I feel like l'm depressed and cannot enjoy life anymore due to teaching!? Do I just need to find the right school after 4 schools?

34 replies

Se12345 · 15/12/2024 23:19

Everything is evolving around teaching these days. I want to give quick background information so if anyone out there reads can give me some guidance and direction. I completed my ECT years in two different schools. After two maternity covers I finally took on my first permanent job at another area. I couldn't take it and resigned with a month's notice February of 2024. It was so bad, planning was taking weeks and weeks and data was too much, admin work was too much and kids were unbelievable. I have never had such complains that I had from those parents. After resigning l actually got a job offer at another school that got withdrawn because the headteacher at the current time decided to give me a bad reference even though she only ever observed me once and knew me for 4 months. After that I found myself in supply teaching. Which started of with couple daily supply then long term roles.

One of the schools were lovely and I should have stayed longer when they offered but no l decided I wanted move to another area to get pay increase (fringe to outer London). I'm about to leave to school l'm at now because they expect too much also, they asked me to stay but told me if I did choose to stay another 2 terms l'd have to step up and get more involved, I don't want to give that much time when l'm not permanent.
I've been on and off job searching since last Feb. Only ones I get invited to are the council roles. Like ehcp coordinator or inclusion officer and decided not to interview on all occasions. I read things that day that's it's not going to be any better than teaching and that it's more stressful.
I don't know what do to. I am literally looking at jobs every minute I get. I decide that l'm not going to teach no more.

Then next minute I think, the holidays, and the future when I have kids.

I am studying msc psychology at the moment part time But won't be able to do PHd anytime soon.

All I do in any moment I get. School toielt break, lunch break, after school. Before bed or before work is to search for jobs. The remote jobs never really get back to me. I am deeply and secretly depressed I think.

OP posts:

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 16/12/2024 00:59

Perhaps teaching school age children isn’t the career for you after four schools of mostly misery.

Can you look into trying another career that utilises your skills, qualifications and experience? Perhaps as an OFSTED inspector? Or writing textbooks/study guides? Working for the exam board as an exam question author and grader? Perhaps full time study to get the MSc and then a funded PhD position, so you can teach adults?

user243245346 · 16/12/2024 00:52

Doesn't sound like you're happy- time to move on

NowYouSee · 16/12/2024 00:31

I’m not a teacher but have plenty in my family and these are my thoughts reading your post.

Furst I think you need to have a really clear understanding of what normal is for teaching in terms of expectations of employers, workload etc / at least validating your expectations are realistic. I say this because it isn’t obvious to me whether the two schools you’ve left are unduly burdensome (compared to teaching as a profession generally) or whether you are being unrealistic about what you can expect as an inexperienced teacher. Is there someone you’ve worked with who is experienced you could talk through with? I see this in other roles sometimes - junior professionals who think they are so hard done by and their employer expectations are unreasonable and the grass will be greener elsewhere when really the expectations are simply normal in those jobs so they either need to adjust or go do something else.

Second why are you applying to roles but repeatedly not bothering to interview? Aren’t you just wasting eveeyone’s time in applying? Are you self sabotaging here?

Third, remote jobs are very popular and highly sought after. What sort of roles are you applying for and what do you bring to that table to match what they want?

Finally if there were schools you like have you been to you liked have you contacted them to see if they have any need? If not why not?

everychildmatters · 16/12/2024 00:13

I'm leaving after 21 years in. Starting a job a a 1:1 tutor with EOTAS children. Can't wait.
Hopefully I will see my own three children more and get to be the wife, sister, daughter and mother I actually want to be.
Teaching will suck the life out of you.

madaboutpurple · 16/12/2024 00:11

Have you looked into being a private tutor .I know someone who does this and they are very happy.

Spartak · 16/12/2024 00:06

What are you planning to do with the Psychology degree? Because if you were thinking of anything in the NHS it's not any better than education in terms of stress and workload.

It does sound as if teaching isn't for you. Leaving part way through the year is not great for the children. Have you tried seeking advice for the careers service of whichever universities you are studying/have studied with?

unclemtty · 15/12/2024 23:57

Teaching is a terrible job if you want children.
You will still need childcare for the holidays as you'll be working a lot during them (based on what my teacher friends say)

jennylamb1 · 15/12/2024 23:52

Can you head back into supply? At least then you don't have the planning, data, parent issues.

CraftyOP · 15/12/2024 23:48

It sounds tough. Teaching isn't a good career to have alongside a family though, so if that's your motivation then I'd take it off the list! No other advice I'm afraid but hope you settle into something

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