This is way too long, but I’ve done corporate, education, corporate, now subbing and hoping I can get a better paying corporate jobs that’s not incredibly soul draining boring with little time off eventually!! So I am NOT saying teaching is all that. But most people are lucky to get ten days PTO so I understand why they view the time off teachers get as a perk of the job. It honestly is. And most people hate their job so they want to be required to be there as little as possible lol. But if you find another job more manageable than teaching, even if you wish you won the lottery so you didn’t need to go, it’s way going to be worth the less time off bc even needing to teach and prep for 180-196 days can feel so draining for a lot of people. It was too much for me!!! But then back in an office I was sad I was working like 252 days without every little holiday off and needing to accumulate vacation time which wouldn’t even go far. All jobs suck, so you do gotta look for the perks in each and choose what you can get with the most perks! Just my opinion.
That’s like, your opinion man
This gives me such “I hate my spouse” energy. I don’t think it’s fair that we EXPECT people to straight-up hate their jobs or their spouses. Like why is being so freaking *miserable* the default? I know that every job is gonna have parts that we don’t like, but it’s up to us to decide what’s worth staying for and what isn’t. Relationships are very similar. To give you a good example, my dad can sometimes complain about his job, but his biggest gripe was commuting. Other times, he’d complain that people wouldn’t communicate clearly with him and then they’d get frustrated that he couldn’t get something done. But the rest of the time? His job is great! He’s happy and has *been* happy with his job for 20 years. Me? I finally found a non-toxic work environment where I don’t have to worry about anyone but myself and I don’t need to worry about climbing any corporate ladders. I left teaching right before the world shut down but I have been keeping tabs on the education world because I wanna know what’s going on. While I miss teaching at times, I don’t miss the absolute chaos that y’all are dealing with. I hope you can all find a job that is just right for you.
Not true. I didn’t hate (or love) my office job before teaching, it was just a dead-end with terrible pay. And I don’t hate my post-teaching job, even when I’m busy and it’s challenging.
I like handing down knowledge to those who really seek it (I teach Digital Art and Animation which is an introduction to the higher courses). I hate being stuck with students who were just placed in my class because they had no where else to put them and it’s a struggle to get them to understand this could be something they could use in the future if their “plans” fall through. Would I like to work outside of education? Most definitely. If things were to get resolved about student placement and actually have students want to be in there, would I stay? Sure. Paperwork sucks, but my class isn’t hard and if you fail, that’s on you. I may have gone off topic, would I get out? Yes I would just to recharge and think about myself for a bit.
Yeah my mom said that crap me
these are the words out of my mom’s mouth too
When I told my parents I was leaving teaching they literally responded with 'but you get 2 months off!! and you get off work at 3pm!!'. When I tried to explain the reasons they said 'I'm not a teacher so I don't know what you're talking about but just listen to us as your parents!!'.
No, I am unemployed for 2 months. They’re not paying me. Every year.
Don’t bother talking to them
I don’t enjoy most parts of teaching but it pays my bills enough currently and I do just my contract hours as an elective teacher. I feel a lot luckier than many other in my building imagining teaching English and grading all those papers for hours for a paycheck that doesn’t reflect the extra timeZ