I have a question, so why do teachers (all of school staff) complain that school is starting back? If you don’t like your job why don’t you find a new job? So many kids are excited to see you and you complain about school starting back. I have seen a few kids asks staff aren’t you excited to see me? It hurts their feelings when you complain about your job. Can someone explain it to me?

likefunnysmarthelpful
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There are many reasons people complain.

Why are you complaining about the complainers?

likefunnysmarthelpfuluplifting

We’re not mad about going back to work. Who wouldn’t want to have a vacation 24/7? We work because we have to and we choose a job we’re going to love. Just because we’re saying we don’t want to go back doesn’t mean we hate our jobs or we’re complaining (at least I’m not) we’re just enjoying our time off too much. Any other occupations I’m sure they say the same thing…they don’t want to go back, but they have to, but it doesn’t mean they don’t love their job. I have to say I can’t believe you even asked this question. I’m assuming that you are young and new to the profession or working. That’s just an assumption.

likehelpful

I would never complain in front of kids or parents. That’s bad PR for my school and profession. However, summer has flown by, and I will miss waking up later and the break from multitasking all day. I don’t mind preparing to see my new students, and I’m beginning year 34! Everything that irks me about my job has more to do with politicians, bureaucracy, and our societal changes than it does kids or actually teaching my subjects.

likesmarthelpful

Congrats! I am beginning year 37. No end in sight.

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Don’t people in other industries complain when their vacation is over?

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Who wouldn’t?

I freely admit I complain about going back (though not to students or parents). For me, the first week with students is HARD! Class rosters in a constant state of flux, cramming 140 names into my head, endless repetition of routines and procedures, learning IEPs and 504s, infinite copying, less time with my dog, and the usual start-of-year jitters that my anxiety skyrockets into panic attacks.

After the first week, I settle in and enjoy myself. But getting over the hurdle of week 1 is terrifying, so I complain about going back because I know the first week is coming.

Let me give an example of a different nature that might help. I find travel stressful and I hate flying. In the days leading up to a flight, I’ll express my anxiety by grumbling about being packed into a flying cylinder for several hours. Those of you who are telling the rest of us to quit would no doubt tell me to not travel. But there’s more to travel than airports. I love being with my family, and flying is the best way to make that happen. So I grumble about the stresses of flying and travel, but I don’t quit. I do it because I know I will enjoy myself after I get past the initial unpleasantness.

You can enjoy teaching without enjoying EVERYTHING about teaching. To simply ignore your feelings about the parts you don’t like is counterproductive. They fester until you really do hate teaching. Getting out some jitters with those who understand is therapeutic and helps me refocus on what I do love about teaching.

likesmarthelpfuluplifting

Because this job is beyond stressful. Verbalizing one’s feelings is actually helpful. Don’t bottle those feelings up. Additionally, I don’t think I’ve ever read that a teacher/staff complained about their job to students or parents.

Every profession has their complaints!

likesmarthelpful

Because we have to put on pants and hope we don’t pee in them while we retrain our bladders.

funnylikesmart

This year feels (already) like it will be just as tough if not tougher than last year. I don’t even have my schedule for next year. Our printers are out of commission until at least mid September, our laminator doesn’t have a home and this is also out of commission (I know I’m INCREDIBLY lucky to have these things available in my school but to expect to be able to print and laminate for free only to realize I will have to pay for all of that out of pocket just sucks). We’re starting a brand new RIGOROUS ELA curriculum even though the mood from most teachers who piloted it last year was that we don’t have enough time in the day devoted to ELA to be able to launch this curriculum well. I have yet to get any manuals or trade books for any of the units let alone the first unit. We’ve hired numerous new admins and out of the classroom positions but still haven’t filled special education and enrichment teacher positions that were cut a few years ago. Inflation is wild still, gas prices are insane, and the housing market is horrific (at least where I live) and my raise this year was 3%.

These are just the facts for me with school on the horizon. I consider them issues that need to be fixed rather than complaints.

I try not to complain too much to co-workers (other than my good friends - we all vent together and laugh then agree to meet up for a beer on Friday and talk about anything else). I honestly utilize this app to air most of my complaints so that I don’t bring a negative vibe to every classroom I step into.

I’ll still greet students with big hugs and a huge smile on my face but inside I’m feeling pretty fed up with the entire system.

likesmarthelpful

I really love that you separated your care for your students from the maelstrom surrounding your upcoming year.
Not having the materials needed for a new program? Unconscionable. ELA is time-consuming on the regular, but for some reason those dictating what must be done have not mastered the concept of time.
📖🖋💡⏱🌆🌃

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Who doesn’t complain about going back to work after a vacation? Also, I am capable of doing more than one thing at once. I can complain while also buying things for the new school year because I’m excited to see my new students.

likehelpfulsmartfunny

1- Never bitch about the summer being over to students/parents. Parents are in most cases excited their little ones are off to school and we will be responsible for much of the care/feeding/Maintinence/supervision etc., and they get to go to work/play/whatever.

2- Teachers don’t get their summers “off on vacation”. I (and most of our peers) have an unpaid 2 month furlough. If you can afford to, then take the summer off. I have bills and responsibilities so my summer gig starts 3 days after school is over, and ends right before it starts again.

3- my summer job is more flexible/chill/low key. I wear shorts and a t shirt. I have had a chance to actually read some books for pleasure (Fahrenheit 451-1984-Animal Farm-Brave New World- Dsytopian future vision seems to be the theme.

4- Last year was the WORST year of the 20+ I have taught, and early indications are that most of what really bothered me last year will still be there (and bigger) this year…. Administration that refuses to enforce standards, tribal politics, directives that make no sense, knowing that every year we are passing students thru classes that they NEEDED to Fail, lack of respect from whole groups of people who find it acceptable to blame teachers for things teachers don’t actually control. The list is long.

So yes I will make some comments to my colleagues about how great (and short) the summer was. But I will be making those comments face-to-face as I have for almost all of the last 2 years. I am a teacher, and we try and see the upside in everything. It will not always be easy or fun, but I will be there

likeupliftingsmarthelpful

I’m feeling #4 loud and clear!!!!

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Why does everyone else get to have a job but we have to have “a calling” or “passion”?

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I love my job, but I just don’t work at home anymore. I do get to school 30 minutes early and stay 30 minutes late. So my time is 7 to 5.

I agree with High School Paraeducator. If you are not happy, leave. If you are going to complain, do something to make the situation more pleasant. This job is NOT stressful. This is easy. Easiest job I’ve ever had, and I’ve been a Private in the military. It’s stressful to clean toilets to satisfy a high ranking service member. If they can eat off the toilet, good luck seeing the sun again.

Wake up, be happy you did, happy to kiss your significant other, your children, be happy to see other people. Are people or other things going to make you miserable and stressed??? Well guess what? You are not alone so turn that stress and complaining into happiness.

likefunnyuplifting

I love the work that I do with my students. I love being actually in the classroom. But it has been a stressful three years anybody who says they have not been stressed out these last three years is lying to themselves. Honestly it’s administration that stresses me out sometimes not always sometimes it’s just I’m in my own head and I’m stressed because I didn’t have enough time to plan a lesson that could’ve been better or something like that. But truthfully being in front of the classroom in front of the kids that’s the least stressful part of my job it’s everything else that’s part of my job that’s stressful.

likesmart

As opposed to all the other professions and workplaces where people talk about how glad they are that their vacation/break is over? The workplaces where people give a breath of relief because they were getting too much sleep, too much family time?
Everyone else bemoans going back to work when vacation is over. It isn't exclusive to teachers or educational staff. Work is called work for a reason.

likefunnysmarthelpful

Heck, I don’t want to put on shoes and socks and pants and have to be tied to a schedule again either. That doesn’t mean I don’t like my job, but it does mean I am going to miss the perks of having summers off. 😎😎😎

likesmart

I'll be honest with you. Oklahoma summers are hot and humid. My school starts in mid-August. I think it is just too hot to be going back to school. Many of our students haven't been outside since late May except to get in a vehicle and go somewhere else inside. They aren't acclimated to 100+ degree temperatures. Who am I kidding? I am not acclimated to 100+ degree temperatures. Um, also, totally honest--I am not ready to get fully dressed in bra and shoes yet either.

likefunny

We start back in July. School ends at the end of May.
There are many school activities that bleed into the summer.
The level of stress is high.

Teachers are stressed. It’s hot.
Pressure is on from so many in the community.

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At some point … you too will complain . Keep living !

likefunnyuplifting

https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/mind/well-being/toxic-positivity

likesmart

For real! I don't have to put on a happy face all day every day just to make other people feel better.

I’m not complaining but I am still recovering. I’m still healing from last year and the year before. The time allows us to be ready to best for our students in the coming year. Our classroom sizes have increased by 5% and in order to individualize our time with each to maximize their own learning requires much of our time.

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Time, energy, effort….

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I’ll respond by way of a parable.
As a child growing up I noticed that my grandfather would, on occasion, grunt and make a face when rising from his porch rocking chair. At that time I was baffled as to why he made that sound & face…. he hadn’t hurt himself or fallen off a bike!
Now I know why….( You fill in the blanks.)

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Amen to that! Now I get it! This past year was devastating to my health because of the stress. I’m still dealing with the physical effects of it. I’m usually a person who goes with the flow and puts in huge amounts of time and energy into the shared leadership in a school. Then our district decided to close the school at the end of the year. Stress is incredibly damaging to you body. Too much to share in one post, but suffice it to say that I’m fighting to regain my health so I can start afresh at a new school this year.

likehelpful

I was a teacher for 28 years. I'd like to clear up a few things for Mr. "Teaching isn't stressful."

It is a federal law that all teachers of the Core Curriculum (English, Social Studies, Math, and Science) in any school that receives federal money be "highly qualified." The OP is teaching Military something-or-other in a private school, so he doesn't have to know his @$$ from a hole in the ground.

Teaching is my calling, but that doesn't mean I love it every minute. Personally, I have always found summer vacation (11 weeks in my district) to be too long. I'm ready to go back the first week of August (We go back the last week of August). But I absolutely understand and empathize with those who get uptight as vacation comes to an end. Perhaps empathy is not in the OP's repertoire, either.

One final point: Any teacher who says their job isn't stressful is doing a piss poor job. Period. Full stop.

likeupliftingsmart

On the flip side, I don't assume kids complaining that they have to go back to school are bad students. I don't assume they hate school. I don't assume they hate their teachers. I don't think they are unwilling or unable to do really good work during the school year.
It does sound like they have been living full lives. Maybe really rewarding. Maybe really demanding. Either is legitimate.

likesmarthelpful

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