https://www.reddit.com/r/Teachers/comments/1j7htj8/input/
created by Fit-Faithlessness134 on 09/03/2025 at 21:12 UTC
17 upvotes, 4 top-level comments (showing 4)
I can’t be the only one with these issue so I am bravely (for me) posting. I am near the end of a very long career in teaching kindergarten and I feel like I have lost my ability to do this job. My students are so incredibly high energy, unfocused, loud, disrespectful, unwilling to listen, busy, lack awareness of where their own body is, and distractible. Most of my day is spent managing their behavior and these are GOOD kids. Ugh. I’m so tired and frustrated. Chaos literally breaks out if I stop entertaining them to grab a piece of paper off of my desk. God forbid I take a phone call from the office. Help.
Comment by beerbooksBCs at 09/03/2025 at 21:30 UTC
7 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I wish I had some words of wisdom to share. I'm in year 30, and there are times when I feel like I'm brand new. The shift in student behaviors in primary grades since 2020 is mind-boggling. Just know that you're not alone, and this veteran teacher sees (and shares!) your struggle. I have loved teaching, but I don't know how much longer I can do it and maintain any sort of mental wellness.
Comment by deweyordontwe at 09/03/2025 at 22:02 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I’m six years and feel the same, I honestly don’t know how I can do this 20+ more years.
Comment by Inpace1436 at 09/03/2025 at 22:57 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I’m finishing my 35th year - mostly in kindergarten. I feel you! Yes I am retiring after this year. I physically but mostly mentally can’t do it anymore. Kids these days are tough but it’s mostly parents who don’t give a rip. Nothing I send home gets returned, parents treat kinder like daycare (I had 3 who wore pull-ups at the beginning) and when there is an issue oh boy do they come apart. How did I do it this long?
Comment by SeaweedAlive1548 at 09/03/2025 at 23:55 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I hear you! kindergarten is so, so, so hard! I taught it for 5 years and loved it in many ways, but would never want to go back. I am really sensitive to the energy levels of little kids and it absolutely drains me. At the end of each day I could barely speak. I moved to 1st grade for about 3 years, it was a bit better, but then I made a huge leap to 5th and LOVE it! I only made the leap because it was the only grade level available at the school I wanted to transfer to. I was really worried it wouldn’t be a good fit because I thought of myself as a lower elementary teacher. I have been in 5th for 11 years and don’t want to move. Maybe you could consider moving grade levels? I know it is initially a lot of work, but it could really pay off.