Feeling too old and tired for this job

[srilankadreaming]

Hi,
Just wondering how long I can keep going in a v stressful teaching job and wondered who else is in a similar position to me. I work in a ‘ requires improvement ‘ academy and am in my fifth year there. Ever since I started there’s been one change after another and all you need to know is that out of ten teaching staff ( primary) I’m the only one left from when I started after this time. So I think that tells you all you need to know. I used to tolerate the job as had good work mates which helped to ease the stress. But now I’m the oldest by miles. I am 52 and literally all the others are under 32. I have gone part time in the hope that things would be better re work life balance but I am doing far more work than I should be. The job share person pulled out the week before we went back in September so had a supply teacher ( who worked v hard- not criticising supply teacher) and now an NQT. We have no time in school together ( school won’t pay for it) so we have to keep in touch via email and phone calls. With the best will in the world there is not as much consistency as I would like. Just feel SLT are setting me up to fail as I had to fight for part time. Sure they’d love it if I quit. What would you do? Felling v down.

I retired earlier than I had planned. I also felt exhausted, too old and no longer enjoyed the job. I handed in my resignation and finished working at the end of the academic year. I have to keep a very tight rein on my finances, but the peace of mind is worth it. I don’t ever regret leaving the profession. If you can afford to retire early, I would do it.

I hear you! I am 50 with 2 young teens, PT and the oldest teacher by far at my school- the others are all in their 20s and happy to work 12 hour days.
I can't be bothered anymore (i was once!) and constantly feel like the worst teacher as i don't spend all my time off making snazzy resouces and displays (i used to)!
It's not a job for anyone with a family and i think it's time for me to leave..but to do what?! Can't afford to retire yet!

Hello to both of you. Isn’t is sad that teachers with all our knowledge, experience and passion for the job are made to feel worthless? Years ago, teachers with our experience were valued members of staff, treated with respect by pupils AND the younger set of teachers. Now, you are made to feel like an old fart in the corner of thestaffroom, who should be put out to pasture. What could you possibly know about child development and learning? When spelling and grammar became SPAG,
I knew that my time was coming to an end!

I'm feeling pretty ancient too! I am 53 and am the longest serving member of staff at the moment the one who has been at the school longer than me is off atm. I am surviving by coming home and having an hour's kip before embarking on the evening's work. I too have 2 teenage DCs at home, so this is possible.

I've been teaching for 23 years all over the place. Teach adults and teenagers and have worked in FE for the past 13 years. The workload is massive and I really don't know if I could still teach until I am 67.

45 now and managing but it doesn't take much for everything to topple.

Thing is, I probably wouldn't be able to afford to retire early. We are really feeling the cuts in FE now, no pay rises and cutbacks so that fewer staff are taking on more, this is being done little by little. Everyone is exhausted and very much looking forward to the hols.