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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

Does anyone enjoy teaching/not regret going into teaching?

48 replies

decimalpoint · 10/04/2019 15:40

I ask because I am considering a career in teaching at some point in the future.

I’m a young mum to 2 DC age 9 and 6. I currently work 35 hours a week in a take-away type food establishment because it fits around my DH’s job. Obviously it’s a pretty easy and stress-free job but it’s unfulfilling and min-wage.
I completed an Open Uni degree when the DC were baby/toddler age and my plan was always to go on to do teacher training (primary) once they were a fair bit older, possibly once the eldest is at secondary school age as I didn’t fancy the prospect of training etc alongside parenting small DC.

However, as that point gets closer, I am more and more put off by the overwhelming negativity I see on social media and other places from teachers who all seem to be suffering greatly and massively regret their career choice. Judging by these comments I would be absolutely mad to consider it as a career!

However, I do see similar regarding many different careers and teaching is something I’ve always wanted to do from a very young age. I just wondered whether anyone had any positivity and doesn’t regret their choice?

OP posts:

mynameisMrG · 10/04/2019 15:45

I love my job. I’m mainly based out of class now but still love getting into the classroom. Having worked in a number of different schools in recent years it is clear that you need to find one that embraces the work life balance and doesn’t add extra unnecessary paperwork. It’s hard work and can be stressful but can be extremely rewarding. My advice would be to get into some schools and do some work experience. You will soon find out if it is the job for you. Good luck

KeptTheBeachesShipwreckFree · 10/04/2019 15:57

I enjoy teaching but I'm a supply teacher so don't have the paperwork.
I do plan on going back to full-time teaching at some point in the future but at the moment I feel as though I'm able to do the job I love and have time to spend with my own children.
We are skint though because I'm averaging 2-3 days per week due to either a lack of work, children being ill, my own medical appointments or something else happens that means I have to take a day off

Yellowcar2 · 10/04/2019 16:03

I love teaching and have been for 10 years now.
Cons: It can be very stressful, I find it very difficult to leave work at work and often work during evenings and weekends, some days I can leave by 5pm but I usually work 7.45 - 6.15. I have 3 meetings a week (staff training, planning and leadership) I do end up spending my own money in supplies - but I am much better at not doing this.
Pros: love teaching, being able to be at home with my 3 DC during school holidays, good pay.

I hate it sometimes but can honestly say I can't see myself doing something else.

SnugglySnerd · 10/04/2019 16:06

I have enjoyed it since having dcs and going part time. It is just about manageable. I enjoy being in the classroom with the kids.

Awrite · 10/04/2019 16:06

17 years in the profession. Still love it. Absolutely love all the holidays spent with my dc.

newnameallround · 10/04/2019 16:06

I'm in the same position as you. I am considering applying for teaching assistant positions as I see them as I think that will give me more of an insight into the job a teacher does than doing some volunteering in a school. Good luck!!

Original poster

decimalpoint · 10/04/2019 16:12

How easy is it to switch from full-time to part-time?

I know that financially this would be an option if I were to find full-time too demanding. I know people can choose this after maternity leave but I won’t be having any more children. Is it something you can choose to do? X

OP posts:

SnugglySnerd · 10/04/2019 16:24

Its relatively easy compared with other jobs I think. Especially in primary - lots of teachers job share.

Chosennone · 10/04/2019 16:28

I still love it, most of the time, im knackered now desperate to break up on Friday. In your position i'd definitely go for it. The school and the management make all the difference so choose carefully.

wonderpants · 10/04/2019 18:02

I did similar- did an OU degree then a PGCE.
It is the hardest job I've ever done- for me it is a lifestyle rather than a job.
But I love it. I like the challenge, I like my colleagues.

matahairyy · 10/04/2019 18:03

In my 26th year. Still love

fussychica · 10/04/2019 18:37

DS loves the teaching side (secondary), all the other stuff not so much! He is several years in and likes the fact that every day, or rather every lesson, is different so he is never bored and says he could never imagine doing an average office job. He works quite long hours some weeks and always has marking or planning to do in the holidays.
The more I hear about teaching these days from him, the media and on MN the more I think it's all down to having picked the right school.

MidniteScribbler · 11/04/2019 08:39

I love it. People have been at me for years to move into leadership, but I enjoy being in the classroom too much, and have no interest in the admin side of things.

Original poster

decimalpoint · 11/04/2019 11:23

Thank you everyone for your replies! Anybody else? Also open to hearing any negative experiences and reasons.

OP posts:

ABlether · 11/04/2019 11:35

I love my job

Pros: flexibility (e.g. leave at 3 to take DD to a club, mark later at home), fulfilling, feel I'm using my brain (unlike previous jobs I've done), creative, no two days the same, kids make me laugh every day, great colleagues, long holidays with DD, motivated by the work and doing my best for the kids.

Cons: long hours, tiring, marking/paperwork, hoop-jumping, keeping up with the latest fad which everyone knows will eventually fall out of favour, you're never "finished"- always something else to be done, can't often attend DD's school events, I wake up at night worrying about some kids .

I think the cons apply more generally to lots of jobs though.

I would say the school/staff team/SMT make a big difference. In a previous school SMT were very poor and unsupportive which did have a big impact on staff morale.

Holidayshopping · 11/04/2019 11:42

I wish I had never gone into teaching. I’ve done nearly 20 years in primary and have had enough. It’s a miserable place to be and with budget cuts, things are getting worse and worse.

If you search back, there is probably a thread every week asking what you’re asking, so my advice would be to do a search and read the replies carefully. Then get several weeks experience in schools and speak to everyone you can.

Be very careful thinking about part time though if you want to jobshare as money is very tight. Many schools are plugging the other half of a jobshare by using a supply teacher or HLTA to do the rest of the week. This leaves the permanent teacher with only half the pay, but 95% of the class responsibilities-assessment, displays, reposts, parents evening etc. It’s not fun.

DumbledoresApprentice · 11/04/2019 11:56

It’s all about finding the right school IMO. I love my job and think most of my colleagues would say the same. Yes, teaching is hard and the curriculum changes in recent years only made that worse but in the right school it’s still a great job.
I’ve had amazing colleagues who left for a job in another school and then quit the profession within a year because the job is awful in some schools. I’m lucky, I started in a lovely school as an NQT and 10 years on am still in the same lovely school having had a few promotions over that time. We will be having a new Headteacher next summer and I’m keeping everything crossed that the things that make it an amazing place to work don’t change.
We’ve been incredibly successful in terms of Progress 8, league tables etc and so that has really vindicated our HT’s decision to treat her employees with decency. It’s created a lovely environment for staff and students.

BackforGood · 11/04/2019 23:52

I don't regret it.
I have had loads of times when I've thought it was a fantastic job. However, I wouldn't go back in the classroom now for any reason.
The balance of all the positive things about the job vs all the negative things has just got worse and worse and worse over the decades.
Sadly, I know too many good people the job has just broken, and the teaching profession and therefore children and young people are worse off for them no longer being in schools.
If it is something you have always wanted to do, then that is a good place to be starting from. You should try it. You might be lucky and get a supportive ethos in your school. I hope you do - the profession needs more people who want to be there and who believe they can make a difference.

physicskate · 12/04/2019 14:28

I don't regret teaching for 7 years, but I couldn't be happier that I left it. I was blamed for far too many things that were out of my control. I worked 60-70 hours a week and could never switch off. I cried all the time and never felt like I was doing a good enough job. It wasn't a job for regular humans at the schools I worked in. It was exciting and very rewarding, at times, but soul-sucking and debilitatingly depressing at others.

Best advice: go in with your eyes open and have an exit plan. Go into different schools and shadow a few teachers through their (whole) day - not just at school. Find out as much as you can what it's really like. Find a plan b too in case you burn out, which is a statistical reality for many entering teaching now.

ChristmasTigger · 12/04/2019 15:51

I love it. Work in FE though, not sure if that makes a difference.

Toolchest13 · 12/04/2019 15:54

I enjoy it most of the time but like Christmas I work in FE and I work part time. I like FE because the student often wants to achieve something. They are not forced to be there.

MazDazzle · 12/04/2019 15:59

I love teaching. The best bit is spending time with young people. They are unpredictable, hilarious and a breath of fresh air. Yes, it can be draining, but the highs make it worthwhile. It’s difficult juggling my home life with teaching though and finding wraparound childcare has been really difficult.

CheesecakeAddict · 16/04/2019 14:09

I think it depends on the school you are in. I love the teaching aspect, but the workload is not manageable with a kid for me. I work every weekend, every evening and every school holiday. My school actively told me to get childcare on a weekend so I have more time to work when I complained the workload was too much. So I'm leaving in a few weeks. I do love my job and maybe one day I will return to it but for now I've decided to go back into admin so I can spend time with my children.

CheesecakeAddict · 16/04/2019 14:12

But to fully answer your question, I have no regrets. I have worked with the most fantastic young people, I have ever met. But I need a job where I don't sit in the car on the way to work crying.

whyiinstigate · 16/04/2019 15:18

Tbh, a lot of the negativity is because lots of people think about teaching because they want to have a job that fits in with young kids and people do exaggerate how bad it is in a "have a go if you think you're hard enough" way.

The main issue is that you can be managed out in weeks which is pretty brutal.

I wouldn't do primary though.

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