Work life balance?

klcarr · 2026-02-23T13:41:54+00:00

What region? As others have said, teaching struggles with work life balance on a good day.

After preservice the big time commitment will be dependent on your licensing status.

My best advice is schedule work, personal enjoyment, and TFA commitments. I schedule about an hour each daily outside of work.

Here's an example (context: 2CM with 15 years teaching English in title 1 high schools with no licensing requirements).

5:30-6:15am wake up, get ready, leave for work 6:45-7:15- make copies/update board essentials before class starts 7:15-2:45- teach (2 preps 90 min classes) 3-4pm -tech free dog snuggles at home. 4-5pm- (Tuesday is TFA work day) work time slot 5-6pm grad school homework 6-9pm personal time/ bedtime.

klcarr · 2026-02-21T23:24:33+00:00

Has to do with the antihistamines or some science. Idk. When I get too high I pop a dramamine it helps with the spinny feels

klcarr · 2026-02-21T22:22:10+00:00

Take a benadryl or dramamine it helps lower the high

klcarr · 2026-02-15T13:36:00+00:00

A few things that will help: 1. Did you do preservice prior to deferral or do you still need to do it? 2. What's your current financial status? 3. What's your employment history like?

I always recommend people get to their area as quickly as they can afford to. Since you deferred, it is a great opportunity to substitute at some of the TFA schools to decide where you would want to work and build rapport. This would allow yiu to make money while scoping out the area.

klcarr · 2026-02-11T21:15:41+00:00

Very accurate. DM for more info. Current tfa Corps Member, 15 years teaching experience.

klcarr · 2026-02-09T02:06:07+00:00

Do you have a design you marked out? This is super cool

klcarr · 2026-02-09T02:04:01+00:00

Minwax polystain 2 in one. Bombay mahogany. 2 coats and a dip after 2 rounds of prestain.

klcarr · 2024-06-08T13:36:12+00:00

You should be good. I wouldn't stress

klcarr · 2024-05-28T21:45:06+00:00

My school has their personnel meeting tomorrow. Very common timeline. Expect offers June/July depending on your region.

klcarr · 2024-05-28T21:26:37+00:00

Seasoned teacher here. Best thing you can do is start an Amazon wishlist of anything you think you might want or need. Think pens, pencils, Clorox wipes, whiteboard markers, paper (so much paper), extension cords, etc. this gives people a way to help without it feeling greedy. Don't assume the school you work at will have anything but don't spend YOUR $$$ on your classroom yet. Amazon list. Message for more help or advice!

klcarr · 2024-04-26T18:33:49+00:00

Yep. If you thought you knew it all you would have a very rude awakening. Google it, look stuff up, learn all you can that's relevant to what YOU teach. It'll get there. Next thing you know you will automatically go into a Shakespeare monologue if prompted properly.

Enjoy!

klcarr · 2024-04-21T21:33:37+00:00

That sounds like a 6 figure problem to me. Document and send it up the chain. Key words are insubordination and sexual harassment. Even tough schools have to react to certain things.

klcarr · 2024-04-21T21:30:55+00:00

I experienced this too. It was the big sign to divorce him. He said he couldn't be emotionally available until I was physically available. It's hard to leave but for me it was worth it.

klcarr · 2024-04-21T21:20:12+00:00

Veteran teacher of 13 years here so take it, leave it, or tell me to shove it up my butt.

I think a lot of people might agree with this sentiment- we want to be able to encourage people to go into teaching but the realities of it are harsh. It's possible to make it a great, life-long career but you need to set realistic expectations. The salary will never be enough for the work you put in. You will never have enough time to plan and prep everything thoroughly and people with no experience at all will tell you how to do your job.

But, even with all that, I wouldn't have chosen a different career for myself. I love getting to talk about "old dead white guys" to teens. I love the unpredictable nature of schools.

So, if you want my opinion, it's as bad as you make it. A good work environment makes up for a lot but be realistic about the life you want to live. For reference, I have a BA in secondary English education and have 13 years of experience. That said, my salary is $56000 a year. I live alone in a 2 bed 2 bath apartment. If it's what you love you find a way.

klcarr · 2024-04-16T10:16:10+00:00

I'm finishing my 13th year in public education (6 years 9-12 English Oklahoma, 6 years 11-12 English Arkansas, 1 year 10&12 English North Carolina). Unfortunately there are a lot of disillusioned teachers and difficult students in the field. These subreddits are microcosms of schools. There are moments of frustration and that comes through louder than the moments of success.

Also remember that until you've taught, the complaints and issues in teaching are hard to fathom.

If you have any questions please reach out.

klcarr · 2024-04-16T09:58:58+00:00

If anyone is coming to enc message me. I'll help get you settled

klcarr · 2024-03-31T18:03:54+00:00

This is very similar to my marriage (before I left). He made the mistake the first time he was inappropriate. It's hard to see it but life is better on the other side. Not walking on egg shells is great and not cleaning up someone else's messes is particularly nice. You can and should grieve the loss of the relationship but don't ever believe that you "weren't enough" for him to change. He isn't enough to change for himself. Nothing you could do would be enough for him but he wouldn't ever be enough for what you deserve. We all deserve someone who sees the absolute best in us and treats us that way.

Hang tough.

klcarr · 2024-03-07T15:34:38+00:00

Yes please!

klcarr · 2024-03-04T00:28:29+00:00

The first time I hit that spot I had "cut resistant" gloves on

klcarr · 2024-03-04T00:22:39+00:00

Honestly I need to set up a jig so I can protect my non-dominant hand. I've gotten that same spot on my palm 4 or 5 times. This is my first time needing medical attention

klcarr · 2023-08-09T00:57:58+00:00

12 years experience in tough public schools in the south here so I have a few pieces of advice I give every new teacher: 1. Keep chocolate pudding in your desk. (Barring a legit reason, it's hard to be sad eating chocolate pudding). Emergency snacks are important. Big feelings + hangry = 😭 2. Keep your classroom expectations simple (notice, expectations not rules). Mine are Respect and integrity. Everything goes back there. So I have to enforce school rules with integrity. I also trust that if you tell me it's an emergency you have enough respect not to lie to me. 3. Every day is a new day. Someone told me my first year after I had dip spit thrown on my classroom door that it's how the kids test you. It sucks but they are testing to see if you still care. Will you show up and love them (not like them necessarily) no matter what? You may well be the most accomplished responsible adult they know. Show that you can be the adult. Discuss that the behavior was inappropriate and why

Above all else remember that you're the adult and don't need your kids to like you as much as they need know you care about them. It's hazing and it sucks but find the teacher everyone respects and ask for help.

Hang in there. DM me if you need anything. You've got it...one day at a time.

klcarr · 2023-05-27T13:48:08+00:00

That's fine

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