‘I wish I had left sooner’: Award-winning educator feels guilty for quitting teaching after 10 years due to ‘burnout,' however, other teachers are applauding him

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    "I poured everything into the profession and was left with very little to pour into my own life."
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    Teaching was obliterating my mental health more than I realized Throwaway account but I had to share and get this off my chest. I officially left teaching after 10 years this past spring at the conclusion of the school year. After a summer of uncertainty I landed a new position in a different sector - and what an absolute relief and joy it has been.
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    For context, I was an award winning educator, having been recognized for my work in my district & as the top educator in my county. (I don't say that to brag but rather to give credence to what I'm going to share.) I never realized truly how burnt out and completely mentally obliterated I was while teaching. I just did all the things we do as teachers because I didn't know anything else - but I really had no idea it could be better...or
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    different. The juggling of a million tasks, managing emotions (students & mine), answering to escalating expectations, and learning & re-learning the newest buzzwords was 100% unsustainable. And I really never realized it until after I left. I poured everything into the profession and was left with very little to pour into my own life.
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    My new job is still demanding but it's so entirely different in the scope and mental "weight" that I have an entirely new approach to my day & life. It sounds hyperbolic but I'm serious when I say my outlook on life has changed for the better. I wake up each day excited about my job and the best part is that I feel like I can get ahead of things and "check things off the list" in a
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    way that makes me feel like I'm actually making progress in my job in a way that teaching never could. I'm realizing that the ambiguity of teaching was draining me in ways that I could never articulate before but now that I'm seeing it from the other side, its no wonder I felt the way I did.
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    This isn't a call to leave because our kids need great teachers & role models now more than ever, but know that if you think it's your time to step away that things are about to change in your world for the better in ways you could only dream of. My mental health has never been better - even my anxiety meds could never make me feel the way I feel now after leaving.
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    Leading-Difficulty57 23h ago Teachers of the year are disproportionately likely to burn out for the reasons you describe. Glad you're doing better OP formerteach3r OP 23h ago Thanks. I felt immense guilt walking away from my students and my coworkers but at the end of the day, I felt for one of the first times in my life, that I had no choice but to choose me. And I'm so proud of myself for doing that.
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    mistybee7783 • 22h ago This is my 9th year. I live in New Orleans and my coworker and I were so thankful for the hurricane coming because it gave us two days off work. Think about it. We are happy about something that has the potential to totally throw our lives into shambles because it gives us a few days off work. This job has become untenable.
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    lamblichusSneezed • 20h ago You have no reason to feel guilty about leaving a system that was exploiting you to the point that you are this damaged. JFC.
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    ssdemar 17h ago Glad to hear that you are taking care of yourself OP! It's not an easy choice to make, especially after reaching year 10. I chose to leave after having my first child only having been in for 7 years. That was a scary move to make. Now I have three kiddos and honestly can't see myself going back to the classroom. It's changed so much in the years since I left. I wouldn't think of returning for another few years, if I do at all. I'd love to hear more about the change in sectors you
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    . HaloSlippin 19h ago Preach! I can very much relate to this. When I moved states, I had every intention of getting another teaching position in the new state while delivering pizzas as a hold-me-over job. But that time off away from the field left me feeling.... like myself again. When I started looking for positions again after getting situated, I just couldn't do it. The dread and stress started to creep back up just thinking about going back. Feel healthier and happier than ever right now de
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    AccountantPotential6 21h ago Good for you! I couldn't walk away from it. I was alone (no partner/no friends I could rely upon/no family) and had no support in case what I tried didn't work, so I muddled through all the nonsense until, 2 months shy of 25 years of teaching when I found out I would have health/dental/vision insurance after 25 years, I put the paperwork in for retirement. I can't live on what I have, but it is a decent base for the part-time job I do now. Tried going back to school
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    Sunshine_Peony • 10h ago If you know you know. I was a teacher for 15 years and left 4 1/2 years ago. My quality of life has improved immeasurably. formerteach3r OP 5h ago • Yep I knew it and I just had to bring myself to accept it. Now that I'm done I realize there is not a chance in that I would have survived another year. Glad you have improved!
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    teddyblues66 15h ago It's a huge weight off your shoulders, so glad you're doing better! formerteach3r OP 5h ago • It really is and I just never realized it. It's like you get accustomed to the weight so you just think that's the way it's supposed to be or the way it has to be. There is greener grass.
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    . garage_artists 5h ago Modern teachers are abused. formerteach3r OP 5h ago • It has been truly astounding moving to this new job and seeing how much of an outlier teaching is in terms of job expectations & effort needed to function. Oh, and throw away most of the dignity you had because you will always be the scapegoat in this modern world of education.

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