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AIBU?

AIBU to consider giving up teaching?

162 replies

PenguinBear · 07/11/2014 21:46

AIBU to think that maybe I don't want to be a teacher anymore?

I have been teaching for a number of years and for the first time this year I am really not enjoying it. I have a difficult class (one child in particular who is making things very hard work).
There is massive pressure to achieve a good OFSTED grade and it's a whirlwind of constant book scrutinises, planning analysis and book comparisons, pupil progress meetings etc.

I love working with children and enjoy helping them to learn but the pressures for everything else are getting too much and ruining the enjoyment of the job.

I think I'd like to be an HLTA or something (definitely went to remain in a school).

Dp thinks I am mad to even consider it due to the drop in money but if I went for a HLTA position/ supply teaching it might be okay.

I just want to work in the classroom without the responsibility and pressure. I watch my TA breeze out the door at 3.30 with a smile and I'm stuck there till 6.30 every night. There's always so much to do and I feel like I'm constantly on a treadmill with no exit!

Anyone done similar? AIBU? Dp doesn't want me to do it at all and is being off with me for even considering it.

OP posts:

Report

FrancesNiadova · 07/11/2014 21:51

Is DP a teacher?

PenguinBear · 07/11/2014 21:51

No!

OP posts:

FrancesNiadova · 07/11/2014 21:53

Then, as it's so easy, perhaps s/he could take up the profession?

anothergenericname · 07/11/2014 21:53

I don't blame you Penguin - teaching is a thankless job in so many ways these days

funchum8am · 07/11/2014 21:54

Could you earn more still by working pt as a teacher?

bodhranbae · 07/11/2014 21:54

A close friend was starting to burn out after 15 years as a secondary school teacher - he left his job and started doing supply teaching and has never looked back.
He absolutely loves it because it just about the teaching and he doesn't have to get embroiled with school politics and pressures. He is on excellent money too. In the summer months he teaches EFL.

BlinkAndMiss · 07/11/2014 21:54

YANBU I've been a teacher for a number of years and it's becoming soul destroying. It's not the job I signed up for, I'll be leaving once our finances are in order and we've finished having children.

Staying in a profession that is high pressured and no longer enjoyable for you will not be good for you in the long run.

fruitandbarley · 07/11/2014 21:55

My sister is a primary teacher and was at breaking point, has now become a HLTA, and was the best thing she could have done. She's back to her normal self again.
Big decision but if you can afford the pay drop I think bring happier is more important.

BlinkAndMiss · 07/11/2014 21:56

P/t has equal pressure and it's like squeezing full time responsibilities into part time hours in teaching.

fruitandbarley · 07/11/2014 22:00

On a side note I'm quite concerned that the government don't seem to be taking it seriously that good, committed, passionate, trained teachers are leaving in their droves, I have a 15 month old who at this rate will have no one left to teach her.

pasbeaucoupdegendarme · 07/11/2014 22:00

Yanbu.

I'm a p/t primary teacher and even just 3 days a week is breaking me. The pressure is immense and I feel like I'm just struggling from one lesson plan to another and losing the grasp of the masses of everything else I'm supposed to be doing! I'm pg with dc2 and no idea how I'm going to keep going as I get further on in my pregnancy. I can't contemplate the idea of going back after mat leave!

I totally sympathise with your wish to breeze out at 3.30

patronisingbitchinthewardrobe · 07/11/2014 22:00

I stayed in teaching until I was completely broken and could no longer even pretend to do the job.

I needed to because when I started teaching I was a single parent with a child just starting independent school. I meant to leave after seven years, when school fees were finished, but I stayed and paid for dd's wedding, then finished paying my mortgage. I did just under 21 years. I have a tiny pension I'm trying to live on right now, but I'm not retirement age for another ten years so I'll need to find some kind of work when I'm well enough.

One bad year isn't a problem. If next year is as bad, leave.

I'd have gone in 2010, instead of this year. I was planning it. I went to an advisory service about change of career, and while I was actually being interviewed, the chap was called away for a few minutes. He came back totally shaken and said "We've all just lost our jobs. We've been given notice. If you've got a job, keep it!" Oh dear. But I did try to get away.
Hello Danielle.
Off to name change again.

Minniemarf · 07/11/2014 22:01

After 12 years I've handed my notice in The job has been sapping my energies ever since I had children of my own so I've taken the plunge & we're moving abroad! A bit drastic but feel like a weight has been lifted. I don't think you are being unreasonable

Neverbuyheliumbalonz · 07/11/2014 22:01

I would love to be a TA/HLTA - all the things I love about teaching, with a hell of a lot less of the bullshit!

I have done part time teaching (3 days as part of a job share) - obviously it's not as full on as full time, but its still fairly hardcore during term time and you are fitting in a lot more than 3 days work!

PenguinBear · 07/11/2014 22:02

I can't talk to anyone local in real life about this as we live in a smallish community and gossip spreads quickly.

OP posts:

MillionToOneChances · 07/11/2014 22:03

I was just talking to my sister who teaches 2 days and her work actually takes up 3.5 days....

YANBU. I have given up my plans to go into teaching as I know too many teachers now to see it as a good idea. You can make a blinking good rate childminding before and after school. Six kids for 5 hours a day works out to about the same as my sister's rate as a teacher quite high up the scale (excluding pension contribution, but I could take more kids)... Very little paperwork, loads of fun.

makemineapinot · 07/11/2014 22:07

I was an HLTA and you do get used - especially if you are a fully qualified teacher! You might find yourself doing long term 'cover' within your school with the same pressures and less money. But supply would be walk in, teach, mark, walk out - more behaviour issues but you walk away unless it's long term. Being a standard TA was great though but money was dreadful!

Raininginnovember · 07/11/2014 22:10

It is a huge salary drop and I don't think your partner is BU to question it.

Supply should be okay though.

Hulababy · 07/11/2014 22:12

I was a secondary scho teacher and I'm now a HLTA in an infant schoOl.

I got to the point where I needed to leave teaching and for a while I did completely get out of the school system.

I'm now a HLTA but I don't swanning and out at 9-3:30. I still work a lot of extra hours and have extra responsibilities as a subject leader. None of our teachers leave as late at 6:30 - caretaker closes up before then but even as a HLTA and not a teacher I often stay late to do planning, prep and marking or to sort resources and displays. I also work at home in evenings and weekends.

I also get paid a lot less than I ever did as a teacher - and I mean a lot less!

But I do enjoy what I do and so have more flexibility these days.

Raininginnovember · 07/11/2014 22:13

I am a teacher and swan out at 3:45. I also swan in at 8:20. 'Tis a wonderful job.

toastedmarshmallow · 07/11/2014 22:13

I teach pt and my job doesn't have equal pressure as my ft colleagues. If you can find pt intervention or ppa jobs that would reduce a lot of the class based pressure.
I am class based but very part time and do quite a lot of supply, I still work very hard but am nowhere near as stressed asI was when ft or even .5 job share.

The people I know who only do supply love it, they seem to get plenty of work as well.Could you get an evening job to bring in some regular money and try to go pt or do supply?

In my area TA and HLTA jobs are very competitive and they expect an awful lot for rubbish pa.

Stealthpolarbear · 07/11/2014 22:14

This thread is worrying. Good primary teachers leaving to do anything else. (Don't blame them)
Who will teach in a few years time? A series of nqts?

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Stealthpolarbear · 07/11/2014 22:15

Raining I now have an image of you as tall and elegant. With white hair :o

Raininginnovember · 07/11/2014 22:21

I am sadly neither tall nor elegant but I hope my fair hair will turn a beautiful shade of white in my old age

Primary teachers do have a lot of (often unnecessary, IMHO) stuff to do. I don't know if you'd consider coming over to the dark side and trying secondary OP?

theposterformallyknownas · 07/11/2014 22:23

I don't blame you at all, especially if you have children.
I couldn't stand looking after somebody elses whilst somebody was looking after mine, iyswim
I gave up teaching and dd gave up school and now we both love education.
We both thought the education system was a joke and wanted better.

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