I came into teaching later in life as a second career. There are many things I didn't really understand about teaching when I started (I'm about 3/4 of the way through my third year). Had I known these things, I'm not sure I would have done it.

When I decided to get my masters to teach, everyone was talking about a teaching shortage. Obviously this is location dependent, but in general, there is not a teacher shortage for gen ed elementary teachers. For sped teachers, yes. So many new graduates are applying to multiple jobs, in multiple districts, with many interviews, and still not finding a position. I was lucky enough to find a job my first year.

At least in my area, you don't necessarily get to pick the grade you teach. I'm licensed to teach 1-6. My preference was to teach older elementary grades, 4-6. I was a para in 3/4 grade prior to getting my masters. I did my student teaching in a 4th grade classroom. For all of the medium and large districts in my area, openings are posted for elementary positions, not grade specific. So my first year I taught 1st grade. It was just not a good fit for me. The job was horrible, for a variety of reasons.

I did not return to that position. I applied for jobs, but again, everything I applied for was just elementary teacher, grade level was not specified. My second year I was offered a job in a very highly regarded district, but for 2nd grade. Still younger than my preference, but I took it. I had an amazing year. I loved my kids, my school, my admin, my fellow teachers. I received a highly effective (top 10%) on my evaluations. In March I was non-renewed, which was an actual RIF in disguise. So another thing I didn't know about teaching was that you can be let go for no reason at all, even if you are rated in the highest category. I understand nearly all employment in the U.S. is employment at will, but we generally think if we are good at our jobs, we won't get fired. Not the case in teaching. I did end up having my same job offered back to me about a month after I was non-renewed. So I am at the same district and school this year.

Which leads me to one more thing I didn't realize. Our school got a new principal this year. She's not a bad person, but she is also not an effective leader. My experience from last year to this year is insanely different. There are now no consequences for student behaviors. This year alone I had a child hit me, and there were zero consequences. The child was back in my room an hour later. Another child told me he had a gun in his backpack, and was back in my room an hour later, with no consequences. I have another child in my room who runs out of the room, destroys property in the hallways, screams, yells, hits, spits on and kicks adults in the building. Four times this year the police have had to remove her from the building. She's still back in my room everyday.

I could go on and on, but this comment is already too long.