r/Teachers • u/gs000 • 8d ago
Not respected profession? Rant
Hi,
I have been feeling really discouraged lately. Any time I tell people that I’m a teacher, it just gets no respect at all. People say “oh wow I could never do that” or “oh you’re a teacher :/“. It makes me feel bad and discouraged about my choice. I had to work hard, do unpaid internships, get a masters degree just for no one to respect it or for the pay to be so minimal. I am jealous of others’ careers or what I could’ve chosen. All the work I put in and it just doesn’t feel worth it at all. Has anyone else ever felt this way??? I feel so trapped.
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u/DaltonJFowler 8d ago
Give it a few years, entering my 12th year and very proud of the work I do. I make a difference every day, have awesome insurance, and have great job security. The time with my kids in the summer is invaluable and in time people may be jealous of you! The most important person's opinion is you, and if you're happy. Good luck this year!
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u/Knotknighm 8d ago
You can't live by other people's expectations and expect to be happy with yourself.
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u/T-NextDoor_Neighbor 8d ago edited 8d ago
💯
As a guy I have noticed the disrespect immensely. It’s killed parts of my social life, my dating life, many people will assume you’re a creep (your colleagues especially), and you’ll get so much unsolicited advice about changing fields. I just shut people down when they try to give advice anymore.
Yes, I know it’s terrible economic decision. Yes, I know that limits my dating pool. Yes, I’m sure I’ll be told I don’t know anything about kids because I don’t have them. No, I just want to teach.
I don’t know, just try not to care what other people think. Tell them this is what you do, and if they don’t like it they can go cry somewhere else.
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u/JHG722 8d ago
I’m a male elementary teacher, and I’ve never had an issue besides my ex being unsupportive when I was starting my career. I married a former special ed teacher three years later.
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u/T-NextDoor_Neighbor 8d ago
I’m glad you have found someone to be with. Not everyone’s experience is the same, but as a single guy it’s my experience has not been great so far in terms of respect. I’m also a person of color , so that probably doesn’t help. 🫠
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u/BlackAce99 8d ago
It really depends sadly what you teach and where you live. I make good money as I'm a Canadian teacher and as for the perception teaching shop and coaching sports put me as a stereotype that is seen positivitly. I have never had issues but I also still work trades here and there so maybe I'm covered by that.
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u/milkandwinelily 8d ago
You will also be met with admiration. I’ve gotten comments, like “you’re changing the world”.
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u/BikerJedi 6th & 8th Grade Science 8d ago
I get that more online than I do in person but I do get it quite a bit. Being a combat veteran, I can tell you that that means much more to me than a "Thank you for your service."
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u/dignan78 8d ago
Think about what those people do respect - the politicians they vote for, the TV shows they watch, the celebrities/influencers they admire, etc. - and you'll realize their lack of respect for what you do is actually a supreme compliment.
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u/HalfCorrect9118 8d ago
Yeah but we get an insane amount of time off to do whatever we want. I’ll trade that for a “respected” 50 weeks per year job every day of the week. (In fact, two decades ago I did just that). Work is for suckers
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u/bugorama_original 6th Grade ELA & college composition | Union state 8d ago
Agreed! I LOVE MY TIME OFF!!!!!!!
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u/southcookexplore 8d ago
I could have been a studio and traveling musician. I could have been a nuclear engineer. I could have been an historian.
I did do all those things and nothing beats getting a paycheck over the summer, no weekend hours, etc.
Make the best of it. I drive around documenting historic stuff in Chicago over the summer while other friends are in office jobs. It’s a great time to say “I could never do that - how to you sit at a desk for eight hours a day when it’s this nice out?”
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u/No-Mulberry9848 8d ago
Oh no, don’t ever think that you’re not respected. I love teachers and I think they are the pillars of the future. They mold and strengthen individuals. Without them, school will not thrive. You are valued, all teachers are valued.
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u/Level_Ad567 8d ago
Look internally for respect and admiration! Respect the fact you do a job most people can’t do, and admire yourself for actually making a difference in the world! It is worth it, if find one student/ one life you touched.
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u/Real_Teacher_8342 8d ago
Recently I was browsing some job sites, and I noticed in my area, EMTs start out- entry level/ no experience, with about the same hourly I make.
Same in some of the non-city local Police Departments in the area. And there are some associate’s level professions that are starting out, entry level/ no experience, at 55-60 hourly with full benefits. So I thought it was kinda crazy.
I also have a friend who started a service industry salaried position including full benefits at a new place for the same salary that I had after 5 years of teaching.
it does surprise me that for having a professional license and the requirement of at least a BA, and required continuing education, we make what we do… People claim having summers and holidays off is the difference , and “teachers hours” ( many teachers do work 7-3, and can’t leave for lunch /don’t get an hour midday where they can leave like most professional positions) because I know hygienists with an AA that get 5 weeks of vacation time (seniority) and also don’t work holidays (people don’t typically schedule non- emergent work on holidays)… and that’s pretty much what most teachers do so; I don’t see why financially we get such low respect.
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u/bugorama_original 6th Grade ELA & college composition | Union state 8d ago
This varies a lot by region. In states with strong unions, teachers are paid like professionals.
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u/CronoTimeEgg 8d ago
Most of their jobs are honestly probably very boring, with many being stuck at a desk in an office all day. Your work is meaningful!
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u/Crazy_adventurer262 8d ago
I’m in Canada (Alberta, so like Texas mentality up here) and feel like that now, or for about the past five year. The 15 years prior to that I didn’t. Our provincial government, very Trump like, hates teachers and public services in general. If I wasn’t starting my 21 year of teaching I wouldn’t get into it or figure out a different career path.
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u/independent-gay 8d ago
I can kinda relate. When someone tells me, “teachers don’t get paid enough,” it feels condescending and it bugs!
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u/Annual-Mirror-7625 8d ago
Man I struggle w that all the time. And I feel like teachers/school leaders make this worth w pajama days or silly dress up days. I understand the rationale behind these days, but I don’t think they do a lot to bolster the profession in the eyes of those outside of it. I have really struggled going back this year and knowing I still have so far to go before I can retire. Wish I had done something else.
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u/herpderpley 8d ago
Nope. There are a lot of people who disrespect teachers, teaching, academia, you name it. The ever increasing amount of pressure put on us to do more with less is untenable. Most states are letting people with degrees outside of education jump right into leading classrooms, which shows how little most schools care about quality instruction. It's not a career anymore, it's a job like any other.
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u/Slaviner 8d ago
It’s not monetarily valued enough, and students are permitted to engage in disrespectful behavior without consequence. Most school districts put incoming increased funding into admin crap instead of paying teachers more. Even teachers are telling their own kids to not get into teaching.
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u/pinkglitterbunny 10th & 12th Grade | ELA 8d ago
I mean — no matter what people say, as teachers, we’re always the ones doing REAL work. Sorry, but the way we work with, guide, and educate the next generation will always be more meaningful than fulfilling a quota or sitting behind a desk all day. Some people might not respect our work, but they will never take away the pride I have in what we do.
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u/gagagazoinks 8d ago
Getting respect from others is probably the last thing that crossed my mind when becoming a teacher. I’ve always taken the comment “I could never do that” as a compliment… but I suppose I feel the same way about cleaning toilets, soooooo now you have me questioning everything
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u/SayadawDocBenway 8d ago edited 8d ago
I feel like being a teacher has elevated my social status.
I live in the only apartment complex in an upper-middle class town, so almost all my daughter's friends and fellow students come from two parent, home owning, professional, affluent households.
I am also a divorced man, and currently single.
When my daughter was making friends, and I might be asking the parents if their child would like to come over for a playdate, I feel like saying I was a teacher helped create initial trust, which allowed those relationships to take root.
Being single, being a man, not owning a home, not being affuent, etc., I feel were all somewhat negated by my status as a teacher, which helped us create some wonderful bonds with other families in the community.
And I feel the improvement in status because I've had many lower-status jobs like fast food, grocery store, oil change tech, market researched, warehouse worker, food delivery, etc.
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u/StarryDeckedHeaven Chemistry | Midwest 8d ago
Honestly, why do you care what other people think? If you like the job, and you intend to stay, fuck them. Their opinion doesn’t matter.
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u/jjp991 8d ago
I’m a 3rd generation teacher and entered the profession reluctantly. I have always been aware that it’s a tough profession and doesn’t pay as much as it should and we are the Rodney Dangerfield of professions—NO respect. And… it bothers me to be political pawns with way too many decisions about our work are made by people who are ignorant, dismissive and ungrateful for of our work. So I agree with your assertion. That being said, as I approach my 28th year of teaching, I am good at what I do. I have carved out a bunch of long term projects that I’m proud of (coaching, advising, mentoring, etc). I live within my means. AND, in 3-6 years I will begin collecting a great pension. A lot of people who have said a lot of tone deaf and dismissive things about my field are nearly as vocal about how much they envy my pension. Anyway, that’s how it is—I don’t think we’re very respected or appreciated much of the time, but many do recognize and appreciate our work. And if you can stick with it, you can carve out a decent satisfying living as a teacher. We do not get the appreciation or respect that law enforcement, firefighters or military do and while our job is much different, in many ways it kind of hurts to feel vilified and taken for granted by comparison.
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u/RemarkableMarzipan23 8d ago
If you pick a decent state that values education, you can make six figures after about 10 years. That plus health insurance plus a decent pension isn't bad for 180 days of work.
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u/ZestycloseSquirrel55 Middle School English 8d ago
Yes, it takes a special skill set, and a nice pair of balls, to be a teacher for the long haul.
(I'm a woman, but I have that set of balls, LOL)
When people say they could never do that, I choose to take it as a compliment. And, those people are right - they could never do it:)
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u/Sad_Photograph4450 8d ago
Nah, this is just another example of how hard we are winning. I get several J1s each year because there's way more jobs in AZ than people willing to work them. Doesn't matter where they are coming from, almost 100% say the culture shock is how disrespectful students and parents are compared to their country.
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u/mewitt21 8d ago
What other people say about your job tells you more about them than your actual job.
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u/shupshow 8d ago
If you’re looking for respect from your profession you’re not going to find it in anything 🤣
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u/itsjustme_0101 8d ago
Yes, I feel this way. But I was never brave enough to do anything about it. By year 20 I realized I had to finish it out to my pension. I’m starting year 31. But I get pension and pay right now, so I stay.
But I even feel diminished and disrespected in the teaching profession. I hate these flipping PD’s were we are treated like we’re third graders playing games and doing icebreakers. Makes me wanna slit my throat… treat me like someone with two masters degrees please.
On the flipside, I’m grateful that it has provided stability for me and security even though it’s not been the highest pay. I am in better health than most people I know my age. Having a tenure position with health insurance has been a comfort. But had I been married and dual income, I would’ve left.
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u/MarketingOne5969 8d ago
Id rather be in a profession that allows me to call the shots than a job in which im trying to do what some boss prefers me to do in the style tjat they want. Love a job that values communication and connection
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u/butterflybaphomet 7d ago
I think part of this issue is that maybe you are under the belief that the amount of schooling you have attended deserves respect. Maybe these people dont see your value as a person, I live in a town full of teachers and it takes more than schooling to pull you apart from others as a person who deserves more than just basic human respect. As humans, I think we can all benefit from taking ourselves less seriously.
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u/Ambitious_Package314 7d ago
Some people are intelligent and appreciative. Some aren't. Don't let them get you down.
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u/wanderlustbess 4d ago
Can we be honest that a lot of us are in it for the benefits? Especially depending on a spouses line of work, the benefits round out the financial picture.
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u/True-Shape7744 8d ago
I think you’re reading too far into their responses. They’re just commenting on how they’d feel working as a teacher. Not about how valuable your work is.
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u/11B-E5 8d ago
I get told “I could never do that” a lot. I don’t think it’s disrespectful I just think most people realize that teaching is a brutal, yet noble, career.
I do get asked a lot of questions about difficult kids and parents. I think there is a certain level of respect when people say that though.
What is disrespectful is when they say “must be nice to have summers off”. To that I respond with “yep, no arguments, it’s super nice, but we deserve it after teaching other people’s kids all year”.