Teaching is a profession that I dedicated many long days, months, and years to. I have two education degrees. I have taught for nine years in first and second grade. How could I possibly leave a profession that I love? Well, I finally realized that family comes first.
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Will you allow me to be very personal in this post?
As a teacher, I put a lot of pressure on myself. I wanted my students to score well on DIBELS, pass all of their tests, and read above their level among other things. Besides doing the hard work in the classroom with my students, I often worked before school and after school to ensure that I was giving my kids (yes, all of my students are my kids) everything that I thought they needed.
I have spent time in the afternoons grading papers, creating additional activities for lessons…you know, things that most teachers probably do. But while I did those things, I was neglecting my children and my husband. I’m not ashamed to admit that I did that, but I hate that I did that.
My dad, who does not work in the field of education and makes a hefty salary chilling in a boat most days once asked me, “Don’t you have someone in the classroom to help you?”
My dad has awesome jokes.
I think that if teachers had a little bit more planning time and someone to help them do those tasks that take up a lot of time, but are so important (think, making copies), then we could go home and be there for ourselves (hello!) and for our families.
This past school year really took a toll on my personal life. I will be honest, I started to lose my spark for teaching. Not because I didn’t love it, but because the realm of education is changing so much that I can no longer just teach. I have to wear every other hat in addition to my teacher hat.
The biggest toll came from my daughter’s diagnosis of autism. I was devastated initially, then I wiped my tears, looked to God and said “let’s get my baby what she needs.” She is now in speech and OT therapy. She’ll soon start ABA therapy as well. While the school year progressed and she started her therapy sessions, I could not be there, because the sessions took place during the day. This hurt me to my core! I should be there with my baby, but I could not because I have to work for a living.
Over a few months and after lots and lots of prayer, I decided that I need a break from teaching. Not only for my mental well-being but for the sake of my family. I was sad to leave my amazing school and a profession that I love, but when God is ready for me to go back, He’ll send me.
Do I have any plans to return to teaching? Absolutely! I would love to teach again in the future. Several of my seasoned co-workers encouraged me by telling me of their stories of taking a break from teaching until their kids were older, and then coming back to the classroom.
I have been blessed to have a few side hustles that can now be my full-time hustles, but this will be a trying time for my family financially. I trust my decision and I trust God. I have this blog and another, Tame the House. I will still be creating K-3 resources for teachers in my Teachers Pay Teacher store. I also have a videography business, Keen Apple Productions.
So even though I am taking a hiatus from teaching, I will still be connected to all things teaching through my blog and other ventures. Keep on visiting this blog and interacting with me on social media, and I hope to return to the classroom soon.
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There is a time and a season for everything, and best wishes to you as you put your teaching career on the back burner and focus on your family‘s needs. My career has been nothing like I thought it would be when I graduated with my undergraduate degree in elementary education in 1992. I worked in another field, then at a private school for children with autism while pursuing a Masters degree in special education, did seven years of in-home ABA and then left the field completely for 14 years to give my full attention to my four children. I just completed my first year of teaching in a public school this year at the age of 46. It wasn’t what I had anticipated, but I was where I needed to be when I was needed to be there. I hope the same is true for you.
Thank you so much for sharing Katie 🙂
I felt this way this year also,. Mentally, spiritually and physically I was done. Yes the field has changed and zapped my passion. I begin to pray and stepped out of my comfort zone and started a few side hustles, but my biggest change was changing positions after 12 yrs in fourth grade I requested a transfer to sixth and got it. Not to say it will be better, but I felt renewed the last three years made me want to quit as well. I hope the renewed feeling helps me find my passion .abain in a new setting and grade. God luck and God bless. No one understands like a fellow Educator!!
Thank you so much! Best of luck to you in your new position!
I had been teaching for 12 years when my daughter was born, and she had unexpected health challenges.
There were times when, in one week, my daughter had 3 doctors appointments. I couldn’t continually miss days every week, so either someone else had to take her to the appointment (which was awful, because I’d then be conveying and hearing medical information secondhand, and as her mama, I just felt like I NEEDED to be there) or I was scrambling to find substitutes multiple days a week (which was a nightmare because the subs would often cancel/not show up and then my class was “split” so each of my colleagues had to get 6 extra kids in their class for the day, and my students were not getting the consistency and individualized instruction that they needed…and neither were my colleagues’ students.)
I could not be the mom that my daughter needed and deserved, while simultaneously being the teacher that my students needed and deserved. So I stepped out of the classroom in order to be fully present for my family.
You are exactly right – if and when God intends for you to return to the classroom, He will let you know! He has given you a passion and incredible gifts to share – follow His leading, and He will continue to use you and your gifts in a way that glorifies Him…regardless of whether that place is within a classroom or not.
Thank you so much for sharing your story Courtney! Many prayers for your and your family. You definitely stepped out on faith to care for your family. Your story gives me alot of hope!
Jasmine, you are a woman of amazing strength and wisdom. You are exactly where you should be. I, too, had to stay focused putting my family before my job. Teaching is a ministry and when you do it well it takes a lot of you with it. God bless you on this journey!
Thank you so much friend 🙂
Jasmine you can’t go wrong taking care your family. They need you. The students will miss a great teacher for now, but I know you are the class whisperer and you will return when the time is right. Prayers that your daughters therapies go well.
Thank you so much Melanie!! 🙂 (p.s. thank you for calling me the class whisperer)
All the best to you!
Thank you Lindsay!
Please know you are doing the right thing! I taught 12 years and stayed home for 13 to raise our 5 daughters. Money was tight! We had lots of garage sales to be able to do fun activites. The Lord will guide you. I could be retiring in 5 years if i had stayed teaching. I don’t regret staying home, but you are correct, things are/have changed. Remember to take time for yourself too.
Thank you so much Mary Linn! 🙂
Hi There! I relate to your post. I’m also taking some time off from teaching to do other things. Life goes in phases and chapters, so it’s just the start of another chapter of our lives. Good luck in your journey. I look forward to seeing all the great things you’re going to do during your time away! 🙂
Thank you so much Missi and best of luck to you! I absolutely love your blog, girl!
I think your decision was the best you could have done. Teaching can wait and it will be there for when you are ready to go back. You did well putting your family as a priority specially when they needed you most. I perfectly understand you because I always want to do so well that I really miss time with my family. I gave up teaching when I had my kids and now that I am back again I am learning to organise my time more efficiently so that I can give more time to what really matters. I don’t get it right most of the time yet as teaching is too demanding but I am learning. I ask God to help me because I want to be there for my kids.
Thank you Lidia!
Thank you so much for this. I have only been teaching for 6 years and I am ready to quit, however, I am single and have a mortgage to pay and a car payment, along with other bills, so I find it very difficult to just quit. If I quit, I am afraid I won’t find another job that will cover all my finances as a starting employee. Any suggestions on alternative jobs that pay my currently salary or more without any schooling or little schooling. My anxiety levels are an all time high. I feel like I am not getting sleep and I have not been able to take care of myself health wise. I have always been told that my health comes before my job but it is easier said than done especially when teachers can be easily let go with no explanation at all and administrators making you feel guilty about taking a day off or leaving early for doctor appointment. It has happened to me.
I totally understand! There are alot of online opportunities these days. Look into places like VIPKID. You can teach English to children. Everything is done at home. Alot of teachers do this either in conjunction with their teacher job or in place of their teaching job.