Are there any teachers who still like doing that job?

[Sandrine1982]

Inspired by another active thread where OP asks about a new career after teaching. That thread is very depressing.

So I wanted to ask if there are teachers who still like doing what they do? Or is the situation really so dire?

We have a DD in reception in a large city school and I don't know what to make of the teachers.
Certainly some of them look like they dream of being somewhere else. How sad for the kids. It really rubs off them.

And I know it's not the teachers' fault!! It's resources, class sizes, special needs, etc etc etc.

But really, do any of you guys still enjoy what you do?

xxx

Do you think there is a difference in the education the children are receiving? We’re having issues with our school/trust so I’ve been looking into education and it seems that the trust system has basically broken teaching. Seems to be not enough emphasis on letting teachers teach and giving them the flexibility to tailor their teaching to their kids.

I love teaching. I love being with the children and seeing them achieve. I really really do. Do I sometimes cry on the way to work because I’m so overwhelmed with the pressure of everything and the fact there are literally not enough hours in the day to do everything I need to do? Yes. Do I spend entire Sundays on my laptop and saying no to family and friends about everything because I work on Sundays? also yes.

I do. Part time helps but I find it very rewarding and enjoyable.

@Lolapusht My school is part of a national "Trust" but each school is unique. We have two campuses for ours, for example, and even those are different. One is an inner city school and the other is out in the sticks. The catchment is different and while we mostly teach the same "content" and follow the same curriculum, it doesn't mean the children's experience is the same.
I've always found that a rather weird idea, to be honest. One of my previous headteachers insisted that children needed the same experience in a two-form-entry school. My colleague was completely different to me, the class made up of very different children (yeah, they put all the "issues" in my room...thanks) but lessons had to be exactly the same. I get the idea but I still thinks it's a stupid idea.
My current school allows me to teach my class as I like. My kids make very good progress but we are a lot less stressed about it. I work within my Year team and we have lessons that we can all do but if I decide to teach and objective differently, then that's up to me.

I'm MUCH happier part-time (3 days) than I ever was teaching all week. I still find the expectations and paperwork stressful, which can really make me dislike the job.

I'm due back from Mat leave in a few months and looking forwards to working with the children again but dreading the overwhelming workload.

I am 49 and I have been teaching for 22 years. I have worked in both primary and secondary state and private schools and even in academies. I have also taught overseas as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Tutor for nine years as well.

I teach both GCSE/IGCSE and A Level English Language and Literature and a few other subjects (some of which are related to English such as 11 Plus) including Politics, Philosophy, History, Sociology and Ethics.

My experience is a little different as I prefer to not stay in any one place too long and now I mostly teach online 1-1. I also teach face to face privately and it is usually in small groups. Because I decide who my students are and what my class sizes are, it is very rewarding and amazing.

I enjoy teaching in the school I’ve been at since September. It’s a leafy suburb school and the students are respectful and on the whole want to learn. I was very miserable at my previous school because the behaviour was so out of control and it didn’t feel safe.

I love teaching.

I hate dealing with arrogant and rude teens and their appalling parents

I love the bit that happens 9-3 so the children would never know… but I hate the bits around it. The endless meetings and paperwork and admin and being berated for lower results than last year despite a completely different set of pupils with different needs… etc etc etc. But do I enjoy spending my days with 30 funny, creative, energetic 5 year olds? Love it! That being said, I’m 10 years in with two children under 3 of my own & no way I’ll be doing it for the next 30 years sadly.

This is my 36th year teaching secondary and I’m retiring in the summer. Every single one of those years has had its (different) challenges.
There has NEVER been a golden moment where the job was a joy. I’m part time now and my work-life balance is ok.
The pupils would never know of my struggles though. Professional to the end.

In a recent 'if you love your job what do you do?' thread, a lot of people answered that they were teachers.
It was quite nice to see actually compares to what you usually hear.