A few days ago
EC

Opinions about career choice?

I was a substitute teacher for 2 years and a regular teacher for 1 year. I am finding it way too overwhelming as a regular teacher with my own classroom. I love the kids and being able to be a part of their lives, but having all the strain and stress coming home every single day, all day long leaves me little time for family and the things I use to enjoy. I really enjoyed the freedom and less stress of being a substitute teacher. My husband says because it’s still new. Other teachers say “Get use to it!” and I really would rather go back to substituting. My family think it’s a terrible idea but my husband wants me to do what makes me happy. I understand that millions of other teachers do it everyday, does it make me a bad teacher? Could I still hold my head up if I went back to subbing? Thanks for your opinions!

Top 3 Answers
A few days ago
Froggie

Favorite Answer

Why would you teach in the regular classroom if that’s not what you want? If your husband supports you as a substitute, then by all means, be a substitute. Substitutes are very important people! (I’m a teacher, regular ed, and I love a good sub. The bad ones cause too many problems later).

On the other hand, teaching does get easier. You could stick with it for 2 more years, then specialize, like in reading recovery or special ed. However, no certified position is going to be without stress. I know of certified teachers who have gone to subbing to “take a break”. Bottom line, do what you want and what your family will support.

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A few days ago
Nicky C
If you are doing what makes you happy you can always hold your head up regardless!!!! But, I strongly suggest you give it another year because the first year of teaching is always the hardest…what if this year, you don’t have to “stress” as much over the planning etc? If you still find it overwhelming after the 2nd year, then go back to subbing. I am not a full time teacher yet, will be doing my student teaching starting this week. I have subbed long term, and short term and the long term assignment was soooo much easier to me. I had a chance to get to know my kids and see them everyday and teach them everyday, you don’t get that being a sub. I truly think that once you get a rythm going the job of teaching gets a little less hectic and stressful. But that’s MPO, for what it’s worth and Im not a teacher. But everything I’ve read, studied, advice that i’ve gotten, everyone says the first year is the hardest======for what it’s worth. Just don’t give up too easily….
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A few days ago
Anonymous
I’m currently a teacher myself and found myself in your positon, I think it all depends on the person. Although being a teacher is very overwhelming, it tends to drop off within 2 -3 years, when you can get yourself into routines and know exactly what your doing, by doing it for a year, you’re still very new to it, regardless of how much teaching you were doing.

It also depends what grade your teaching, maybe you’re not suited to have a single class with you all day, but would be better with high schoolers that switch out every 45 to 90 minutes depending on schedules.

Give teaching another shot full time if your able to find the job, but if you don’t need the money and don’t require to be full time, check out part time teaching positions or aide jobs in conjunction with your subbing. Eventually you’ll find your calling, everyone does.

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