Seasoned teachers, be honest, is it only going to get worse?
I’m a first year teacher who committed to English education in 2019; only a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. This year has rocked my world. I could go on and on about these students, but I won’t. We all know that it’s bad. But my question is, is it only going to get worse?

I love my job. I don't notice kids being noticeably "worse" than the day I started.

I definitely noticed a negative trend during COVID, but the kids I'm teaching are pretty much back to "normal" if there is such a thing. If anything, work completion is a bit better for me than it was immediately before the pandemic.

Now, it is important to note that I have been very willing to change with the times and embrace new technology, even though I still take notes by hand. These kids are a different generation, and the kids I taught 20 years ago were different than the generation before them.

In this profession, if you're not willing to adapt, there's going to be a lot of feeling like you're beating your head against the wall. There is an art to adjusting practices while staying true to core principles.

I’m expecting three more years of unknown student abilities. This is students in kindergarten during Covid. Basically flushing out all students who missed a year of school and seeing what the after Covid students bring.

I’m hoping the level of apathy lowers and the level of personal achievement rises.

I had a really tough year this past year. It started out that way and continued throughout the year. I agree with the teachers who said to be adaptable, and I am very adaptable, but for some reason, this year seemed so much harder. One thing I have learned is that there is a trend called “yes parenting”. The parents give the students whatever they want and teach them they are never wrong. I think Covid started this trend as Many parents felt guilty about what was going on. I’m hoping that will change, as trends often do, but we are living in a different world from when I first started teaching. I still love what I do and will continue. I’m holding out hope for a better year in September.

I agree with all of your comments. However, I believe the families have changed. There have always been tough kids and varying abilities but most often families were able to support students or at least back teachers. I see a level of adult problems ranging from broken families, alcohol and drugs, financial difficulties and grandparents raising their grandchildren. I am very luck to teach Technology in a small district, PrK-5th, so students come in happy to work with their devices. I see so many kids who are not being taken care of physically and emotionally. I really think that's a big part of the change and the problem

The first year is tough. By the third year you will know.

I loved my time teaching after retiring from the federal government. It became the most fulfilling job I've ever had. That said, if someone asked me today whether they should start a career in public school teaching, I'd have a hard time recommending it.

The pay and benefits simply don't match the demands of the job. I was fortunate to already have a federal pension, excellent health insurance, and financial stability, so I could teach because I wanted to—not because I had to make a living from it.

Too many young teachers burn out. It's not just the students. It's the politics, parents who believe it's the school's responsibility to raise their children, growing class sizes, and too many top-heavy administrative structures led by people who often have little understanding of how to support or manage teachers effectively.

That said, I don't think the profession is without hope. Great teachers still make an enormous difference in students' lives every day. But the system has to do a better job of valuing and supporting them if it wants to keep talented people in the classroom.

As for me, I'd still be teaching today if I hadn't chosen to stand up for myself rather than accept what I believed was administrative abuse and discrimination. I don't regret speaking up, but I do regret that it ended a career I genuinely loved.

I'm also an English teacher I've been teaching English for 14 yrs and it's been 5 yrs teaching English online how can i fine online students

I think you are asking the wrong question. If teaching children is in your heart, don’t worry about that. Lead them. Care for them. Hold them accountable. These are the same kids who are going to be adults in your workplace no matter where you are sooner than you think. You can’t avoid it. So who cares if they are going to get “worse” or “better”? Both of those things are going to happen because we are human beings. The same animal that made fire and the wheel, and has always needed leadership. So ask this question instead: “Am I willing to take a hard look in the mirror and model the changes I want to see, no matter what the kids do?” They are more pliable than they seem. Lean in and watch how much they genuinely love you for making that connection. Or, take your passion elsewhere. If you are not willing to commit to them, you are going to hate your job because they are your job first, teaching English second.

And the school year has gotten longer with a shorter summer along with more days off during the school year.

I would say yes unfortunately. But it def depends on the school and district. I taught recently in a private Catholic school and it was 1000000 x better. Hang in there. It’s a different world these days esp in education.

Great question. However, it's up to you regarding how worse it gets. My question would be how will you make sure that it doesn't get worse? I've put in 30+ years and it never got worse. It depends on what you mean by "worse." Yes, there is and will be challenges. It's not just the students, it's the district, administration, and often times teachers that make it worse. I'd suggest that you be honest with 1. yourself 2. parents 3. students 4. admin.