katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,610 
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Post by katybee on Nov 15, 2014 23:25:32 GMT
I am exhausted...and depressed. I am losing my passion for teaching, something I NEVER thought would happen... I am up at 5:30 every day, and once I'm at work, I pretty much go all day long. I know I'm "just" a kindergarten teacher...but it's so hard!. 21 little people needing constant attention. And we don't play all day--not at all! It's constant "rigor"--and just getting worse every year. Everything has to be inquiry-based, student-centered, differentiated, backwards-designed, aligned to the standards...we have to justify every minute of our instruction. And every day, meetings: professional learning communities, vertical teams, special committees. I have to turn my plans, or "learning logs" in every week, and they have to have standards and learning objectives and common assessments. I've always done that, but the way we have to format our plans to turn in is NOT what helps me teach--so I do my plans for me and my plans for my principal. It takes me 6-8 hours every week just to write my plans. And then there's the prep...the copying, the cutting, the laminating, the anchor charts, the interactive vocabulary word walls, the bulletin boards. And I still have to deal with lost teeth, skinned knees, jammed zippers, fights over who had the red pencil first and kids that just want to tell me a story (which I don't have time to listen to  ). Then my principal will throw a 10 page academic article in our boxes for us to read for our next staff meeting. On some other incredible protocol that she wants us to implement. And here's the thing...I'm really good at it. I juggle all those balls plus a few extra--and I make it look good. My principal loves me and holds me up as an example for all the other "slackers." But what she doesn't know is that I am at my breaking point. Seriously--I'm about to quit it all. It is impossible for anyone to keep up this pace. I tried to tell her last week when she was asking why I haven't completed my Gallup Poll Strengths Finder (that takes 45 minutes of uninterrupted time). I told her I was exhausted and she said it was OK--I could do it over Thanksgiving Break. Oh Joy! I have NO life. I spend all of my Saturday just recovering from the week. And I usually go into work on Sundays. I don't know what I'd do if I had kids. Which I never will at this point, because I don't have the time or energy to date. I'm going to die a spinster. I eat crap (work through lunch), I don't exercise enough, my feet are killing me...I seriously think I'm done. If anyone has successfully battled burn-out, I'd love to hear how... Thanks! |
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Post by moveablefeast on Nov 15, 2014 23:29:08 GMT
Can parents help with some prep? I work in a different school than the one my daughter goes to, so I can't be on campus that much. But her teacher will send laminating home to be trimmed, projects to be prepped, things like that.
ETA I know the issue is deeper than that, but that's one suggestion I have.
Also, you aren't "just" a K teacher - K matters so much. The kids get so much foundation in K that they will carry their whole school career. So if anyone wants to minimize your job, don't let that happen. You have a hard and important job.
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Post by SabrinaM on Nov 15, 2014 23:33:54 GMT
((Hugs!!)) I'm currently in the process of getting my ducks in a row to finish my ed degree. Originally the plan was to get certified grades 1-5 but have very recently decided to get certified secondary ed 6-12. The reason for my decision is because elementary ed has become more about tedious paperwork and endless amounts of documentation (moreso with CC) and less about hands on learning. Our county in NC last year alone lost 700+ teachers to the private sector. NC Common Core is ridiculous.  |
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,107
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Nov 15, 2014 23:36:40 GMT
High school teacher here. Similar situation. For the first time, I am wondering about the earliest I can retire and do something else. The newest: the mom who emails me every day to tell her 15 year old things because if she does it, it will not go well. Now she wants a meeting to see if we can make us high school teachers make him do his homework.
Hang in there. You are almost to Thanksgiving. Then Christmas is right around the corner.
What CAN you pull back on?
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Post by grammyj64 on Nov 15, 2014 23:36:45 GMT
My heart aches for you. I retired early to escape the bureaucracy of teaching, so I have no advice. But {{HUGS}}
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,579
Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Post by MorningPerson on Nov 15, 2014 23:38:27 GMT
I have many friends and family members who are in the teaching profession who all have expressed similar sentiments, so I don't doubt for a moment the seriousness of what you're saying.
I have nothing to say that will help with your stress, but just let me say that I respect and admire your position. A good teacher can have a tremendously positive effect on a child's future.
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Post by beachbum on Nov 15, 2014 23:38:28 GMT
Everything you listed explains why I am a retired teacher. Those reasons, plus the fact that my district is trying to turn all the teachers into "Stepford Teachers", everyone teaches the exact same way. No thank you, that goes against everything I know to be true about how to teach children.
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,467
Location: Dallas Texas
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Post by SabrinaP on Nov 15, 2014 23:38:54 GMT
I know how you feel. You've got to find balance and let some of it go. You cannot live to work! Before I had kids, I worked all the time. Now, I simply cannot do that. I still spend most of Sunday grading, planning, etc, but I leave by 4:30 every day to go workout and rarely do work on week nights. My kids keep me busy and my family is my number one priority. Try putting yourself first, and really evaluate what you do and whether it could be passed to a parent volunteer or if it's something that even has to be done! Good luck!
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Post by MommyofTriplets on Nov 15, 2014 23:40:27 GMT
I'm so sorry. (((((hugs))))) I can feel how much you care about your students and doing a great job by your words.
I just started subbing this year and my DH will tell you that every day when I come home, I say that I have no idea how teachers do it all. And I know I'm only getting a glimpse of it all.
Please reach out to parents to help with prep work like cutting if you can. And know that so many of us admire and respect you for what you do every day.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 20:04:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2014 23:40:47 GMT
I'm really sorry. You sound like such a dedicated, caring teacher. Learning should be fun for both student and teacher, but when people who haven't set foot in a classroom in years are making decisions about what YOU should be doing, they suck all the fun and joy right out of it!
I wish I knew of a way to make it better.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:04:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2014 23:50:30 GMT
katybee, I could have written your post WORD.FOR.WORD. a couple of years ago. I was also "just" a Kindergarten teacher. I'm sorry to say that the burnout won. I'm not currently teaching, and I won't as long as I'm in my current state-the depressing thing is that I know it's just as bad or worse in many states (and TX is my native state. I've been wanting to go back home for a while now, but if we do, I'm not sure I will want to teach there, either ) I miss my kinder-babies, but that is the only thing I miss about teaching. The endless meetings, 6:00am to 5:30 or 6:00 pm workdays, the 3-5 hours every night of planning and prep, weekends totally dedicated to schoolwork and at least one day up in the empty school each weekend, the 3 to 4 weeks each summer of training/PD, the freakin' truckloads of paperwork and documentation, the depression and dread every Sunday night, etc. etc. I definitely DO NOT miss. In the 18 years that I did it, teaching went from a joy to a nightmare. I wish I had answers, but I honestly think things are going to continue to get worse before they get better. I swore I was not going to be one of the teacher burnout statistics, and here I am. It breaks my heart, but my health and sanity needed saving. If you ever want to vent or someone to commiserate, feel free to PM me anytime. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:04:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2014 23:55:23 GMT
I'm 55 years old and I still fondly remember my Kindergarten teacher, so don't put yourself down. Of course, Kindergarten was more about learning colors and numbers and how to write my name in the 60's. Mostly it was fun.
It's a shame that kids can't be kids longer. What I see my grandchildren doing in Kindergarten today was 1st grade work for me, and I turned out pretty durn smart if I do say so myself.
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Post by Merge on Nov 15, 2014 23:58:13 GMT
I've got nothing. I'm right there with you. Signed, "Just" the music teacher. (All our kinder classes have 26-28 kids each. If it helps at all to know that it could be worse.  ) |
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Post by lesleyanne on Nov 15, 2014 23:59:55 GMT
Yes, I hit burn out. I was 9 years in to teaching, all special education congregated setting. I looped with kids for 3 years. I walked in the door in August and told my principal that I was at a breaking point and WOULD NOT deal with a particular student if nothing had changed over the summer. Kid arrived Tuesday. I left Friday on a three month medical (stress) leave. It was the only thing I could do to save myself. By the end of the year I had secured a new teaching placement in a regular-ed classroom.
I think there's a lot of similarities between my teaching grades 4-6 SPED and kinder. The workload and emotional drain is overwhelming. I can only say that the reason I am teaching again and have been fine for 3 years is the change in position. It is the only thing that kept me going from December to June that final SPED year -- knowing it would be over soon.
My current principal is very sensible, but the reality is that teaching is not the same it was 30 years ago (and yet we all learned how to read, write and do math!!!!). It has not changed for the better. When educators start making the rules instead of bureaucrats, only then will we see change.
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Post by AnastasiaBeaverhausn on Nov 16, 2014 0:03:04 GMT
I'm right there with you. DBF is very understanding but the amount of work I do outside the classroom earns a comment from him. You're working again? It's crazy. I have a few more years until retirement but I don't know if I'll make it. I'm honestly working harder than the students or parents. I would leave tomorrow if I could find something else to do.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:04:59 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2014 0:03:48 GMT
(((katybee))) I am so sorry that you are feeling so exhausted and burned out. I admire all of you who are still in the classroom so much and hope that someone will know how to help you. I taught for 10 years and quit because of the stress in 2004.
A couple of years ago, my son's pre-k teacher showed me the book of standards that she had to adhere to. It was 5 inches thick. I can't even imagine the amount of pressure you're all under.
My son is mildly autistic and was so far behind when he started. His pre-k and k teachers made all the difference in the world for him! He is in first grade and making A's and B's, and if it weren't for dedicated people like you, he would not be where he is today.
I hope you hang in there Katybee. I've seen your posts over the years and have always thought you sounded like a fantastic teacher!
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:04:59 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2014 0:06:45 GMT
katybee, I could have written your post WORD.FOR.WORD. a couple of years ago. I was also "just" a Kindergarten teacher. I'm sorry to say that the burnout won. I'm not currently teaching, and I won't as long as I'm in my current state-the depressing thing is that I know it's just as bad or worse in many states (and TX is my native state. I've been wanting to go back home for a while now, but if we do, I'm not sure I will want to teach there, either ) I miss my kinder-babies, but that is the only thing I miss about teaching. The endless meetings, 6:00am to 5:30 or 6:00 pm workdays, the 3-5 hours every night of planning and prep, weekends totally dedicated to schoolwork and at least one day up in the empty school each weekend, the 3 to 4 weeks each summer of training/PD, the depression and dread every Sunday night, etc. etc. I definitely DO NOT miss. In the 18 years that I did it, teaching went from a joy to a nightmare. I wish I had answers, but I honestly think things are going to continue to get worse before they get better. I swore I was not going to be one of the teacher burnout statistics, and here I am. It breaks my heart, but my health and sanity needed saving. If you ever want to vent or someone to commiserate, feel free to PM me anytime. I quit because of health and sanity also!!! For all of the same reasons that you mentioned. I stayed home for 18 months with 1st baby then went back to work for 3 years. I dropped him off at daycare at 7:30 and didn't pick him up until 6 every day. Home for dinner, bath, story, bed and then up until 1 am to grade/plan/prep, etc. And this was 10 years ago that I quit. The amount of stress, work, documentation, intervention, justification, etc. now is horrible! I've been doing a long term sub this year for a teacher on maternity leave. Next week is my last week (have been there since 1st day) and I CAN NOT WAIT. I will miss the kids, who I've become attached to, but the amount of work has been ridiculous! The only advice I can give, which others have too, is to enlist parent help where you can. I taught K and 3rd and I did that. at the beginning of the school year I'd send home a "How can you help us out" form with all kinds of ideas on it like: -come in to work with students -come in to help with special projects -come in to help with cutting, coloring, assembling materials for crafts, games, bulletin boards, etc. -cut, color, assemble materials at home -purchase supplies for craft/art/science projects (that the school does not supply) Hugs! I've been where you are! |
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Post by freecharlie on Nov 16, 2014 0:08:06 GMT
I am fortunate to work for a principal and in a district that believes that teachers are professionals and unless we prove them differently teat us as such.
That wasn't the case last year and if it weren't for my awesome para and the fact I loved the students, I think my administrator could have been instrumental in me having a nervous breakdown.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:04:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2014 0:11:46 GMT
I am fortunate to work for a principal and in a district that believes that teachers are professionals and unless we prove them differently teat us as such. That wasn't the case last year and if it weren't for my awesome para and the fact I loved the students, I think my administrator could have been instrumental in me having a nervous breakdown.Yes, administration is a HUGE factor. |
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Post by epeanymous on Nov 16, 2014 0:14:21 GMT
Here is the thing. I teach adults, and I am treated professionally, and I only lecture/lead discussion for around eight hours a week, and I *still* think that teaching is a very draining, energy-consuming thing, even though I love it. I sometimes come home on a day when I have taught for all of four hours and pour myself into a chair. It is a lot of being "on" and a lot of being responsible. I have had desk jobs where it is just so much easier to hide, even when some of those desk jobs have had a lot of important content. I was never jangly in the same way.
So, cut yourself some slack. You are doing a job that is hard, and that takes a lot out of you. You can't do it six days a week twelve hours a day and not feel like you are feeling. I hope you are able to find some balance and some time for yourself.
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Post by maryland on Nov 16, 2014 0:19:48 GMT
Not a teacher, but I can tell you my husband experiences that as an engineer as well. It comes and goes. He will have a couple great months, then several really rough months, working all the time and weekends, dealing with several difficult customers, it's never enough for the boss, traveling all the time, etc. He gets very depressed during those times and wants to look for a new job.
My mil used to teach high school. She loved it so much, but her last 10 yrs. of teaching it was getting crazy. She couldn't teach the way that was successful all those years, and instead of the teacher getting support, many parents wanted special rules for their child (who could do no wrong!). She retired, as she didn't like the way things were going in the education field.
Hope things get better for you!
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Post by littlefish on Nov 16, 2014 0:31:32 GMT
The only way I make it has been by re-prioritizing. I stopped working through lunch. I go to the bathroom, I sit with my coworkers, and even though we mostly talk shop, at least we are all sitting and eating. I make my lunches the night before so I have something healthy to eat. I bought a fridge for my classroom so I can keep extra water and snacks on hand for those times things get too busy.
For the most part, this year I've been leaving work at work. About once a week I need to do something at home, but otherwise, my evenings are for working out (which I do right after work to help me get the stress out) and after that, for my DD (who will be the first to tell you how cranky I get if I don't get to work out enough). We both get to blow off some steam before settling in for the night at home.
I also multitask. Mondays when DD is in dance class, I run a 5K (weather permitting). If the weather is bad I'll bring work with me to the studio. I've been known to grade papers or search for resources online while supervising bath time.
I bust my butt during school hours to get my i's dotted and my t's crossed, but I've also gotten a lot better at setting limits for myself.
Take a step back. Breathe. Take care of yourself first. Your kinders will be fine, promise!!!!
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:04:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2014 0:33:27 GMT
So, cut yourself some slack. You are doing a job that is hard, and that takes a lot out of you. You can't do it six days a week twelve hours a day and not feel like you are feeling. I hope you are able to find some balance and some time for yourself. I can't speak for katybee, but for me, in order to be a good teacher, I did need to put in that kind of time and hours. If I was going to fulfill all the crazy-azz requirements (read paperwork and endless documentation) and still do right by the kids, I had to maintain that kind of pace. It finally caught up to me, and I had a massive existential crisis when I realized I just couldn't keep it up. I finally had to admit that although I love the kids and still want to teach, I just can't be a good teacher under the current conditions without killing myself or having a nervous breakdown in the process. It almost killed me, but I had to leave because something had to give, and under the current regime of high-stakes testing and various other factors, what ends up going by the wayside is what matters most: truly meeting the kids' needs. I just couldn't in good conscience keep teaching, when I wasn't able to give the students what they need (and what they need is NOT what the bureaucracy and so many admins are demanding). I really hope that things will change-I'd love to go back before I am at retirement age. |
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Post by alissa103 on Nov 16, 2014 0:34:15 GMT
Hugs!
I'm not a teacher either but you sound like super woman! And an amazing teacher. I'd love for my son to be in your class.
I love the idea of enlisting your parents to help. I LOVE to laminate and make cute charts and whatnot. If I had a kid in your class and you asked for help, I'd jump. Please do ask for help with that kind of stuff.
And I think I'd ask your principal for a meeting and discuss how much is on your plate. Give specific examples and ask her if there's a way she sees that you can streamline. I've always found it helps to go in asking for a superior's advice vs. venting about the amount of work given. Maybe she will see how buried her best teacher is and y'all can work on a way to ease the burden. Be sure you say XYZ takes me 123 hours each week, etc. How can I do it so it takes me less? Suggestions? Ideas? Etc. Your goal is to get her to see what you're up against and not necessarily for the ideas, although maybe she has some good ones.
More hugs!
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Post by wandawoman on Nov 16, 2014 0:34:17 GMT
I totally understand the lesson planning frustration. Something that worked for me was to get a 3 ring binder and put my lesson plans in it. Some lessons were the same year after year so I was able to just pull them from my file and place them in when ready to teach that lesson. Since I tended to over plan, lessons that I didn't get to in a week were left in for the next week. It helped that I had open minded principals. They were willing to let my lesson plans be different from the fill in the block books. I also had room to be more detailed. If textbooks or standards changed, it was easy to edit and reprint. Sometimes those that think up these 'chores' we have to do have no clue how long they take. Since I was very involved in a group that met with central office staff I was able to help getting some of the more ridiculous things changed. (That's when I earned the name WandaWoman.  ) One day a group came to watch how long it took to put together a portfolio that they said would help us assess children. After seeing that it took over an hour per child, they decided some of their demands were unreasonable. I will always remember what a member of the Southern Association Accreditation Committee said one day when we were discussing the amount of take home work we had. She asked if we brought our laundry to school. When we asked what she meant she said, "If you don't bring your laundry to school, you shouldn't take school work home." Of course, that's impossible, but I stopped feeling guilty when I took a night off every now and then. |
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on Nov 16, 2014 0:36:16 GMT
((Hugs!!)) I'm currently in the process of getting my ducks in a row to finish my ed degree. Originally the plan was to get certified grades 1-5 but have very recently decided to get certified secondary ed 6-12. The reason for my decision is because elementary ed has become more about tedious paperwork and endless amounts of documentation (moreso with CC) and less about hands on learning. Our county in NC last year alone lost 700+ teachers to the private sector. NC Common Core is ridiculous. Are you certain this isn't true in upper school? When I talk to my friends who are still teaching, I am glad all over again that I was able to retire. To to the op.... Is it possible that next year you could have a different teaching assignment? I know it is a lot of work to start all over and a new grade, but doing something different does breathe fresh life into what you are doing. My next to the last year I taught a new prep. It was a Ton of work, but it also made things more exciting. you also absolutely have to schedule some time to do things that are fun for you. If you do not take care of yourself, you will not be able to take care of your students' education. I taught for 35 years, and there were some years that were difficult. I know the tired this is all I have to do and I have no life feeling, But I did enjoy teaching throughout all of my final years. education has come a long long way in my 35 years. When we first started looking up curriculum and how it leveled out throughout the 12th grades, we found some kids were being taught dinosaurs three years in a row because they had teachers that love dinosaurs! Curriculum changes were a pain, but they were absolutely necessary. Yes, I lost the opportunity for a lot of the discovery learning that I loved even in high school. And much was sacrificed to just get through the curriculum before testing. But overall, the curriculum became more focused and I found ways to spice up that curriculum and make up my own. good luck to you. I hope you find a way to enjoy the teaching that you do so well. |
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Post by lovemybabes on Nov 16, 2014 0:41:39 GMT
I'm not a Teacher, but you sound amazing. Thank you for all you do!!! I'm so sorry it is taking such a toll on you, and I can't imagine trying to to what you do. I hope some other awesome Teachers can help!! ((Hugs)) |
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Post by freecharlie on Nov 16, 2014 0:58:51 GMT
How much plan time do you get a day? Is there a way to structure that so it is used differently?
I don't bring work home. I've found that I don't do it and I am just transporting it. I get 86 minutes of plan time a day. I have 4.5 preps. I stay 30-45 minutes passed contract time 3-4 days a week.
You can't be a great teacher if you are burnt out. I'd find something to sacrifice (professionally) to give up or not do perfect in.
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Post by kikitwo on Nov 16, 2014 1:02:31 GMT
I am a retired teacher after 33 years. I taught Kindergarten for four years. Although I loved the children, it is a physically demanding job along with no "down time" during the school day. I told all the other teachers, K teachers deserved a lot more money! I still feel that way. Please hang in there if at all possible, our children (granddaughter in my case) need teachers like you. Others have made some great suggestions. I hope some of these will work for you.
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Post by freecharlie on Nov 16, 2014 1:24:10 GMT
I am a retired teacher after 33 years. I taught Kindergarten for four years. Although I loved the children, it is a physically demanding job along with no "down time" during the school day. I told all the other teachers, K teachers deserved a lot more money! I still feel that way. Please hang in there if at all possible, our children (granddaughter in my case) need teachers like you. Others have made some great suggestions. I hope some of these will work for you. K teachers are not "just" K teachers! I agree with the poster I quoted here - K teachers should get double pay! They get no down time and always have to be on. (Really, all teachers have to be on, but I digress.) Katybee, you sound like an amazing teacher. Thank you for the work you do and for the energy that you do it with! I teach 7th and 8th and last week I had to help out in the second grade room for one period....I was beat! It takes a special person to be an early childhood teacher! I honestly think we say that about any position we perceive as hard for ourselves. I loved pre-k and k and had people tell me they couldn't teach that young. I loved working with kids identified as EBD and had people tell me what a saint and angel I was and would bless me for teaching "those kids." I loved every minute of it...well, maybe not when they physically attacked me, but I digress. I have never taugh middle school, I think middle school teacher may need hazard pat for teaching the raging hormones, but the middle school teachers I know love it. |
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). Then my principal will throw a 10 page academic article in our boxes for us to read for our next staff meeting. On some other incredible protocol that she wants us to implement.
)
) One day a group came to watch how long it took to put together a portfolio that they said would help us assess children. After seeing that it took over an hour per child, they decided some of their demands were unreasonable.
