To wonder how many educators (from primary to HE) will be at end of tether now?

[SigningPete]

I don't write this as a joking schools out for summer type post, but genuinely wonder how many educators, across all tiers of education, are just on their knees this time of year. I work in higher education and have never, ever in all of my career felt as absolutely exhausted as I do right now. I am at the very end of my tether and for the first time in my career now wondering if this is the end of the line for me in this profession - I cannot repeat this year for pressure, workload, demands to perform better, make students get better grades, respond to each individual student more, produce high quality research, bring in research income, manage a large team, constantly work harder, faster and with less support.... I'm done, but I don't think I'm the only one. I've watched the government screw down on every part of the education system and quite frankly I think lots of educators are on their knees and ready to quit!! I'm a good educator, I'm confident of that, but I cannot carry on!

I know this doesn't change anything, not the pressures or the stress, but I just wanted to say I appreciate everything you do. I think teaching is one of the most selfless careers there is, the amount of time and stress you put yourselves through to benefit the next generation is unbelievable.

I'm not ready to quit. But I get it.

Don’t assume all stress is to ‘help the future generations’ MAT’s are now a business and it’s about improving our figures to generate further expansion 😄

Yes, teaching and academia are harder jobs now than they have ever been. I'm a teacher and an ex-academic, DH is an academic, and we're rather tired.

BUT.... are there any jobs which aren't harder today than in the past? You go into Morrisons, and there's a big folder labelled 'Appraisals'. DD works in a well-known clothes store on Saturdays, and has to reach targets. It's life.

And as a primary school teacher I at least get the benefit of copious quantities of chocolate. Most professions don't get given gifts simply by virtue of doing their jobs.

HOD in FE here.

Absolutely overwhelmed. Sometimes I think I cannot carry on, but the students make it all worthwhile. In so many ways teaching is the best job in the world.

However, government cutbacks, particularly in adult education, have made the job so hard, along with all the ridiculous and unnecessary paperwork and reporting.

I dread my termly meetings with SLT where everything my team has done is ripped apart for three fucking hours but try to console myself with the amazing feedback we get from students about the positive effect we have had on their lives.

I still love my job, but yeah. I have got to the stage where I keep telling myself "one more year, just one more year"

The majority of my colleagues are on anti anxiety meds and/or self medicate with alcohol.

I quit in April after 15 years teaching secondary MFL. I've taken a whopping pay cut and have 25 days annual leave in my new job but I couldn't be happier. All of the fun of working with young people without the robotic data/targets obsession. Much respect to everyone sticking it out!

nat do you mind me asking what you do now if it isn't too outing?

@happypoobum I work for a university doing school outreach work. Best move I ever made!

I'm support staff in a school. Believe me we feel it too. Last minute demands from teaching staff mean I'm working from home, unpaid after hours most nights in order to meet their deadlines and SLT barely acknowledge the pressure we are under.