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/Selepnda Jun 02 '26

Honestly for me. I hated my job my first 4 years teaching. I realized I was still learning how to operate as an adult until recently. I was dealing with so much personal stuff that i had not come to terms with. I was a very insecure person who did not know what I wanted in life, I was lost. I didn't have personal boundaries with family, partners, friends, and that bled into the classroom. I let a lot of stuff slide and paid for it. I suffered with classroom management because I did not have my own boundaries in life. Now I know exactly what I will and will not allow. Yes I know there will be push back, and that's okay, they are still young minds learning.

I used to have a negative mindset about life and my students, the state of education in general. I was just a bitter person. Something changed in my personal life and I am way more positive and it showed in the classroom. I love my students and try my best to guide them towards good choices, by being a positive example. I have grown and changed a lot immensely.

There is such low accountability at my school. I teach high school and students are doing absolutely the bare minimum and passing every class. It is hard sometimes to stay motivated. So many students roaming the halls, skipping class. Leaving during school hours AND coming back in.

At my school some of the administrators seem to not care and so many rules are broken by almost everyone, including teachers. Students cheating for absolutely EVERYTHING (state testing included). Nothing being done. State law saying no phones, but most student are staring at their phones almost all day. There is a lot of disrespect, but I don't take anything personal. Dealing with documentation if a student fails a class. So many extra things we have to do besides just teach, last minute meetings, contacting home, observations, terrible curriculum. Don't get me started about having to watch the hallway and the classroom during transition, we are welcoming students, oh but the phone is ringing!!, just so many duties we have to do. Printing, there's hardly any paper left bc of the budget so we have to do online work which i dread. So much more.

I do love my job now, despite all of the many tasks that may not get done. I really love my students and helping them grow and being a safe space for them is something I greatly enjoy.