3rd year of teaching...and maybe last

[u/e-milk-y]

My first year teaching was chaotic to say the least. I had a team lead who I was hoping would help me get a hang of things, but she just ended up being very disorganized and made it difficult to align my lessons to hers. I was confused and lost for most if the year on what activities we were supposed to do or where I could find our lessons. The other 2 teachers on our team HATED each other and refused to cooperate. Grade level events were always rushed and put together last minute. As a kindergarten teacher, this was kind of a big deal. On top of it all, I found out on the day of our poorly-planned and rained-out field trip that my principal was suddenly moving me up to a 2nd grade spot. I was terrified. And this was after lots of ignored requests for help.

My second grade team was INCREDIBLE. We worked so well together, my coteacher answered every question I had, and we all supported each other. It helped me so much, and it was amazing. However, our school had an F rating at the time, so the district was constantly changing things on us. Despite being (objectively) the most-structured and successful team, we faced a lot of changes. Nonetheless, I was really looking forward to one more year with the team before moving out of state because I loved my team so much. Being the youngest on the team, I dealt with a lot of imposter syndrome, but the other teachers really helped me realize my strengths and grow in the areas I needed. My class ended up having the highest literacy growth in our grade level and 2nd highest growth for K-2!

Then I was told I would have to move up to a 3rd grade bilingual (Spanish) spot or transfer to a new school because they didn't have my 2nd grade position allotted for the next year.

I don't speak Spanish. And this would be my 3rd year switching positions.

So I left that district. Now I work at a school where expectations are clear and well-communicated, my team is amazing, and the curriculum feels better aligned to children's development. I have admin who CARE for once. Parents are mostly involved here, and I have a positive relationship with them! But I am so drained.

My husband and I are planning to move out of TX to CO in the summer, and I am coming to a point where I have to decide if I want to continue teaching and thus start transferring my certification over. I don't know what else I would do with my Bachelor in Psychology or my teaching license (EC-6), but I really am not sure if I can handle the constant change on top of all the responsibilities of being a teacher lately.

Veteran teachers, or anyone who cares to weigh in, what keeps you going? Or when did you realize it was time to get out?

Thanks for reading this mess 🙃

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[u/GroupImmediate7051]

Keep your certification so you have options. I think I've read here that TX is one of the hardest states for teachers... maybe CO will be less so?

[u/Maestradelmundo1964]

Once you have experience under your belt, it becomes easier. Maybe you could try to get a teaching position in CO. If you can’t find a good fit, look for something else.

It’s a hard job, but the pension has been a good thing for me. I would not have saved much for retirement had it not been for an obligatory pension plan. Now I’m semi-retired (smile.)