Dear Kristin123:

Welcome back. My answer: not to teach. I was a teacher, science (and math), secondary school. If I was you, I’d be back at your old job. No second thought, and for the reason you stated.

Your students will survive your departure as long as you kindly explain to them your reasons and prepare a farewell party of sorts (approved by the administration, of course).

anita

Dear Kristin123:

It didn’t get better for me- there was always work after work! At one point I promised students that I will have their papers graded by a certain day. The day before, I didn’t have their papers graded. I didn’t have time to go home and grade so I stayed after school, grading and grading… and grading. The janitor came and left. And I was grading. And grading, straight into the next day. I only took one break, going to the restroom… only all the lights were out, it was complete darkness. I never experienced absolute darkness like I did that long night (my stay overnight was not planned or arranged… probably would have been frowned about to say the least)

I heard teachers say it gets better, but that may happens IF they teach the same grade and the same class year after year. But that is far from being guaranteed: you may be assigned a different class, a different grade, or a different curriculum.

If you had the same class, same grade, same curriculum year after year, it would probably take a few years before you get very organized, I am thinking.

Save yourself from all that work. The memory alone… (of that night and) of all that work exhausted me and now I must retire and sleep.

anita

I have been a special education teacher for 16 years. It has never gotten any easier. I too need to take that leap of faith and resign.The stress is unbearable. Good luck to you.