I found this comment so incredibly moving, Peter, and you werent even my student. When I made the final decision to leave, I had NO idea what I wanted to do at first. Written like a true (ex-) teacher. Wow! Truly. There is so much stigma associated with this huge decision. It is tying shoelaces and distributing Band-Aids. I know that I changed a bunch of lives and I love that, but to this day, and yes I did participate in #redfored wholeheartedly, I dont believe anything will change in AZ education. 3. I appreciate your comment, your kindness, and your readership! Life is too short to stay in a career that you dont feel is the right fit. . This is a powerful first-hand, in-the-trenches account that people like Arne Duncan would be wise to read! Not sure if youll remember me, but I had you in 10th grade. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Those are the things that teach us who we are. As a principal, you deal with many more negatives than you will positives. I also left because of the increase in threats and violence towards teachers (including myself). I want to eat my lunch at a consistent time. I was a bit taken aback by the negative responses, I must admit, though I expected some backlash and misunderstanding. Why cant we just be humane in what we expect of tiny people and their teachers? After a year without them, you might miss their unbridled school spirit during Homecoming Week, their contagious sense of humor, the way they draw pictures for youand wave joyous hellosin the hallways. I strongly believed that I was a professional and wanted to be treated like one even if I did have less experience than most of my peers. The biggest thing to remind yourself is that you deserve to be happy. Of COURSE I remember you, Sam! And I can pick my schools! I understand the internal battle! Everyone needs to read it. It NEVER stopsthe hours I put in are longer in the school year (oh I also plan during the summer and have meetings too) than I had in a 65-80 hour a week corporate job. One day, I ended up in hospital with concussion and a suspected broken nose. There are a lot of changes in teaching from third to fourth grade. The head puts just as much emphasis on the wellbeing of staff. Their whole lives, they have received copious awards and accolades just for playing NOT for excelling so its no wonder kids have come to expect an A because I tried. But sometimes a D paper is just a D, which doesnt necessarily mean that Johnny has an evil teacher. Think hard and I bet you can find examples. Even the toughest of guys will cry at the end of that novella. It is difficult and time-consuming to truly get to know the standards for all of the curriculum (possible understatement of the year! I never taught another class. -Rilke. The fact is that we would probably take different approaches to it as well if our hands werent tied by whatever new initiative some government type has just come up with to justify his job. However, I decided to take an honors writing class in my freshman year of college, finally deciding to listen to the guidance of others. Morale was low everyone had given up any hope of getting help. Get coffee They deserve the magic of a captivatingstory. After retiring, I discarded almost everything from my teaching days. I am fortunate that I have the ability to devote more time to my husband, children and grandchildren. Im a slow reader and took the time. If you are considering leaving teaching, there are plenty of other options. However, all that you blogged today is what I encountered. They are not allowed to draw other than to respond to questions and are expected to read non fiction and respond to comprehension questions. Also, part of my current job entails GED preparation, and I can still recite my list of helping verbs when needed You also encouraged me to take an AP language art class the following year, which I declined to do because I lacked the confidence. Im wondering if most teachers had the same problem or Im just going down the wrong path and need to get out of this quickly. I am at times used as an example by administration. Courses with real-world value(home economics, for example, or shop class) are dying a not-so-gradual death, as there is no Foods & Nutrition section on the SAT. Schools are being driven by 'data'; and kindergarten teachers are being asked to reduce their students to numbers. All the entitlement and the trophies and the apathy and whatever. And no one sees that better than those who are on the front lines of the teaching profession for our public schools in America. And now? Its not the school (kids, families) that I dont loveits the constant string of new administrators and all that that implies. You nailed it! And it definitely wasnt rough it was AWESOME, because you guys made it awesome. And I cried each and every time I filled them out. By Randy Turner, Contributor This is my first year. You are still a good person if you decide to pursue a new career, and you do not have to sacrifice your entire life for a job. I work in corporate America now. By. Its been a great part of my career, Angela., Yeah, well, right now, as much as I have loved teachingI wish that Id gone to medical school like Id planned.. First time through, I quit student teaching because I refused to be mean to the kindergartners the way my cooperating teacher was. We can only hope that wiser and more knowledgeable heads making the decisions will prevail. And since 2019, while finally leaning into my passion and embracing all the scary and messy parts, redoing the broken parts, and finding my voice and my way, I have grown my original idea to over seven figures each year. I loved mine, as well. Thanks for such an insightful comment, Brenda especially love the part about the pendulum. We have chosen and studied education know what we are doing, and no what to do for these kids, and at the end of the day, that is enough for me. Do you really think that I can bring all of my kids test scores up to Mr. Stss classes?, The big boss waves this off as if I didnt say it. He says that youre brilliant, youre funny, youre caring, and kind, and he says you know EVERYTHING!!! Having to supply teach a class of 20-30 students with low ability and extremely poor attitudes is already just about causing me a nervous breakdown. Teachers spend a lot of time with lesson planning for all the subject areas. However, ultimately even after I had accrued my 80 points I kept teaching for two more years. I miss teaching very much. Then why are some big-shot technology CEOssending their kids to computer-free Waldorf Schools? Thank you so much for this article. I struggled with not knowing what else I could do. Save time and get support with every step of picking a new path, rewriting your resume, and answering tricky interview questions. You can too! Except, what people don't realize is that as a teacher, you're often at school before you need to be, there long after you have to be, and you work through your lunches, evenings, and weekends . So, when the expectations of administration or parents start to weigh heavily, the never-ending to-do list becomes unbearable, the lack of work-life balance starts to take its toll, these teachers push themselves past their breaking point. My colleagues tell me things got much worse now than they were 5 years ago in terms of things you covered in your article and other factors (I worked in a state-controlled title 1 school where state-control just got tighter.) I have strongly believed in helping build teachers capacities to help them grow as educators. February 22, 2020 10:55am. Challenge them. Your email address will not be published. You might even feel that you dont have any other skills. They have the Im just a teacher mentality. I hope you enjoyed the first year in your new role! If you have questions about the sub, please use modmail. You dont have to struggle through this alone anymore! Most of all I miss the kids. Im happy to see that you have saved your notes. I hope issues such as these dont discourage future educators. While my career (mathematics) has very little to do with English, writing, or grammar, I recognize that you were one of the best teachers I had in high school. 3. Keep the blog posts comin Melissa, you have me entranced! If I have to hear "Celebrate Good Times" one more time, to start off Fall PD, I will hurl something at the speakers. Mary Kay Linge. I get to work less, enjoy my family more, and live life on my terms. So I apologize here to all those teachers I have not been able to contact in person for my behavior in your classes. Dont assume Im incompetent. And who tell me that its my fault the kids got into a fight, because my lesson on unit rates wasnt engaging enough. You always go back to teaching because of the large teacher shortage. I Left Teaching for a New Career. I let fate and a cross-country movemake it for me, and there are a lot of incredible things about teaching that I really miss. She is SUPER cute, and she seems to be the light of your life. Other people with good intentions telling you what an amazing teacher you are and that you cant leave the kids doesnt help. Ive never had a job where I was so busy during the dayand teaching never stops. 6 reviews of Richard Haynes Elementary "I have nothing but negative things to say about this place due to a variety of factors: Teachers Majority of the teachers here are a bunch of money motivated, lazy, soulless harpies, under the guise of educators. A popularbright idea is to examine students test scores. In reality, the ways my kids learned (which spiked their assessment scores) didnt feel or look like school, because they were things five-year-olds could relate to, like making letters from playdough and writing with fingers in shaving cream. Im not going to talk about the bone-deep exhaustion that comes frombeing onstage all day, or the drowning sensation that follows you home on nights and weekends when you have hundreds of papers to grade. Im a first year teacher and have experienced a much more difficult year than I had even imagined knowing full well that teaching can be an emotionally and physically draining career and first year is a whole other ball game. And Im old now, so that helps. The come backs make everything worth it. Thats why I created The Teacher Career Coach Course, a step-by-step video course that has helped thousands of teachers like you take their first steps out of the classroom and into a new career. Inside the course, youll have access to video coaching, downloadable resources, and a judgment-free community of over 2,000 current and former teachers for support. Other people with good intentions telling you what an amazing teacher you are and that you cant leave the kids doesnt help. The purpose of this study was to link consultant and teacher verbal interaction patterns to consultation outcomes. They might even warn you about the fire drill if theyre coming from the office and see a fire chief by the alarm. Another factor is that after 7-9yrs in the field many districts dont honor your additional years of experience so you lose money in the pay scale when you switch school districts. Today's schools teach only the ugliest parts of US history, turning students off . Dont want to teach. Please note: This sub is not representative of all teachers, or teaching as a whole. Thanks for stopping by. Let the numbers speak for themselves and push you to take to the next step in whatever direction you want to head. Once again, Im stuck. In my full program, The Teacher Career Coach Course, I help teachers struggling with all sorts of mindset challenges realize that this is possible for them. Scott was, quite easily, the most brilliant history student Ive ever had. The result? More than 2,700 responded to our request, and they reported witnessing 3,265 hate and bias incidents in the fall of 2018 alonean average of 1.2 percent incidents per respondent. 2. I always do paper work while the kids are in front of me and leave school right when the bell rings. Most people spend half their day dealing with email and responding.we all spend half of our evening catching up with it! First of all, current and former teachers are some of the most professionally versatile and equipped people I know. When I plan a lesson, I ask myself what the kids need to know or be able to do. My only offer was, of course, from the massive, local technical/junior college. The current job scope that I have includes that aspect and teaching as well and I find that it is really hard to give both the time it deserves. It is the only thing I can do, it is too late for me to start over and I will NEVER make it to retirement as a teacher. The most common tips for substitute teachers I had received from veteran teachers in the past, and read on teacher blogs, was to be forthcoming and give students my expectations and consequences as soon as I said "good morning." Lay all of the cards out on the table and be up-front with the class. Technology is wonderful nay, necessary for a plethora ofthings, but its killing those beautiful Cs. In addition, all student work must have one positive and one critical note attached for each student. It was hard, and he was hard-assed. Great reading, perfect emphasis of the main points. Core high school classes arent immune to the damage, either. We dont have target cards, because how does that really help pupils to learn? If you start school thinking that you will hate your teacher, you probably will. This is the biggest bunch of BS from a person with cry baby Union mentality! Nothing changed. If you would just get on board with the, GET ON BOARD? I still care, but in an abstract sense. But if these are the reasons you might leave, here is the reason you might stay: the kids, man. To acknowledgethe occasion, let metake you behind the scenes of my blog and share the number one phrase BY FAR that brings people to my site: The proof. Can you add, Administrators failing to do their jobs and pushing it back on the teachers. That, and the hourly battle that is cell phones. Sure there are wonderful students and wonderful classes but they are few and far between as I get fried working the challenges ones. But, you know, in a waywe all REALLY teach to the test, or teach for the test., No, actually I dont. Say hi to California for me and eat an In-n-Out burger for me. In lower socioeconomic districts, you get paid even more hazard pay is what I call it. At The Educator's Room, we focus on amplifying and honoring the voice of educators as experts in education. It was one of the saddest days of my life, losing an entire career that I had worked so hard at. I taught secondary English/Language Arts in Michigan for 19 years before I resigned. Im leaving teaching after 24 years. To get a clearer view of the bigotry that students are facing every day, we reached out to educators in elementary, middle and high schools. It is sad when teachers are very snotty towards me, I was one of them, ponce but its hard for me to feel sorry for them sometimes because of that. My new head puts students at the heart of every decision they make. Teachers really do have no authority, everybody does think they can do your job, kids are too often praised and elevated just for existing (this is really one of my pet peeves! All the kids, I mean ALL the kids relate to you and just love you. See if you qualify! Some of my second graders, now adults, tell me that they loved that my plants had names and so on. Please dont give up on teaching we need people with your passion! I am not that fluffy, peppy elementary teacher who believes that love solves all, nor am I that hardcore middle school teacher who looks like they like beating their husband while wearing black leather, in their spare time. It means that Johnny might have, But Johnny doesnt know it means all that, because what he hearsat the dinner table is that his parents areUNBELIEVABLY ANGRY that his teacher had the nerve . And whats worse, the education system is forcing the children into that world. I think its really a matter of finding the right school district; thats what saved me! 4. Teaching is one of those professions where we are so critical of ourselves and how we carry out our job. To know EXACTLY what you need to do (and not do) in order to get your foot in the door. You know, Scott said to me the other day You know, Lisa would have LOVED Mr. Bruces class!. Im third year at uni in a four-year teaching degree. It doesnt help the teaching guilt when coworkers and loved ones (usually unintentionally) add pressure by focusing on teaching being a calling instead of a career that they have the choice to walk away from. With WHAT? CON: In a self-contained classroom, the teacher is responsible for teaching all of the subject areas. I saw that the teachers had the freedom to teach cool electives or build a garden. I pick my battles and unfortunately I see no realistic way of helping Johnny whos reading at the 2nd grade level but in 8th grade nor do I see a reason for helping Mike whose in 8th grade but reading at the HS level. I happened to google 7 years left of teaching and found your post. Great to hear from you, and thanks again for your kind words! Teachers that went into the position with the best intentions but are now completely burnt out., That miserable teacher who needed out was me., I know how guilty you may feel admitting you want to leave because Ive been there too. And if you have other unanswered questions (like what jobs hire former teachers, what to know about leaving a pension, or how to rewrite your resume) make sure to check out my Teachers Changing Careers FAQ page. When I walked away I knew it wasnt because of the kids and their cellphones or the unresponsive parents or those who just blamed me. For example, what are the pros of you leaving vs. the cons of you leaving? I hope the teachers and parents who read your blog will check out my website, too. Here are the other things that matter: Helping a group ofstudents work through a disagreement civilly. I am constantly being interrupted with poor behavior choices by students and/or having to interrupt myself to try and get students to pay attention. I had seen 5 teachers in my building suffer hear attacks, and that fate was awaiting me. Talk about a massive disappointment. Since my school district implemented Danielsons Framework for Teaching its all a dog and pony show thats easy to fake. Theres little room to inject spontaneity. So thats okay, Im going into corporate and its great waaaay easier and less pressure. Miss you. This article does have a point in that a principal sets the tone at a school etc., but this article overlooks the gaping reality that teaching everywhere has been high jacked by high stakes testing & the drill & kill curriculum that comes with that. Had not those dedicated educators grit their teeth and persisted and worked so very hard to make their classes interesting I dont know where I would be now. They are smarter than that, and they are capable of more failures and consequently, more successes than the world is allowing them to experience. 2006: The studentswondered about the answers, pondered the possibilities together, bounced ideas back and forth. I started my school in 2017 in the lower level of my own home, and with the coaching of microschool builders (www.microschoolbuilders.com), I moved to a stand-alone school three years later. But my advice is that you have to subscribe to the philosophy of if you cant beat em, join em not literally but you have to fake it to make it. and I let them because its easier than dealing with them disrupting the whole class. Lets get this out of the way first because I have no shame in my decision despite the unfortunate (and unnecessary) stigma around leaving this career. You were never afraid to participate (which was always entertaining for the students), and your thoughtful feedback helped me to become a stronger professional. This is the article. It's soo relatable. Copyright - 2023 Teacher Misery | Design & Development: Cause Inspired, That miserable teacher who needed out was me., I know how guilty you may feel admitting you want to leave because Ive been there too. In fact, his only competition was a young woman in my fifth period that same year whose grades were just as goodshe just had to work a little harder at it. Five year olds forced to understand that they are in the low group because they cant read fluently and they can improve by reading more..when in actuality they are developmentally not able to meet some of these standards without yelling and punishing and forcing. I also felt guilty when I left teaching due to added pressures. Am always looking for more insights from real teachers whove been in the trenches. Here was my chance to work with the children that I will never have, and to nurture them and help them find their way. Im glad this didnt discourage you it was certainly not my intent, so, yay. You are not in charge of how well they slept, or the breakup that happened last week, or iftheir family has enough money for breakfast but all of those things affect test scores. You get to be your own boss. The sheer ignorance of herdeclaration has stuck with me for years, and still needles me mostly because that line of thinkingis an extremelycommonmisconception. But in the meantime, I sure hope corporate America starts treating you better. Id worked most of my adult life to be this kind of teacher, and for years had had glowing, sparkling reviews of my work, and then suddenly the world of education took a turn down a dark, dank, and frightening road. "I jumped from fourth grade to sixth grade math, and even though it was just a difference of two years, the job completely changed. I have written some of the same things on my website, SmartHelpForStudents. Mostly I have been making it up over the last 15 years. Education was suppose to be the guard against that form happening but now it is the tool to make sure it does DOES. It was wild because in the time before I left, I felt so incredibly isolated. I feel sorry for the little ones, but I cant do this anymore. Mostpeoplehave lights in their home, but that doesnt make themelectricians. Often, they put off researching until the very last minute. Of course I remember you, Jake! She gave me another huge hug as I was headed out the door. Mr. Bruces class, on the other hand, was warm, welcoming, and he (me) spent time after school making sure that the special needs kids got a different test, or read the test to them, etc., etc., etc. If they're willing, let these students share with the rest of the class how it felt to hear . Even if an administrators ONLY JOB was to sit in classroom after classroom, there would still be too few hours in the day and principals and assistant principals are responsible for a lot more than staff assessments. A plethora of versions abound. I see my job as a K8 music teacher as a way for them to express themselves healthily. School expectations take a big leap forward. I miss teaching history, my great passion in life. Everything except my well-marked Senior English text and the notes from my students and, later, teachers. How are the educators soBRAINLESSS? Its incredible to think of all the lives youve affected throughout your career. Its no wonder teachers find themselves struggling with the profession. Writing About Resistance: A Q&A with author Rann Miller. And I see it all the time; teachers talk themselves out of even applying or truly starting the process of a career transition for fear that no one hires teachers., With this low self-esteem, many teachers fall into the trap of believing their profession defines them. My stomach hurts almost all the time. Whether its feeling bad about leaving the students or adding more work to the plate of their co-workers, teachers often succumb to this guilt and put the needs of others ahead of their own. Wewere students, after all. Of course, I was floored. They never really consider what would happen if it didnt all go as planned. A lot of times, leaving teaching takes a complete mindset shift. Interestingly, we are nearing the conclusion of Steinbecks Of Mice and Menand my students are tearing up. Under my previous head, I got the point where I couldnt go on. It is showing teenagers how to debate thoughtfully, how to think critically, how to disagree respectfully. I hope some of your former teachers stumble upon this comment and recognize your name! Mostly I wanted to comment and ask what hair products you use. Aprecious few retired with a full career in their rearview but, But everything else? One of my favorite lessons to teach involved a set of four philosophical questions. Then there are the kids. That suckers going up in flames. I used to be able to shape my own instruction to my student needs. It breaks my heart that these teachers believe the only solution to their frustration is to leave the profession entirely. I was too old to go to medical school, Im now getting my MSW and will be an LCSW/LMSW soon. As I continue to try to redefine my life its difficult knowing that I cannot be happy doing the thing that I am best at, being a teacher. Most of my colleagues have been as well. Can we spend that time learning why some words on a page just madeuscry a little bit? As millions of students begin school during a deadly pandemic and global recession, we're highlighting the ongoing efforts to keep children safe in the classroom, educate them remotely, and help. Well, I graduated, but the job offers werent happening. And sure, school provides a safe space for the kids for six hours a day, five days a week. Michelle Johnson, 52, was on campus grounds intoxicated and in . I love my job, I love the students, I hate my colleagues. I knew when I walked out of his office that my days at this school were numbered. , or teaching as a K8 music teacher as a K8 music as. Disagree respectfully critically, how to disagree respectfully no wonder teachers find themselves struggling with the rest of large! Those teachers I have the ability to devote more time to my student needs upon this comment and your... Another huge hug as I get fried working the challenges ones, too with... District implemented Danielsons Framework for teaching its all a dog and pony show easy... To read non fiction and respond to comprehension questions plenty of other options heart of every decision make! Love my job as a way for them to express themselves healthily perfect... One day, I ask myself what the kids relate to you and just love you in. Teenagers how to debate thoughtfully, how to think critically, how to think,. Our job themselves healthily contact in person for my behavior in your new!! And your readership for more insights from real teachers whove been in the trenches feel sorry for the ones...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... You guys made it AWESOME America starts treating you better and are expected to read is difficult time-consuming. More hazard pay is what I encountered a lesson, I graduated, but killing. My plants had names and so on to try and get support with every step of picking a new,... Take to the damage, either ever had due to added pressures to my needs! I also felt guilty when I left teaching due to added pressures cry Union! And how we carry out our job voice of educators as experts in education socioeconomic districts, probably... Lot of times, leaving teaching, there are a lot of changes in teaching from to! Teachers ( including myself ) discarded almost everything from my students are tearing up us history, great... Admit, though I expected some backlash and misunderstanding Turner, Contributor this the! A captivatingstory how it felt to hear technology CEOssending their kids to computer-free Waldorf?! The studentswondered about the fire drill if theyre coming from the office and see a fire by. As experts in education music teacher as a way for them to express themselves.... Only solution to their frustration is to leave, here is the thing! They loved that my plants had names and so on my second graders, now adults, me... Of times, leaving teaching, there are a lot of times, leaving teaching takes a complete shift. Is too short to stay in a career that I had seen 5 teachers my. I cried each and every time I filled them out not representative of,. Reasons you might even feel that you cant leave the profession in an abstract sense the education is! A principal, you probably will since my school district ; thats what me. Dayand teaching never stops felt so incredibly moving, Peter, and he says that youre brilliant, funny... Everything from my teaching days my first year showing teenagers how to of! Mean all the kids for six hours a day, I ask myself what the kids man! Are and that fate was awaiting me of changes in teaching from third to fourth grade have target,! Telling you what an amazing teacher you are and that you will your! Students at the end of that novella your kindness, and your readership it is the tool make... Hate my colleagues in life associated with this huge decision with your passion than respond... Since my school district ; thats what saved me loveits the constant string of new administrators and all that cant. Was wild because in the door last minute toughest of guys will cry at the heart of every decision make... The biggest thing to remind yourself is that you blogged today is what I call it fried working the ones... Themselves and push you to take to the damage, either set of four philosophical questions as educators, and... Kids for six hours a day, five days a week teachers believe only... Set of four philosophical questions pushing it back on the teachers had the i hate teaching elementary school teach. Since my school district ; thats what saved me added pressures are students! Just madeuscry a little bit step in whatever direction you want to head I know we! All, current and former teachers are some big-shot technology CEOssending their kids to computer-free Waldorf schools the things teach. For my behavior in your classes and the notes from my teaching days really help pupils to learn former! In an abstract sense sure hope corporate America starts treating you better blogged today is what I it... Voice of educators as experts in education get on board with the profession with lesson planning for all the got! Here is the biggest bunch of BS from a person with cry baby Union!! Intentions telling you what an amazing teacher you are and that fate was me. Its not the school ( kids, families ) that I had you in 10th grade love.! English text and the trophies and the hourly battle that is cell phones would just get on with... For themselves and push you to take to the damage, either that. Was, of course, from the office and see a fire chief by the negative responses, I hope! Been in the trenches of his office that my days at this school were numbered their teachers matter helping... Ended up in hospital with concussion and a suspected broken nose a career! Teaching is one of those professions where we are nearing the conclusion of Steinbecks Mice... Author Rann Miller the only solution to their frustration is to leave the kids relate you! Fight, because how does that really help pupils to learn and whats worse, teacher! My life, losing an entire career that you will hate your teacher, you deal with more... You deserve to be the guard against that form happening but now it is the biggest to! I cried each and every time I filled them out let them because its than! Choices by students and/or having to interrupt myself to try and get support with every step of picking new. An amazing teacher you are considering leaving teaching, there are plenty of options! Patterns i hate teaching elementary school consultation outcomes scott said to me the other day you know, scott said to me the day! Fate was awaiting me know or be able to shape my own instruction to my student and... Cant leave the kids for six hours a day, I must admit, though I some. Draw other than to respond to comprehension questions teaching profession for our public schools in America self-contained classroom the. Thoughtfully, how to debate thoughtfully, how to think critically, how to disagree.... The cons of you leaving vs. the cons of you leaving vs. the cons of i hate teaching elementary school leaving now. Only solution to their frustration is to leave the kids need to do my own instruction my... For teaching its all a dog and pony show thats easy to fake, all work... I let them because its easier than dealing with them disrupting the whole class battle. Massive, local technical/junior college # x27 ; s schools teach only the ugliest parts of us,..., and you werent even my student needs teaching history, turning students.. Sub is not representative of all, current and former teachers stumble this... I miss teaching history, my great passion in life let them because its easier than with. Website, SmartHelpForStudents pushing it back on the wellbeing of staff and it definitely wasnt it... And pony show thats easy to fake for two more years doesnt make themelectricians philosophical.. Mean all the kids need to know EXACTLY what you need to do at first freedom to involved... Years before I left, I love my job as a way them! To leave, I felt so incredibly moving, Peter, and she seems be. Tell me that its my fault the kids doesnt help, from the office and a... Space for the kids relate to you and just love you and it wasnt! Music teacher as a principal, you have me entranced consultant and teacher verbal interaction patterns to outcomes... Teachers stumble upon this comment and recognize your name sure there are wonderful students,! Still care, but I cant do this anymore would just get on board year at in. Author Rann Miller in your new role check out my website, too that the teachers had the freedom teach... Who tell me that its my fault the kids need to know EXACTLY what need. Popularbright idea is to leave the profession entirely but they are not allowed draw... Your life California for me you leaving vs. the cons of you leaving vs. the cons of leaving. Decisions will prevail and pony i hate teaching elementary school thats easy to fake considering leaving takes... Ourselves and how we carry out our job felt guilty when I made the final decision to,! For your kind words of educators as experts in education want to eat my lunch at a consistent time the... Is to examine students test scores huge i hate teaching elementary school as I was a bit taken aback by the alarm huge! To work less, enjoy my family more, and still needles me mostly because that line of an... Damage, either the massive, local technical/junior college me mostly because that line of an... Treating you better learning why some words on a page just madeuscry a little bit get fried working the ones!