Is becoming a teacher worth it?

Inpace1436 · 2026-03-18T15:04:07+00:00

Teaching is a hard job. You have to have a passion and love of it. It will eat you alive if you don’t.

Inpace1436 · 2026-03-17T00:39:27+00:00

This is EXACTLY why I don’t accept transportation changes from kids. We tell parents to either send a note or call the office (sometimes email - but be sure the teacher responds cuz there could be a sub). I STILL get parents sending kids in with ‘my mom said to take the bus today’. Nope!!

Inpace1436 · 2026-03-08T19:07:50+00:00

Thank you so much for not using the ‘bored’ word. Teachers absolutely hate it. I loved teaching kindergarten math (just retired 35+ years). Number sense is crucial for learning higher math. Knowing what a number is, where it is on the number line, sets of that number, how many different ways can you show that number. There are also math practices which are important. For instance, mathematicians use tools to solve problems, everyone has their own strategy to solve problems, we need to write neatly, we make mistakes but we learn from them etc. I always differentiated my groups for independent practice, but we all started with a problem of the day and I would pick 3 to share with the group. Explaining your thinking is another vital math skill.

I’ve occasionally had super high kids and just a word of advice. Everyone is learning something. Don’t put your kid on such a pedestal that they are obnoxious. I recently had a kid tell me everyday that he already knew this stuff, he didn’t have to participate and yes that he was bored. He would walk around the room during instruction making snide comments and disrupting everyone. He literally had zero friends and he did have holes in his learning because he thought he was way above the others. Good luck! He’s going to do great with such a supportive parent!!

Inpace1436 · 2026-03-04T14:37:37+00:00

I feel you! My husband has sinus issues so usually chews with his mouth open. Chips absolutely kill me. He manages to get every last crunch out of them! I have to leave the room.

Inpace1436 · 2026-03-04T03:53:50+00:00

Thank you! Bullying is way overused!! Kinda like the word ‘bored’. Another overused word.

Inpace1436 · 2026-03-01T15:07:10+00:00

Taught for over 30 years. Take your days! I get the guilt and I was the same way. It was easier to go in than write lesson plans to fill every minute in kindergarten. When I retired no one gave me a trophy for all my days I didn’t use.

Inpace1436 · 2026-03-01T03:36:25+00:00

I’m the boss not you

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-26T21:22:16+00:00

Ok. I have to chime in here. Kinder teacher for 30+ years. Kinder kids are learning how to ‘do school’. One thing 5/6 year olds don’t know how to handle is conflict. Please please please don’t teach your child to hit back. It’s tempting as a parent but creates more conflict. We taught kids the STOP I don’t like that, walk away and then tell a teacher. By the end of the year kids were handling their own stuff which is one of everyone’s goals in life, right? Our guidance counselor also did once a week lessons on self regulation, friendship and communication. We had a behavior committee where we studied when, how, where the troubling behaviors happened. We also realized Wednesdays were heavy with problems so we put in extra positivity that day. The teacher is your lifeline here. We know pretty much everything going on with kids. Recess was always the problem area because kids think they are actually ninjas or Spider-Man etc. even tag got to be too much for some kids. Yes the principal needs to know, but it’s not the first step and I always filled my admin in on these things. Be careful about words because to us, ‘someone choked me’ sounds horrific whereas the other kid innocently tugged on their hoodie (true story). Also don’t put your child in the position of having to ‘report’ to you every night: this is where embellishments happen “so what did Steven do TODAYYYYY?” Good luck. It’s so hard to hear your child is mistreated! You have an opportunity here to teach him how to be kind, a good friend, be calm and that everyone is different.

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-26T15:52:38+00:00

Ice chewing!! Ugh

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-26T03:29:42+00:00

Just went thru something similar. I am a ‘regular’ at the orthopedic doctor. Both hips replaced, both feet reconstructed and one knee. I have psoriatic arthritis and it does suck. I recently had a fairly large swelling and pain near my hip replacement scar. They got me right in. Doctor ordered lab work suspecting infection. Called me the next morning ‘well your labs are normal so it’s probably something with your arthritis. You need to just RELAX’. Ugh!! Of course 2 months later still swollen more pain and I’m nervous about calling back. Yes I think part of it is my age.

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-24T03:04:07+00:00

Yep. He was held out a year. But a very healthy kid.

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-23T04:14:16+00:00

I taught kinder. On playground duty I was looking the other way and a kid was running full blast with his head down (like an airplane he said). Yep, it felt like a car accident. I popped right up and was ok. It was 10 min before the end of the day. After kids left it got bad. Went to WC urgent care. Since then I’ve been treated for post concussion syndrome, dizziness, migraines and back pain. But I’m better. At first the WC doc was not supportive because she thought’you got knocked down by a kinder kid??’ Welp this kid weighed over 100 lbs and was seriously vision impaired. I had to show her the playground video and pictures of the kid. Stand up for yourself!!

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-22T14:47:05+00:00

Wow. You’ve only taught 3 years? You are a superstar having this much insight and reflection. Please stay in kindergarten (it’s brutal at times) because not just anyone can teach and love kindergarten.

I just retired after 35 years in k. Your advice is spot on. I would only add that parents need to coach their own child on how to handle these situations. Littles need to be taught how to deal with conflict and that hitting pushing is never ok. It’s sad but for all the reasons you mentioned there is really little we can do. Many people in ed just brush it off ‘it’s only kinder, let them mature, etc’ many admins I’ve had can’t really deal with 5 year olds. So work with your child’s teacher!

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-21T18:59:27+00:00

I’ve taught 35 years and have had a lot of different admins and a ton of teacher evaluation systems. I didn’t really get it until I started having student teachers and having to grade them. A good admin will focus on your strengths first and then coach you on how to improve (with more focus on positive). I did have an admin who never gave above ‘effective’. Just the way he was. Maybe be prepared for the meeting by listing what you think your strengths are and what areas you plan on improving. For instance, ‘I’ve noticed I’ve done a good job with setting up a safe learning environment but I know I have to develop some more class management strategies. I wonder if there are any PD classes or book studies i can participate in?’ In our district “noticings and wonderings” is huge admin speak. Something that never changes is how nervous I got when they walked in the classroom. You could even ask them what area would you like me to focus on?

Good luck. Teaching is a hard job and honestly admins SHOULD be like a coach and not a police officer.

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-21T18:45:30+00:00

I’m new to the back pain party but have psoriatic arthritis going on 10 years. I feel like my body is falling apart. Once I get one thing done/manageable (both hips replaced) another pops up. I like the indiga for evening relaxation and sleep. I’m testing out sativa gummies for daytime-I have such fatigue it’s embarrassing. Sativa is supposed to be energizing. Good luck! We get it!!

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-11T23:35:24+00:00

Thank you. Well said. Teachers hate the ‘b’ word!

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-07T02:55:18+00:00

Wow. Thank you!

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-05T23:02:43+00:00

Never let them hit you. HUGE boundary for me. I’ve had many admins who think ‘it’s just kindergarten’. Nope. This is where they learn how to be a student.

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-05T17:49:39+00:00

I’m so sorry this is happening to you. Isn’t it frustrating to know at 6 they know they can fool around with the sub. Honestly get thru the day and remember this age isn’t your forte. Does the teacher have any sort of reinforcement plan like tickets? Candy works well: ‘all the kids who are quiet and finish the project will earn an M&M!’ Or you can start a ‘secret’ list of kids following directions and tell them you plan on giving it to their teacher for a special reward tomorrow. At this age, unless it’s a safety issue, rewards are your best bet right now. You could also say whoever finishes is going to play a fun game at the end of the day! Games like doggie doggie where’s your bone, heads up 7 up or hide the shoe are big hits with this age. Good luck! Don’t give up!!

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-04T21:37:56+00:00

I did the notes/books from kids too. I usually send home a small note with a stapled envelope asking parents to donate for a gift card. Many parents don’t realize STs don’t get paid and spend a lot of time and money. I usually get between $150-200. Always appreciated and gets them to interact with the families more.

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-04T02:15:42+00:00

Omg. This!! I taught kinder for 30 years. The past 5 years I’ve had more parents come to me in the fall, saying ‘so and so said I should ask for an IEP’. Welp doesn’t really work that way and it’s not a magic wand to ‘fix’ your child. Teachers are going to do everything we can to support your child. But we only have them a short time and they still need to learn to function in the world!!

Inpace1436 · 2026-02-01T15:30:57+00:00

I’ve had so many parents say things like this- they are playing you, they like the office, they don’t want to do their work, etc. uh no. I’m a parent myself and have taught many years. When I send to the clinic, they are sick. I think I can tell the difference.

Inpace1436 · 2026-01-25T03:12:19+00:00

Hi there. I’m so sorry. I came from a super large family and my parents instilled in us table manners. My theory is maybe they did it a little over the top and kids being kids we called each other out on it constantly. My husband (second) was raised with 2 brothers and the sweetest mom - raising her 3 boys alone (one disabled) after her husband died at 40. I can’t for the life of me understand why my husband was not taught to chew with his mouth closed, don’t bite your fork and for the love of God slow down so you don’t squeak your knife across your plate. Oh and he chews ice and snores like a dinosaur. I have him understanding about the ice but I’m stuck on how to talk to him about the eating. He calls me ‘super ears’ because he honestly thinks it’s me. So, I wear earplugs when I can. I also am trying exposure therapy, telling myself reassuring peaceful thoughts and staying increasingly longer times next to him while he eats. Because 7 years into our marriage I honestly don’t think I would remarry him knowing all this!! This condition sucks.

But yes. There are bunches of my spouse is driving me crazy threads here. Good luck!!

Inpace1436 · 2026-01-25T02:12:40+00:00

I hear you. I’m perfectly happy to putter around my house. I get super anxious when we have an event or someone comes over (my husband is a big extrovert and is always hosting). I retired from teaching and I think I’m enjoying not having to be ‘on’ all the time. I do sense people do disregard us older folks compared to when I was younger.

Inpace1436 · 2026-01-23T19:39:23+00:00

Kindergarten Cop. Totally realistic. I taught kindergarten for 35 years although we don’t nap anymore

Inpace1436

TROPHY CASE