WomanWriter Posted February 9, 2009 Posted February 9, 2009 Last school year, I taught first grade (as a first year teacher) and got laid off in June. I wasn't able to find another full-time position so I've been substituting since then (although not very often). I worked in a very abusive atmosphere last year and am still having nightmares/Post-Traumatic Stress, etc. over some of the things I went through. We had lock downs, several of the students parents' were murdered, the administration changed and my bosses were horrible---rude, unprofessional and abusive. I had some kids with severe/abnormal issues that the psychologist was "too busy" to evaluate so I suffered in a rat-infested, overcrowded classroom with materials I had to buy myself in addition to kids who touched each other sexually, were horribly disruptive, and had untreated ADHD! I am SO done with teaching. Even if someone offered me a position in a better school, I don't know if I'd accept. Just the thought of potentially having a class like that again or such unsupportive and disorganized administrators FREAKS ME OUT! What else can I do? I definitely don't want to do sales or training corporations. Is there anyone who can relate to my dilemma? Any others who made successful career transitions? Advice? I've been applying for office jobs but am not getting called back! I want a job where I don't have to take my work home with me every night and weekend and have to stress over my clients 24/7 (like with teaching). I almost am afraid to work again full time although I don't actually have a poor work ethic! What can I do to make a living (it doesn't have to be more than $30,000 a year...I just want to keep my sanity)? I want to be happy!
TheSmilingTurnip Posted February 9, 2009 Posted February 9, 2009 Maybe you need to move to a place with better opportunities and a better environment. What got you into teaching to begin with?
thejigsup Posted February 9, 2009 Posted February 9, 2009 It can get tough, I know. Teaching is not for the faint-of-heart. It's more than being around cute kids. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. I've had my share of them, but there is nothing else I love to do as much as teach.
lost1607307474 Posted February 9, 2009 Posted February 9, 2009 Teaching is an incredibly stressful job Luckily, the skills that you learn to be a teacher are transferrable to many different careers and very useful in many professions. What interests you? What area of work would you love to be in? Or like to be in? What are your skills and qualifications? These are all things that can help you decide where to move to if you are looking for a career change.
girl friend Posted February 9, 2009 Posted February 9, 2009 Well this is probably unoriginal... but your name indicates you're a writer. how about giving that a serious shot? you could even write about the difficulties in that school - i'd love to read those sort of books. Have you read Somebody Elses Kids by Torey Hayden? It would be a good place to start to learn about writing for that genre. Turn problems into strength...
schueysgirl Posted February 9, 2009 Posted February 9, 2009 really feel for you. few understand the issues teachers face...usually its only us teachers who know whats going on! I think you need to see someone as clearly you are still dealing with PTS disorder and with this still hanging over your head you dont really know where you want to go next... what did bring you inot teaching tho? Maybe once you have sorted out the issues you faced and cleared them in your head you will reignite your passion... i am having lots of stress at the moment. it is criminal. this is why good teachers usually end up leaving the profession early...
ErikT Posted February 9, 2009 Posted February 9, 2009 WHat about private tutoring for either one of the chains (Sylvan/Huntington/etc) or start your own tutoring business. TEach SAT Prep Classes There are good geographical areas to teach in, and bad. Sounds like from your original post, you are teaching in an inner city school. Time for a change. However, like the previous posters, you need to look at what got you into teaching to begin with....
thejigsup Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 I teach evenings at such a place. It's great!
Alezia Posted February 10, 2009 Posted February 10, 2009 Maybe you could try teaching at a University / college level? I'm not sure if it's any better but I'm sure it would be diffrent.
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