Should a teacher be able to switch jobs at any point or should they be forced to finish the school year?

Question

This is by far my worse year of teaching. It’s my 7th year and at this point I cannot imagine even making it til Christmas, much less the end of the year. 
I’m to the point where I’m super sad every single day. I dread going into work, and although I can “fake it” and my students don’t understand how unhappy I am, my husband feels it every day and encourages me to quit. 
There are some things happening this year that could definitely be worked on my administration but it’s not and its making life hell. 
So my question is, should teachers have the same option as other professions to leave whenever they decide it’s time or should we be forced to stay until the end of the year?
Also if you’re a former teacher who has left (at any point in the year- end or not), I’d love to hear your story. What do you do now? Do you regret it?

Answer

It’s clear that those voting that teachers should be forced to stay are not teachers. Why should teachers be held to something that no one else is?  You have every right to leave a job at any point. If you’ve signed a contract, then you forfeit whatever the contract says for leaving early, but it’s absurd to think that you should be able to force someone to stay in a job for a month, a week, or even a day. We live in a free country. If you are miserable, start looking. There are school jobs posted mid year all the time.

Answer

One thing that makes teaching different from many other jobs is that you are a contract employee. Your employment is protected by that contract, and the school district can't just fire you without cause. Likewise, you also have to hold up your end of the contract as well. I am not a teacher, but I have many family and friends who are. I've seen the toll it takes, and I understand the seemingly insurmountable job ahead of you. Focus on WHY you're doing this job. Evaluate how a sudden departure on your end would affect the education of the kids you work with. Reach out to your support networks for help, and do everything you can to make it through. You got this.

Answer

You can quit whenever you want you just may not be able to use them as a reference and you may forfeit some benefits but otherwise you’re free to go. My school is VERY challenging. We have teachers come and go multiple times throughout the year. It sucks but people have to do what’s best for them. If you’re not sure it’ll be a permanent shift then maybe speak to your HR department about taking a leave of absence.

Answer

This is my second school year not teaching and I am so much happier. Like you I just couldn’t take the administration and the extra hours. I worked at a private school so I was making pennies and putting in over 40 hours a week. I never saw my husband and we were having trouble getting pregnant. The next November we conceived and I don’t think it was coincidence. I waited til the end of the year for my students sake. But I think as long as you give your employer notice, and things are in line, you should be able to quit before that. Personally I would wait til there’s a break like for a holiday. It would just be an easier transition for the students and give you time to “wean” yourself out.

Answer

Things we have no control over happens all the time, that’s just life. So I don’t see why teachers shouldn’t be able to quit before the school year is done. 🤷🏻‍♀️
That being said - I’m sure the students would miss you, but it’s better that you quit rather than go into a depression. If anything maybe s leave of absence would do you good to figure out what it is that you truly want to do. Regardless, I think you should do whats best for you at the end of the day.

Answer

Just here for bad teacher gif lol 😝

Answer

You don’t deserve to be miserable. If you find a better fit take it

Should a teacher be able to switch jobs at any point or should they be forced to finish the school year?

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