https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:53:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2907243 Mon, 30 Dec 2019 17:23:31 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2907243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was a classroom HS teacher for 14 years (English) and now work at the district office coaching teachers and writing curriculum. I love education. I typically get off at 4 at the latest. I used to have tons of grading and planning outside of work but I don’t with my current job. Even so, you can determine which days you spend the extra time, it’s not someone else’s schedule. There is a lot of autonomy depending on where you work. I wonder whether business would be an elective? If so it always helps when kids are choosing to be in your class. </p> <p>I would consider observing a teacher in a similar position that you would like to have to really see if it would fit you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2907242 Mon, 30 Dec 2019 17:18:33 +0000 DillonLion 2907242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I taught high school science before becoming a SAHM.</p> <p>The actual classroom teaching part is fantastic. Honing your craft as a teacher is very rewarding. And the personal aspect of getting to be a child's sometimes only example of a functioning, compassionate adult is something I found really rewarding. </p> <p>I didn't teach for very long, so most of my experience was filled with very long hours as I was learning how to do it well and wasnt efficient right away. It really took away from my family. I also coached, and no matter how efficient you get at that, you'll always be gone extra for practices, games, etc. </p> <p>Ultimately, I'm very glad to have given back to my community in that way. But the politics and bureaucracy are irritating at times and take away from the work at hand. </p> <p>I do hope to connect with that age group again in the future, but not in the traditional classroom setting. It takes too much away from my family and my own self. There was very little time to do any kind of self care. I was too exhausted </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2907009 Thu, 26 Dec 2019 10:16:09 +0000 crazydoglady 2907009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Elizabear: 👏👏👏 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906986 Wed, 25 Dec 2019 19:24:23 +0000 Elizabear 2906986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a secondary teacher her but I am an elementary teacher. From the outside, teaching appears easy and the profession is not as respected. Teachers who make it look easy are highly skilled. Teaching is a calling and a passion and that is what keeps us hang in there though all of the downsides of the system. It is ALWAYS the teacher's fault for low scores when there are SO many contributing factors. Success is defined by scores and not progress so you have to be really secure in what you value or it the system can really wear you down. There are many rewards of the job - relationships with students, their families, and staff. Helping student to believe in themselves and feel safe and secure. Teaching kids to get along with each other (the most important life skill to me!) It is emotionally draining and there is no off button when it is so personal. The fire in me to help kids is what keeps me going but I would be lying if I said I hadn't considered what else I could do because the system is constantly telling teachers they aren't good enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906934 Tue, 24 Dec 2019 14:01:33 +0000 caitcat 2906934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skinnycow: In case it's helpful, I actually found as an introvert I connected with some kids who had flown under the radar in other settings, but who needed a little extra TLC and found a welcoming place in my classroom. It can be a real asset! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906876 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 19:39:05 +0000 crazydoglady 2906876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skinnycow: Summers off is absolutely a perk! Just not the reason to become a teacher (not saying that's you.)<br /> I wanted to be a teacher forever and then I went to college and decided that teaching wasnt interesting enough. So, I took a semester off and finally decided to go after it. I don't regret it. I know that I will always work in education. I'm just not sure I have found my niche yet. In the meantime, I am gaining experience.<br /> Have you looked into the salary schedules at nearby districts? So, I will say that *eventually* you'll find a work/home life balance but the first 2-3 years, it feels like you are drowning. It gets better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906865 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 18:46:04 +0000 skinnycow 2906865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@math.nerd: Interesting that you went the other direction! Sounds like you have a great situation now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906863 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 18:44:53 +0000 skinnycow 2906863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caitcat: @crazydoglady: Thanks for your thoughts! I have been interested in teaching for a long time but in college I felt like I needed to choose something with high earning potential (not sure why).</p> <p>My main fears are things you pointed out - fear of not handling the emotional/behavioral issues well and honestly, just sucking as a teacher because I’m an introvert. I’m not too worried about the hours because I’m pretty good at setting boundaries at work and overtime is normal for me. </p> <p>But, I’d be lying if I said summers off isn’t part of the appeal. I’d love to have a job that better aligns with my kids’ schedules. I’d be taking almost a 50% pay cut to teach but I think my general happiness and more time with my kids would be worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906856 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 16:50:32 +0000 caitcat 2906856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: No problem! :) For a while when I quit teaching, I still had ties with a local school system and did some work for them. At this stage, I mainly do freelance work for online schools and ed-tech companies. I'm usually working on a combination of shorter term, free-standing projects and some longer term contracts that have a more steady flow. I work about 25ish hours a week, so it's definitely not full time and it is pieced together. But it fits what I wanted at this stage. I think when my kids are in grade school, I'll scale it up or look for something a little more permanent. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906854 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 16:29:14 +0000 crazydoglady 2906854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caitcat: I have always been more passionate about curriculum vs instruction. So, do you work for a major publisher? Sorry for so many questions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906850 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 15:47:47 +0000 caitcat 2906850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: The district where I worked hired teachers for a variety of short-term curriculum and assessment design projects over the summers (and sometimes during the school year, depending on their needs), so I did that regularly while I was teaching to make extra money. It was also excellent confirmation that it was the sort of work I'd like to focus on. I kind of knew I thrived on the curriculum side of teaching while I was in the classroom, but devoting dedicated time to it (without juggling everything else that comes in the classroom!) helped solidify it for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906849 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 15:43:27 +0000 crazydoglady 2906849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skinnycow: So, this is what I would tell anyone who was interested in teaching (not specific to you):</p> <p>Teaching must be a calling. It's not always one you love and sometimes you regret your decision, but it's not a "fall back" because another career didn't work out or because you want summers off. It's because there is something inside of you that says that teaching and investing in youth matters. Even when your job/ school site sucks, you know it matters. </p> <p>The good: I make a decent to good salary, enjoy having the same schedule as my kids' yearly schedule, enjoy the camaraderie with my fellow teachers, have laughed to the point of crying, and have cried along with my students when they are heartbroken. I have heard kids say that they "used" to hate to read or students who finally read something they love. I have been confided in and trusted. I know (at the end of the day,) that even though I am not a perfect teacher (no one ever gets there,) that what I do matters. I may not be with my own children during the day, but I am investing in other people's children and that helps. I like that I have flexibility (this varies a lot) and that teaching is an art. I work 38 hours a week and *rarely* bring work home because I work through my prep and my lunch.</p> <p>Cons: I feel like teaching is treating like a "lesser tha n" profession. Sometimes it's nearly insulting. There is this adage that "those who can't do teach" and I feel like that attitude still applies. I have been worried to sick about students and have become skilled at CPS reports. School, district, and state initiatives are CONSTANTLY changing that are meant to be adhered to immediately without much support or resources. Classroom management is hard. I don't deal with noise. I've learned what works for me, but. sometimes, even that doesn't work. The discrepancy between school resources is appalling. Sometimes the cranky (often older teachers) can wear on you. You are never good enough. That is a positive and a negative. There are very very few "perks." I have to beg for construction paper. I get 80 dollars a year for my class expenses. Being gone for the day is such a pain. Many teachers go in sick because of the minimal number of sick days and the hassle of creating a sub plan and knowing that you will have to come back and deal with all kinds of behavioral stuff. </p> <p>I would encourage you to talk to some local teachers and see what their experience is like and make sure you research the contract for each job you interview for since health care etc can vary so much. </p> <p>Best of luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906843 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 15:24:31 +0000 crazydoglady 2906843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caitcat: This resonates with me, and I am still in the teaching field. How did you get started with curriculum design? I do want to add that I love teaching, but I sometimes wonder if it's the perfect fit for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906841 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 15:12:30 +0000 caitcat 2906841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@math.nerd: What you wrote about the emotional stakes and overwhelm of teaching really resonates with me a lot. Classroom teaching was not for me long term either. I taught for eight years, but knew by about two or three years in that I wanted to find a different path - still within education, but not so much on the "front line". </p> <p>I work part time now in curriculum design and it's a much, much better fit for me. I can anticipate and solve more of my problems, and I don't feel like I'm constantly adjusting my day on the fly like I did when I was teaching. I work more independently (I'm more of an introvert - which actually helped some in the classroom for my more introverted students...but was harder on me than I realized at the time.) And I'm absolutely able to set work aside emotionally, which has been the right thing for me and my family at this stage. </p> <p>Many of the things that stressed me so much about teaching though are the things that my friends who are in it for the long haul love about the job. I think it's so much about knowing yourself and where you draw your energy and satisfaction in your work. For what it's worth, I also think that had I gone into teaching after having kids, I would have been a heck of a lot better about drawing firmer boundaries between work and home and not working 60+ hour weeks. I had a pretty tough time scaling back from what I had been doing when I needed to make adjustment after kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906839 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 14:56:21 +0000 math.nerd 2906839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Chiming in because I went the other direction. I trained to be a teacher - got my credential and master's degree and did some teaching in the classroom. Then I jumped ship and became a CPA and tax accountant. I recently left public and am currently a Controller at a K-8 school (best of both worlds!).</p> <p>Teaching was THE HARDEST job I ever had. I don't doubt that it's not the most rewarding (I have friends who still love it), but you have to get into it for the right reasons and really have a passion for education and kids. Even in the height of busy season, I worked more "hours" in the education field - the kids and work NEVER shut off for teachers. It's such a beautiful thing - but for me, the emotional stakes were just so high that I was overwhelmed by it and wasn't able to be effective.</p> <p>I suggest thinking about why you want to change directions and why you think teaching is a good fit for YOU. Teaching in the classroom wasn't a match for me - but that doesn't mean you wouldn't love it and make a great and powerful impact! Good luck!!! You'll make a great choice for YOU! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906838 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 14:40:55 +0000 caitcat 2906838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a former 7th, 8th, and 9th grade math teacher. Here are a few thoughts I had!</p> <p>What I loved: my content-area, helping kids figure it out (especially the kids who were struggling most at the get-go), the kids themselves (I really enjoyed working with middle schoolers, though I know not everyone does!), feeling like what I did made a difference - to the kids, their parents and the teaching teams I worked on. I also still love when I see former students around my community and get to hear what they are up to now. </p> <p>What I didn't love: never feeling caught up, my school policies regarding test retakes and re-teaching with very little student accountability in the process, new school-wide initiatives that changed every year (it felt like a constantly moving target!), too much or too little parental involvement (in one school I taught, kids had zero support at home and it was heartbreaking...in another school I taught, we had to email grade reports home twice a week and parents literally would come find me before they'd even talked to their kids at the end of the school day to demand for extra credit opportunities to "fix" the grades. Such a wide spectrum there!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906837 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 13:46:42 +0000 skinnycow 2906837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Thanks so much for the input! I do love the idea of impacting youth. I generally like my job now but I don't feel like what I do makes a difference in the world.</p> <p>I'm in Dallas, TX. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906835 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 13:40:12 +0000 DesertDreams88 2906835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I teach 8th and my husband teaches 10th; 10 years experience for both of us. We both love our jobs but it's definitely not easy - it took us years &amp; years to fully refine our craft and style and curriculum. Creating engaging, impactful, multimodal lessons every day take a lot of effort. We aren't textbook teachers. </p> <p>I love teaching youth, I love my subject, I love the "work hard, party hard" schedule (50-55 hour weeks, but 12 weeks off total). I love the energy of a classroom and I'm decently extroverted. I get to talk about a lot of cool things all day long.</p> <p>I love that I am impacting the future generation, but it's also a weighty responsibility. </p> <p>I hate the feeling of failure, of never being enough or doing enough or being done. I hate the unethical decisions/policies that are in place bc of the drastic lack of funding.</p> <p>I think Texas has ok funding? At least compared to AZ, which is a bad barometer :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906831 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 13:27:04 +0000 SweetCaroline 2906831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skinnycow: Phew!! I was really hurting for you! Still rooting for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906830 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 13:22:22 +0000 crazydoglady 2906830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know pachmama teaches high school and desertdreams is also middle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906829 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 13:21:41 +0000 crazydoglady 2906829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm middle school if you have any questions!@skinnycow: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906828 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 13:15:05 +0000 skinnycow 2906828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: I've been out of public accounting for three years now (thank God) but yes, the hours can still be tough! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906826 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 12:58:10 +0000 SweetCaroline 2906826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just a shout out from a CPA who is almost 7 years removed from public accounting. I still work many hours but nothing like the demands and inflexibility of tax season. Best of luck to you as you navigate this decision! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906825 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 12:48:00 +0000 skinnycow 2906825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Long story short, I'm considering a major career change from tax accounting to teaching high school business. I currently work in a high-pressure field that requires very long hours at certain times of year. I understand that teachers work overtime but I"m hoping that the overall balance will be better.</p> <p>Is anyone here a high school teacher? Can you tell me what you like and dislike about your job? </p>