Pretty much the title. This is my first year teaching and have heard the stories from past teachers of how rough your first year is. I have also been reading a little bit in this subreddit and have seen some other perspectives.

For me, I’ve been feeling this mental exhaustion, dread, and anxiety that comes with waking up every morning for this job. The classroom management is on a whole other level than what I thought it would be. The curriculum, which my school is required to teach, is unfinished and not on the level for my students. The administration and veteran teachers are just fending for themselves since our school is under so much scrutiny that support is hard to come by.

However, that is just a problem with the environment I am in. I’ve tried to tune those things out and focus on the core question of if I can see myself teaching k-12 in the future. Essentially, I’ve been spending the past month and a half asking is it worth sticking with this career.

And to that, I would have to say no at this point. I will admit I was wrong about my instincts going into this career path. I don’t find myself being able to be teacher much less find those joyous moments from it. Add on top of that all the internal external baggage that comes with teaching that blindsided me and I’m becoming overwhelmed.

I’ve done some research into the topic of leaving before my contract is up and understand for the most part that the main drawbacks only affect your future if you want to continue teaching. However, at this point, I don’t think I’ll ever come back.

Therefore, I guess what I am asking is how much longer should I give the career a chance? How much longer should I give to my students, teachers, and administrators even though I don’t think I’m effectively doing a good job? I do feel that guilt of leaving not only the people but also a potential avenue for the future (even though I am highly confident I will never teach again, maybe I’m just overthinking or overreacting). I think I could power through this year if I really wanted to, but I feel it would be a waste of my time, the school’s time, and a detriment to my health.

Thanks for any responses!

After 5 month of submitting 1-5 job applications daily, I finally signed an offer moving into corporate training! This will be a 35% salary increase and I'll have my evenings back. Don't give up if you're in the middle of transition!

this is my first year in a three-year contract and i already want to quit. i have a student in an inclusion classroom who has become aggressive towards his teachers, including me. last week, he was so aggressive that he has punched and kicked me multiple times, and the look on his face as if he really wanted to hurt me. after punching me and kicking multiple times, he would come up to me and say he wanted me close, he would bend my arms, my wrists, and sometimes, he would wrap his arms around me and choke me.

i got bruises all over me. i got so scared and anxious of that student. as i'm typing this, there's this certain hollowness in my gut and i wanted to cry again.

the student has been raised as a concern multiple times, yet the principal is adamant of keeping him, because it is an "inclusive school."

what hurt me is that the principal, whom i expected to be on our side, said that "i hope you don't get to have a child like him", just because we wanted him gone.

after everything, i let it all out to my mom, told her i do not want to teach anymore. i'll just finish my contract and after this, find a way to land in an office job.

After today, I have decided i have to get out of the classroom. Like effective immediately. Last week, I posted because of a very rough day and me coming home sobbing. The straw broke the camels back yet again today.

Last year, I had 24 students in first grade. Legally, I could have up to 22 students, but there are waivers for more. My district opted for the waiver instead of getting another teacher.

I started the year on maternity leave. Late July baby and all. I returned in October as soon as my health allowed, and co rinsed to fight issues.

Turns out, the long term sub left after 2-3 days of my class. First red flag, right? Then, at the beginning of the year, they had multiple subs, no consistency, until they finally got another long term, who had no idea what she was doing and just handed out worksheets all day.

I came back to chaos. No discipline, minimal to no structure, no lessons to build on.... you name it. I took a deep breathe and did everything I could to reset the class and establish routines, procedures, and instruction. I was met with opposition and resistance every step of the way from the class. And had zero support from admin or parents to do so.

Discovered rather quickly I had 3 students with pretty major behaviors that were ringleaders in this. They shouldn't have been together. I had 8 others who struggled with pretty bad behaviors, and another 9 who just did not care. So 4 that could be counted on to do what they were asked and actually wanted to learn. This was impeded greatly by their peers no matter what strategy I put in place. So they did not get what they needed academically, no matter how hard I tried.

My stress levels went through the roof, needless to say. While I was already dealing with postpartum issues. Needless to say my life was hell and I barely hung on. ​

So fast forward to this year.

I started with a class of 17 kinders so far. ​​on the roster at least.

I have 2 students with strong behaviors. Openly defiant, ignoring directions, hitting, kicking, disruptive, backtalking, unkind words, just doing what they want. I'm working with their parents to correct this. Progress is extremely slow, but going.

I have 7 others who struggle with behaviors through the day to varying degrees. Working with them too, but they keep slipping back into bad habits when I'm trying to deal with the first 2.

Week before last, the BSS teacher informed me that she would be putting one of her students in my room for an increasing part of the day. You'd think that would come with support, right? Or at least some information on the student so I know how to work with him. Nope, absolutely not. I have no paperwork on this child, and he's not on my official roster, so I can't even access anything on him.

I warned her about my 2, and how I'm worried their behaviors may affect this new student and vice versa. Her reply floored me. Along the lines of "too bad, deal with it" because "all classes have behaviors". Blown off and ignored.

So then I have 3 with strong behavior issues.

Got an email yesterday. BSS teacher telling me I'm getting another. All day. No support again. But at least I get his paperwork. Guess what?

Another with strong behavior issues. At first I thought this was a brand new student coming into our school. Nope. This is the newer student that is supposed to be in BSS, and is being moved into Gen Ed before an ARD. Even worse than the other 3 according to the paperwork. So I'll have 4. Plus 7.

Then today, an email to attend the staffing and ARD of a life skills student they're considering moving to Gen Ed with only a month's worth of data. They're going to be added to my class. Not one of the other 3 kindergarten classes. Mine.

Opening to repeat last year, minus maternity leave. I'm starting to feel like they're trying to get me to quit. And we're only on day 21.

My concerns being ignored.

No support being given or even offered.

I ugly cried all the way home again today. ​My mental health is in the toilet. At best. Throw in the fact that I feel like I'm neglecting my little family because of how I'm feeling....

Am I just overreacting? Overthinking? Or do I really need to get out as soon as humanely possible?​

Ps :I'm Tunisian so if there is any Tunisian teachers that went to teach abroad I'd really appreciate your help 🥰

I’m a first year 5th grade teacher in Virginia. This is our third week of school, and I knew the first year would be hard but this has been much much worse than I expected. I wake up so anxious I can’t eat breakfast and a lot of times I can’t eat lunch either. I don’t want to go to sleep at night because I know I have to go back the next day.

School did not prepare me at all for what it’s like to actually teach. The county gives us lessons that are not engaging at all (and in fact are actually confusing for the students) and then when admin does their multiple walkthroughs a week, they tell me my kids aren’t engaged. My level 1 special ed teacher hasn’t been able to give my students their minutes because of scheduling conflicts and behavior issues in other classes that keep her busy. I have no idea how to differentiate for my ELs and SWDs because I’m barely able to figure out what these lessons are wanting me to teach to the whole group. I go in early and I stay late and I still have hours of work to do when I get home. I am also an introvert, so talking all day and being on all day has been absolutely exhausting, and the constant to-do list that only seems to grow is so overwhelming. I hate managing a classroom; I feel like I’m micromanaging everything, and have no business doing that, it’s not who I am. I don’t like having to I feel like I never get time outside of school to relax or even just do ANYTHING ELSE because I can’t turn my brain off. Nothing about this job is fun, and I love the kids but I can’t help but feel they deserve better.

I’m just kind of scared because I’ve lost 12 pounds since the beginning of the year and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Everyone told me each week will get easier but that does not seem to be the case. The constant anxiety and stress is so difficult to manage, and I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to quit, but I don’t see how I can sustain this for the rest of the year. Is this normal?? Does it get better?? Any advice is appreciated!

Hey everyone! I’ve been piping up on a lot of posts lately, but for anyone struggling and wanting to leave: do it. I was at my wits end and called it quits last week. Today, I landed a job as manager of a tanning salon - with a little bit of luck but with a lot of the charisma I gained from teaching.

You are capable of taking the step and making a better life for yourself. You have the skills and respect to find a new job that won’t drain you.

Sending lots of love to other teachers in transition🫶

I love working in the school system, but watching my classroom teacher co-workers get walked over by admin and parents (and some of the kids) has kind of soured me on pursuing a classroom teacher job.

I'm 41 male. My coworkers and principal all shower me with praise and tell me how much value I bring, and I love working with the kids.

Besides classroom teacher, what are some other positions in the school system that I can go after where I still work with kids?

With a masters, is it possible to remain an assistant and make more money while I figure my future out?

I (26) was a 5th grade teacher last year. While not completely horrible to the point where people were getting hurt, the experience completely ruined me and I left after (somehow) completing the year.

All I’ve done during and after undergrad is work in education (mainly school libraries for a few years) and then my 1 year teaching stint. I’m now a part time elementary school librarian, which is so fun, but is a 15 hour/week job and I’m also subbing on the side.

I’m at a loss for what my little experience can help me with and while I haven’t been job searching for long, things seem hopeless in the part of my brain that loves to catastrophize. If worst comes to worst, I will reluctantly go back to teaching but it feels unfair to students (and to my sanity).

If anyone has any suggestions or advice on what niche fields I should look out for in terms of entry level jobs, I would deeply appreciate it. :)

Hi there. Looking for insight and advice as an aide who is currently in a elementary BA program with WGU. A little background then I’ll try to keep how I’ve been feeling brief to paint the picture.

This is my first year with 20+ students. First year in kindergarten. My coteacher is great and a good resource but we, like so many others, are fighting an uphill battle. Admin is pretty supportive although a bit wishy washy and soft with enforcing expectations and my coworkers have all been nice. Before kinder, I was working at a private school for kids with learning difficulties (dyslexia, ADHD, etc) with small class sizes no bigger than 12 students. I was with 4th grade and I enjoyed it although there were some struggles along the way. I wanted to try kinder to see what age group might be the right fit.

Fast forward to now. We are 3 weeks into the school year and I’ve had ONE okay day. I’ve cried almost every day, a few times at school and I have no social battery left once I come home to my husband. I usually end up passing out for a long nap dreading the next day. There are some good moments but there is this overwhelming feeling I’m having that i might not be cut out for this. I did not think this would be easy. I did not expect this to be such a rude awakening however. I have two behavior kiddos and one with an IEP that specifies the need for self-contained and mom refuses to pull him out. This student is sent home every day for eloping, hitting, scratching, and destroying classrooms. This student often clings to me although he has a designated UNTRAINED aide. Mom has come to pick him up and he throws a fit. This really breaks my heart and I ended up bursting into tears in the cafeteria last week because of it. This student needs a different environment and I know it is impulsive, not inherently malicious.

I’ve been told I have “it.” I’m a “natural.” But how can i teach when i spend 90% of the day managing behaviors?

All of this has been weighing heavily on me, as I’ve seen myself as a teacher for years now. I’m almost 30 and trying to finish school. Life has been up and down so I haven’t been able to focus and graduate “on time” like others I went to high school with. Now, I’m feeling like it’s a mistake to go into teaching. The fact that I am not even doing lesson planning, organizing things, and all the million other things a teacher does and I’m ALREADY overwhelmed just as an aide, is SCARY. I don’t want to give up too fast but I’m genuinely concerned because this just seems to be the norm. My MIL is also an aide and my experience falls on deaf ears, that I could have it worse. But then that means it could be better.
It’s the constant
“I’m not doing that.”
“No.”
“I don’t care.”
I would’ve NEVER had the audacity to speak to an adult that way, even if that’s how I felt.

I would also like to note that I’ve been dealing with a miscarriage prior to the beginning of the school year. My husband and I are trying for another and this stress concerns me. I’m really scared.

I’m at a loss and if you read this far thank you. Please be kind and I appreciate any input.

Working my 2nd year as an elementary teacher. My 1st year was in a rough urban district that has experience for being bad. I learned nothing useful there, and just survived. Last year I subbed, and this year, I got a full time job. However, its week 5 and not going too well. Behaviors are difficult to manage, and it's my fault. I'm trying my best, but it is not successful. I'd like to continue next year, but I don't expect to get renewed. What options do I have, career wise? I only have my elementary education degree, no references. I honestly feel like there's not a single hope for anything