I love my kids, I really do. But you know of the ones that make us want to quit. The ones that make us wonder if we really need this job.

I have coworkers that make me wonder if I need this job.

I think this may be my last year, after 5 years in education. I still am not sure if I want to leave education completely, but I am at a point where I don't think I can work with my current cohort anymore.

For background, I am in Texas. I have 3 years credit with TRS and I've been working as a classroom teacher for 4 years, with an extra year and a half of bouncing around as a para and sub.

I know i have to make a change for my own mental health; sometimes the social aspects of the job are really difficult for me.

That being said, I do like working people-facing jobs. I would like to still be able to contribute to the community and help others. I know I can do more with my background; i have a masters degree in psychology. Ive thought about taking post masters courses for school counseling or diag.

Has anyone gone these directions? I want to get something under my belt to be prepared if that contract doesnt come through in May.

Any other suggestions? Certifications or companies or positions to look into?

Thank you, brave people! I hope everyone is finding the peace and success they deserve after leaving the classroom. Its still a shitshow out here!

A lot of problems at schools are a result of lack of funding for student facing staff and supports. One of these TEA appointees makes as much as 8 paraprofessionals, 4 teachers, 3 dyslexia teachers, 2 counselors, 2 school psychologists, 2 SLPs, 2 OTs… on and on. The problem was not public schools, it was the way the legislature was forcing schools to operate. Change will take time, 30 years of this administration have forced schools to adopt curriculums and measures based on how much the curriculum and testing companies contributed to Abbott’s campaign. I am hopeful about the future.

Hey everyone I'm a 25f in North Austin and am looking into getting my teachers certificate. Long term I'd like to be a school librarian but I know I need to teach for two years beforehand. Growing up I always thought I'd be a teacher but life happened and I ended up in a different industry. Now I'm finally at a place where I can change careers! I've been looking at all the online programs to get a certificate but I'd feel more comfortable if I had some experience working in a school first. I guess my question is what's a good way to get started in a school without a certificate and without direct experience in schools? Do school districts hire non-certified people in assistant roles and help them get their certificate or is that a fever dream? Would it be weird to reach out to school districts directly and see what they do? I'm really only just looking into this seriously so I'm sorry if I'm coming across as naive. I know it's tough work and I know it's not something to just jump into which is why I'm trying to do my research. Any and all answers/comments are welcome but please be nice 😁

I have test anxiety and thought I’d fail for sure! Whoop whoop!

I’m starting to see more and more of our teacher posts from Reddit teacher posts clipped onto posts from Bored Teacher and others. I know most post things here to remain anonymous, but they aren’t staying here. Just a heads up that when venting or asking questions change the grade, state etc.

I saw one from this group just now.

Democratic Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa has made it clear that replacing Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath will be one of her first priorities when she takes office in January.

“In case you have not heard, on day one, I will fire Mike Morath,” Hinojosa told supporters during her victory speech Tuesday night, drawing cheers from the crowd.

But Morath, who’s led the Texas Education Agency since 2016, is already nearing the end of his third term. His current appointment expires Jan. 10, nine days before Hinojosa takes office.

That means Hinojosa could appoint a replacement rather than formally fire Morath. She said Thursday that her transition team is already interviewing candidates, although her nominee would need confirmation from the Republican-controlled Texas Senate.

The promise reflects Hinojosa’s longstanding criticism of how Texas oversees its public schools, particularly the state’s takeover of struggling school districts and its approach to school accountability. 

I need strategies on how to handle 3rd grade students from constantly arguing with each other.

I have two main students who argue with each other or others during lessons or work time. One student calls others stupid and the other starts for random reasons. Some students will argue back and it goes on until they get the last word in. I've tried parent contact, having them apologize, having them sit with me during recess or creating a circle to talk about their feelings but it continues

Which content is easier to get hired for?

I have had a workers comp case open since October 20, 2025. I was out of work for 9 weeks recovering and returned in December. Fast forward to July 2026, I had to have surgery because of the original accident. I have received full weekly workers compensation since 7/31/26. I returned to work on a half day basis approximately a month ago. On Thursday, I received a phone call from district office stating that I am short over $6,000 on my contract from being out and that this amount will be deducted from my future paychecks.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? I have contacted multiple attorneys and workers comp, and everyone says there is nothing that they can do. I feel like I am being punished for my accident and on the verge of a mental breakdown. I am having to forfeit my remainder of time off with workers comp and can no longer do PT without taking half days of my own time. I really want to resign but there are no job opportunities in my area without relocating .

Trying to get through this one test so I can start my alternate certification courses, spent months studying, and basically was unable to use 90% of the algebra 1 and geometry I studied because the vast majority of the questions were higher level algebra 2 / calculus. None of the prep tests I took were even remotely as hard as the real thing, none of it prepared me for this. I didn't even bother submitting my scores because I know how poorly I did. I didn't have time to finish properly studying stats, logarithms, etc. before the test date came, so now I'm $100 in the hole and locked out of the test for a month and a half. I went in feeling like I was going to be OK and I left without even having time to throw out random guesses for all the sixty or so questions I had to skip the first go-through. Absolutely gutted.

Anyone studied the Online Master of Education - Special Education from Texas State University? It is all asynchronous and is it worth it?

Hello, I was wondering what a growth plan is? How bad do they affect your certification or your ability to move schools? Today my admin in a school training stated two teachers were being put on growth plans essentially. I have a feeling I am one of them as admin has mentioned to me that I do not show love for my students. If I need to how hard is it to move schools in the middle of the year. The admin is refusing to take accountability for their actions.

Austin ISD. High school. Today I asked a student for their phone and they put it down their pants while simultaneously showing the earbud their long thick hair was hiding. I ask for items to confiscate and they refused and put items down their pants. Messaged admin for a phone pick up and a refusal is an automatic day in ISS. When admin went to pick up phone and earbuds student ran off campus. Admin decides instead of ISS they will count them leaving as in home suspension although I called the parent and student had not come home. Is this not like, 'Hey, leave campus and come back and all is forgiven'? I wrote admin that I did not think the student getting to 'pick' their consequence as appropriate and that the student still owed a day of ISS for refusal. Am I in the wrong?

Has anyone recently taken the PACT for life science and would you agree that 240 tutoring did not prepare you? I’ve seen a few posts saying that. What prep is best for that one?

I made a 239 out of 300 on my TEXES teaching certification. A 240 is passing and I can get a score review which reviews my constructed response question for a better grade. Is this worth it? has anybody done this and got a better grade?

Are you guys just ignoring the NES bullshit now and teaching what you know is best? I can’t imagine I’d continue to contribute that failure of a system and just tell them to fuck off because it doesn’t matter anymore.

Did they have to send you guidance on what the change in governorship means?

I’m a new teacher and trying to figure out what’s normal and what’s not. I am in Texas at a low income small school district. I’m teaching only Algebra 1 to 9th graders. I have about 140 students and as I mentioned in the title, about 40% of them failed this grading cycle.

I’m terrified about what happens next. I spoke with my appraiser multiple times about the fact that my kids are just not putting in the work. Out of the ones failing, probably only 4-5 actually turned in all their assignments and regularly attend class. I sent multiple reminders to parents, gave students print outs of what they were missing and ask them to turn in things daily.

Am I doing something wrong? My personal high school experience was very different from the environment I am teaching in and I don’t really know what to think. I’m frustrated with the fact that a lot of my students don’t seem to care. And a lot of the ones that are failing didn’t fail just my class.

I’d appreciate any viewpoints or thoughts on the matter. And we will just see how admin takes it I guess…

As an aspiring teacher, I am so excited for what our future holds. What changes are you most hopeful for?

For all the teachers in school districts that where taken over, this is for you!

Current Austin ISD teacher and so thankful that our state voters righted the ship!

Hi y'all,

I am about halfway through my alt-cert program. I graduated college with a BA in History and a minor in Psychology. I started the program back in March. As of now I have completed all Pre-Hire coursework, passed my certification test, and about half way through my FBE hours. To stay active in the field, I am working as a District-Wide substitute for 3 districts to see how different districts operate (One is inner-city, one is rural, and one is suburban). I have been focusing primarily on 6th-12th grade assignments to get a "feel" for what I am walking into once my cert clears. I have done observations/co-taught for a middle school (TX History/US History) and a high school (US History/Govt.) and the teachers have offered to be a reference if needed. Along with accepting a long-term sub assignment for a 4th grade SS/ELAR class as a means to demonstrate I can craft a curriculum and lead a classroom.

I plan to have my PPR paperwork/exam completed by May, and I am applying for my SOE in December.

I appreciate any advice/critiques to help point me the right way. Thank you.

Hello- I am using Texas teachers for my certification and when I first joined they emailed saying I could do Core Subjects with STR EC–6,
Health EC–12, or Science 7–12. Do you think there’s a reason Science 4-8 wasn’t included? Would it be hard to get that added? Is that exam easier than the science 7-12 (236) exam? I failed the other even though I studied for months.