AIBU to consider giving up teaching?

[PenguinBear]

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.

In the end though they can sack as many as they like, but tbey still need someone in the classroom with the kids. If they "weed out" the "weaker staff" they still need to replace them. With? There is a national teacher shortage.

I have never met anyone who has entered teaching via Teach First actually. I'd be interested to hear from teachers who have TF teachers in their schools.

SparkyLark you are being naive. I'm a union rep, and I can't get my members to stand together as they are all far too worried about themselves and their jobs. And when we do stand together and try to defend ourselves what is the response? Parents moan about schools closing but they're not allowed to take their kids on holiday (separate issue), say we're all overpaid anyway and look at the holidays we get. We can't win.

Rather an edited selection he chose to address, there!!!

Teaching as a profession has changed beyond all recognition.

Every so often some smiling soul tells me they have decided to jack in their job to retrain as a teacher 'because they've always wanted to do it and the holidays are great.'

After I have finished mentally shaking them until their teeth rattle I start the following conversation:

Have you done any work experience in a school?
No but
Have you talked to any teachers about the profession and the CURENT demands of the job?
No but
Have you talked to any teachers about how their jobs have changed in the last 5-10 years?
No but
Have you thought about how the job will change again over the NEXT 5-10 years?
No but
Do you want to stand in front of 35 small children or teenagers 5 days a week, 39 weeks a year, until you're 70? And that's the fun bit, the bit most teachers went into teaching for before all the joy was sucked out of it by pointy-headed twats with Excel spreadsheets and targets and 'blue sky' management bullshit jargon. Do you want to spend HOURS every evening / weekend marking and planning or spend the evenings / weekends you don't mark in an agony of guilt and self-loathing?
No but
THEN WHY THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU WANT TO BE A TEACHER?!

When I talk to retired teachers they all say the same- they wouldn't recommend it as a career and if they started again they wouldn't do it. Very sad as they all loved being in the classroom with the children.

not unreasonable at all.

and yes it would seem that all the joy has been sucked out since I left. (it seemed to have become very teach by numbers last time I looked at any guidance, with no chance to be creative and adapt things for children)

Im a nqt and have only been teaching for 5 weeks and am already crumbling under the pressure. I love teaching but uni does not prepare you for the never ending paperwork or long hours (in school from 7am and leaving at 9 if I'm lucky). I'm considering leaving the whole profession but it's a tough call because I haven't even started my induction yet and have no other job to go to or any idea what else I could do :(

I'm teaching in Ireland 13 years and we have a new teacher who trained and worked in London for 2 years. After listening to her I can't believe how much work teachers in the UK do. I have a young baby but leave straight away at 2:30 (my class leave at 1:30) and any resources that must be made I'll do when she's in bed. Over here there is no jobs for teachers nearly all stay until retirement and it takes years of supply work to get even a temporary job.
It's certainly not a perfect system but I love my job and never feel stressed.

I taught full time for 6 years. Have just had a little break and now got a new job, 2 term contract, starting in January. Have told myself I'll try a different school and see if its any different, if not, time for a career change. I'm thinking charity shop manager :-) Or charity / non for profit administrator. Interesting that some on this thread seem to have managed that transitition - the agencies i spoke to didnt seem very positive due to my lack of experience