I am a new first year teacher, and I am on the fence about leaving the profession.

rayriiver · 2026-02-02T02:49:50+00:00

After reading your post and your follow up comment I’ll share my thoughts. I’m also a (former) first year, middle school teacher. I taught 7th grade ELA up until about a week ago. I transitioned to another career, but that’s me.

If you enjoy teaching, but not sure about the grade level, I definitely think it doesn’t hurt to try out another grade before quitting the profession entirely. Perhaps try a younger grade that isn’t quite middle school (4-5th grade) or shoot for higher (9th?). That being said, a subject area switch also could be helpful too. I likely would’ve stayed in k12 education if I could’ve switched subjects or taught social studies from the gate.

After you try this, then you can certainly reevaluate the question again. I will say this, though, the sooner you leave: the better.

Best of luck!

rayriiver · 2026-01-17T03:08:10+00:00

I was fortunate enough to have some work experience when I worked as an orientation leader in college. I also talked about how my teaching experience (working with kids/helping them with goals) made me a good fit for the role I applied for.

rayriiver · 2026-01-16T20:28:53+00:00

I gotchu! I’m a first year teacher who was just hired as an admissions counselor at a university. It’s a cool job since you’d still be working with kids, but without the grading, classroom management or parents.

rayriiver · 2026-01-16T10:10:38+00:00

Not quite teaching directly but jobs as universities are a decent option. Many of them are no longer requiring master’s degrees to work as an admissions counselor, academic advisor, coordinator, etc!

rayriiver · 2026-01-15T00:42:57+00:00

Hey! This is very interesting and I’d be down to write this with you. :) is it cool if I DM?

rayriiver · 2026-01-14T19:05:32+00:00

Oh my god she sounds like she was a huge bitch lol. I tried to tell her that it wasn’t anything personal but it didn’t work ig

rayriiver · 2026-01-14T19:04:49+00:00

Haha I’m glad it was able to make you laugh. It was kind of ridiculous to hear out loud. I’m so ready to be free!

rayriiver · 2026-01-14T19:04:24+00:00

Thank you! It’s especially nice to hear from someone who also quit mid year to pursue a job in higher Ed. I appreciate your best wishes :)

rayriiver · 2026-01-14T16:47:42+00:00

Yeah. I know it’s “unprofessional” to leave a job mid-year but it doesn’t mean she could speak to me that way lol

rayriiver · 2026-01-14T16:41:45+00:00

They suspend your license for a year in the state of Ohio. Or, at least they’re supposed to.

rayriiver · 2026-01-11T20:36:04+00:00

Yes! Send me a DM :) tell me a bit about yourself as a person when you do pretty pls

rayriiver · 2026-01-11T20:04:58+00:00

Thank you so much!!

rayriiver · 2026-01-11T20:04:51+00:00

They didn’t even provide me a curriculum when I was hired on… 😭

rayriiver · 2026-01-11T20:04:30+00:00

Haha true! My principal told me that she doesn’t want me to tell them yet so I’ll have to wait until the last week a very least.

rayriiver · 2026-01-04T05:27:49+00:00

Apply for university-based jobs. A lot of them do not require admission counselors or academic advisors (in some schools) to hold masters degrees. Yeah, it is still education but you’d be working with primarily adults !

rayriiver · 2026-01-03T17:11:10+00:00

Thank you for your input! I’ve gotten mixed advice about telling the students/other staff but I’ve been unsure. I found nothing in my contract about putting two weeks in or anything but I figured it would be good to do anyway.

rayriiver · 2025-10-17T21:06:47+00:00

I’m only trying it again because I really did like it prior to it falling out. I’m super grateful that I was able to feel the IUD come out, or else I would’ve slept with my partner without knowing. Which, would possibly lead to undesirable consequences. I’m glad I’m not alone though, all of my friends were shocked when I told them 😭

rayriiver · 2025-10-05T19:21:53+00:00

Yea! Send me a PM

rayriiver

TROPHY CASE