New teacher wants to quit
DEAR AMY » This summer I left an unhappy but reliable job for a transitional teaching program. I’ve always been interested in teaching, but hadn’t pursued it. All summer I was excited and looking forward to being in the classroom. I’ve invested thousands of dollars, my time and my friends’ and family’s support into this pursuit. Three days into it, I want out!
I came home after the first day and had a terrible panic attack. I almost had to pull over while driving home! The school and the kids are actually pretty nice (I don’t anticipate discipline problems), and the school is fairly supportive. My anxiety wasn’t because of these external things, but rather because I simply don’t seem to like teaching!
My three days haven’t been so terrible, but I have an awful feeling of sadness and disappointment, and the undeniable feeling that I’ve made a big mistake. Generally, I know that you can’t know what you like until you try it, but this seems pretty pathetic of me. Could this feeling be real? A few more days into things, even with better, smoother classes, the feeling has only grown.
I feel ashamed, embarrassed and worthless that I am even considering quitting after all of this, not to mention my feeling of obligation to the school and students. Help! I want permission to quit, but I don’t know if I deserve it. DEAR HELLO, GOODBYE »
I give you permission to quit. But ... not yet. You “deserve” professional satisfaction, and the children you teach definitely deserve to have a dedicated teacher.
Here’s one secret to my own unique career path: I always give myself permission to quit. The thing is, granting myself this permission also helps me to settle down, tackle any anxiety, delay any hurried or panicked response, and make a rational choice. So far, I’ve never quit a job. But — for you — quitting might be the most rational choice.
Breaking down overwhelming episodes into manageable components will help you, quite simply, to cope with your work days while you are making your decision.
You should — very quickly — seek a mentor within your school setting. Be honest with the administration, and ask to be teamed with a seasoned teacher for consultation. You should, at the very least, promise yourself (and your employer) that you will see this through to a natural termination point — the end of the semester, perhaps.
DEAR AMY » “Reluctant Aunt” was upset to be invited to her nephew’s wedding! My fiance and I are planning our wedding now, and some of our guests are being pretty demanding. We have been completely unprepared for the rudeness on display. DEAR EXHAUSTED » Strap in; weddings tend to confirm philosopher Sartre’s axiom: “Hell is other people.”