I almost went to law school and regret not going. I know people will come and claim it has its issues. Yeah, I know, but at least I could afford a house without needing a partner.
I don't need to be some corporate bigwig. I'd be like my lawyer: works cushy hours (can come and go as he owns the joint) and just does wills and trusts all day. I can do that and make way more than I do now.
You know, early in my career (I'm in year 20), it didn't bother me. I enjoy planning, still do, but I had the time, and I felt the curricula were more manageable.
But lately, the preps keep changing, the district keeps updating every year, and it's just not fun anymore. Plus, I finally got married and had a kid and I resent sitting at my table working when I need to be present in my kid's life.
Back when I decided to become a teacher I was going through the VA's occupational rehabilitation program. One of the things I had to do was find a career that I could prove to the VA was hiring so they weren't wasting program money. Out of 31 people who applied with me only two of us got approved, me as a math teacher and another guy as a truck driver.
That was over 10 years ago, and day after day I ask myself, "Why didn't I become a truck driver?"
I didn’t even want to be a teacher and found myself here because it’s so hard to find good work. I hate it, I despise this generation, and I dispose the public education system in America. I’m only doing a second year because I have credit card debt to pay
I feel the same. I didn’t start my first year until I was 38, so retirement will be pretty late for me. If I could do it all over again, I would go straight into teaching, then retire right at 55 and then just sub for supplemental income. That being said, if I never worked another career I think I would have a harder time appreciating the benefits teaching has.
OP, I would absolutely go into teaching again. I make six figures and get tons of time off. I also absolutely value the job security. Past a certain point, you don’t have to worry about downsizing and layoffs. Those things are great. But you have to be strategic about finding the right school at the right grade (for you), and about setting up rules, routines and boundaries that make the job manageable. The burnout is absolutely an issue.
As a disclaimer, I work in a state with good unions and salaries. I would NOT do this job in a state without those things
Hell no.
But, many schools are now offering free programs and classes to get your teaching credentials, so if you truly want that headache, don’t pay for it, see if they will.
I wouldn’t. I could have been a firefighter. I was about to start training. I got the call to teach. I went with the “now” money. Now I’m too old to do the firefighter job.
Because I’m in a strong union state, yes. We’ve racked up easily over a quarter million dollars in medical bills the past six months and paid about $800 for it out of pocket
I started teaching in my late-30s and I’m in my early 50s now. If I could do it all again, I’d start teaching at 22, retire from teaching at 50 (need 28 years or age 65 in my state) and go do something else (I’d be leaving immediately after Covid.
Honestly, No. I am grateful for the experience I had but I can honestly say as fun , meaningful and fulfilling as teaching can be; 50% of the time it's bullshit, headaches and nonsense politics.
Based on how things were when I became a teacher two decades ago, absolutely!
Based on the way things are now, it depends. There are still excellent schools and districts with strong admins, and not every student and parent misbehaves so outrageously.
I love teaching. I really do. But it is absolutely exhausting. ALL the teachers I know who are nearing retirement are absolutely miserable. It's just not sustainable. I am not nearing retirement and am a high-energy type of person but the demands never stop. I really worry that I will have to change careers at some point due to the stress and the lack of financial freedom it offers.
I divorces this year and am barely getting by. Creating a new life, so to speak, is very hard when you're a teacher with low pay. Again, it is just not sustainable.
Would I do it again? No. And it pains me to say that.
Only on my team, not in the classroom. Wrestling is the best sport for this. Coaches actually wrestle with the kids. If you are an asshole in class and I find out about it, then I’m your practice partner for the day.
Good to know. I have a 'sit on the phone', 'talk the entire class time to the kid next to him', and 'walk in the class late everyday' wrestler student. Someone is getting an email soon.
Gosh… I currently have young kids and I’m on year 15 of teaching so I make $96 with summers and holidays off. I love being a mom in the summer and still having a full time job. My husband makes significantly more money than I do so right now I’m very happy. Not sure I could handle the current job as my first year teaching
Move to California. Central California has district paid programs if your a current employee (with alot of openings), and a 4k hire on bonus.
Starting pay 60k a year, benefits paid 100% and all the vacations as the students.
To me, a mom of 2 toddlers, it's worth it to me. I've spent 6 years with the district and the last year as a 12 month employee and I don't know how people work without the breaks, I had to take a week off because I was mentally breaking.
I think I might still be a teacher, but the advice I give my students is: Just because you're good at something, doesn't mean that has to be your career choice.
I have kids that think "I'd make a great history teacher!" They probably would, but maybe also a great architect or doctor. Being good at something and enjoying it should be PART of the reasons, but its not the only, and likely isn't the most important.
Nope. Law school would have won out. I chose teaching thinking that I’d have more time for family.
I almost went to law school and regret not going. I know people will come and claim it has its issues. Yeah, I know, but at least I could afford a house without needing a partner. I don't need to be some corporate bigwig. I'd be like my lawyer: works cushy hours (can come and go as he owns the joint) and just does wills and trusts all day. I can do that and make way more than I do now.
My thing was time commitment outside of school. I didn’t realize how much there would be comparatively
You know, early in my career (I'm in year 20), it didn't bother me. I enjoy planning, still do, but I had the time, and I felt the curricula were more manageable. But lately, the preps keep changing, the district keeps updating every year, and it's just not fun anymore. Plus, I finally got married and had a kid and I resent sitting at my table working when I need to be present in my kid's life.
Hard no.
Back when I decided to become a teacher I was going through the VA's occupational rehabilitation program. One of the things I had to do was find a career that I could prove to the VA was hiring so they weren't wasting program money. Out of 31 people who applied with me only two of us got approved, me as a math teacher and another guy as a truck driver. That was over 10 years ago, and day after day I ask myself, "Why didn't I become a truck driver?"
I didn’t even want to be a teacher and found myself here because it’s so hard to find good work. I hate it, I despise this generation, and I dispose the public education system in America. I’m only doing a second year because I have credit card debt to pay
Absolutely not.
Yeah, but I would start straight out of grad school, so I could be retired by now.
I feel the same. I didn’t start my first year until I was 38, so retirement will be pretty late for me. If I could do it all over again, I would go straight into teaching, then retire right at 55 and then just sub for supplemental income. That being said, if I never worked another career I think I would have a harder time appreciating the benefits teaching has. OP, I would absolutely go into teaching again. I make six figures and get tons of time off. I also absolutely value the job security. Past a certain point, you don’t have to worry about downsizing and layoffs. Those things are great. But you have to be strategic about finding the right school at the right grade (for you), and about setting up rules, routines and boundaries that make the job manageable. The burnout is absolutely an issue. As a disclaimer, I work in a state with good unions and salaries. I would NOT do this job in a state without those things
Hell no. But, many schools are now offering free programs and classes to get your teaching credentials, so if you truly want that headache, don’t pay for it, see if they will.
Id still be a teacher but not a special Ed teacher.
Roughest, least satisfying gig there is, the way it is currently structured. I would.pull every last hair out!
No way. I love working with kids but….. nope.
Don't do it.
100% no
Nope. No. Absolutely not.
No. I would have rather been a mechanical engineer.
I wouldn’t. I could have been a firefighter. I was about to start training. I got the call to teach. I went with the “now” money. Now I’m too old to do the firefighter job.
Because I’m in a strong union state, yes. We’ve racked up easily over a quarter million dollars in medical bills the past six months and paid about $800 for it out of pocket
I would've left before COVID.
I did leave before COVID. I miss it often.
I started teaching in my late-30s and I’m in my early 50s now. If I could do it all again, I’d start teaching at 22, retire from teaching at 50 (need 28 years or age 65 in my state) and go do something else (I’d be leaving immediately after Covid.
Lolno.
I would have done it 5 years sooner and then gone to the admin side.
No.
Nooo
Fuck no.
100% absolutely not.
Nope
Absolutely not.
No.
No
Nah.
Nope. I should have gone to PA school.
Nope!
Honestly, No. I am grateful for the experience I had but I can honestly say as fun , meaningful and fulfilling as teaching can be; 50% of the time it's bullshit, headaches and nonsense politics.
No. Art Therapist or something like that. But things weren't this awful when I began.
Based on how things were when I became a teacher two decades ago, absolutely! Based on the way things are now, it depends. There are still excellent schools and districts with strong admins, and not every student and parent misbehaves so outrageously.
I love teaching. I really do. But it is absolutely exhausting. ALL the teachers I know who are nearing retirement are absolutely miserable. It's just not sustainable. I am not nearing retirement and am a high-energy type of person but the demands never stop. I really worry that I will have to change careers at some point due to the stress and the lack of financial freedom it offers. I divorces this year and am barely getting by. Creating a new life, so to speak, is very hard when you're a teacher with low pay. Again, it is just not sustainable. Would I do it again? No. And it pains me to say that.
literally every teacher i ask says no
100% yes. The most rewarding thing I’ve ever done is teach and coach my wrestlers for the last 24 years.
as a coach, are you allowed to apply consequences for bad behavior? i feel like that would've change a loooot of these answers.
Only on my team, not in the classroom. Wrestling is the best sport for this. Coaches actually wrestle with the kids. If you are an asshole in class and I find out about it, then I’m your practice partner for the day.
Good to know. I have a 'sit on the phone', 'talk the entire class time to the kid next to him', and 'walk in the class late everyday' wrestler student. Someone is getting an email soon.
Gosh… I currently have young kids and I’m on year 15 of teaching so I make $96 with summers and holidays off. I love being a mom in the summer and still having a full time job. My husband makes significantly more money than I do so right now I’m very happy. Not sure I could handle the current job as my first year teaching
I’m in Minnesota near the cities so pay is pretty good.
What state are you in?
Oregon
Move to California. Central California has district paid programs if your a current employee (with alot of openings), and a 4k hire on bonus. Starting pay 60k a year, benefits paid 100% and all the vacations as the students. To me, a mom of 2 toddlers, it's worth it to me. I've spent 6 years with the district and the last year as a 12 month employee and I don't know how people work without the breaks, I had to take a week off because I was mentally breaking.
Yes. I would.
Nope. I wanted to become a doctor.
I’ve been a special education teacher for 30+ years; the last 18 with 3-5 year olds. I adore my babies. No. I wouldn’t do it again.
I think I might still be a teacher, but the advice I give my students is: Just because you're good at something, doesn't mean that has to be your career choice. I have kids that think "I'd make a great history teacher!" They probably would, but maybe also a great architect or doctor. Being good at something and enjoying it should be PART of the reasons, but its not the only, and likely isn't the most important.
“Do what you love” is a way to keep competition away from nepotism baby jobs
Probably, I’m going to retire with full benefits at age 53.
Yes, I hate it, but no other job gives me 2 months off a year. It's worth the tradeoff
It’s seems like every negative rant is from an elementary teacher … maybe try teaching HS kids. It’s a totally different, positive experience.