Fed up with the teaching profession?!?

Question

Emotionally and mentally!! Today I had two fifth grade students writing notes back and forth where he was propositioning her to have s*x in the ELEMENTARY bathroom. This school year has gone from bad to worst, ranging from students bringing weapons/drugs to school, planned fights in the restrooms, mutliple behavior problems, and a classroom full of ADHD students that just won't sit down! This is all in fifth grade regular education classroom! Also I teach in one of the better city schools in my town. This is my eighth year in the field and by far the worst I have experienced!! It is only getting worst.

If I were to change careers at this point in my career, what would be a good move for me? What are some suggested careers for teachers leaving the profession? I can't do this anymore!!! Any advice from someone whose left the field?

Answer 1

I just want to encourage you to stick with it. You never know, you could be the one to help them change. I have learned that if my students aren't responding to what is being taught, then I should examine myself and my teaching strategies. You also have to look at the environment that the children are raised in. Many parents don't care anymore about their kids behaviors. Please don't give up. I know that you may be sick and tired of them, but if you quit on them, who else will come along?

But if you are absolutely at witts end, then good luck in your future job choice.

Answer 2

Thank you tv, rock and roll music, drugs, explicit sexual programs kids allowed to watch, PG13 and R rated movies, no moms at home to care for the family (or dad at all in the picture).....   Results -- kids cannot handle the day to day minor classroom responsibilities.   I was talking to my students about responsiblities at home (making bed, picking up after self, etc) and was told "that's the maids job -- I never have to do any of that stuff."   Also -- "my mom said that life is all about the kids and the parents are to serve the children".  Wow.   So much for the child is to be seen and not heard.   We've come a long way alright -- for the worst.   Kids cannot sit still because they need to be entertained every moment of the day.   Cell phones complicate the problem in the upper grades as they cheat via text messages.   Sigh.  It is getting worse, yes.   Please just take the summer to really evaluate.  This time of year we all are ready for it to all end and so are the kids.   We have only 3 more full days and 2 half days.   I keep telling my students we need to end strong!   Part of the trouble is we tend to "let up" ourselves as the days get closer to the end of the school year.   I'm so thankful I teach in a Chrisitan school but I still see that children know that if they do something wrong, mommy is just going to come and make every problem go away.   I fear for some of the students in my third grade class.   When children never have to face consequences as a child, they are in for a rude awakening as teens and adults.

Answer 3

depends on what you are good at besides teaching.  i taught secondary school, liked it a lot, but i liked computer programming more, so I studied programming and now I am in IT.  i teach once in a while (once a teacher, always a teacher) - mathematics, business analysis.

Answer 4

Phew!  I hear you.  You forgot to mention pushy parents who do nothing but complain - znd their child is usually a major behavior problem.

NCLB, stupid decisions made by bigwigs who have never taught in a classroom, and our MAJOR budget cuts are pushing me over the edge!

Answer 5

It's amazing anyone even wants to teach today.  Kids are allowed to get away with whatever they want and we, as teachers, aren't allowed to dole out any type of real discipline...so of course, the kids run amuck.  I also teach 5th grade, and on top of the wired kids, I also have a kid with an IQ of 62 (yes, you read right).  Because of NCLB, he is in a regular classroom.  He is also 13 in the 5th grade and makes sexual advances to the girls.  I have thieves, cheaters, bullies and all around ill-behaved children in my room.  (Not all of them mind you, but those that are seriously detract from the learning environment).  Don't get me wrong.  I love my kids, but it makes me so sad to see them surrounded by such bad influences each day.  We are NOT doing our children any favors by taking away all consequence and discipline.  But I guess I don't need to tell you that.

Answer 6

I just quit teaching. I love teaching but I do not like the my government ministry. They simply drive the teachers up the wall.

How about transferring to an even better school? How about teaching part-time and giving tuition the other times?

Or you can teach private tuition or give tuition at a tuition agency in your area.

I know that teaching can be frustrating, and with kids nowadays it makes it worse. But think of the benefits and rewards you get, students who thank you for the job well done.

I am going back to part time teaching in Jul. And that does not thrill me.

Maybe, you can leave the educational field if you are disillusioned about it. You can go into IT or sell insurance, go into business (one teacher friend is setting up a cafe), or go into a field that is related to your university degree.

Some teachers become adult trainers. Some sell insurance. Some become financial advisers. Some venture into business. Some go into IT in education. Some become medical salesman.

Follow your heart. Try to have a rest day where you simply don't do anything, maybe this Sunday. Get yourself recharged. Work can wait, I feel. Health is more important.

Take care and pray to God for peace. Jesus loves to give you peace.

Answer 7

I got a Masters in Guidance and Counseling. That way, I was able to continue working with kids- which is why I became a teacher to begin with- but now I don't have the stress of the classroom. Trust me, counseling is still a stressful job, but in a different way.  You have to deal with some pretty serious problems, but in the end, you are helping the kids. My only advice if you plan on doing it, try to get yourself a Middle School job. Maybe it is different in other districts , but where I am Elementary counselors are just administrators that deal with bad kids and High School counselors are Credit Checkers- just making sure they graduate. In Middle School, you actually get to counsel them!