life after teaching?

mbcorva

I am currently in my 5th year of teaching elementary school and am feeling burnt out.  I've been feeling this way for about 2 years, always thinking it will get better.  I'm not a fan of my principal and the building that I'm in, but more than anything, the politics of teaching are getting to me.  More and more, it's becoming less about helping the kids become good, decent citizens of our world (at least in my district), and more about scores and pleasing the board of ed, etc.   My husband and I are planning a move about 175 miles away at the conclusion of the school year and I feel that it's a chance for a fresh start.  I don't know what to do though?!  Any other teachers feel this way?  If so, what other career moves have you made?  Ever since I was about 7, people have told me what a great teacher I would be, but I'm just not loving it   I'm great with kids and I am a good, loving teacher, I just don't know if I can do it for the next 25 years!!  Thanks for letting me vent!!

liza0828

Maybe you just need a different school and environment.  Look into independent schools.  They are much less test driven, often more innovative, smaller class sizes, and more of a community feel.  The pay and benefits are less, but the tradeoffs make it worth it (IMO).

scherza

Try changing environments before you give up on teaching altogether.  I'm in a similar situation (things at my current school that are grating on me) and I'm looking for a new position.

MoMos

I felt the way you did just a few months ago. I was SO burned out after teaching in a title 1 school. The opportunity to move 500 miles came up for my husband and I so we took it.  Even though I thought I didn't want to be a teacher anymore, I miss it. Its hard to ignore something you are ment to do.

I think you should consider teaching a different grade in another school. It might help to research schools before interviewing.  Have you looked at schools where you are planning to move?

Estwd2

I, too, was always told that I should be a high school English teacher. I realized within the first week of student teaching that I hated it, so after I graduated, I went into preschool education. Loved my kids and the school, but the burnout rate is pretty high in this field, so I'm very proud of my 4 years there. When I burnt out, I said goodbye to teaching altogether and went into educational writing, so I still get to use all my teaching skills, just channeled into something different.

I agree with the PPs though. Try another school and district when you move, but if after a year you're still feeling burnt out, it may be time to try a different career path.

amazingkel

I think you should give it a try in your new location.  My DH was a school teacher before we moved here, and he taught for one year here when we moved and he did not like the environment.  I really feel that it was the school he was at, but he decided to leave the profession all together and is now in social services.  I truly believe that things can be remarkably different depending on your school, the parents, the other teachers, the administrators etc.  Atleast, if you are able to obtain a job in the other town, you can feel it out, and decide for yourself if it is for you or not.  GOOD LUCK!

sctiger

I also think you should give it at least one more year in a new location.  This is my 3rd year teaching (middle school) and I'm at a new school and it has made such a difference!  My first two years, I was at a school where the administration was completely incompetent, there was no support, teachers were cliquey, kids were allowed to slack off, and certain chosen teachers got to make important decisions for everyone else.  I got to move this year and it's amazing how different the two schools are!  Same district, but a much better environment.  It has given me a better outlook on teaching. 

Teaching is definitely tough, but you sound like you are a great teacher, and hopefully a change in schools will help.  Good luck to you!

mbcorva

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and the support!

@MoMos - I am currently in a Title 1 school, and it is just exhausting!!  You mentioned that you miss teaching, what do you do now?

 I haven't researched any new schools yet because we're not 100% sure where we're moving.  Right now we're living in northern MD, but want to move closer to our family who is in Long Island and south eastern CT.  We're thinking somewhere in southern-ish CT.

RachieTK

I felt that way when I taught in NYC - it was brutal.  Now that I teach in a great suburb, I feel completely differently.  You might feel differently in a new school in a new area when you move - it might be a different type of fresh start that you need!

beth5507

I hear that!!

I'm in year 7 and I feel burnt out alot as well.  You have to focas on why you started in the field to begin with.  I know the politics suck.  I know the hours and the pay sucks.  Think about the kids.  Not the little punks.  The majority of them are good kids....those are the ones you have to think about.  That's why we do what we do.

missmis99

I just came across your post and thought I would chime in.  I taught middle school for 8 years and got burnt out after about 4 even after changing schools.  I knew that I wasn't going to make it for another 25.  I went back for my Masters after 2 years and then after 5 years decided to get my PhD.  i continued to teach so that I could pay for grad school, but now that I have my PhD I teach at a university with undergrad education students and love it! 

 I tell my students all the time that it is a tough profession and not always the "rainbows and sunshines" that it is portrayed to be.  There are many avenues for you.  I was a director of a tutoring center for a while and loved that.  If you still want to work with children, you can go into counseling.

 IMO, I would not want to have a teacher stay in the classroom who is burnt out and doesn't want to be there.  I was there and know what it feels like.  Looking back at it now, it was a huge disservice for my students.  There are other options with a teaching degree.   

huangli

Thank you for your support!

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