I totally relate to your wife’s dilemma. I, too, feel just as she does. I went into teaching because I wanted to “teach.” I had not idea that all the extra baggage would take over. Many days I feel my teaching has suffered because of all the stupid politics buzzing around.

My suggestion: I stay in my bubble. What I mean: I have given up all the committees, and daily drama of the teacher’s lounge. I concentrate on my kids and let the school crap fall apart. I deal with my world…and what happens outside my classroom is for someone else to deal with. It helps!! I feel I focus in on my teaching again.

Best of luck to your wife and thanks for being a caring husband. It’s nice to have a sanctuary to come home to. You sound like her sanctuary!

How about her teaching at the preschool level. It may not be the same although it is a very critical time in a child’s life to learn. She can teach at a daycare preschool so that there is not all the politics. Everyone knows that kids learn the most before they are 5. She would be teaching them at a very critical age. It is either that or she can speak up and remind everyone that it is becoming too much about politics and not enough about the students and there needs. She needs to voice her opinion and i am sure she will have people who disagree but she will also have plenty that will agree. The children just need that one voice to get things started. As a parent I would be behind her 100%.

Have her look again at day care or preschool. If you choose carefully they can be the last refuge of education for the sake of the kids. The money is lousy but the satisfaction is great. Another option is to be a family day care provider in your home. That gives you pretty much complete control over program and curriculum as long as you comply with licensing.

Other than that, just close the classroom door and do the best you can. Find others that agree with you. If parents are unhappy have them let the administration and school board know. None of this nonsense is going to change until parents are united and loud. Nobody is listening to the people who work with the kids.

If you’re in England then your wife must be very frustrated with the complete mess that Tony Blair and his cronies have made of education. Remember when he was elected. His prime catchphrase was Education, Education, Education.’ Look what has happened. Schools bound by league tables which are grossly unfair and encourage ‘cheating’ to comply. Funding cut. Discipline non-existent leading to teachers being suspended or sacked for even touching a child’s arm. Exams watered down so that on the surface pupils are getting better results. Special needs schools closed and needy pupils mixed with mainstream children leading to bullying and less achievement. Political correctness introduced and gone mad. Need I go on. The only way to improve things is to vote this lot out at the next election.

I taught for three years before sadly throwing in the towel. I was frustrated for the same reasons. I got a master in business admin and am now working in finance/accounting. I really miss teaching. Looking back on my experience, I would suggest she work on her master and doctorate degrees in education with the goal of teaching education classes at a university. That’s what I wish I’d done. She will have to stick with teaching for a few more years, but she’ll have a reason to be there besides the kids (they’re still #1).

Another option would be going into something like HR management with a focus on workplace training. Alas, another option that wasn’t clear to me at the time.

Good luck to you both. (My husband is glad I quit because he was sick of me being unable to help the kids and miserable!)

when things like politics get involved and muddle up the priorities of the school, the best thing that an individual can do is to continue providing her service to the best of her capabilities, and continue doing the right thing. That way, she can lead by example.

of course, it is also necessary to try to curb the complex politics by telling the person directly that where the working of the school can be improved and how, why the current situation is messing up, and all.the important thing is if she makes a full effort, without worrying about the results.i repeat, without worrying about the results.

I basically go in my room and teach. No, I don’t like how the school system is run, but I just worry about teaching my kids. What you could do if it really bothered you is to run for the school board. Try to get others on your side and see it they will make changes. Otherwise, maybe a change in profession is in order.

Find a private school. Because they don’t receive govt funding, they don’t have to jump the hoops that public schools do, they have more money and teachers have more leeway and respect.