Thinking about getting back into teaching high school. Any words of wisdom?

Hello, everyone!

I missed you all very much. I hope everything is going wonderfully. I've been doing well. Getting intensive treatment for my depression and anxiety. My job isn't going so well; I'm working as a receptionist, which isn't fun, but I'm working hard to make ends meet right now.

My heart is somewhat telling me to perhaps give high school teaching another try. I look back at the trauma of my old school, and I do feel hesitant, but I do love to teach. I was thinking of maybe applying to some jobs for the 2020-2021 school year.

I guess my biggest issue is teacher anxiety. Does anyone else get a severe case of the Sunday scaries? It happens to me almost every day. I think I will work hard to overcome this anxiety because I do want to teach and love my job. I think maybe I just had a tough time in the inner city school.

I would love to hear your feedback, or just to hear from you. It's been so long. Thank you in advance for all your help!

 

I don't think this is common, and I know a lot of teachers in many kinds of districts. I think your therapist is the person you should be talking to about this - that is the person with the best read on the situation. This is, of course, simply my opinion.

 

Any anxiety involving the use of digital tools in teaching? The kids these days are so fluent in using different systems, tools and devices that it's hard to keep up. Just actually saw a video of kids in Norssi school using sumopaint 2.0 and they were fluent even with the first use.
I hope you can get back to teaching an that everything in your life will go smoothly from now on

 

First, don’t work in a high-poverty school. That’s a big no-no for someone such as yourself.

Second, you have severe anxiety because you have to return to your job as a receptionist? What? From what exactly? Is answering the phone strenuous or is scheduling meetings more so?

Also, I thought you had anxiety when you had to return from the weekend to your previous teaching assignment?

This doesn’t make any sense to me.

 

Nice to hear from you and I'm glad your treatment is going well. I agree with vickilyn that you should work this proposal out with your therapist. Teaching is not really the type of job that you can just give "another try". Remember how you didn't want to desert your students when you left the last time? I think you need to be fully able to commit to staying the entire year if you choose to go back to school.
Suggestion...could you try going back as a sub at first to see how you can handle the stress?
What ever you decide...good luck and we wish you the best.

 

It seems like this poster will have anxiety no matter what the job. I'm really concerned that the students will pick up on it right away. I'm not sure if I'd want my child to be in a class with such an unstable teacher.

 

I’m really sorry I came back. You’re right, I won’t teach anymore. Thanks for all your feedback, everyone. I hope you all have a solid rest of the school year.

 

I know that you feel ganged up on, but perhaps the reply from Swansong makes the most sense. Subbing is how many of us eased into the profession, and it can be beneficial. The downside is that you have little control over the age group, subject, and how steady the work will be. Additionally, it is hard to earn the kind of money that you would need to solely support yourself, which is stressful, to be sure. At this time of year you might be able to find a shorter term LOA job in your content area. No benefits, but a chance to be in one classroom for a month or two on a steady basis. NJ School Jobs is a great place to seek out such jobs. You could have some control over districts and the length of job. Might be nice to try a little of this and a little of that. Just a suggestion that you can try or not. Good luck.

 

I wish you well in any decision you make, but your post makes me feel you are not ready to return to teaching. I'm happy you are improving, but it doesn't sound like you have your anxiety issue under control yet. Until then, I don't think it is going to matter what type of school you teach at.

Good luck with whatever you do.

 

I would really, really suggest getting into a school that teacher independent study. That's what I'm doing.
You would get the best of both worlds: teach high school, but also connect with each student on a deeper level because you would have 1 hour with each student. You can find the ones that are really into literature and spend half an hour discussing it, or further guide their interest, or try to light the fire in some of them to enjoy reading.
You would not have to worry about managing behavior, disrespect, etc so I'm sure you would have minimal anxiety going to work. Depending on the school, you might even be able to sign up to each a weekly class teaching literature, etc.

 

Have you considered teaching ESL online? I struggled with anxiety and this was a good fit for me. I can't say it will be for everyone but just a thought. Or maybe teaching a lower grade level? I currently teach middle school as well and it's stressful. This is my 6th year teaching middle school so I'm ready to bounce to a lower grade level or one on one independent studies.

 

You love your job? Present tense? Or you loved your job as a teacher? I thought you were miserable as a teacher and left mid-year.

 

Hi! If you feel ready to teach AND have a solid management plan for any mental health difficulties, then go for it.
I do want to warn you that teaching is not necessarily a "Teach on, Teach off" situation. That being said, you should return to the profession if it is what you love doing. However, do consider the fact that quitting again may not be the wisest option.
I would never steer someone away from teaching, but it should be noted that some consideration on your part in regards to managing stress stemming from Anxiety and mental health may be necessary.
Ultimately, a bunch of teachers online can not make the decision for you. We can provide some suggestions and work together to help guide you, but we can not decide what to do for you. Again, if you feel mentally prepared to teach and have learned to curtail your stress and general mental health difficulties, then do it!
As far as potential concerns for students go, if you love teaching and feel you can provide high-quality instruction, then your students will be fine. Remember to ask for help and eat ice cream when you get home..lol

 

Eeek. I didn't realize the OP quit mid-year. In my district, that means you're on a blacklist.
I would suggest that the OP subs in nearby districts to get his/her feet wet again.
Teaching (the world of education, in general) is not for the faint of heart. I still can't believe I had an anxiety attack at work this year. I'm still shaking my head about that.

 

I do not think anxiety is that unusual in schools. I would say 1/2 at least of the teachers I know take something for anxiety or depression. The other 1/2 are fitness junkies or on the edge.

I don't have much of any anxiety now because I really don't care anymore about the things that used to bother me when I was younger. Plus, I know the job I do this year inside and out. ( It is pretty easy.)

When you are new to a job, especially teaching, there is a lot to learn, take in, and deal with. You have to learn what the party line is and what is meant by it.
You want to be successful and have some fears (rightfully so) about fitting into a new environment and getting along with so many different types of people. Some who are easier to get along with than others..
You have the kids, their parents, admin, and coworkers all of which most new teachers want to form good relationships with, I'd assume. I have met some mean and some very fun, kind teachers and admin.
I am so thankful I started out w/ excellent admin and found some good friends. It makes all of the difference in the world. At a different school our admin was great, but quit.
The new guy was not friendly and was a person who was insecure. He liked to play "gotcha" w/ teachers to cover up his own inadequacies.
If a new teacher had a P like he used to be ( time changes people, hopefully for the better) I could see why any1 would be a nervous wreck. I seriously feel bad for people who are starting this profession who have bad admin or mean teachers/ parents/ or psycho kids. I really feel bad for people who can't afford to quit when they have had enough.
Taking on a job of admin would cause most people a lot of stress. I was told for many yrs that I should go into admin, but I never wanted to because I knew it would be a fight I couldn't win.
Working in public schools in this day and age is a rough job!

 

Perhaps the OP should reread their posts here to give them a clear remembrance of exactly what caused the anxiety, and what triggered certain feelings before entertaining a career switch. We are not personally known to you like your therapist, so definitely their thought would take precedence over mine, but honestly, I remember your agony from before. Glad to see you are feeling much better.

 

OP has not been on for almost a month. I'm going to lock this so it doesn't feel like a pile-on if they come back.