Leaving the Classroom After 5 Years
I cannot believe that it has been one full year since I officially left the classroom. Since I was 15, it has been my dream to be a teacher, hopefully, work my way up into administration, and then with any luck work, for the district. That dream was slowly crushed as I realized that my impact on the education system was insignificant and the ageism by senior staff was overwhelming. I simply figured that I would be burnt out and angry until I was ready to retire. I didn’t see a way out since my Bachelor’s degree was in education (that puts a limit on what I can do in corporate America) and I was still passionate about watching students grow. During lockdown, I was in the house bored so I decided to study for my real estate exam. From 2021-2023 I worked full time as a teacher and in my spare time, I worked as a Realtor for friends and family. I will never regret spending those 5 years in the classroom, I am more whole because of that experience. The relationships I built with my colleagues who turned into friends and the students who I watched blossom are irreplaceable.
My Journey
When I was in high school I had an inkling that I wanted to be a teacher in the future so I signed up to be in my school’s Early Childhood Education program. It was the best three years of my high school experience. During that time I was able to secure a job at the YMCA as a camp counselor and further develop my passion for working with students. When it came time to apply for colleges, I declared I would study education. I was accepted to the University of Central Florida and I was introduced to some of the most engaging and knowledgeable staff and students I could have asked for. The program was incredibly satisfying and memorable. They continued to spark my dream of what life would be like as an educator. I’m beyond grateful for the experiences I had because they molded me into the teacher I would later become. I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2018. I fully expected to return to Tampa and start teaching adorable elementary littles and be one of the Pinterest teachers I dreamed of being. When I moved back home, I knew there was a teacher shortage so I expected to have my pick from any school my heart could desire. That was not the case. Every “desirable” school quickly filled their positions with current HCPS employees. I couldn’t even get an interview at a school of my choice. That is when I reached out to my high school AP, she had become the principal of a middle school right down the road from me. I went in ready to ask for interview advice and to network with any elementary schools in the district. Summer was coming to an end and I was nervous I wouldn’t secure a position before the start of the school year. By the end of our conversation, I was offered a middle school, ESE position in a Title 1 school - I was grateful to have a job but I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
Teaching Middle School
At graduation, I was certified to teach all subjects grade levels K-6. When I accepted my job as a 6th grade ESE teacher, I signed an agreement to earn that I would study for and take the Exceptional Student Education exam since I only took a few courses at UCF to work with students with disabilities. I will proudly say that my first year of teaching was my BEST year. God really blessed me with the students I had, the colleagues I was surrounded by, and the knowledge I gained. I met one of my best teacher friends and I was able to help my sorority sister become a coworker. There is a joke I love repeating about teaching middle school - one year of middle school is like 7 years of any other grade. I won’t deny that teaching hormonal little people is challenging but I have so much respect for them. Middle school isn’t easy then add in a pandemic, and that’s a recipe for disaster! When school went virtual at the end of the 2019-2020 school year, I found it difficult to keep students engaged. The relationships and rapport I built with my students didn’t matter, being home was too distracting and the schools didn’t know how to keep them accountable. The 2020-2021 school year started back in person, but things were different. Students were glued to their phones and behaviors that were not present before slapped us teachers in the face. All of my education and training allowed me to pivot and make the most of that year. I was most excited to co-teach with my best friend and loop up with my first group of students as 8th graders. However, I felt some of my sparkle slowly start to fade. Administration was down our backs because the district and the state were breathing down their necks. It became less about meeting students where they were and building relationships to test test test, and make sure there are huge gains! Students got fatigued from all the assessments and it became more difficult to keep them excited to learn. During this school year, our beloved principal was forced to switch schools and the current admin didn’t inspire teachers the same (turns out he had a scandal with multiple teachers, yikes!). By November, I was fed up for multiple reasons but I received a call from my old principal and she asked me if I was ready to make the jump, by the end of the call I was already packing up my desk.
Transitioning to High School
I can’t lie, I felt completely unprepared to enter a high school as an educator but I felt like it was my only way out of a terrible situation. Turns out that teaching high school is the most fun! I was swindled into also coaching track, mind you I had never watched a track meet in my life. My first experience in the high school classroom was short and sweet since I didn’t start until after Thanksgiving break. As I began the 2021-2022, life was coming at me full throttle. I was a new homeowner and just became a fiancee. I was deep in the throws of planning a wedding, planning prom (I said yes to being senior sponsor), coaching track (again), and managing a social life. Looking back, I realize that I didn’t have safe boundaries and I didn’t know how to say no to things. By the time summer rolled around, I was in desperate need of summer vacation. I spent the final two years of my teaching career running through the motions. In front of students I was on all of the time, but that led to me being completely wiped out by the time I got home. I made sure to give the best version of myself to my students because they needed it. I knew I wasn’t being the best version of myself for Nick or my family so this is when the idea of leaving the classroom started to grow. I spent as much time away from school as possible, I was able to rack up over 20 days of PTO and I used every single one of them without any shame, even though I got some questions from my administration and colleagues. The 2022-2023 school year was my final year in the classroom and it took me almost that full year to work up the courage to tell my beloved principal I wouldn’t be returning. Most of my colleagues (and students) knew I was working on building my real estate career but only a select few of my friends knew I was planning my exit. Again I looped up with some of my students and they truly were the only reason (minus needing a paycheck and credit towards teacher loan forgiveness) I showed up to school every day. In my final year, I was able to finally set some boundaries and say no to most things. I stuck to my contract hours and met all expectations while pathetically attempting to create a semblance of work-life balance. If any of my AHS students are reading this, just know I left my heart in room 341!
My Advice to Teachers
While writing this post I want to make it clear that I have no intention of discouraging teachers from entering (or staying) in the classroom. Almost anyone can talk your ear off with all of the adversity you will ultimately face as a teacher, but there is something special about contributing to a student’s making academic, social, or emotional gains. Whether you aspire to be a teacher or are already a teacher, there is a need for loving, passionate, and withit educators. The Great Resignation applies to the insane amount of teachers fleeing the classroom, regardless if it’s the increased cost of living, teacher salaries remaining the same, or lack of support from society (parents and politicians). Teaching is an admirable career choice that is extremely difficult but rewarding. The demands put on classroom teachers have increased - teachers are not only expected to teach, they are parents, nurses, counselors, and punching bags. I suggest you think extremely long and hard about your decision. If you can set boundaries, create a work-life balance from the beginning, and know your limits (whether it’s the school or position you pursue) you will thrive as a teacher (I’m talking to you, Jasmine). To all of my fellow educators, I love you, I respect you and I admire you. Keep helping those kiddos grow, they need you!
