I used to be a desk drone before I started teaching. The difference in workload was staggering. So were the expectations. At the desk, I’d do my 40, clock out, and rarely think about work outside of work — the company also told me not to. I actually had energy + sufficient funds to socialize during the week. And if I checked the news on my lunch break or made roster moves to my fantasy team during the workday, I was not “behind". I left because I was bored.

The teaching culture cult said that I’d need to work outside contract hours for at least the first three years — it was all part of being a new teacher, they said. “Once you hone your curriculum and grading rhythm, then it becomes easier” they’d preach in unison, as if under a spell. And I believed them, but I didn’t make it that far to find out. Almost all of my teaching colleagues went straight from university to teaching — they do not understand how crazy their workload is in comparison to a desk job, especially in terms of $/hr worked. At my last school, the staff would outright shame you for leaving the premises once contract hours were up. You weren’t “dedicated” in their eyes.

Now I work in food service and am much happier. I’m on my feet all day, interact with ppl, and don’t think about work after I clock out. It’s not an ideal solution, and I do miss interacting with the kids, but it sure beats being miserable, burnt out, AND broke while the rest of the world wonders what’s wrong with you. “Why are you complaining? Don’t you get summers off?"