When other teachers don't listen to you because they've been teaching since the decade you were born in, it makes it hard to want to stick around. It makes it hard to think, "Oh yeah, my thoughts and ideas are respected and taken into consideration!"This is why I'm writing this. I want people to know that when you sign up to be a teacher, you're signing up for a life filled with long hours, disrespect, and being considered a joke.

This job will consume all your time. It will consume all your thoughts. It will destroy relationships. It will tear you away from your family and friends. It will make you wish you could have gotten a degree in something else. Hell - anything else.

BUT...

If you are truly cut out for this job (which I don't know if I am, yet), all the shit that you go through will be worth it. All the destroyed relationships and misery will just be battle scars. Reminders that you are damn good at your job. And that yes, you do make a difference.
Now, there is a chance at happiness and that there will be someone who will want to put up with your emotional rollercoaster of shit. And if you find that person, grab ahold of them and never let them go. That person is a rare commodity. And that person will be the one who will make coming home at the end of the day an enjoyable experience. It will make that place you live an actual home, rather than a place where you eat, sleep, and grade.
Most likely, though, you will end up alone. Just like every other teacher out there. If you love your job, the truth of the matter is: you will end up alone. And lonely. Not alone and happy. Alone and lonely.
So, good luck.

-GETTING PAPER-

How many of you are going into teaching for the money?
What? No raised hands?
That's what I thought.

Now, what about those vacations?
Aaah. Now all of the hands are up.