love/hate relationship w/my job

[meri78]

hi all-just wondering if it's "normal" to have a love/hate relationship w/your teaching job!! some days i absolutely love what i am doing and cannot IMAGINE doing anything else. other days (usually the day after) i don't know what the heck i am doing in the teaching profession & am thinking of quitting & doing something else (don't know what...). i think the fact that i work constantly causes me to just burn out from time to time. but i'm a bit worried that all of these crazy mixed up emotions might end my career sooner than i'd planned on!! let me know what you think! thanks!! -meri

[teacher_99]

I have the same problem almost weekly!! I have really good stretches and then REALLY bad stretches. Right now I am in a bad stretch where I hate work and do nothing more than teach my class and go home. Other times I'm decorating hallways throughout the school, just a funk for all I guess.

[Rosieo]

I say why am I doing this every single day but that is only at 5:30 am when I have to get up to start getting ready for work. Once I'm at my school I am fine. I guess I would feel that way with any job that would require me to get up before 8:00 am.

[meri78]

teacher99-you are so like me! your post had me completely cracking up! isn't it funny how we can love and hate our jobs, all at the same time?? yet i can't really imagine doing anything else. thanks for your thoughts!!
-meri

[Jaicie]

Meri78, I think you and I are on the same wavelength right now! I have to keep telling myself to take good care of ME before I can take good care of my students and do well at my job, so ... since now is one of those particularly STRESSFUL times ... I had a one-hour massage Saturday morning! I've been enjoying luxurious bubblebaths with candles a few nights a week, too. (We have to maintain our sanity somehow, right?) A teacher pal of mine has also taught me some great deep-breathing exercises and even a few yoga poses and stretches. Another thing that helps me to de-stress and stay on an even keel is to watch comedy movies and sit-coms in the evenings and on weekends. Laughter is a great way to relax! With your students you can do a "Joke of the Day" and ask kids to bring in silly riddles and jokes to share with their classmates.

I guess some days are just going to be crummy. I've had plenty already this school year! The ups and downs of life, huh? Here's something I tell the kids when they have a bad day or make poor choices: "Tomorrow is another day. Can we try again tomorrow? Okay!" And now, I say that to myself as I head out the door and home each evening!

Hugz ... Jaicie

[KYgirl]

I know exactly how you feel. I am so glad that someone else feels this way too- I felt like I was the only one! Some days I love teaching and other days I feel like I have totally picked the wrong career. It really has nothing to do with the kids- I just feel like I have no idea what I'm doing! It's my first year and I'm teaching in an "inner-city" school where 99% of the population is free lunch and very very academically disadvantaged. Most of my students are far far behind "grade" level and I am struggling to remind myself that they WILL learn if I just keep plugging away!

I have so many great resources in my school, but I feel SO overwhelmed when I look at them all. It's like I want to be the perfect teacher overnight. It's hard to know what to teach and when to teach it. Our curriculum maps are really broad and every teacher does things his/her own way.

I keep thinking...If I'd only gone into business...I could leave every day at 5 and not have to think about it any more! I sit at home and stress over whether or not what I'm teaching will be helpful, how I could make it better, etc. It's like teaching never leaves my mind. I've got to find some way around that or I will be going downhill fast!

It's nice to know I'm not the only one feeling this way though.

[Keling9]

Wow...I think we should form some sort of sorority!

Today was a, "Why am I in teaching? I can hardly stand to be here at school today, let alone around some whiney kids!" kind of day....but I'm hoping that will pass. I always look forward to our good days, like the one we had yesterday.

I also find it simply amazing how one thing can affect your whole mood...and it may not even be the kids...it may be something unschool related.

Do any of you, no matter how much you've prepped and prepared, still not feel ready for the week ahead (or even the day ahead, for that matter)?! After teaching for 3 years, you would think I would get the hang of it! But every year, I find a new challenge.

[meri78]

ok, we're starting the sorority now!! keling, i totally know what you mean about not feeling completed prepped/prepared for the day/week. i am an organizational FREAK and i did not have any issues in this area (organization, that is) until i started teaching! believe it or not, i read over my plans every night and usually skim them in the morning also. i pull most of my morning mats. b-4 school even starts (even though i know where everything is-see above!!) & usually pull my afternoon stuff before i even teach the lessons. yet i still feel as though there is something missing/not there even though many times there is not!! this is also my 3rd year and i too keep thinking why can't i get the hang of this! teaching is tough! i really salute teachers who have been doing it for many years! let the sorority begin-ha-ha! enjoy the rest of your week everybody! -meri

[Keling9]

Hmmm...now we need a sorority name....Any suggestions?

Let the "Rush" begin!!

[ThirdGrade123]

Count me in!


KYgirl...I feel EXACTLY the same as you. I sometimes think that a job should not be making me this crazy! I sometimes wonder if it's all worth it. I keep doubting myself and my every move. I think I need to learn to stop 2nd guessing myself.

BUT, today I read these posts and I comforted to know so many of you feel the same way! I only hope it gets better....does it ever???