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WWYD? (with a clicky poll)
I apologize in advance if this gets long and rambling. There is a clicky poll at the bottom to help me decide what I should do.
To give back story, I currently teach in a lottery funded pre-k program teaching 4 and 5 year olds about 35 miles from home (70 mile round trip daily). This year, the governor cut our pay by 10% and added 2 children to my classroom (which means I now have 22 kids with 1 assistant). I am a certified teacher who is able to teach all the way up to 5th grade. This year's class is the class from HADES (not just my 22, but the whole 110 child program at our school). I am beyond stressed and have become depressed since August; I now possess only 2 emotions: rage and indifference. I have an appointment in 2 weeks to discuss anti-depressants with my doc but only view that as a short term solution. These emotional problems from work are starting to affect my marriage and home-life as well. I talked to my principal and let her know that I would like a different position next year (not pre-k or going to kindergarten with these hellions). Our district is also super micro-managing and not being totally upfront and honest about anything.
So, today I noticed there is a kindergarten position open about 10 miles from my house. This would mean a shorter drive, gaining back the 10% I lost thanks to my governor, and getting more pay because the local supplement is higher in the other county. My principal said she could help me get out of my current contract (due to distance and pay) if I did decide to apply. I'm torn because I don't want to leave mid-year which is detrimental to my current class, not to mention I just earned tenure this year. I am also planning to go back to school, most likely into dental hygiene in the next few months (I am burned out on teaching).
What do I do? Stick it out the rest of this year and hope for an opening elsewhere next year? Go ahead and leave now? I know I am not forced to accept a position if it is offered to me, but what's the point in applying if I don't plan to accept? TIA!
[Poll]
Re: WWYD? (with a clicky poll)
YOU( and your mental well being) are more important than your kids and co-workers. You are not going to be an effective teacher, coworker, wife etc if you are burnout. Yeah it sucks leaving mid-year but you have to put yourself first because no one else will.
I say apply and see where it goes.
You along with other exodus if Pre-K teachers in the state should hopefully send Gov. Deal a message. In my county alone 31 out of 32 Pre-K teachers have left.
This.
Also, if you enjoy a different position better, you may not feel the need to leave teaching. If you were planning on leaving this position eventually (to go back to school), whats the harm in leaving now?
I completely agree. You really have nothing to lose in applying, and you really need to take care of yourself!
You don't sound rude at all. In fact, this is the voice on the other side of my head. I plan to finish this year and teach one more year to be sure I'm leaving because I'm truly burned out instead of just because this class has the whole school driven crazy. If I actually do like teaching still, I would stay in education (though given my views, this is doubtful to be totally truthful...)
Thing is...what if it's not teaching you're burned out on - - it's the crappy a$$ situation you're in. You're depressed and stressed and perhaps not in the best position to clearly decide what you want from a career. You may switch and LOVE teaching again (great kids, supportive district...) or you may be like "yup, still hate it". I think you deserve it to yourself to try!
This is what I was thinking.
I agree with all of what Megan said...in both her posts.
You really have to take care you YOU.
Same here.
I think you should apply and if it seems like a good fit, go for it.
I was super burned out and spent 2 years subbing/deciding if I wanted to leave education because I couldn't get a full time job. I finally got a FT position this year and I love it. I don't mind geting to work early or staying late (it helps that the school is only 12 minutes away from my house). Even though the district is going through some tough financial times, we have supportive admin and the staff I work with is wonderful. I have a very agravating 7th period class, but it's nothing compared to the crap I was dealing with at my old full time job.
You never know, that job could be the perfect position for you.
My Blog
I agree with Naylon exactly. I taught 4 years in a Title 1 school with no administrative support. I had wonderful coworkers and loved the students and that kept me teaching and in that school for that time. Finally I realized it was a sinking ship and the only person I could save was myself so I transferred to a new school. I loved EVERYTHING about that school. The admin, my coworkers, the kids, the families, and I was still miserable. When I resigned I explained to my principal that I knew if I wasn't happy there teaching for him I wasn't ever going to be happy teaching. Had I left after my 4 years at the first school I would still be questioning my decision. I have never once looked back. I know I made the right call.
Apply for sure and if you have to make a decision follow your heart.