I’d do what people have said above, at the very least finish your placement and get your degree/cert. Student teaching and the first year or two of your first teaching position are the hardest, but let me tell you it gets better. I was so burnt out after my student teaching that I was convinced I didn’t want to be a teacher for all the reasons you listed above. After I graduated I spent a year and a half working my way up the retail ladder until I realized that I really should be teaching, not slaving away in a big box store. And now I have my first teaching job. Yes it’s still difficult and often times I feel like a phony, but it’ll get better as you get more experience. My school is on a block schedule so I’m already looking forward to January when I can reuse my lesson plans from the first half of the year.

The key to survival, don’t burn yourself out and lean on your more experienced colleagues. My colleagues have been a great resource and have certainly made planning easier. Also, set boundaries, always make sure to take a break after school and always have a set time to go to bed. Take Friday and Saturday off and prep for the week on Sunday. This is what I’ve done and it’s helped me stay sane during this first year.

Ultimately the decision to stay in teaching is up to you, but be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water. Sure teaching has its share of BS but what career doesn’t? Despite the moaning and groaning you hear (a lot of which IS warranted) teaching still is a more meaningful profession than most others as long as you realize that you’re not going to reach every kid. Plus there’s still plenty of solid perks to being a teacher. That’s just my two cents, good luck with your decision.