Teaching in Jamaica is often described as one of the most rewarding yet challenging professions. For many, it’s a calling to shape young minds and contribute to the nation’s development. However, there comes a point when even the most passionate educators consider stepping away from the classroom. After careful thought and reflection, I’ve made the decision to leave teaching. In this article, I’ll share my reasons and insights, shedding light on why many Jamaican teachers decide to move on.
Leaving Teaching: The Desire for Career Growth and Fulfillment
One of the primary reasons I’m leaving is the need to grow and develop in other areas of my career journey as a young professional. While teaching is fulfilling in its own right, I’ve always envisioned myself pursuing law, journalism, travel, blogging and advocacy. I’ve also decided that a long term desire of mine is to have job flexibility and intellectually stimulating roles. Make no mistake though, the classroom has taught me invaluable lessons, however, I feel it’s time to pivot toward a path that aligns with my long term aspirations.
Related Post: The Truth About Comfort Zones and Why You Shouldn’t Dwell There
Leaving Teaching: The Overwhelming Administrative Workload
Teaching is much more than delivering lessons. The endless administrative duties – writing lesson plans, evaluating lesson plans, setting assignments, setting table of specifications for assignments, stapling and batching papers for exams, setting alternative exam papers for students who may miss the exam, marking assignments, preparing exam analyses, preparing reports, updating attendance both online and hard copy, responding to parents’ emails, setting aside time after the work day to have staff meetings, department meetings, year group meetings and meetings with parents, uploading grades online and in mark books given short deadlines even though classroom sizes are large and the teacher to student ratio is wide – resulting in plenty paperwork and little time throughout the day – all of which doesn’t include the daily schedule of attending classes and facilitating lessons nor does it include substituting for other teachers in their absence (and worrying that your class will be behind or you’ll have to inconvenience other teachers if you need to be absent). Ha! Let me exhale. Before long, the burnout sets in.
Related Post: Cons of Being a Teacher in Jamaica
For many teachers, including myself, this aspect overshadows the joy of actual teaching and interactions with the students. The profession demands so much beyond the classroom that it becomes physically and mentally exhausting. And that shouldn’t be – this is a system that needs a serious overhaul from a national standpoint.
Related Post: How to be a Classy Teacher in Jamaica
Leaving Teaching: Financial Struggles as a Pre-Trained Graduate
As a pretrained graduate (degree holder but not in Education/not from a teacher’s college), the pay disparity is glaring. Despite working just as hard as trained colleagues, my compensation doesn’t reflect my efforts or contributions. Financial limitations make it hard for even trained graduates to stay motivated! Especially when there are other career options offering better renumeration for similar or fewer hours. I’ve had conversations with several trained teachers who lament the state of affairs pertaining salary. Many are torn, that they have expended large sums in training and haven’t quite seen it paying off in compensation. While compensation on it’s own isn’t woeful, it becomes woefully inadequate when squared with the demands of the role.
To be fair, I respect the profession and the resources my trained colleagues have sacrificed to attain their qualifications. As such, it would be in poor taste for me to expect to be compensated at the same level. My reflections however, have fueled me into action. I have a Bachelor of Laws Degree and sacrificed resources and time attaining that, just the same. Even though my degree is versatile and allows me to teach, albeit as a pre-trained teacher, it’s value isn’t recognized in my role as a teacher – hence the the lower compensation. I therefore fit, so to speak but do not belong… in the sense of value, based on the required teaching diplomas and degrees in education granted after teacher training.
As I am in the habit of being intentional about my growth, I’m on the hunt now, for my next growing opportunity. Life’s like learning to ride a bicycle – to keep your balance, you must keep moving!
Leaving Teaching: The Pause Before Going Back to Law School
Life is short, and for some time now – living intentionally has been a priority for me. As I prepare to re-embark on on my legal certificate journey, I want to take time to focus on self improvement, relaxation, re-centering and exploring my other skills. Teaching, while noble, often leaves little time for self-reflection or personal endeavours, for me at least. I’m pretty sure there are teachers, trained or not who have found their balance.
During this time, and henceforth, I’ll be seeking out ways to enhance my growing potential and quality of life as I aim for that flexibility and wholesomeness I know is possible in a career – even if I have to create it!
Cheers to me, I’m not waiting until I’m 50 as seen in Becoming Minimalist to start being intentional about my every move and pauses. As I change course, I aim to navigate differently simplifying life and prioritizing what matters.
Leaving Teaching: Why Other Teachers Are Quitting
Surely we know, that even lawyers quit their jobs! It’s not a novel act of teachers. Notably, there are varying reasons why people quit their roles. For now though, let’s explore why other teachers are quitting. Here are some additional factors:
Mental health concerns: The stress and emotional toll of teaching affect many educators’ mental health. Articles on Psychology Today explore coping strategies for high-stress professions, so at least you have somewhere to start if you experience high stress – even if you aren’t a teacher.
Lack of support: Limited resources and lack of administrative support make teaching more challenging. Depending on where teachers are employed, some may experience these limitations more than others. (Luckily, being a member of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association provides a supporting hand, if teachers ever feel overlooked and unsupported.)
Classroom challenges: Large class sizes, indiscipline, and societal pressures weigh heavily on teachers. I kid you not. Listen, some parents literally prefer when their children are in school! If they feel pressured, imagine teachers with over 40 students in a class!
Emigration opportunities: Many educators are leaving for better-paying jobs overseas. Sometimes these opportunities are in the field of education, other times, not. Teachers typically are on the look out for a better standard of living and quality of life for themselves and family. So that isn’t a bad thing.
Conclusion
Leaving teaching in Jamaica is not an easy decision, but for me, it’s a necessary step toward a more fulfilling future. Teaching has been an incredible chapter in my life, but now it’s time to embrace new challenges and opportunities. To my fellow teachers and growth seekers who might feel the same, know that it’s okay to prioritize your personal and professional growth.
“Have you ever considered leaving teaching or any other role you have held? What spurred you to change? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Until next time, keep rooting for growth!
Post a Comment: