I am a teacher and I ahve teached 3rd grade for 2 years. Now I am getting tired to be a teacher anymore. Should I quit or what? Please help.
211908
what  you need to do is what they do here ..they change the teachers grades every few years so they get a new look at teaching and the different age group makes things a lot better to work with and you can go on for several more years.\nTry this a few times before you give up on teaching....you may even think about changing whole schools and or moving up to middle or high school\nGood Luck\nGod Bless
654686
If you want to be a TEACHER then you MUST be READY/WILLING/ABLE to do the JOB you were trained for!!!\n\nI expect ANY/ALL/EVERY Teacher to do the job they have been hired to do!!! Just like anyone else in the work force! A day's pay, for a day's work!\n\nI don't feel one bit sorry for any teacher! It's the career choice they went into. If they didn't want to become a teacher then do something else!!! Doctor, Lawyer, Car Mechanic, Waitress/Waiter, Nurse, Firefighter, Police Officer, Secretary etc. \n\nNO one FORCED them to become a TEACHER!!! Free will - Free choice!\n\nIf they DON'T like TEACHING - There's the door, Don't let it hit ya on the way out!\n\nThere's another Ready, Willing, Able body to take your place!!!\n\n\nTeachers have BETTER benefits than ANY OTHER PROFESSION!!! They get their summers off, AND winter/spring breaks off. They have better medical insurance coverage. They have better retirement benefits. AS well as other "perks" I am sure.\n\nThey don't even "work" a full 40 hour work week! Most ONLY actually "work" about 6 hours per day! \n\nTeachers are, I believe, considered Salary. That means THEY SHOULD WORK AS MANY HOURS POSSIBLE. EVEN IF THAT MEANT WORKING 50, 60 70+ hrs plus a week! \n\nTeachers get the same paycheck every week! There is NO time card they punch in on! \n\nI would like to see ALL teachers punch a time clock for their "Actual" time teaching! That time would not include Lunch, Planning Time, or Special/Elective Time!
558367
1. Salary. Teachers don't make nearly what they should.\n\n2. Stress. States want tests done every year to track how smart students are. The higher the test scores, the more funding the schools get. Schools want money. Teachers are pressured more to prepare kids for tests than to actually teach.\n\n3. Kids. Times have changed. Kids act differently today than 10-15 years ago. ADHD is more prevalent. Kids are less repectful. Students are not as interested in learning.\n\n4. Recruiting. Teachers are retiring, and because of the reasons above, less people are choosing careers in public education.\n\nThere are always exceptions, of course. (Not all kids are bad!! Don't get me wrong!). My parents have taught school for 34 years, so I've heard their complaints over the years.
422868
I would love to email you more offline. I asked this question not ten minutes before you asked yours. \n\nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aq6XmCFq0GO2oc2rAE5VBpvsy6IX?qid=20061115134105AAjuk9Q\n\nAnd guess what, I'm a teacher ... and have been for the last three years ... and I just finished my master's four months ago. I thought it was what I would do for the rest of my life ... but this year is different. The passion has just died in me, and I promised myself that if the passion left, I would leave the profession. So, I am trying to figure out what to do. \n\nIf you feel comfortable, please email me (it's in my profile) and we can talk more about this.
210348
*In response to your additional information--saying that you are really interested in secondary education...\n\nI still think you ought to go into a school and volunteer or observe to check it out.\n\nTeaching is very hard work. Most people don't have a clue. They think we work from 8 to 3. But that's just when the kids are there. I usually put in 10 hours each day and at least four more on the weekend. Secondary teachers may not be at the school as late, but they definitely bring their work home because there are lots of papers to grade, and they bring this work to appts., and their own kids' games, and in the evening when most of the world has finished work, the teacher can be found with his or her family watching TV with a lap full of papers to grade.\n\nIt's wonderful that you want to inspire kids to learn. But you have to realize no matter how wonderful you think the stuff you have to say is, there are kids out there who don't want to hear it. They're not interested. And they want to be in charge of your classroom and be the class clown and will do anything they can to get the rest of the class' attention on themselves. \n\nThese kids make it hard to teach. You have to learn strategies to deal with kids like that. But it's not easy, especially the first few years. That's why so many teachers leave the profession. \n\nYes, there are definitely those kids who you want to take home with you. Kids who want to learn. Kids who hang on your every word because their minds are so hungry for knowledge. But most of the time you don't have time for those kids because you're running around your classroom trying to make the others learn. Taking a horse to water and trying to make him drink is what teaching can be like.\n\nI don't want to discourage you from the profession. Just trying to give you a glimpse of the real world. Depending on the school you're in. Teens who are having problems at home with their own parents tend to look at their teachers and project whatever they're feeling about their parents onto any other adult. You have to find a way around that. But at the same time, all kids know when you genuinely like them. And this will give them someone outside their family who they can trust and seek help from.\n\nAfter trying high school for a few years, you'll be able to more easily make the jump to college teaching (than if you taught elementary). \n\nWhatever you decide, I wish you the best.
137720
My first year I taught first grade and I had a wonderful class.  I remember the last day of school.  I had a surprise for my students.  I told my class that I would be teaching second grade the following year and that some of them would be in my class.  I remember crying before my kids left because after all it was my first year teaching and I knew some will be in another class.  My memorable moment came at the end of that second year because more than half of that class had been with me for 2 whole years, and my first two years of teaching at that.  I was going around the class and asking students to share stories about the last two years.  Some said they would remember how I always turned red when I laughed, some said they would remember hearing the radio every morning as they walked in (I would sometimes forget to turn it on) some said they would remember the christmas parties and we just shared memories.  One particular student, who never displayed any emotions had his head down the whole time.  I just figured he was bored by the whole thing since he was like the little typical "macho" kid in the class.  When I got to him, I said Frankie, what will you remember.  When he finally looked at me he had been crying the whole time because he realized that after two years of being his teacher he would be moving on.  I was floored and all I could do was cry too.  Then, well needless to say the waterworks started and half of my class was crying.  I would never forget that because as he was leaving, Frankie said, you are the best teacher I've ever had.  I knew he had meant it.
670682
I think that teachers (of whatever age) should retire when they no longer have enthusiasm for their job. The kids deserve someone who is caring, innovative, and who loves their job. It sounds like you fit that bill. Plus, you can draw on your years of experience and you can be a mentor to younger teachers. A lot of the teachers in the private school where I work are 50+ (including me), and none are anywhere near to thinking about giving it up. The kids keep us young. (I teach advanced math and calculus, which I regard as a good hedge against senility.)
481950
I really feel for you.\nI recently gave up my teaching job.it was a very hard decision but for me the only choice left.-\nCould you ask to be given a part-time timetable?Even temporarily?\nCould you discuss these feelings with your line-manager?\nI dont know anyone who hasnt felt this way as a teacher at some time.\nIt sounds almost as though you are feeling depressed and also trapped.\nYou are not !\nYou have a job and a home and it sounds like you are very committed to it, if you didnt care you wouldnt feel this way.\nIt sounds like you need love and belonging-going back to maslows hierarchy;-)\nThe worst aspect in teaching is the responsibility to your colleagues and also pupils.You cant just drop people in it.\nBUT eventually you realise that you have no quality of life and that is when to make changes.\nYou can meet  a partner on-line if you are careful.\nyou may only have a couple of hours a week to spare but join a club ,choir anything or go to the pub and join the darts or quiz team.church group?love is where you least expect it.\nYou need to look after you ,have some fun,ask someone at work for dinner?or a film ?a female colleague who will hopefully invite you into her social circle.\nIts worth sticking with what you have but realise that you have chosen to do it You can give it up if you want to.give yourself the opportunity to dream about what life would be like if you left your job. Maybe give it til july? and re-assess then.\nAlso a career change to business could be fantastic for you.\nI know someone with no degree who earns £100 thousand plus.\nLots of lunches,dinners ,hotels in fantastic places and huge bonuses.mmm, why did we bother ?\n Leave your job if its making you ill- it was with me ,I couldnt sleep for stress,having no child care and a husband who works and lives in the middle east.I couldnt get home for my 8 yr old who was dropped off by the school bus and it worried me sick.\nNothing is worth that.\nYou have lots going for you and sound like you will make someone a lovely partner.\nGood luck with whatever you decide .teaching is desperate at times.\nI understand.\nGadriel
610509
As a homeschool graduate myself, I know you all are going through a lot.  It's hard to keep things together, especially if you are living on one income, like my family did.  I just want to encourage you to keep up the fight- for whatever reason you are homeschooling.  I wouldn't trade my homeschooled years for anything.  As far as homeschooling and working a full-time job, please, do whatever you can as far as putting your family on a budget, cutting back on superfluous spending and so forth, before you go out and get another job.  Part of the beauty of homeschooling is being able to spend those critical years with your children- and if you're working full-time, it's very difficult to do everything that needs to be done, let alone find time for any extracurricular activity.  The last thing you want is for you family to struggle because you don't have enough time for each other (hubby included). Let your younger children started doing chores around the house.  Your older children can help out there, too.  My mom worked cleaning houses and apartment complexes while my siblings and I were growing up, and we helped her do and earned a little money of our own on the side.  All of us worked at some sort of job outside the home by the time we were 14 years of age- some people may think that was awful that we had to do that, but some of the best lessons I ever learned, I learned on the job.  It's also a great way to teach good work ethics, honesty, reliability, dedication, etc, by EXAMPLE.  It's a better teacher than any lecture.  Best wishes to you as you continue your journey. :)
482687
In my opinion, I don't really think it's a good job. Unless you like kids. No it's never too late to change ur career. But just a warning... (this is the reason why I don't think it's a good job); the children may cry, they might vomit everywhere if they get sick or something, they might go out to the mud to play and then request for a hug or something. Well, it's really what you want to do. If you are really interested go ahead. I mean, they aren't that bad but I was listing what might happen, not what will happen. Teaching is very interesting, (even if I've never taught before), but you'll find teaching more fun in higher grades (e.g. Year 5/6/7) then you can talk to your students more and they'll understand what you are actually saying. If you teach at a good school where the teachers are friendly and all, you can be a little less formal and they'll try to co-operate with you. (I know from experience) So if you're willing to pay, I think that it'd pay a little more than a secretary, and if you can work with young kids (e.g. sometimes teachers buy things for them from outside of school just because they like them... incredible eh? But it's true.).\nTips for being a teach: Don't pick favorites, some might be nicer but don't pick faves, You'll regret it if you do.\nIf they do something wrong, don't be scared to go up to them and say, hey, that wasnt very nice or something like that. (if u teach older kids then you have to be even firmer. Girls tend to listen more, not nessicerily in these days but boys are a little rowdier (I know this because in my school, this guy went and took the teacher's stickers and stuck them to the fan along with pencils and turned the fan on!))\nGood luck!
608758
have you seen some of the crap that the kids come home with now? im only 19 and its a lot harder then when i was in school which wasnt very long ago... my sister asks her teacher for help and you know what her teacher says? figure it out yourself, im busy. how are kids to learn when the ones paid to teach them, dont!!
527380
Hi again. I mainly think it's becuase teacher slack off then they realize test times are coming up so they cram it all in. Becuase have you ever noticed how you don't have any homework for awhile the BOOM! You have homework for like 3-6 months strait every day. Yeah teacher are just lazy. Well at least most are anyway.
621204
i know how you feel-speaking from a newly highschooler.  Just hang in there, you only got a few days left before summer, then you'll have a new teacher next year.  So put a smile on and count the days till your last day of english and history.  it will be hard but the last day will be awesome!  =]
649452
Okay, just get through this.  Do what you have to do to get the marks you need to get your credential.  Use what you've observed with your master teacher to decide what not to do.  Try to learn some techniques that you will want to use, or at least modify.  It takes a number of years to find the 'happy medium' between letting the students run over you and being a martinet.  Good luck.\n(30 + years teaching middle school, female and working every day and year on that happy medium)
74277
If your not happy with your job then change it.  It's not like you'll be taking a huge salary cut (teachers are never paid what their worth).  If you want to continue working with children but maybe not put up with as much stress go back to school for your masters and get certified in administering tests or work towards your Ed. Ad degree.  If you want to change fields all together just make a list of what you think you'd enjoy that you could make a living at and starting researching.  \n\nBottom line: if you aren't happy now there's a good chance you'll be unhappy for a long time in the position your in.\n\nEdit: Almost forgot to say goodluck!\nGood Luck, \nArmus
163025
The students always make it worth it, but you're in for lots of stress and heartburn (mostly administrative).  The coursework (if you keep your answers "politically correct") is pretty straightforward. Learn education-profession lingo, get faimiliar with laws, rules, and procedures, learn about different curriculum and methodology, etc.\n\nWhile you go through your teacher prep at the college/university, I would strongly recommend that you substitute teach for your local district (as soon as your credit hours make you eligible). There is a world of difference between a new teacher with substitute teaching experience, and one who only has had practicums.\n\nIt's once you walk into your first day as a full teacher that the "overwhelming" path to burn-out (lol) starts. Make sure you have a mentor teacher, who has at least 5 years teaching experience, preferably one that teaches the same level/subjects you teach, who is organized and not burnt out yet, and who is upbeat and patient, to walk you through all the expectations the district will have that nobody happened to mention to you during induction, interviews, staff meetings, etc. because the "old hands" all have those routines down...\n\nBe prepared for overloaded classes, an even greater diversity of learning abilities and behavior issues in your class as inclusion becomes an even greater focus, weekly lesson plans, daily paper grading, attendance paperwork, progress reports, fundraiser paperwork and coordination, parent outreach paperwork and phone calls, duty schedule, safety drills and related paperwork, student referral (learning or discipline issues) paperwork, Child Study meetings, grade-level meetings, school-wide staff meetings, school committee meetings, in-service training meetings, evening classes for professional development requirements, PTA, NEA or other professional organization activities, evening activities from different organizations, parent-teacher conferences, supervision of educational assistants and classroom volunteers, collaborative projects with other teaching staff, oh, and I think teaching the students comes in somewhere in there, too. \n\nIf you choose special education, also be prepared (in addition to the above) for IEP meetings, additional student progress reports, additional student assessments, additional planning time for individualized programming, additional time taken up consulting with other teachers for inclusion support and/or joint projects, additional conferences and training for profressional development, additional staff meetings and in-service trainings for special education specifically, and increased contact time for parents. \n\nDo all this for 1/2 to 1/3 the pay of any other profession with your level of training. \n\nAnd then, the kid turns to you, with a big grin on his/her face, and says..."WOW. That makes Sense!!! THANK YOU!!!" and all of it is TOTALLY worth it! My husband (also a teacher) has had the joy of running into students, now as adults, who have thanked him for his efforts.\n\nI love my job. It is a difficult path to take, however. I would suggest volunteering at your local school system to get a feel for things and see if it is something you really do want to do.
14640
Teaching may be your gift in the Spirit. Go for it! I still want to be a teacher when I grow up (I'm 22, but still... :) ), and I already teach dance and PE at a Christian school. I started with teaching guitar in High School. The world needs lights for Jesus, and teaching is such a rewarding-- but exhausting-- lifestyle.