What would you say?

[raccoon]

Let's say I used to be a teacher (not my real old job) and now have no desire whatsoever to work in the field. Now I’m happily underemployed in another field. True, teaching would mean more bucks and benefits, but I don’t want to work in the field any more.

Sometimes well-meaning people will say, “I heard there’s an opening at Bumfuck High.” (I’ve said well-meaning things like that to people myself—maybe it’s karma.) But I wish people wouldn’t do it; it brings up a lot of old baggage.

How would you deal with this? Especially if the same person has said this sort of thing more than once.

[Orsino]

1. "I don't want to teach anymore, thanks." n/t

[raccoon]

2. Thanks! Dignified, polite and to the point.

Great response.

[MorningGlow]

3. Ugh--been there

Actually, I'm STILL there (and it DOES involve teaching, for real). I am a writer and editor by trade. When I was young and stupid, I thought I wanted to be a high school English teacher. So I went to grad school, got up to my eyeballs in debt, got a master's degree, and taught for one hellish year. (It wasn't the kids that got to me--it was the administration. Long story that boils down to them saying "Just pass them" and me saying "NO!")

Quit the teaching job, tried to get another, failed (the teacher glut of the mid-'90s), and decided to make a living writing instead. I have survived in this field and I'm good at it. But my family...SHEESH. Every time I complain about my job..."Why don't you go back into teaching?" I've been out of the profession for 15 YEARS and they still bring it up. I think my mom asked me that a couple of days ago, in fact.

I do say, "Thanks, but I don't want to teach anymore," but they persist. I think because the family members are from the generation where the only respectable professions were doctor, lawyer, and teacher. And teaching was the only one available to women. They understand "teacher". They don't understand "writer". Why? I have no idea. :eyes:

[raccoon]

4. That's great that you're successful with your writing.

Maybe your family thinks that way because of benefits?

I think some people think teachers have it good because they're off for the summer and lots of holidays. It doesn't enter their minds that teachers have a hell of a lot of aggravation to deal with.

[MorningGlow]

6. Weeellll, I wouldn't exactly say "successful"

But I've been gainfully employed lo these past dozen years, pulling a full-time paycheck with the power o' the pen.

Check with me in a couple of weeks, though. I'm giving my notice at the slave pit in favor of freelancing and playing with MG Jr. This is going to be the true test.

'Course, I won't be able to start freelancing right away. I must spend at least a week playing nursemaid to my mom and my aunt, who will have fainted and possibly hit their heads on furniture on the way down, when I tell them.

And yes, at least one of them WILL suggest I go back to teaching!

:rofl:

[raccoon]

7. That sort of thing is a large part of the reason why our public schools

aren't as good as they could be.

"it was the administration. Long story that boils down to them saying "Just pass them" and me saying "NO!")"

If so many students are "just passed", then why all the shock when they graduate but can't read, write, and cipher?

That deserves its own thread.

[MorningGlow]

9. True 'nuff

But by then, it's not the school district's problem. As long as their artificially inflated test numbers and graduation rates look good, that's all that matters.

Yeahhhh don't get me started...I got a million tales from the trenches (as do all teachers)--and I still remember them after all these years. A very frustrating experience, and very disappointing. If I had been older and less naive, I may have persevered and known how to make the inroads I needed to at least take care of the kids I was responsible for. As it was, I just did the best I could and got out before I lost my mind.

As for the "three months off" nonsense, what a crock. I distinctly remember being so burnt out that I was useless for the last two weeks of June--possibly into the first week of July. I was a blubbering idiot and could only lie on the couch staring at the ceiling or watching bad TV till my psyche healed. Then you take a couple of weeks to enjoy yourself before you have to go back to school for seminars and to get your classroom ready for the following year. 'Tain't no three months off, that's for sure! :)

[Deep13]

5. "Something to consider if I ever get tired of slamming my fingers in the door."

[raccoon]

8. Good answer. nt