I’ll start: I hate teaching because the students don’t care and my pay is based on their performance. I also hate teaching because my coworkers complain ALL DAY and I’m forced to listen to it during hallway duty.

I love teaching but after 12 years, I absolutely HATE what it’s become. Paperwork, jumping through hoops, and data.

Kids can’t read or do simple multiplication facts and they’re in 7th grade. I have a student that will be 15 next month and she says it like a badge of honor when her peers are 12 and 13. 🫠

And if you don’t hate teaching, don’t respond!

Hi everyone - I've recently made a few posts about my toxic experience in the education field and how it's impacted my mental health, and how I had to make the decision to ultimately leave the profession (for the time being, at least).

But, the program I worked for specifically was headstart. I LOVE what headstart does. Headstart is there for working class families, headstart is both social work and teaching together. The amount of resources that it provides for families that otherwise could not afford said resources is very beautiful to me.

But I just couldn't take the anxiety I felt every day going into the classroom. I'm diagnosed with both anxiety and depression and after everything I've gone through with admin, I just couldn't take it anymore. So I submitted a two weeks notice which turned into an effective immediately resignation letter. I think that bridge has been burned unfortunately.

But, I'm feeling so much guilt and I don't know how to stop it? 😔 I'm scared that I may not find something as fulfilling as headstart made me feel. I grew up poor, I have so much empathy for these babies who don't have easy home lives and the way this space is a place they can be safe and secure at.

I know soon I will start to feel better - it's just, I have such a hard time with change and this is a BIG change for me - this was my first *real* job that I had, and I hate that it turned out this way. I just feel so depressed and anxious all the time.

I worked at the same school for 7 years as an assistant toddler teacher. This year enrollment dropped (because they really suck at managing) , and I was the only person at who wasn’t brought back. They weren’t even going to tell me—I had to contact the owner myself and ask if I was fired.
The call was really upsetting. He had no empathy, told me I should go work at Trader Joe’s or Target( there's nothing wrong with that. It's just really odd to say) said other jobs wouldn’t accommodate my schedule as a student. He also said my schedule had been a “burden.” For context, I was working 9–4 because I was in school and genuinely struggling to balance both. He approved that schedule and had actually offered that arrangement himself, and he never once communicated to me that it was causing a problem. So in general, the call was harsh and I feel bad. I couldn't stick up for myself because I was so sad and shy.

Because I can’t afford to suddenly have no income, my mom, who also works for the school, ended up speaking to him. What made it worse was that he wasn’t even responding to my own messages, but he responded to her.
They placed me at another location as a floater.
Today was my first day, and after 7 years of experience, I spent the day constantly switching classrooms and covering bathroom breaks. I came home completely drained and honestly wanting to quit.
I’m trying to transition into marketing since its my major and applying for other jobs, but I obviously can’t guarantee I’ll find something immediately.
Would you stay temporarily until you found something else, or leave because of how disrespected and unvalued you feel?
The only reason I was there is because the schedule kind of worked for me and I changed majors many times.

I recently completed my Bachelor's in Education and started working as a teacher. To be honest, teaching wasn't something I originally wanted to pursue—I chose the degree mainly due to family pressure. Since I had the qualification, though, I thought teaching was the most logical career path.

I've only been teaching for two months, but I'm already feeling extremely frustrated and burnt out. My principal is supportive, and the salary is reasonable for a fresh graduate, so those aren't the issues.

My biggest challenge is the students' lack of foundational knowledge. I teach Maths and English, and many students are far behind their expected level. For example, some sixth graders don't know basic multiplication tables. Despite putting significant effort into explaining concepts and engaging students, parents and students still complain that they don't understand.

I'm beginning to realize that I may not dislike education itself—I may simply dislike classroom teaching. I'm considering roles such as academic coordinator, curriculum development, teacher training, school administration, or working with educational NGOs.

I want to use my Bachelor's in Education but move into a role that doesn't involve teaching students directly or dealing with parents daily. I'd appreciate suggestions for alternative career paths in education.

I'm in the worst place I've ever been mentally, considering actually hurting myself for the first time in my life. A week ago was the first day, we were told to introduce ourselves to our students, I had a TA watching me because the principal doesn't trust me, my first introduction is rough. He tells me to share more, I said my life is full of alcoholism and taking care of my siblings, he says share that. I ask "Are you sure?", yeah it'll be fine. I do. A week later, the principal said I've violated a board policy and now I need another meeting with a union rep.

I thought about killing myself at that moment. I've never considered that. I've had two meetings already in a week and a half. She doesn't like me, the kids are out of control and the teachers coach is a former art teacher who has no idea what she's doing. And when I saw that, I...broke.

Then I thought about getting out. I can't do another day in this hell. But I can get out. So tomorrow I am putting in my two weeks notice.

Please, anyone who has ever been here, message me, I could use understanding.

M (22) ever since high school I thought I wanted to be a teacher. Nothing even in student teaching could have prepared me for the behaviors, loneliness, and depression I would experience in the first 3 weeks. I find no joy in what I do. It’s affected my relationships I have and my life at home I’m so miserable when I get home or on the weekend because all I can think about is how awful work is going to be the next day my favorite part of the day is when I have students working on an project is doom scrolling on indeed. Hell I have even sat there and thought “man I think I would work at my local QT gas station over this”. If I can get a good job lined up I think I’m just going to quit. But I can’t help but feel lost. I thought this was gonna be my whole life and in 3 weeks I have never wanted to get out of a situation so much faster. Any advice? Does quitting really make you feel any better?

Hi gang!

I thought this group, of all people could appreciate this one. I used to teach at a wonderful school destroyed by admin and state politics. so I get this message the other day from a former student telling me to check out the faculty directory page at my old high school followed by a bunch of laughing emojis.

I see a familiar/common name for my area and had a minor heart attack. One of my old students took my old role!!! I worked my ass off with this kid helping him nail a full scholarship at a very nice college. Four years of tuition at that school would have paid my mortgage off nearly twice!

The kid took the job that nearly destroyed me. I reached out to him to find out the story while hoping and praying that I didn’t accidentally inspire the kid to throw away his life on a job that gave less a shit about him. Luckily, he just took the job to bank some cash before he goes off to law school. Funny thing, he hated the class when he was first in it.

Lesson to be learned, there will always be someone coming up behind you for your teaching job. All things being equal, he should do great in that role. I’m so relieved he has an exit plan but damn… he’s a good person and I don’t want him or any of my old kids to go through what I did there.

I took a medical leave in January, tried to go back in April, and resigned in May. Today was my first day at my new job, slightly lower pay, but equivalent benefits and better opportunities for growth.

It's worth it to leave. And it breaks my heart.

I love education. My parents are career educators. My grandparents were career educators. My great grandma was a career educator. This shit is in my blood. And it almost killed me, so I left.

Leaving my kids mid-year was the hardest decision I have ever made. I took the time. I worked on myself. I had the care of a wonderful support system that I could not have done it without. I am forever grateful.

Today was my first day at my new job in customer service. None of the actual job duties yet, but getting to know the team, going through company policies and procedures, and learning what the norms are.

From day one - in a career I know next to nothing about- I am treated with more respect, compassion, and professionalism than I ever was as a teacher, and that I have ever seen for my parents who have worked in their respective districts for 20 years. And we live in an area with once of the largest, best-funded districts in the state.

I left work today with a smile on my face, energy in my steps, and shoulders that felt light for the first time in my life. I'm excited to go back tomorrow. I'm excited to learn this new job and get to know my colleagues. I'm excited to not feel the weight of 300+ lives on my shoulders. For the first time since I can remember, my nervous system is actually regulated.

No bloodborne pathogen training. No first aid/CPR requirement. No asthma / allergen training. No Homeless and Insecure Child Training. No Mandatory Reporter Training. No Child Abuse and Neglect Training. My colleagues had never seen an AED, and didn't even know what it was called.

The amount of emotional weight teachers have to carry is astronomical. It's a weight that most people will never experience. It's a responsibility and a duty that teachers willingly take on, and then are not provided ample resources necessary to cope. That's not to mention the physical, financial, or social tolls of the work. But, you know this, that's likely what led you to this subreddit.

I find myself simultaneously holding relief, joy, excitement, and great pain, resentment and guilt. How much better could my parent's lives have been? How many of my friends would be able to afford to live comfortably? Could I have kept teaching, if I had the resources and community support offered to me at this new job?

I know I can't go back to the classroom right now. It would quite literally kill me to do so. And I feel so guilty thinking about those I've left behind. Not just the students, but my colleagues, as well. I feel angry, partially because of the way that society is, and partially because there truly is not much I can do at this second in time to make meaningful change towards a better system around education.

And I must allow myself to feel all of those emotions at once. I am allowed to be happy and healthy, and I am allowed to feel resentful and guilty. And that's something I just need to learn.

I don't necessarily have any questions, or any thought provoking discussion. I just finished my first day of not being at school since before I can remember, and realized that it's so much more screwed up than I ever knew.

Longtime lurker, first time posting. It's a long one (I have a problem with brevity).

I'm the living embodiment of the GOB Bluth "I've made a huge mistake" GIF.

I am 41 years old, been teaching in some capacity (early childhood, college, high school) for 20 years. From 2017 to 2026, I taught high school in the South at a small, public collegiate high school. I loved every day. All 9 years. Loved the students, admin, fellow teachers, etc. It was and remains a dream job.

This past spring my wife and I decided to move back to the Northeast, where we are both from. I was sad to leave my job but we have a 6 year old son who has some special needs and we wanted to move back to be closer to family and friends. It was very important to me to find a job before we moved. I applied to several teaching positions and ultimately interviewed for a few. I accepted the first job I was offered: at the local "alternative high school" in the town we are now residing.

The adults I work with are great. Nice, helpful, funny. The principal is a great guy, seemingly respected by the students, and in another place I can imagine it would be a joy to work with and for him.

But it's been one week and I am drowning. I literally took a sick day on the second day of school because I was so shaken by how the first day went. I *was* warned ahead of time by other staff about what this place was. I *did* receive an accurate report of what to expect. "This place is a shithole," a teacher told me the day before school started. "You work in a shithole now."

There are only 3-5 students per class. But they're loud, disrespectful, racist, disruptive. They get in my face, they insult me, they insult other staff and each other. They scream and shout about how high they are, how much sex they had last night (graphic details), how many crimes they've committed. They do their best every day to put me in my place. It's been a week (I'll say again) and I just pretend I am a wall. I ignore, or at best, redirect. But I can't live like this.

My coworkers, all of whom have been here for years, shrug and say, "you'll get used to it." Maybe so. But I don't want to.

I heard it all, but I didn't see it coming. After I came back on day 3, my principal says, "I think you will find a place here, but it will take some time." He is trying to help. He has done what he can for me, pulling students out of class, warning them, etc. but he can't be in a hundred places at once and they come right back and start up again.

I've tried to diversify the work. I give them writing prompts. I let them do word searches. I even have art-centric assignments that involve coloring. I am met with resistance, f-bombs, and n-bombs at every turn. Tomorrow I am bringing in "magna tiles" for them to use in an architecture lesson. I expect similar resistance.

Literally the only time I am able to breathe a bit is when they play Uno (which I have tried to use as an incentive) or sleep on their desks.

I don't think I have the stomach for this. I am not sleeping, not eating. I am snapping at my kid and barely speaking to my wife because my anxiety and emotions about work are at the forefront of my mind. I have never, ever had the "Sunday Scaries" as a teacher. This past weekend, I had them as soon as I woke up Saturday morning.

One of my favorite quotes is "Comparison is the thief of joy" (Teddy Roosevelt). But it's hard for me not to compare the troubles of this job with the joys of my last one.

And, I'll say again, it's been one week.

I have reached out to my union leadership, both of whom were sympathetic but their hands are tied. I applied to two open positions in the district but I can't imagine they'd even think of moving me since it took a year for them to fill *this* job. The state I work in has a 30-day requirement for notices of resignation, so that could be an issue, as well.

I have an interview next week at an early learning center for a pre-k position. It's less money and less flexible hours (that's the silver linings of my current position- good pay and decent schedule). It's been a long time since I've worked with young kids but I think an offer would be hard to turn down.

I have also applied to any jobs on Indeed that I feel even remotely qualified for. I haven't heard much back from anyone, which I sort of expected.

I'm not an inexperienced teacher but I am wholly inexperienced with this student population and, as I say to anyone who will listen in my circle, I don't think I can do it. It's hard for me to not feel like I am failing myself, my students, the principal who hired me, etc. I have to stick it out until I find something. My wife (also an educator) has taken some time off to help our son adjust to his new school so I am the sole earner at the moment.

I don't think I need any advice (but I'll take any that's offered). I just needed an outlet and to share my experiences in a place where so many others have had similar (and worse) experiences.

I’ve been in this field for 8yrs and have wanted to quit since my first year. I hated my life during my first year, but stayed in it bc I thought “Maybe it’ll get easier after the first year.” It did get a little easier, but I’ve twitched position multiple times and absolutely hate this job. I’m tired of parents, I’m tired of feeling like I can never do enough and I’m tired of being micromanaged. I’m tired of my health and wellbeing taking the backseat. I’m tired of working my ass off and still living paycheck to paycheck. I’m tired of having to find a balance due to work being so demanding. I’m. Tired.

I’ve tried to leave once and it didn’t work. I deeply regret going into this field and am so unsure how to get out. I’ve tried everything that I know how to do to get out and I’m still stuck. It’s so damn depressing and I’m at my breaking point.

I’m a special education teacher and recently submitted my resignation. My last day is September 11th.

We have Open House this week, and during a meeting with admin they told me they did not want parents to know yet that I’m leaving. I explained that I was uncomfortable attending because I didn’t want to be put in a position where I had to lie or mislead parents.

They kept saying, “We’re not asking you to lie, just present the normal Open House PowerPoint.” But my concern is that parents obviously ask questions at Open House….scheduling future conferences, plans for their child, what we’ll be working on this year, etc. Last year this class went through multiple teachers, so parents have even specifically asked me before whether I would be staying.

They originally said an administrator would be in my room during Open House while I presented, which honestly made me feel like I was being monitored to make sure I didn’t say anything about leaving.

I told them I would attend, but I would not lie if a parent directly asked me something that required me to acknowledge I wouldn’t be there. After the meeting, my principal emailed me saying that “after further consideration” I was excused from attending Open House altogether.

Am I wrong for thinking the original expectation was inappropriate? I understand admin wanting to control when the official announcement goes out, but I don’t understand how I was supposed to answer normal parent questions honestly without revealing that I’m leaving.

Has anyone done this career change? If so, how is it going?

I was in business and marketing for 10yrs. Then I moved to the US and started my career as a teacher. I was a teacher for 9 years and this is my second year as an instructional coach. I’m done, not just because I’m disappointed at how little of a change I’m able to make but also because i know that I have no desire to keep growing in the profession.

I’m really excited but I’m also scared of getting out of my comfortable zone and getting my stable pay check. Am I overthinking it?

I have been a teacher for about 14 years in Ontario. I have been trying to get a permanent contract but haven’t been able to obtain one. Through experience and my time with teaching, I have also become dissatisfied with it as a career and can’t see myself doing it long term.
I have been thinking about pursuing a MSW and pairing it with my teaching experience. I have been thinking of maybe helping kids through play therapy or helping families with neurodivergent kiddos.
Would this be a viable career switch? What might the career prospects be for this? Does it make sense to go back to school at this age (I am 38 and have 1 child, thinking about maybe having another).
I appreciate any insight