When I Knew It Was Time to Quit Teaching

[@newbeginnings3603]

Thank you for sharing your story. This is my 3rd year in education, but my first year teaching. Me and another teacher had this conversation. We talked about chest pains and stress. I have experienced poor sleep, hormone imbalance, moodiness etc. I don't complete many at home tasks or hobbies due to my work. I have tried to stay as long as I can. It has taken me away from myself and my family. Thank you for the inspiration. I know God has something better for me.

[@TeacherTransition]

I believe there is something better for you too! Please come check out the membership and see how many options and resources for support we've created for you! courses.teachertransition.com/collections/memberships

[@lasjan2001]

Your story is very similar to mine, especially the part about starting to feel ill frequently. In addition to career-related stress, my husband was diagnosed with a serious illness the summer of 2019. During the 2019-2020 school year, I began to experience heart pain and shortness of breath. I also developed GERD, a digestive issue. and my blood pressure sky-rocketed, too. My doctor informed me that all of these symptoms were a result of chronic stress. After over a decade of teaching, I resigned at the end of the 2020 school year. I no longer struggle with any of those issues just months later. No career is worth the aforementioned kind of suffering. I'm glad that things worked out well for you. Thanks for sharing!

[@TeacherTransition]

Wow LaShell! Yes, our stories are very similar, but I can imagine trying to manage the appointments for all those specialists for both you and your husband. Isn't it insane the way our bodies demand that we make a shift and care for ourselves? I am so glad you are experiencing so much relief! What are you doing now that you aren't teaching! And thanks for tuning into the podcast!

[@kimoramicheal8353]

Omg another KZbinr mentioned this digestive issue! I'm going to switch this career, before I even start! 🤯

[@awaithim4103]

Teaching~ I LOVED it. Started in the early '90s. Took some years off to raise my own children. Went back. I was still able to navigate well after years away. Thank God. Usually, most parents were very supportive. I had good relationships with kids and parents and the administration. Then the pressure of high-stakes testing came in. I learned how to do what the school district wanted although it was not good for those kids. I tried my very best to balance all that testing with plenty of joy and love in my own classroom with great hands-on projects. The kids did phenomenally. Lots of encouragement ~and they would also encourage each other. I loved that! I put their QUALITY hard work of joy and creativity out in the hallway year after year. Usually would update those about once a month. However, I was criticized heavily, ostracized, and belittled by my own grade level "team." I was shunned, talked about, ridiculed, and lied about to others by this "team.". I tried my best to shake it off daily. I would go into my own classroom and open up the best space possible to enjoy those kids and love, love love on them. And, I LOVED it still! We would laugh and be silly. I taught them practical helps to keep them focused and strong. They ate it up. Those kids were, for the most part, very cooperative, caring, and hard-working. Crazy hours ~ easy 11 hour days ~ every single day. Then every weekend it was a lot of prep and work for the upcoming week. I thought I could do well even under those conditions but the mean-spirited "team level" approach was really very burdensome and hateful. They would have meetings without me, talk down to me frequently, accuse me,. My health began to take a downturn spiral. I resigned before school began in August 2020.

[@awaithim4103]

Also, need to express my thankfulness for your testimony~and sharing. I really appreciate and empathize with your journey.

[@TeacherTransition]

@@awaithim4103 Oh wow, thank YOU also for sharing your story! I love knowing how positive you stayed for so long but am so sad to hear that was not encouraged or fostered more. While kids will always be worth our time, that environment sounds really toxic. I'm glad you got out of there. What are you doing now?

[@awaithim4103]

@@TeacherTransition Sadly, yes, it was really toxic. I was just so thankful I could shut my classroom door and really enjoy my own students. We shared a lot and had some genuine quality times. For that, I will always be grateful. Now, I am home. Enjoying the time with my family.

[@cathynuytten798]

Your story is very similar to mine. I started teaching in the late ‘70’s and was able to do all the wonderful, fun, creative things that you spoke of too. As the years rolled by our state test (Texas, need I say more) became more and more demanding. It became more and more challenging to keep moral of the students positive and still address the test. After teaching for 30 years it was time to retire. I was blessed to teach when teachers were respected and supported, but alas, the last few years were terrible. I don’t think we will see many teachers starting out today that will make a career in the classroom. Education needs a reboot! For the sake of the kiddos as well as teachers.

[@therealtoni]

Sounds like typical teachers who become very much like their students. Surprised you did not see this before. Esp Elementary teachers!

[@andreneleach9731]

Wow!!!!...I thought I was alone...I am feeling so drained, frustrated, and depressed each day. I need a lifeline, must get out!!!! I have done almost 23 years and no fulfillment. Thanks so much for sharing. I am all the way in Jamaica. HELP !!!!!

[@TeacherTransition]

Hey Andrene! Oh gosh, you are absolutely not alone!! There are so many options available, especially as remote work has become available in the past year! Could you join us in the Teacher Transition membership? teachertransition.com/member or feel free to reach out to me via email: [e-mail]!

[@andreneleach9731]

@@jameskollintzas5124 I am so sorry to hear, my health is also on the decline as a result...I am setting things in place to get out by the end of the year hopefully...😔

[@fremontpathfinder8463]

I chose a separate path but still in education where I have much less stress. So worth it.

[@mmdmmj1]

May I ask what you are doing? I'm trying to do the exact same thing....stay in education, but get out of the classrrom

[@cg-ny9078]

@@mmdmmj1 Same for me. I wish you luck!

[@mmdmmj1]

@Coco I have not thought about that, but will def look into it. Thanks.

[@maryanntonettethomas3736]

Thank you for doing this video. I have anxiety attacks every morning especially Sunday evening knowing I have to go back to work. I'm seeing a therapist and she said the same thing as what your therapist said. I'm so glad I am not alone. I plan to quit by Christmas break or when I get another job offer in my new job interest in IT.

[@sixfourgeefour1337]

I'm so glad I'm not alone as well. I got through this daily. I feel like I'm tripping

[@byeteaching]

Thank you for addressing these mistakes head-on. It's refreshing to see someone discussing the challenges teachers face when transitioning careers. Your video provides valuable guidance and encouragement. Keep up the excellent work!

[@TeacherTransition]

Thank you for your kind words! 😀 We are glad that see that our content is helpful.🌟

[@bestieltslistening7357]

So relatable! Online teaching really is the way to go. We can all do more than one thing in life. I have shared a couple of alternatives. Loving your content. Keep the videos coming 👍

[@jeffmartin8335]

I am coming up on my first year as an instructional designer (higher ed.). Leading up to this transition, I had been thinking about leaving teaching for several years and talking to my friends about it over that time, but I wasn't sure what was the most logical next step and there was certainly a lot of fear of the unknown. Finally, a couple of my friends told me I need to make a decision about it and either stop talking about it or do it . . . They were right. As I reflect, your podcasts were very important as I started this journey in 2019-2020. I took the step to finally apply to grad. school to help fill in the gaps I saw in my own learning and skills. I also started looking for jobs and following advice you had in your podcasts. I transitioned out of the classroom and started my first ID job in Jan. 2022! Yes, I left a 23 year career in the middle of the year. I have no regrets about that decision. I love my job in ID and wish I had taken these steps earlier. Your podcasts were a driving force to help me stay focused and your materials were helpful as I developed my plan to move forward. Thanks for these resources.

[@TeacherTransition]

Jeff, that is SO exciting! I am so glad the podcast was such an encouragement and reminder of what was really just around the corner! What kinds of projects are you working on these days?

[@samekh2630]

Omg! This is hit so many points for me! Especially the part of about declining health and feeling like myself. I'm trying to work out what to transition to

[@evequinterosvargas3296]

Hi Ali. I just found your channel and I'm very grateful! Thank you for this open conversation of teacher reality. I will be getting back to you of my transition soon; it's been a journey!

[@TeacherTransition]

Hey Eve! So glad you found it too! I can't wait to hear your story! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and join the community!

[@sciencelabvideosl7558]

Wow. I had heart palpitations as well. This happened while I was a caregiver and teaching full time. It nearly killed me. I was given the silent treatment and harsh treatment for asking for FMLA. So me being the idiot , I did not take FMLA. I tried to be a great employee and my heart paid the price. My greatest regret was not being there for my father when he needed me. I ended up giving the best results on the state test In the whole school that year. And for what? No monetary bonus, no fancy dinner, not even a letter saying that I got the best results. Instead I got a ding on my evaluation because I think they were preparing to fire me. .. of course they kept me because I had the best results that year. What a joke this profession is .

[@crystalmonroe2621]

Omg Thanks for sharing this. I literally recently started having bad heart palpitations recently starting during the most recent Christmas break in the middle of the night. This helped encouraged me so much and your voice is so soothing. Your story is also similar to mine. I have another degree in Social Work but I’m nervous that I’ll end up regretting once I leave.

[@TeacherTransition]

I really wish I didn't know what it feels like, but I seriously felt so alone in this part of my journey. I am so glad it encouraged you though to know there is life after the classroom! Can you come join the FB community? So many great people to support you there! I'd love to help you explore your options!

[@abigailknox-leet6949]

I have been teaching for 25 years. I teach grade 3 45 kids in a class This year we have 50 kids I fell into a depression Bc I find it hard to teach in such an environment

[@TeacherTransition]

Oh Abigail, that is completely unsustainable! But you are absolutely not alone! Will you come join our FB community? I would love for you to connect with some of the other extremely supportive teachers in there! And then let's help you develop an exit plan!

[@michellejarvis7878]

Fifty students?! That is crazy, but my country is headed in that direction too. When I started I had 33 kids maximum in class, now it's 40 students. At those numbers you're just babysitting, teaching takes an effort that will literally make you sick. This is my 30th year.

[@abigailknox-leet6949]

@@michellejarvis7878 it’s not what we as teachers signed up for. It’s abuse.

[@abigailknox-leet6949]

@barb transformed it is definitely abuse . Extortion

[@sixfourgeefour1337]

I'm a male teacher and I feel the same pressure. I got into this to help save children, being the example I needed. But I realize I can only do so much.

[@paixiao7]

Mental health of teachers is ignored!

[@julieduncan4075]

I’ve been in the suffering zone for the past eight years of my 22 year teaching career. My health is getting ruined, and every year it’s gotten worse. Maybe I will check out your resources, even though I feel like it’s too late and too difficult for me to make a change. 😢

[@TeacherTransition]

Oh Julie, I totally understand, but I really believe it is NEVER too late. We can offer you the support you need to make this change in the Teacher Transition membership. courses.teachertransition.com/collections/memberships

[@HappyHolyHealthyLife]

Thanks for sharing 👍I'm in my 8th year of teaching.

[@TeacherTransition]

Thanks for tuning in! Do you feel like the classroom is your sweet spot? Or are you thinking about a transition?

[@HappyHolyHealthyLife]

@@TeacherTransition definitely thinking about transition for sure!!

[@kristenalmonte1110]

In my case as a single parent, it's been incredibly challenging finding the time to transition to learn or put energy towards something new because all of my extra time requires child care of my child to get something done. But the change has to come. My daughter & I cannot operate our health or lives with me in a regular teaching position.

[@TeacherTransition]

You are not alone! It's such a challenge, but in the course and in the membership especially, we have a ton of resources, like time-saving templates and access to coaching calls 3x a month so you don't have to try to DIY all this! Check that out here: courses.teachertransition.com/bundles/member

[@kristenalmonte1110]

@@TeacherTransition I am going to look into this soon.

[@misterb1132]

Teaching drains you as a single father also. Am 28 years in and I cannot believe I spend my days looking at kids' heads that aren't even looking at what I'm presenting or working out for them.

[@TeacherTransition]

@@misterb1132 it's super important to take a personal assessment of your energy, time, and finances. For some reason, teachers have come to assume that they have to feel guilty in order to move on, but we really don't expect that in other professions. We hope you can explore the possibilities and consider how you can use your skill set in so many ways!