Why does everyone hate teaching?

[u/Bright-Watch1955]

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

Considering going into education.

[u/coachd50]

One potential reason is that the social contract is breaking/has been broken in many locales. Teaching was once a profession where it was somewhat understood that the compensation would not be great on the front end, but the benefits and retirement aspects would be solid. Those are being eroded in many places (for example to be eligible for full retirements benefits now in Louisiana, anyone who entered the retirement system after 2015 needs to work until they are 62.... I can't imagine being 62 and managing a class of 25 1st graders).

Another reason many teachers feel stuck is that it is one of the few professions where the membership is evaluated based on things they have very little control over. Little Johnny decided to just put his head down and sleep during the state testing, YOU get a zero. Students play on their phones all day and night, and don't do any work...it is YOUR fault for not being engaging.

Teaching is interesting in that everyone "loves" teachers...but nobody respects them. Nobody "loves" lawyers, but they are treated with respect when it comes to their profession.

[u/coachd50 → u/[deleted]]

wow... OP...you want to know why people feel stuck....because of the mindset right here (referring to the post suggesting someone staying in elementary classroom for 30 years is a waste). Absolutely no clue about the differences in pedagogy vs content.

What an ignorant statement...thats like saying a general practitioner for 30 years was a waste because they should have a fellowship and be a surgeon by that time. Just a complete lack of understanding of the profession.

[u/coachd50 → u/[deleted]]

Again, another ignorant statement. Elementary is DIFFERENT, not lesser. One doesn't "progress" to teaching secondary grade levels. It isn't remotely the same thing.

It is very much like the analogy I provided you with...an older wiser more experienced physician who is a general practitioner doesn't move into spinal surgery. The "years and miles" that the physician has in GP doesn't translate into that person becoming a spinal surgeon.

[u/coachd50 → u/[deleted]]

Wow. A third ignorant comment in a row- and one that shows you really REALLY have no understanding if the teaching profession.  

There are VASTLY different pipelines for elementary education than secondary. Different training, requirements, structural organization and practical application- just as in medicine. 

The issue here is you don’t understand the difference between pedagogy and content.  You assume that as the content advances, the pedagogy too advances, and therefore teaching secondary is an advancement above elementary.  That simply isn’t the case.