r/IrishTeachers • u/Fandom_77 • 3d ago
Post Primary Disillusioned with teaching today
Teaching 20 years. Things have changed so much in that period of time and lots not for the better. I am in an ETB school. I feel trapped by the golden handcuffs phenomenon of being locked into pay and pension. Not happy with changes in the JC and LC. Feel that schools management now back parents over teachers. I worked in the private sector before teaching and though I had less holidays there, I feel far more burned out in teaching. Constant extra paperwork, threats of looming inspections. Realistically if I stay for another few years it might not make any financial or practical sense to change career. Did anyone find changing schools was a help? Love to hear others experiences for positive or negative.
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u/socksandsandalds 3d ago
I just graduated 2 years ago and did one year of teaching, while there are parts that a great, like working with the kids and forever embarking on a subject you love, the connections and little ahhh moments, love that, but I honestly feel like it is not sustainable. I can't get over the amount of shit that just gets dumped on the teacher, 'tHaTs cOvEred iN tHe sAlaRy', that actually takes away so much from the teaching (planning/feedback) and learning itself. The amount of responsibility and pressure is just cruel. I was told a few times that I care to much, i mean...
I know I'm fresh to it but it just feels so wrong whats going on and I honestly have a fear of getting back into that. I know from talking to other teachers that have been in the profession longer that there has been alot changes over the years, but jesus.
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u/Fandom_77 3d ago
think you will stick with teaching or change careers? at least you are not trapped by lots of years done , pension etc. thank you for your reply and best of luck 👍🏻
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u/socksandsandalds 2d ago
I don't know to be honest, I'm thinking of packing bag and going traveling and just see where that takes me. How does the pension trap you? If you changed careers now would you not still get your pension?
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u/Fandom_77 2d ago
20 years of pension i guess but not full
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u/socksandsandalds 2d ago
I know during that year I was teaching I attended a financial/pension talk for the current wave of teachers coming in and this highlighted the 'perks' of the job and basically told us that the pension has been cut drastically, and rather then it being based off payscale or salary you are at by the end of your career, it's now based off an accumulation of the hours you've worked, which on average is like €20,000+ less than previous cohorts. It also feels like such a slap in the face considering 1/2 the hours worked don't even get recognition let alone paid for, along with the fact of having to jump through hoops to even land a full time permanent role, if your lucky enough. I'm 32 and the prospects of me being able to even consider a mortgage is on the floor let alone get. Its a joke.
When i started working that job last year, between emergency and being taxed twice (rev issue) i ended up burning through my savings just to go to work, obviously, eventually I did get tax back but it absolutely scarred me.
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u/raeflood 3d ago
I am teaching 10 years and I've just given up. I was in a great school, great students, great colleagues. But none of that helped the burnout and the futility of trying to teach in a culture that values education less and less.
I took a career break this year and I have applied to train as a driving instructor. I love teaching and this seems like a better alternative.
I wish you luck!
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u/Darth_Memer_1916 Post Primary 3d ago
Honestly, changing schools might be ideal. I love the school I work in and do not suffer as much as many other teachers say they do. The only additional paperwork expected of teachers in my place is posting reports for students, pain in the arse but not common. My biggest issue is certain members of staff more so than management.
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u/Internal_Frosting424 Post Primary 2d ago
11 years teaching with 3 as AP2 feeling the same. Have thrown my name into the hat for a few jobs in the civil service to no avail yet.
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u/Fandom_77 2d ago
may I ask which jobs in civil service were transferrable and can you take your teaching pension into civil service to continue it?
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u/Internal_Frosting424 Post Primary 1d ago
As far as I know pension does transfer over. I applied to two open competitions, it’s a long process. I want to work through Irish so the pool is limited for me, but I have a keen eye on county councils too (if near me). You’ll most certainly be taking a pay cut.
A former colleague of mine is working in Coimisiún na Meán. Took a 15 thousand pay cut a few years ago but said once it covers the mortgage he made the rest work and quickly adapted. Very happy with his choice and wouldn’t look back. 30 days off + bank holidays is pretty much as good as you’ll get elsewhere..
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u/koalathegaylegeoir96 2d ago
Genuinely couldn't give a toss if I get inspected. I know I'm a good teacher. My colleagues, my students and their parents have all told me so. I cannot lose my job if an inspector sees one bad lesson, I'll just get scolded like a bold child and move on with my life.
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u/Curious-Battle-3275 2d ago
I was this way too near the end.My father was a teacher.A wise one.He told me inspectors want to go home at end of the day.They don't want the paperwork or hassle of firing you.Near end of his career he used to say it would take longer for the process of firing me than the time I've left to retire 😂He was an excellent teacher by the way that wrote many of the well known curriculum books in schools 20 years a go.
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u/koalathegaylegeoir96 1d ago
He sounds like a legend! AFAIK an inspector cannot simply fire you after inspecting you once, there would need to be due process and very strong reason to let you go.
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u/Curious-Battle-3275 2d ago edited 2d ago
Retired Teacher.One son in his final year teaching practice as we speak.I ll offer you the same advise if it's of any help.A four year degree you did when you were 18 does not and should not tie you into teaching for life.You d spend less time in prison for murder.Secondly once you begin to feel this way it's time to start to retrain before crisis point hits.( Look at springboard).Finally, changing schools a temporary fix.In my experience you just replace one stress with another if you jump ship.( Ie I've to get permanent job, establish myself etc)Best of luck.
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u/Financial-Pop4256 3d ago
I know exactly how you feel, I'm in the same situation. I decided to look for another job, starting slowly I'm still teaching but also started working remotely for an AI company. My plan is to leave teaching once I've built my hours up with the new job.
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u/Time-Trifle9604 3d ago
Whats the A1 role?
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u/Financial-Pop4256 2d ago
It's building language blocks for AI. We look at what AI is throwing out at the moment and we look for errors in language, nuance, tone etc, we humanize it so that in the future AI will be a good replica of genuine human interaction.
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u/Time-Trifle9604 2d ago
That would tie in with my first degree, linguistics was part of it! Are they looking for more people?
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u/Financial-Pop4256 2d ago
They are always looking for people as projects start and finish. Keep an eye out on Linkedin, for companies such ad Turing, Mercor, CrowdGen etc.
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u/Time-Trifle9604 1d ago
Is it usually freelance work or can you can a full-time job with it?
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u/Financial-Pop4256 1d ago
It's freelance, they hardly ever take people on full time, I was advised not to give a job up if you have one, it's a good way to earn extra money & implement a plan to leave teaching within the next 3 years. I'm getting as much experience as I can working freelance along with my teaching hours & then I'll start applying for more permanent roles in AI.
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u/Time-Trifle9604 1d ago
I did consider it last year because it was the first time I saw companies specifically looking for people with my first degree in communications and education experience
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u/beesknees0123 3d ago
For what it's worth I feel the same only I'm primary