If you’re anything like me, you’ve read lots of articles about teacher shortages across the country. You may have seen Facebook posts about teachers walking out, not coming back, deciding that this ‘isn’t for them’ and just moving on to another job outside of education. Let me tell you where I am with all that…
It is an excuse.
I’m not even sorry I’m saying it.
I’m still in the classroom. Most of the people that are reading my blog still are too.
Teachers quitting does NOTHING to elevate this craft.
Teachers quitting does NOTHING to bring relevant change in education.
Teachers quitting does NOTHING to improve morale.
All of the excuses that people make for why they walk out of a classroom in the middle of the year because….they’ve HAD it….don’t serve anyone but themselves.
There are legitimate reasons to leave work…lots of them. Bureaucracy is NOT one of them.
We ALL have issues at our school sites. Some of us more than others. But the majority of us are still in the trenches.
When someone leaves…it’s those of us left behind that have to cover your class…because no subs will come to our schools because they are so tough.
When someone leaves…it’s those of us left behind that have to hold your students while they cry…or act out…because they think it’s THEIR fault you left.
Can I just be transparent and say that I don’t have much grace for folks who are trying to make it something grand or magnanimous?
I just don’t. Because…it’s not. It’s not for me…not for the colleagues you left behind…and its not for the kids either.
If you’ve decided you HATE teaching…and you HATE kids…then, maybe you SHOULDN’T be in the classroom.
Those kind of people SHOULDN’T be in the classroom.
But…if you’re like me…and you LOVE kids, and you LOVE RELATIONSHIP building…then the classroom can STILL be for you if you want it to be.
Here’s what I suggest you do to ‘make it’.
1.) Surround yourself with positive people.
Friends who understand that you are ‘on the struggle bus’ right now, and will love you and support you!
2.) Do your planning with others.
Don’t go it alone. Others are probably as overwhelmed as you are! Better to do it together than struggle alone.
3.) Work on behavior management.
As much as we love our students, sometimes, the behaviors in our classroom may unwittingly be sapping our energy. Observe others with great management, read some blog posts on it get a veteran teacher with GREAT management to be your mentor…be consistent. If your classroom is a safe and happy place…your mood will improve! 🙂
4.) Look for one good thing in every day.
Even if its minuscule! Remember that YOU MATTER to these kids!
Do activities with your learners that will keep things positive in your classroom as well!
5.) Focus on what you have direct impact on.
You can only change what is going on in your classroom with your kids. You can’t make the government write different laws. You can’t make parents cooperate. You can’t switch your administrator. You CAN make your classroom space the best place for both you and your students to grow!
I KNOW it’s hard.
I’m in the struggle too!
If you love kids and love teaching….Don’t give up!
Don’t quit!
You can do it!
Remember…we are in it TOGETHER! You are NOT alone! 🙂
I Love my TRIBE! #mytribe In it to WIN IT! #alltheway
Wendy 1stgradefireworks
Tamara, I love your blog and I respect your work. However, I believe you have this wrong. You have judged and discarded teachers whose stories you don’t even know. Every teacher’s experience is not the same – some are rainbows and unicorns, others are unbearable. It is wrong to insinuate that teachers who leave the profession are are simply self-serving. It is wrong to suppose that any teacher hates children. I’m not sure whether you were only taking about teachers who leave in the middle of the year or at the end, or both, but your very generalized words are so hurtful.
I don’t know what conditions in Florida are like, but here in NC they are unbelievably difficult. Our profession is being assaulted not only by the general public, but by our legislators. Having to create almost every resource that I used the last 5 years of teaching created a situation that affected my health, my family, and that I knew without a doubt would not improve.
I didn’t quit in the middle of the year, but yes, I quit. I took early retirement. I did it because teachers should not be held to an impossibly altruistic standard, where they and their families never count. I did it because telling anyone to stay in what is truly an abusive situation is never right.
I love teaching and I have found other ways to serve. I do not, however, feel like a quitter or regret my decision.