Anyone actually enjoy teaching?

[squidwid]

I've heard horror stories. Anyone actually enjoy it?

Teaching in the classroom - absolutely.

All the other stuff - no, it's horrendous.

I'm in my 31st year of full-time teaching.

It's really not the job that it used to be. It all started to change in about 2010, and has just steadily deteriorated.

I enjoyed it for nearly 30 years until a change of management decidedvto bully all the older (expensive) teachers into leaving. It wasn't just me there was an obvious campaign and luckily I was just about old enough to retire. I'm glad I'm no longer teaching as the target driven micro management was becoming unbearable anyway. When I started children were individuals but by the time I left they were reduced to percentages.

I really did love actually teaching the children.

I did it for 22 years, but 12 full time class teacher, 3 SEN teacher/SENCo, then Deputy Head, then Head of Inclusion overseas. Now I work in a government department related to special education. There were moments I loved it, and they occurred more often than not. I didn't like the workload at home, the endlessly living to a timetable, the politics, the sheer nastiness of some school leaders and parents. Mostly it was enjoyable, but I'm glad I don't do it anymore and I don't want to do it again.

24 years in secondary schools, some days when I feel on top of things and have good classes I love it, other days I’m too overworked and stressed and bad behaviour kills my enjoyment of the job. But I love the challenge of a motivated GCSE or A level class and banter with kids and colleagues when allowed. Overall though the negatives from complaining parents and lack of opportunities for career progression can drag you down.

I love my job. However I am part time 3 days and that makes all the difference to my sanity. Been teaching 16 years. 4 part time.

No. I'm very good at my job, but I don't love it.

I do genuinely like the ‘teaching’ bit in the classroom with the kids. The problem is that’s only about 30% of the job.

I’ve been teaching 17 years. The bit in the room with the kids - love it. Best feeling in the world. The holidays are also great.

All the rest? I’m pretty over working til 11pm+ every evening, still never feeling like it’s enough and being paid so much less than similarly qualified peers in less workload intense jobs. Not to mention Ofsted, general Government hate and chronic underfunding.

I enjoy it. I don’t like our SLT and their obnoxious ways and time wasting things they expect us to do. I like being in the classroom but we don’t have enough prep time. We get 3 hours of prep time a week for a full timetable of 25 teaching hours. I can’t plan or mark well for 22 hours worth of lessons in 3 hours. This is why the workload is high as other admin tasks regularly get thrown at us also. If I had more prep time in school hours, I would enjoy my job much more.

Yes but (and it’s a big but) I’m part time and work in a very supportive and friendly independent school.

I feel very lucky to teach. There are definitely tough days but I love spending time with the children building relationships and watching them grow and develop. There honestly is no other job I would prefer to do.

Yes, I adore it. 14 years in, I’m now at a small international school in Europe which I love. The school makes all the difference. I’ve worked at some shockers which made me consider leaving the profession several times.

I will say, it is tiring though. I’m not sure how I’m going to manage once I hit my late 50s, as my energy will start to wane. I really admire teachers retiring at 65 who stuck it out their whole profession.

Same here. It’s a special, precious thing to watch kids grow and know that you had a part in it. My first teaching job was at a rough school and most of my students were male Afghan refugees. They all went on to university and now have families and great jobs. I tear up just thinking about them.

Love all the time with the students - planning activities, working out how best to teach them (I work in a special school), building relationships with the students and staff etc but it is so different to how I started 20 years ago.

Yes, love it! (Except a 1 year blip in a toxic bullying school).

There are many, many, many downsides though and if you aren't 100% passionate about it, you won't last. The worst bit is dealing with parents. They are soul destroying.

Teaching teacher I teach in a rough school and have since I qualified 9 years ago. I love the feeling of making a difference and being a constant for the children who need it most.

I was a teacher for ten years, left to look after my disabled DD. The part with the kids was brilliant. I loved it. Worked in some very deprived areas and I just loved it.

The rest of it was horrible. I was constantly anxious, never felt good enough, always felt I should be doing more. My once lovely school had an awful new head who was just a bully and I was glad to leave in the end.

I love teaching, but the job of teacher is very little teaching, and is 75% other crap

I love it. I’ve been doing it for over 20 years and love the buzz of the classroom. I’m in Scotland though - things seem better here than in England.

I've taught for around 30 years (in independent schools, both here and overseas). I love teaching A-level. I meet amazing, lovely, students who care about similar obscure things to me, and help them along their way. It's a privilege.

I used to love teaching younger kids too, but some of the "attitude" which is driving teachers out of the profession is seeping into my school (I don't claim it's anywhere near as bad as other place seem to be).

The paperwork is awful, even in my sheltered ivory tower.

Nope! Not any more...which makes me very sad as I used to love my job. 😢

I'm 59 and in my 29th year of teaching. You're correct...it's absolutely exhausting! I teach a KS1 class, full time, in England and I'm lucky if I clock less than 65 hours a week (usually nearer to 70! 😩)

I have no idea how I'm going to keep going, but as a single woman paying £850 in rent (tiny terrace house...nothing fancy!) I have no choice 😰

I absolutely adore my job - however I am in an independent school who really value their staff and are very mindful of workload. They allow staff to use their professional judgement on how to teach and we have very little paperwork to do so can dedicate all our energy to the students.

Students are fabulous and there are no (or v low level) behavioural issues. The vast majority really want to learn.

I have friends in maintained schools who are very close to burn out and seem to be working all hours though.

Nope. Hate it.

Yes, 27 years in....... teach ESOL though ( previously EFL abroad for 5 years) so over 18s who - in the main - want to study. In FE. Crap pay, crazy amount of admin but still love it as the students are brilliant.

That said, not sure I can do this until I'm 67.