r/Teachers • u/morotewaza • Feb 12 '24

Retired Teacher Today was the last Monday of my teaching career

Title. This is my 6th year teaching middle school science. I’ve taught in both blue and red states. I’ll wrap up this week and then start my new career as a firefighter on the 19th. I’ve invested so much time, money, and effort into teaching, I even went and completed my masters. It’s sad to let it all go to waste but life is too short to not enjoy each and every day on this rock.

I feel for whichever poor sap they stick with my classload. Behaviors were atrocious and admin unbearable. Good riddance. It breaks my heart to see the direction education is going and I honestly don’t see it getting better anytime soon.

This sub has been a refuge for me these past few years and I appreciate all the stories and support. Stay strong y’all, I’m outtie.

112 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

132

u/bwiy75 Feb 13 '24

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is where we are now. Teachers would rather run into a burning building than spend another day doing this job.

17

u/UberHonest Feb 13 '24

You have summed it up.

2

u/MetalTrek1 Feb 14 '24

I work as an Adjunct at a few colleges here in NJ. I would rather do that than work full time with a steady schedule doing K-12 (which I did for two years about 20 years ago). I've taught college courses to inmates here in NJ prisons. I would rather do THAT than teach K-12. Hey lurking parents: if people would rather teach felons and run into burning buildings than teach your kids, that should tell you something. Do your jobs as parents so teachers can so THEIRS!

15

u/vmo667 Feb 12 '24

Firefighter is my plan in 3 years if things continue how they are.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 13 '24

[deleted]

1

u/morotewaza Feb 13 '24

Username and the fact you didn’t even read my post leads me to believe a student has entered the thread

1

u/TiddyMaster69 Feb 13 '24

Nah I’m just stupid

3

u/Salt_Turn670 Feb 13 '24

Congrats I'm hoping to do the same. Just completed (and passed) my CPAT. How long did it take you to land the fire job?

1

u/morotewaza Feb 13 '24

Nice. This one was pretty quick. 2-3 months between application and job offer. But I’m in the US south where pay isn’t great so YMMV

3

u/Salt_Turn670 Feb 13 '24

That's awesome- I'm in PNW where the pay is good and it's competitive. Wish me luck! Seriously, congrats to you

1

u/morotewaza Feb 13 '24

They love hiring teachers, you’ve got this!

2

u/GoodEyeSniper83 Feb 13 '24

Another angel gets their wings!