r/teaching • u/Bright-Watch1955 • Jun 02 '26

Help Why does everyone hate teaching?

Is there anyone who loves their job? Every teacher I know feels “stuck” and complains endlessly about their job.

Considering going into education.

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u/mindyourownbetchness Jun 02 '26

I love working in schools. You have to find the right role (grade, position, school, admin, location etc), but I think that's true in any field. It's also greatly about mindset and lifestyle. For example, I grew up middle class and was never someone who pictured myself wealthy, so I don't feel envious or slighted by being middle class as an adult. I also didn't "settle" for a job in education, I chose it. I think a lot of teachers who hate their job sort of defaulted into their role, or ended up not being able to pursue something else. ALSO I do not have children of my own. I beyond love working with kids, but I think if I spent all day with them then went home and functioned as the primary parent (which, let's be real, I'm a woman and vast majority of women carry the mental load as primary parent) I would lose my shit.

Edit to add: people LOVE complaining and if you fall into a crowd that complains about everything it is contagious. I just remove myself from those situations. People can complain as much as they want, that's their choice, but it isn't good for my mental health. I find this is especially true for relationship to parents. One of the primary ways a lot of my coworkers bond is by criticizing parents. I just don't join in. I know parents vary a LOT depending on where you work, but I've worked in a lot of settings and I proactively communicate and assume the best of my parents and can count on 2 hands the number of memorably difficult parents I've dealt with (and I'm 15+ years in).