u/Specialist_Noise90

Hello everyone,

My name is Mike, 25-year old and I quit as a teacher. Now I'm starting to regret my decision. So, I wanted to share my story and hear your thoughts on it.

I graduated two years ago and immediately stepped into a very difficult first teaching job. Mid‑year, I had to take over a class of 11–12‑year‑olds who had bullied their previous substitute, someone with 40 years of experience. They were used to having no rules, no structure, and no assessments. I started by focusing on connection, then slowly introduced small rules we created together. To my surprise, it worked: they began listening, and by the end of the year I felt proud of the bond we built. Despite my anxiety, I was genuinely sad when the year ended.

The next year, I hoped things would be calmer. I taught at a new school with two colleagues to support me. One class was sweet and cooperative; the other had a difficult group dynamic. A large group of boys constantly talked and fought, often targeting classmates, especially two boys with autism who would return from break overwhelmed and would become aggressive. The class had huge differences in academic levels, and many students needed constant guidance, making planning nearly impossible.

After three weeks, my colleague , also with 30 years of experience, burned out and quit. The principal told me to take over the difficult class full‑time, even after I said I was very scared that I couldn’t handle it. The first months were exhausting: constant fights, upset parents, constant chatter during my lessons, and no real support from the school. When I asked for materials or guidance, I was told to “figure it out.”

By December, my classroom management had improved. I found a balance between firmness and connection, and my lessons were well structured. During observations, the school administration even applauded my classroom management, especially given how challenging this class was. But the fighting during breaks never stopped. I was too exhausted to keep working on behavior, so I began skipping my own breaks to supervise outside. My anxiety kept rising, and I felt more insecure and overwhelmed each week.

When the year ended, I felt relieved ,but also sad to see the children go. I often walked past their classroom afterward just to wave.

In my second year at this school, things still didn’t improve. For the first time, I felt like I had no fight left in me. I wasn’t interested in my students, I didn’t want to prepare lessons, and I kept checking the clock to see when I could go home. Sundays were filled with anxiety, and at night I didn’t want to sleep because it meant I had to go back to the classroom the next day. Eventually, after crying in my car several times, I found myself crying in my classroom before the students arrived. That moment made something snap in me. I decided I couldn’t continue. I called my principal, reported sick, and later quit.

I didn’t return to teaching because every year felt like a struggle, and I was completely done with struggling at my job. I felt like I owed it to myself to find some peace and quiet, and to finally stop fighting just to get through the day.

Now I work in administration at a pension firm, but I’m starting to regret leaving teaching. I wonder if I should have switched schools instead. I miss the kids and the meaningful moments we shared. I do want to try again, because I know I can be a good teacher, but I’m scared I’ll fail again. I don’t know whether I should try again or move on.

Sudden PT since Wednesday

I quit teaching. Did I make the right choice?