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Are there any teachers here?

Posted by BradUnderwoodforprez <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=BradUnderwoodforprez' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 14:51:02

My question is why on earth do you do it?

Many more hours, much much lower pay and a general overall level of high stress. In fact I would argue being around a number of teachers this past year I would say I didn’t find many I would consider happy. (Yes I know that logic is skewed)

Yes this question is loaded in a way for my own benefit as the idea is being volleyed about.

It's still super fun to me. Pros and cons for sure, but that's like any job.

Posted by JFG <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=JFG' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 13:32:00, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

I was either going to go into law or education, and once I taught for the first time, I was pretty hooked. Really rewarding, and I enjoy working with HS kids a ton. They're really funny, smart, and it's fun trying to get them through those years before they're shot out into the real world.

Other people have listed a lot of the pros and cons, so not really gonna re-list those.

I work during the summer to supplement income, but it's also my choice...and pretty different than working 9 to 5 and whatnot. As a family, we've had to make financial choices, and that's been hard sometimes, but I think my kids are stronger for it...they all seem to have a pretty good sense of the value of money and how to not blow through it. And none of them are going into education for a career, so they've learned...lol.

It's been a pain in the ass to watch friends of mine openly admit that they work way less than I do and make a lot more, but again, that's the choice I made and I think the enjoyment I've gotten out of teaching is pretty priceless...I really do like what I do and I feel I've made a positive impact on a ton of kids. Grading blows as does professional development stuff, but the teaching time with the kids in the classroom and extra-curricularly...I still love it.

I'll add another positive is that teaching allows you to be really connected to your community...the amount of interaction you have with students, parents, etc...it's really nice to feel like you're having an impact in a positive way on the place where you live. It can swing the other way sometimes, but I've had way more good than bad.

As I'm getting into my last 10 years or so, there are things that annoy me, but that's going to be any job. I'm to the point where I remember being a younger teacher and seeing the older teachers kinda roll their eyes whenever the district came out with new goals/initiatives and basically be like "yeah, we tried this 20 years ago, it was stupid then and didn't work, and that's probably what's going to happen if we try it again." Now I'm kinda that older teacher...just seeing the same old crap re-packaged by educational "influencers" online and realizing that, like most things, it's a cash grab. But I think that's also going to happen at pretty much any job where you've been around for a while.

I'll end with the fact that teaching kinda amps you up and sets you up with a "go go go" brain where you're trying to get crap done all the time, even if you have like 2 minutes. You're constantly on the go. I kinda worry a bit about retirement because I think I'm going to drive my wife and family crazy if I don't find another job or some hobbies that will fill my time. Teaching has made me kinda manic...lol.

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This is good. I can relate to a lot of it. Time with the students is great.

Posted by OWWDig <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=OWWDig' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 13:49:35, in reply to "It's still super fun to me. Pros and cons for sure, but that's like any job."

I was also between law and education.

Can be funny and frustrating at times - especially navigating generational differences and post-Covid behaviors, but when I am allowed to teach with passion and creativity, it’s great.

I have 5 years left and I also roll my eyes/laugh at some of the initiatives pushed by admin who haven’t been in a classroom in years. Recycled ideas, ridiculous ideas.

Thank goodness I’m Tier 1 because I don’t think I’d make it another 12 years.

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Gimme something to write on, man*

Posted by timmer <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=timmer' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 13:18:58, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

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(for rent)

my daughter just finished her 4th year in CPS and absolutely loves it*

Posted by Orangeillini <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=Orangeillini' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 13:00:29, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

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it’s becoming a glorified day care or social worker position, but the pensions in illinois

Posted by Ari Gold <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=Ari+Gold' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 9:21:19, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

(especially tier 1), have become a great consolation prize. oh, and good insurance, and lots of time off.

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In some areas, probably, but not everywhere*

Posted by IlliniOllie <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=IlliniOllie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 13:17:01, in reply to "it’s becoming a glorified day care or social worker position, but the pensions in illinois"

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(especially tier 1), have become a great consolation prize. oh, and good insurance, and lots of time off.

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do you ever tire of being a complete buffoon?*

Posted by VIV <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=VIV' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 12:53:10, in reply to "it’s becoming a glorified day care or social worker position, but the pensions in illinois"

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(especially tier 1), have become a great consolation prize. oh, and good insurance, and lots of time off.

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"the sum value of my outfit will always be higher than yours."

Bro this is complete horseshit. *

Posted by uofi1998 <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=uofi1998' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 12:37:18, in reply to "it’s becoming a glorified day care or social worker position, but the pensions in illinois"

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(especially tier 1), have become a great consolation prize. oh, and good insurance, and lots of time off.

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You hear me talking, hillbilly boy?

Are you suggesting that teaching in a preschool setting and social work are…easy?*

Posted by Jackie <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=Jackie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 12:31:29, in reply to "it’s becoming a glorified day care or social worker position, but the pensions in illinois"

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(especially tier 1), have become a great consolation prize. oh, and good insurance, and lots of time off.

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god, i'd love to see you try it. *

Posted by assassin <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=assassin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 12:23:29, in reply to "it’s becoming a glorified day care or social worker position, but the pensions in illinois"

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(especially tier 1), have become a great consolation prize. oh, and good insurance, and lots of time off.

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Brandon Schrock of Laredo, Texas, told the federal government that his employer was “poop,” and his occupation was “pooper.”

Forget any educational aspect, he wouldn't make it if truly was daycare

Posted by RVA <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=RVA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 12:34:58, in reply to "god, i'd love to see you try it. * "

Drop the lessons, grading, and all that and just make him responsible for the kids getting through the building for a year and he'd wash out.

I would whole-heartedly disagree with that, but again, I think he's highly location dependent. *

Posted by haighter <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=haighter' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 9:24:06, in reply to "it’s becoming a glorified day care or social worker position, but the pensions in illinois"

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(especially tier 1), have become a great consolation prize. oh, and good insurance, and lots of time off.

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My mom worked her way through a teaching degree in the middle of the Depression

Posted by Stu <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=Stu' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 8:58:51, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

And taught for 40 years thereafter

My wife has a number of teachers in her family

Posted by EffinIllini <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=EffinIllini' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 8:45:49, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

This fall...
Her sister will start her 4th year as a 4th grade teacher.
Sister-in-law will start ~25th year as a Special Ed teacher (in HS the past few years).
Oldest niece will start her first year as a junior high math teacher (I think - maybe she's in elementary school).

My oldest daughter will be in a school for at least a while as a Speech teacher (or do they call them something else) in a couple of years.
Another niece is in college getting an education degree.
My youngest daughter is still in HS, but says she wants to become a teacher (surprising to me).

Maybe its our area or the schools where they teach, but the teachers I know seem to enjoy their jobs.

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My dad was a teacher, many of my friends are teachers

Posted by illiniranger <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=illiniranger' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 3, 2025, 6:39:06, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

I think they are good at “hunting the good stuff.” Good friend is a history teacher, he has a couple of AP classes to go with the others, he gets a ton of enjoyment from the AP. Another friend who teaches learning disabled but *loves* coaching football at a place that has a good program.

I think they find and really enjoy the good they like and grit their teeth through the bad parts. Also, the administration and how much they support the faculty (or don’t) affect their job satisfaction a lot.

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I loathe how teachers are treated... and that's a mild word.

Posted by uofi1998 <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=uofi1998' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 20:12:41, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

It should be a sought-after, highly-valued profession.

You hear me talking, hillbilly boy?

Demeanor and interest

Posted by snipes824 <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=snipes824' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 17:37:35, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

It’s a tough job, mostly due to behavioral and classroom management stuff, especially if you’re in a title 1 school like my wife is.

But she’s a creative (formerly was pursuing theater and acting) and loves kids. There are absolutely hard days and weeks, but a desk job would be foreign (and boring) to her. Teaching still scratches a little of the performing and creativity itches, although admin can unfortunately snuff some of that out too.

It’s not going to make you rich and will come with difficult days, but it’s an important and rewarding job, particularly for people wired for it.

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I think being a teacher varies depending on the type of position and district.

Posted by gullit <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=gullit' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 16:49:08, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

If you look at the payrolls of many Chicagoland districts, they get paid very well.

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Agreed. Area matters for salary and quality of school. Educational philosophy matters too*

Posted by OWWDig <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=OWWDig' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 17:54:29, in reply to "I think being a teacher varies depending on the type of position and district. "

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If you look at the payrolls of many Chicagoland districts, they get paid very well.

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My wife slogged her way through her toughest year of teaching yet, according to her.

Posted by Franklin <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=Franklin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 16:45:51, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

Usual parent/kid stuff but also her administration is pretty incompetent and not good in terms of support. She interviewed at other districts but they filled the positions internally. About two weeks out from the last day, she was reinvigorated and trying to figure out ways to make the next year better. Long story short, some people are just wired to teach.

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Going into my 29th year teaching this fall.

Posted by OWWDig <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=OWWDig' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 16:09:04, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

There were many reasons I went into education all those years ago. In short:
1. Pension (balanced by lower salary)
2. Like working with people/kids and did a lot of camp counseling and teacher aide stuff in religious school growing up.
3. Work/Life balance - it’s a good job to have raising a family. I don’t miss games and other moments in my kids’ lives.
4. Summer recovery time is definitely a perk.

Of course there are negatives:
1. Lower salary (balanced by generous pension)
2. A lot of time required outside the work day to do it well. Not enough time time to teach, plan, and grade so nights and weekends required.
3. Like many jobs, easy to get frustrated by management/admin, but unlike other jobs, it is tough to move to another company/school if you are unhappy.
4. Current climate towards educators is negative.

Happy to answer specific questions via dm and if I can help. But in general, IF I was going into education today, I would:
1. Focus on high school (higher pay in general)
2. Be a gym teacher (same pay, far less time bc less grading)

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I have to imagine gym is much less fun than it once was*

Posted by bjl63 <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=bjl63' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 16:11:02, in reply to "Going into my 29th year teaching this fall."

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Sure would depend on how you define fun*

Posted by Jackie <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=Jackie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 16:39:18, in reply to "I have to imagine gym is much less fun than it once was*"

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Around here, it’s much more specialized now. Choose weight lifting, or sports, or other

Posted by OWWDig <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=OWWDig' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 16:25:15, in reply to "I have to imagine gym is much less fun than it once was*"

Focused gym classes.

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My kids' HS has that.

Athletic PE where kids pick either a strength or endurance program and are graded on whether they make gains. There's a leaderboard through the years on who has the highest numbers on various lifts.

Or fuck around PE.

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Focused gym classes.

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RIP "smear the queer"*

Posted by Sounder <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=Sounder' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 16:22:51, in reply to "I have to imagine gym is much less fun than it once was*"

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Haha, yeah. That, though, was a recess game*

Posted by bjl63 <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=bjl63' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 16:26:22, in reply to "RIP "smear the queer"*"

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We played it in PE*

Posted by Sounder <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=Sounder' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 17:38:05, in reply to "Haha, yeah. That, though, was a recess game*"

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MrsHarb will start her 30th year this fall (currently 3rd gr) and really debated whether

Posted by harb <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=harb' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 16:00:49, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

to retire this year. I think she will go 3 more or go 2 more and buy a year.

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[Assassin] Harb is the epitome of a Goldfish Troll.
[Opey] Assholes gonna asshole
[tiki] #### all the way off with that, you bloodthirsty hilljack.

Buy a year?*

Posted by bjl63 <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=bjl63' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 16:02:56, in reply to "MrsHarb will start her 30th year this fall (currently 3rd gr) and really debated whether"

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to retire this year. I think she will go 3 more or go 2 more and buy a year.

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Yeah…if you have enough “time” where you have worked out of the school system, you can buy a year….

Posted by harb <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=harb' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 17:29:10, in reply to "Buy a year?*"

It is cheaper when you are younger and if you worked during your school time and summers, you can actually buy more. MrsHarb only qualifies for 1 year and change since she only worked during summers during high school and college. She went into the school system pretty much after college.

Basically it’s the work time when you pay into social security.

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to retire this year. I think she will go 3 more or go 2 more and buy a year.

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[Assassin] Harb is the epitome of a Goldfish Troll.
[Opey] Assholes gonna asshole
[tiki] #### all the way off with that, you bloodthirsty hilljack.

my wife will be starting her 20th year teaching kindergarten this fall

Posted by lcubed <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=lcubed' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 15:23:04, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

i don't know how many more years she has in her as it seems to get harder and harder each year.

i think she also might top $60k this year!

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which equates to $63,700 because she didn’t pay Social security

Posted by bbonb <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=bbonb' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 15:33:58, in reply to "my wife will be starting her 20th year teaching kindergarten this fall"

no, they’re all on vacation from June through August, and after 3:00PM the rest of the year*

Posted by bbonb <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=bbonb' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 15:22:04, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

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They don’t exist anymore. It’s now ‘influencers’*

Posted by timmer <iframe src='https://mb.boardhost.com/TheDeuce/info/user=timmer' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2025, 15:19:18, in reply to "Are there any teachers here?"

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(for rent)

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