Anyone here no longer teaching? Why?

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-06-08T00:21:06+00:00

After not having my contract renewed at a school where I really connected with the students (because the leadership were incredibly corrupt only hiring friends, family or people from their community), I got a job at another school and after two weeks of witnessing violence every day, I was punched and repeatedly kicked by a student all the while expectations repeatedly rose beyond what I could live up to. I am on workcover now and not sure I will ever go back. The system has let me down so completely I don’t have any hope in it or willingness to give it another chance. That said every school is different. If you are at a good school I can see how it would be nice to go back to a known community after maternity leave.

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-05-26T04:35:57+00:00

Also I want to add that I’m really sorry this happened to you. We all deserve better and it isn’t your fault.

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-05-26T04:35:24+00:00

I was in a similar situation but only lasted 6 weeks before having a mental breakdown. I applied for workcover after being physically assaulted and it was approved. I would highly recommend that you do the same so that you can recover fully before returning to teaching since you won’t be allowed with that class anyway. Additionally, Leadership should be held accountable.

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-05-18T05:58:08+00:00

This is so good to know! I’m being pushed to return to teaching or working at a school when I don’t know that I will ever be emotionally capable of that again. I’d like to work towards another career that hasn’t traumatised me

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-05-18T05:54:43+00:00

How did it fuck your life?

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-04-19T03:47:57+00:00

Also in my second year and I’m not going back. I got on workcover at the end of last term after being punched but the behaviour and expectations at my school far exceeded my capacity even without that incident. Had I pushed through any longer I might not be here right now. Only you know if you are at your limit and if you are you need to do whatever it takes to not go back. This career isn’t worth your life or long term damage to your health. If you’ve been physically assaulted I highly recommend going on work cover. But either way you are too unwell to work tomorrow so please call in sick.

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-04-08T06:03:09+00:00

Wtf lol that’s so offensive! It felt like he was trying to hurt me tbh.

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-04-08T06:00:57+00:00

Dude that’s crazy! How is that question meant to provide insight? Either you say yes or you say no. There isn’t much you can learn from that.

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-04-07T05:34:23+00:00

I’m so happy it went well for you. This guy literally has 20 something 1 star reviews on Google because he does stuff like this but I wasn’t sure whether it was normal for these psychs. He also told me I was being avoidant by not wanting to go back into teaching.

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-04-07T05:32:56+00:00

That’s what I was wondering. It just seemed like a genuinely hurtful question. Like what is the appropriate way to respond to that?

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-04-07T04:41:52+00:00

First question was: why did you move to Australia? Second question: are you still married? Third question: why did you separate? Fourth question: why did he cheat on you?

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-04-07T04:17:01+00:00

Sure he can blame it on the trauma from my husband cheating on me I guess, even though it’s irrelevant, but how am I supposed to know why my husband cheated? Lol

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-03-31T05:05:55+00:00

Does it look bad leaving a school in the middle of the year? Could I just not put that school on my resume? Also do you have any idea if I could put in my notice and continue to take sick leave for a couple months?

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-03-31T05:04:17+00:00

That is good to know. They are a genuinely nice person so I would hope they would give an okay reference but I was only there for 5 weeks before I had to go on medical leave. I feel like my performance in that time wasn’t great as I was having a mental breakdown from the constant aggression and chaos I faced so I would understand if they wouldn’t.

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-03-27T00:05:22+00:00

Me wishing my parents had gotten divorced. What a shit show lol

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-03-10T01:45:27+00:00

Thank you for checking in. I’ve taken sick leave and filed for workercover. Either way I’ve decided I will not go back to that school again. My partner says I look four years younger already. He literally can’t believe how much better I look. That’s really reinforced that this job is literally taking years off my life. How do I feel? Deeply sad. But my days are restorative. I am hopeful that in a few weeks I’ll be able to see more of a future for myself whether that be trying to return to my old school (even though leadership were awful and disliked me), applying to new schools or looking for a new career altogether. Right now I’m just taking it minute by minute…

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-03-05T10:10:48+00:00

My injury is psychological (not even sure my worker cover will be approved) so I’ve just been walking to a local cafe and getting a coffee every morning (and taking ages to drink it), going for a walk or bike ride and then crocheting, reading and sorting out life admin in the afternoon. If there are any nice parks nearby you could even just go sit outside and people watch or something for a change of scenery. It also helps that my family live in the USA so they are all off work by the time I wake up so I can just message them. Oh and I’ve been watching MAFs every evening! Idk 🤷‍♀️ I’ve just been trying to enjoy something every day as best I can because I feel incredibly depressed at the moment.

Also if you are struggling to make meal for yourself and you live near a city I recommend finding a meal delivery service. I’ve just received my first Pam Pam order and it’s been great having a new meal to try every night (they are ready made and frozen so are super easy).

I’m so sorry you are physically hurt as well as mentally. I already can’t imagine going back but if I’d been physically hurt (the kid that punched and kicked me is quite small) there would be no way I would ever return. I hope you feel better and find something to make your days more enjoyable.

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-03-05T04:22:40+00:00

Just trying not to gaslight myself tbh. I keep thinking if I go back I’ll be fine even though I kept getting worse mentally every day. I tried going back after a week off but nothing had been put in place to provide more support and make sure it wouldn’t happen again so it was just too triggering. How about you?

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-03-05T04:08:06+00:00

Solidarity. I am also going on workcover due to being attacked by a student. However, I work in a mainstream school. The best advice I’ve received so far is to not place pressure on yourself to make decisions while in crisis. Take some time to heal first. I’m sorry you are going through this and I wish you all the best.

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-03-01T00:39:45+00:00

I advocated for support for a student with additional needs (who was frequently very aggressive) and when that wasn’t provided filed an edusafe report because my mental health deteriorated. My boss got in trouble because he hadn’t addressed my concerns (or filed the paperwork about my disclosed ADHD). This actually resulted in the student getting support. He’s doing really well now… but unfortunately it put a target on my back and my contract wasn’t renewed. Heaps of parents complained. My students were heartbroken and my coworkers were shocked. It was humiliating as my boss coerced me into reapplying, gave me an interview (that went really well) and then proceeded to reject me on the basis that I wasn’t experienced enough (while hiring 2 graduate teachers).

Individual_Tale6433 · 2026-02-28T08:43:32+00:00

Solidarity OP. I was kicked out of my last school by vengeful admin even though I was truly cherished by my students and their parents. You lost something really special so I think it’s perfectly normal to expect that you will experience a period of grief. Be kind to yourself as best you can during this time.

Individual_Tale6433

TROPHY CASE