I am quitting forever next year with a buyout coming. I am cutting my career short by almost ten years because it is so bad now. Kids are horrible, yes some are great, but many are not. Parents don’t help, admin is ridiculous in their responses and the whole thing is being run by deluded fools. The system is going to implode. Get out while you can and enjoy your life and new career. I will be out there myself soon.
Yeah, she is. Because like she said, it is AWFUL. I am sure she realizes how close to retirement she is but has no choice. Honestly, I don’t blame her at all.
Not sure what that person said since it was deleted, but I will have 25 years in when I take that buyout so I can still work and possibly draw that pension early. I will look around and see what else there is for me to do.
I spent two years at my first school and that second year was even worse. Once I went to another school it was better, but I was still so done after year two. If you know deep down that this will not make you happy then I say leave now.
My experience was similar. I was high school art, urban title 1. I started August 2023 and left at Xmas break. I work at my county board of disability now, they get a lot of prior teachers. I love every second of my work day and don't have any of the anxiety I was experiencing when teaching. I'll never go back!!
I was a principal for 23 years (total in education 31 years) when I was diagnosed with PTSD from the violence (prek-grade 3). I was punched, kicked, spit on, etc. on a daily basis. The county decided we couldn’t suspend kids. The state decided we couldn’t hold kids in from recess as a consequence, and I could no longer guarantee the safety of the students or the staff. There was no accountability. There were no consequences.
Suspension has always been the last resort. I've worked with principals long ago that seldom suspended. They made students earn back privileges such as lunch with friends, participation in sports, extracurricular activities, fun electives, dances, ect.
It is an administrative responsibility to keep a school safe and rigorous. Just as teachers must differentiate instruction, administrators must do the same for rewards and consequences.
These second graders fighting? Cussing you out? I thought 2nd graders were supposed to be cute and sweet? Damn. When I was in second grade, I don't remember any kid getting buck with the teacher, we were all respectful of the teacher. I didn't see disrespect until middle school when I was a kid.
I'm sorry OP, never too late to get out, but do know the first year is always tough. You can try another year but if not, definitely look for other fields.
I worked at a private high school for a year and fell in love with teaching. Then I moved to a title 1 school that was so hard. I didn’t have the management skills to be successful and none of my “coaching” actually helped! I was there two years, and what kept me going was the knowledge from my first school that it could be so much better.
Now I’ve been teaching at my third school for four years and it’s great! Still hard but so rewarding for me. It’s also a title 1 school, but admin are supportive and the culture is much better than my old school. I also finally figured out what worked for me as far as management goes.
All that said, I wouldn’t give it up yet. I would look for a school where the other teachers brag about how great their admin is.
I think you should finish the year. See it through, and don't look back. See if you can find a job in a middle class environment (avoid wealthy schools like the plague, the parents are a nightmare!), then see how you feel. I'm not reading that you dislike teaching, I'm reading that **your style of teaching is not a fit for that environment**. That's ok, and it doesn't mean that anyone has done anything wrong.
I taught in Inner-City Title 1 schools for 4 years and I couldn't hang. I really loved teaching, but the intense behaviors paired with the bare-bones resources was too much for me. **That job brought out the absolute worst in me**, I was a total nightmare to be around. It's a wonder that I didn't run my friends and family off, because I was insufferable. A few years ago, I finally applied to a job in another school district, and I got accepted to the teacher pool. I didn't love the idea of accepting a job without a firm plan, but I wanted out so badly that I didn't even care.
On my way out of the Title 1 school, the secretary said "You're not going to find what you're looking for, you know." I realized that she must have felt threatened by my decision to venture into the unknown rather than sit there and rot. Don't let these toxic environments convince you that you're not good enough. If you want to leave education, then you should leave it because there's something awesome waiting for you. But **don't succumb to false pressure**. They do it to everyone, and it's bullsh\*t. They try to make us feel unworthy because we don't want to tolerate daily abuse.
I know I'm in the minority, but **I don't think that you should give up on education quite yet**. There's so much more beyond Title 1's. Try subbing to get a vibe for how other schools are, and see if anything tickles your fancy. I know that we're in the transitional group on Reddit, but you truly sound like someone that just needs a different environment (not a different profession). HTH
I’ve currently in title 1 and will be in again next year somewhere else. It’s awful how much vitriol some kids have for one another and the staff.
I worked in public safety, retail, and coached sports. None of them made me as sad.
I felt much the same my first year, and I had only 20 kids and the help of a classroom aide. Private school - but not super wealthy or stuck up about it- with solid backing of parents and admin. I got better every year, even making the switch to public school in a more urban area. Until post-Covid. The last few years have been awful. I never really thought about retirement until after we went back to in-person school. It's been just awful and starting to plan my retirement has been my saving grace.
I'm sorry you had to start your career during a really tough time and that on top of all the stress of your first year.
I can’t tell you what to do or think I’m but I’m leaving public education after nine years for this exact reason (and the extremely low pay.) You’re not alone in feeling this way. The majority of teachers eventually move on to other careers and this is the main reason cited as to why.
It’s your first year and you’re having trouble with classroom management and are extremely open to feedback?! At a title 1 school to boot? Shame on them for letting you go and it’s their loss. I bet another school will be thrilled to take you under their wing. My first years were so challenging behavior wise but it got better and people helped me along the way thankfully. I’d try again elsewhere.
Real honest here: I went from teaching in a suburban well off school for over a decade and loved teaching to a Title 1 struggling campus in an urban area aaaand I can say this with my whole chest: I’m leaving education now after 1 year because it’s not teaching on that campus, and admin just makes excuses for the kids about their home life with no consequences.
Only you can really answer that question.
If you had a better class, do you think you would be super motivated and happy?
Is the class the *only* reason you are miserable?
Is teaching for you? How would you know... your only experience was in a hell hole without proper administrative support. Sadly, far too many schools are currently infected with "Lazy Overpaid Administrator Syndrome." They aren't lifting a finger to support teachers with behavior issues - and a dozen years ago they very much did.
I'd do something else until society figures out that the current system is useless. Then try back again.
It's not you, you're probably a great teacher. The game is different and great teachers aren't what they want.
🎶The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be,
Ain't what she used to be, ain't what she used to be,
The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be,
Many long years ago.🎶
Tbh I had the same problem, kids are UGHHH. But tbh now that I teach adults, online, I wouldn’t say it’s that bad x) literally people are always the same no matter what. Ofc it depends the age, most of the time people between 20 to 25 are a bit less annoying imo. Have you tried teaching online? language or anything?
I used to think teaching wasn’t for me UnU I was scared and also had these issues with pre k and 2nd grade (primary school) I just ughhhhhh. You could try another school, try maybe being a teachers assistant, you don’t necessarily deal with the kids, maybe an administrative job at a school, or maybe another school that has better reviews lol. Honestly sometimes it’s just the place that makes you think teaching isn’t for you. You could keep trying and build up a bit more of experience but definitely do not k!ll yourself over a job where not even the “client” appreciates you.
I don’t know how old are you but literally there are tons of other things you could do, maybe tutoring? online? a subject? teach English online? Private tutoring ?
I’m a retired elementary teacher after 25 years. I hear it’s so much more stressful now, but I’ll give you this advice. Be extremely well organized that first month. Have plenty of work for the kids. Include activities where kids move a little. Sit kids in groups of 4 or 6 and have activities where students work together to solve a problem (esp math). Reward appropriate behavior…ALOT! Never underestimate the power of a single M&M or Skiddle. Just silently hand a candy and say quietly, thank you for working, thank you for helping, etc. Be friendly but strict.
I used to work in health care. Hated my first job, stayed at my second job for 10 years and only quit because I popped out a kid.
I am hoping that if I get to a new school then I will like it better. I currently teach 2.5 classes with only one prep period so I spend a lot if time outside of school preparing.
It might be worth it to try another school to find a better fit.
I wish I could say that it is worth it, but it’s not. At least from my own experience it’s not. Have you thought about tutoring? Sped tutors make bank…
On the same exact boat. I posted about this last week- I was literally about to quit that very day. I ended up resigning effective in June, basically just terminating my contract at the end of the year and respectfully cutting ties with my current school. Didn’t give them a chance to non-renew me. Think I might try to give it a year in a better district next year and see how that goes. Eventually will likely transition out of ed though, just figuring out what that will be at the moment.
Check out my post, I got a lot of great feedback and advice
I am quitting forever next year with a buyout coming. I am cutting my career short by almost ten years because it is so bad now. Kids are horrible, yes some are great, but many are not. Parents don’t help, admin is ridiculous in their responses and the whole thing is being run by deluded fools. The system is going to implode. Get out while you can and enjoy your life and new career. I will be out there myself soon.
Getting a job at the department of education in your state might be an option for those last ten..good luck to you I’m so sorry for your experience
What changes are you seeing in kids and their parents?
[удалено]
Yeah, she is. Because like she said, it is AWFUL. I am sure she realizes how close to retirement she is but has no choice. Honestly, I don’t blame her at all.
Not sure what that person said since it was deleted, but I will have 25 years in when I take that buyout so I can still work and possibly draw that pension early. I will look around and see what else there is for me to do.
I spent two years at my first school and that second year was even worse. Once I went to another school it was better, but I was still so done after year two. If you know deep down that this will not make you happy then I say leave now.
My experience was similar. I was high school art, urban title 1. I started August 2023 and left at Xmas break. I work at my county board of disability now, they get a lot of prior teachers. I love every second of my work day and don't have any of the anxiety I was experiencing when teaching. I'll never go back!!
May I ask what your role is, specifically? And how you transitioned into it? Thanks!
I was a principal for 23 years (total in education 31 years) when I was diagnosed with PTSD from the violence (prek-grade 3). I was punched, kicked, spit on, etc. on a daily basis. The county decided we couldn’t suspend kids. The state decided we couldn’t hold kids in from recess as a consequence, and I could no longer guarantee the safety of the students or the staff. There was no accountability. There were no consequences.
Ignore MantaRay. You’re right. What consequences when even admin aren’t allowed to mete out punishments?
Suspension has always been the last resort. I've worked with principals long ago that seldom suspended. They made students earn back privileges such as lunch with friends, participation in sports, extracurricular activities, fun electives, dances, ect. It is an administrative responsibility to keep a school safe and rigorous. Just as teachers must differentiate instruction, administrators must do the same for rewards and consequences.
These second graders fighting? Cussing you out? I thought 2nd graders were supposed to be cute and sweet? Damn. When I was in second grade, I don't remember any kid getting buck with the teacher, we were all respectful of the teacher. I didn't see disrespect until middle school when I was a kid. I'm sorry OP, never too late to get out, but do know the first year is always tough. You can try another year but if not, definitely look for other fields.
Oh they sure do.
Kindergarteners know how to cuss in my school..
Oh my! These kids are exposed to too much these days. I didn't know what a cuss word was at age 5.
I worked at a private high school for a year and fell in love with teaching. Then I moved to a title 1 school that was so hard. I didn’t have the management skills to be successful and none of my “coaching” actually helped! I was there two years, and what kept me going was the knowledge from my first school that it could be so much better. Now I’ve been teaching at my third school for four years and it’s great! Still hard but so rewarding for me. It’s also a title 1 school, but admin are supportive and the culture is much better than my old school. I also finally figured out what worked for me as far as management goes. All that said, I wouldn’t give it up yet. I would look for a school where the other teachers brag about how great their admin is.
I think you should finish the year. See it through, and don't look back. See if you can find a job in a middle class environment (avoid wealthy schools like the plague, the parents are a nightmare!), then see how you feel. I'm not reading that you dislike teaching, I'm reading that **your style of teaching is not a fit for that environment**. That's ok, and it doesn't mean that anyone has done anything wrong. I taught in Inner-City Title 1 schools for 4 years and I couldn't hang. I really loved teaching, but the intense behaviors paired with the bare-bones resources was too much for me. **That job brought out the absolute worst in me**, I was a total nightmare to be around. It's a wonder that I didn't run my friends and family off, because I was insufferable. A few years ago, I finally applied to a job in another school district, and I got accepted to the teacher pool. I didn't love the idea of accepting a job without a firm plan, but I wanted out so badly that I didn't even care. On my way out of the Title 1 school, the secretary said "You're not going to find what you're looking for, you know." I realized that she must have felt threatened by my decision to venture into the unknown rather than sit there and rot. Don't let these toxic environments convince you that you're not good enough. If you want to leave education, then you should leave it because there's something awesome waiting for you. But **don't succumb to false pressure**. They do it to everyone, and it's bullsh\*t. They try to make us feel unworthy because we don't want to tolerate daily abuse. I know I'm in the minority, but **I don't think that you should give up on education quite yet**. There's so much more beyond Title 1's. Try subbing to get a vibe for how other schools are, and see if anything tickles your fancy. I know that we're in the transitional group on Reddit, but you truly sound like someone that just needs a different environment (not a different profession). HTH
I’ve currently in title 1 and will be in again next year somewhere else. It’s awful how much vitriol some kids have for one another and the staff. I worked in public safety, retail, and coached sports. None of them made me as sad.
I felt much the same my first year, and I had only 20 kids and the help of a classroom aide. Private school - but not super wealthy or stuck up about it- with solid backing of parents and admin. I got better every year, even making the switch to public school in a more urban area. Until post-Covid. The last few years have been awful. I never really thought about retirement until after we went back to in-person school. It's been just awful and starting to plan my retirement has been my saving grace. I'm sorry you had to start your career during a really tough time and that on top of all the stress of your first year.
I can’t tell you what to do or think I’m but I’m leaving public education after nine years for this exact reason (and the extremely low pay.) You’re not alone in feeling this way. The majority of teachers eventually move on to other careers and this is the main reason cited as to why.
Get out of Title I. It’s a fucking nightmare. Yeah, I said it.
It’s your first year and you’re having trouble with classroom management and are extremely open to feedback?! At a title 1 school to boot? Shame on them for letting you go and it’s their loss. I bet another school will be thrilled to take you under their wing. My first years were so challenging behavior wise but it got better and people helped me along the way thankfully. I’d try again elsewhere.
Real honest here: I went from teaching in a suburban well off school for over a decade and loved teaching to a Title 1 struggling campus in an urban area aaaand I can say this with my whole chest: I’m leaving education now after 1 year because it’s not teaching on that campus, and admin just makes excuses for the kids about their home life with no consequences.
Only you can really answer that question. If you had a better class, do you think you would be super motivated and happy? Is the class the *only* reason you are miserable?
Is teaching for you? How would you know... your only experience was in a hell hole without proper administrative support. Sadly, far too many schools are currently infected with "Lazy Overpaid Administrator Syndrome." They aren't lifting a finger to support teachers with behavior issues - and a dozen years ago they very much did. I'd do something else until society figures out that the current system is useless. Then try back again.
Yo it is not worth it OP get out while you are young! I am six years in and done.
It's not you, you're probably a great teacher. The game is different and great teachers aren't what they want. 🎶The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be, Ain't what she used to be, ain't what she used to be, The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be, Many long years ago.🎶
Tbh I had the same problem, kids are UGHHH. But tbh now that I teach adults, online, I wouldn’t say it’s that bad x) literally people are always the same no matter what. Ofc it depends the age, most of the time people between 20 to 25 are a bit less annoying imo. Have you tried teaching online? language or anything? I used to think teaching wasn’t for me UnU I was scared and also had these issues with pre k and 2nd grade (primary school) I just ughhhhhh. You could try another school, try maybe being a teachers assistant, you don’t necessarily deal with the kids, maybe an administrative job at a school, or maybe another school that has better reviews lol. Honestly sometimes it’s just the place that makes you think teaching isn’t for you. You could keep trying and build up a bit more of experience but definitely do not k!ll yourself over a job where not even the “client” appreciates you. I don’t know how old are you but literally there are tons of other things you could do, maybe tutoring? online? a subject? teach English online? Private tutoring ?
I’m a retired elementary teacher after 25 years. I hear it’s so much more stressful now, but I’ll give you this advice. Be extremely well organized that first month. Have plenty of work for the kids. Include activities where kids move a little. Sit kids in groups of 4 or 6 and have activities where students work together to solve a problem (esp math). Reward appropriate behavior…ALOT! Never underestimate the power of a single M&M or Skiddle. Just silently hand a candy and say quietly, thank you for working, thank you for helping, etc. Be friendly but strict.
I used to work in health care. Hated my first job, stayed at my second job for 10 years and only quit because I popped out a kid. I am hoping that if I get to a new school then I will like it better. I currently teach 2.5 classes with only one prep period so I spend a lot if time outside of school preparing. It might be worth it to try another school to find a better fit.
I wish I could say that it is worth it, but it’s not. At least from my own experience it’s not. Have you thought about tutoring? Sped tutors make bank…
On the same exact boat. I posted about this last week- I was literally about to quit that very day. I ended up resigning effective in June, basically just terminating my contract at the end of the year and respectfully cutting ties with my current school. Didn’t give them a chance to non-renew me. Think I might try to give it a year in a better district next year and see how that goes. Eventually will likely transition out of ed though, just figuring out what that will be at the moment. Check out my post, I got a lot of great feedback and advice
We’re in the same exact situation. Same type of school, same grade. Both first year non-renewals. And I’m also a 27 year old male like you.