Leave teaching or stick it out?

[Ottily]

Background: Classroom teacher for about 10 years, effective enough with most of my classes (but had two classes I really struggled with) and liked by most students, became disillusioned with teaching and went onto supply, found I was actually valued by staff and many students alike in short- and medium-term roles, so decided to brave teaching again.

Took it slowly and went for a medium term cover first and the behaviour of my classes there utterly destroyed me; I left the job early after the minimum period stated and got a shitty reference as a result (even though the school practically begged me to stay on longer), but found another teaching job the day after I left.

Was kept on a string of temp contracts due to shitty reference and left again after a few years - with a successful track record with regards to results and good relationships with many students, although again I had two tricky classes I shared, who got on well with their other teacher, but who I could not crack.

Went on to middle management in a difficult school, had behaviour issues in most classes (as did almost everyone, due to the nature of the school), but again my results were average and my reference from that place was apparently stellar.

Left again after a short period into a new middle management post. I have been there a few weeks now and I am once again struggling with behaviour. The kids are difficult due to a string of supply; I teach a difficult subject and while most of KS3 are fine, I struggle majorly with behaviour in all bar the top sets of KS4.

I feel like I just can't teach anymore. I've gone from being a good teacher with above-average results to struggling with behaviour; I feel utterly overwhelmed by workload and have done for years and little things like a few weekends of sick children at home on the trot and I'm back to hating the job.

My manager is happy with me; but they only observed me with a KS3 class, but my issues with my KS4 classes are becoming quite well-known. They say kick them out and keep asking for help, but I don't trust that it won't come back to bite me and I can hardly kick 10 of them out every lesson.

I've changed schools a lot over the last few years; so I've rarely had time to become established again. I guess my question is, have I really lost it and cannot teach anymore (like many of the students will tell me now) or do I just stick it out for two years, knowing I can be fired quite easily once again (every permanent contract in a MAT has been on probation for 6-12 months, although I have left every job out of my own accord)?

Leave. It is making you unhappy, and it will reflect on your work.

You can't hack it, and it surely won't get any better

You can't hack it, and it surely won't get any better
That's the bit I'm struggling with. Because there is such a massive discrepancy between how I perceive how well I do my job and what my managers and head teachers think.

I should clarify, all my managers and head teachers have always been happy with my performance and I've alwys had great feedback apart from the shitty reference (which I still think was done out of spite as they asked me to stay on and I refused). I tend to focus on the negative, though.

Leave.

You hate it, so you must leave, before it destroys your mental health.

Don't ask me how I know.

If you want to leave do, but it would be a shame. It sounds as if there is a grey space between how you think you’re performing and how you are actually performing.

Aren’t you putting too much pressure on yourself?

Aren’t you putting too much pressure on yourself?

I feel that in my position (TLR holder) I should be "better", if that makes sense. My manager keeps telling me to give it time with behaviour and that they're happy and I'm doing a brilliant job. But every time something goes wrong with my classes I blame myself and doubt my ability to teach. I know I'm a good teacher, but at the same time I feel like I've somehow lost the ability to teach. There are two classes in particular where the kids constantly talk over me (out of 16 classes in a core subject, I should add).

And even though I struggled with some of my classes last year my behaviour management was referenced as outstanding - I did everything by the book, but it never felt enough for me... I really don't know what to think and whether to trust that time will be enough.

I would recommend sticking it out for the rest of the year then moving to a school in a better area or even an independent school. Serious behaviour problems grind you down.

Plan to leave - see what else is out there and get ready for your new life!

I spoke to my DH yesterday and it's definitely time to leave. Not this term, possibly not even for another year or two (financial issues keeping me in the money trap), but teaching in state schools is destroying me.

This comes after a barrage of outraged parental emails yesterday after I've made a call in the classroom in the hope that I was finding a compromise between what management want and what is best for my classroom, another load of work being put on us as staff complaining we're not doing xyz and really need to monitor this (and be monitored in turn) and the prospect of having my worst day of the week ahead of me, then being shouted at at home for answering work emails at the dinner table.

I suppose when it gets to a point that you fantasize about having a car accident rather than going into work for another day it really is time to call it quits.

I love teaching; it's all I ever wanted to do. But it's destroying me and my family.

I’ve been there. Don’t wait until you literally cannot go in. There will come a time when your body just says no. Better to leave before that time.

I have left after 20 years. Teaching was my vocation, I loved it but couldn’t handle it anymore. Am so much happier, have less money which is bitter pill to swallow but happiness and health worth more x

Sorry you're feeling this way. I'm in a similar position, teaching 10 years, TLR responsibilities, feel like I just can't teach very well any more. However, my head seems to agree with me! Constant scrutiny, it's very draining.

From next year I am going to drop my leadership responsibilities and work part-time, which I feel will help until I'm in a position to leave entirely.

I would suggest leaving as soon as you can, but think of ways to make it bearable until then. Good luck.

I am in a position like you.
I'm handing my notice in tomorrow as my health has started to deteriorate.
I don't have a job to go to but I can't do It anymore.
It's reflecting on the children's work and it's reflecting on my home life.
Sad times, but time to leave.
I hope you're able to leave before you become ill. By then, its much more difficult to get out and think about a different career.
I wish you all the best

I'm leaving. The British Education system is not fit for purpose and both children and teachers are bearing the brunt. Your mental health and your family deserve more; I know mine do so I am leaving by the end of this term. I want my life back.

Your students have deskilled you.

But the positive is that you have found jobs in promoted positions.

Rather than give up, look for jobs in supportive schools.

I am certain that I would be rubbish in your school, but I have found my niche where I can contribute. Don’t give up.

I've got friends, a married couple, who were teachers for many years but who both resigned as the job was driving them mad - a combination of student behaviour and the National Curriculum. They're much happier now, running a travelling roadshow teaching board games in schools

Do what feels softer.
You're preforming well but at what cost? You're performing well but you want to leave. Just leave , there's no shame in it. I couldn't do it. A lot of my friends teach and I've worked with kids with behaviour problems. Grinds. You. Down.

Do it, you won't regret it. You don't have to justify your decision. Trust your gut.