Fearing burn out.

[u/Upset_Dance_8223]

This is my first year teaching. I loved my student teaching, and I love my job right now too. Unfortunately, I was dealt a particularly bad hand of 6th graders. It’s not just me, they’ve come in absolutely insane and every teacher is just about losing it. I go home exhausted every day. I slept 18 hours straight last weekend. I get frustrated and overstimulated really easily because these kids don’t know basic manners or respect. I have one 8th grade class and they are angels, they truly keep me going. But I have to get through 4 hours of 6th graders first (and it’s a 2 hour block, so 2 hours with the same kids…). Yesterday and the day before were conferences, and I was so incredibly drained. The morning was going okay, until one kid slapped another, and I just got so overwhelmed. I tried teaching for the next few hours, but I couldn’t get my enthusiasm up, and my words were coming out so slow I thought I was having a stroke. I ended up going home early. I’m feeling so guilty about it. I don’t think I should be this overwhelmed this early. But I love this job so much. I’m so scared I’m going to burn out and have no purpose in life. I’m hoping this is just a rocky start, but my anxiety is overruling my rational thoughts. I know this job is it for me. But I have to survive it and I’m afraid I can’t. This is a rant but advice would be nice too. Honest advice as well. Am I screwed? Should I quit while I’m ahead?

[u/turtlesandmemes]

It’s also my first year. 9th grade. Great kids, but it’s like herding feral cats some days. 2hrs straight for 6th is crazy, so that is def not helping your situation.

I’m in same spot mentally. Just making it to the end of the year, because I want the option of coming back next year to try a new grade level or see if I can improve next year.

I definitely thought I was going to quit first 2 weeks though. It’s just a hard job

[u/Aggravating-Soil586]

I'm in the same boat. I have three 90 minute blocks in a row of all sixth graders, and I'm exhausted at the end of the day. Think of it this way: the first year's the roughest. After three years, you'll likely be able to get your full license that you can take with you to other states, or places, or even look for a different school. People with teaching experience can get jobs lots of places, too, because it's proof you can stick out rough shit. So, if you succeed, you were right all along, and you just needed to work through the start. If you don't, it's not the end of the world, and you'll be able to try something new.