Feeling stuck | Imamother

amother

OP ↓

Yesterday at 6:35 pm

This is a question for those of you teaching for many years in the same place.
I’ve been teaching for 20+ years in the same school, same subject, same grade. Humility aside, I’m really good at what I do and I am one of the schools main teachers in that department. However recently, I’ve been feeling really stuck where I am. I feel like there’s no growth at all. I have so much to offer that The school never tapped into. When I started 20 years ago, The school was flooded with talented teachers it already had their place doing play, extracurricular, school Shabbos, etc. so there wasn’t place for me to get involved in any extracurricular, programs
Now the younger teachers or newer teachers are stepping in and out of those roles that I would’ve loved. I’m really creative, but that has been left to my classroom. I also feel like there have been administration changes in school and I was never considered or offered a position. I understand that there are other teachers there as long as I am and even though I know I’m valuable asset to the school somehow I just feel really stuck right now. I don’t see any future growth for myself here. But starting a new school would be starting very bottom of the totem pole and reestablishing myself and I’m not sure that is the best for me either. Can anyone relate? I’m not even sure what I want. I think I just feel overlooked and underappreciated and at this point in my life, I feel a little bit of a need to be recognized more…. (and we’re not even talking salary because that’s a whole nother discussion:-)

amother

↑ OP ↓

Yesterday at 6:52 pm

BrachaVHatzlocha wrote:

Can you stay at your school and take on if anything opens in another school part time ?

Right now I’m teaching whatever hours I have available . In a few years when my kids are out full time that may be an option .

But it still means starting again without anything gained from working in the same place for so long …

amother

↑ OP ↓

Yesterday at 6:54 pm

chocolate moose wrote:

a lot of jobs don't have room for advancement. that doesn't mean they aren't perfectly servicable positions. tho

I was addressing my question to a specific subset of ppl- those who have been teaching in the same place / position for a while
Comments like this are dismissive and not helpful or empathetic.

amother

Mayflower ↓

Today at 8:56 am

I've been in a school for ten years and was offered a position of growth (like teacher mentorship/ curriculum stuff) but turned it down because its the wrong time in my life.
So I haven't done 20 years, and am not in your situation, but here are my thoughts-

1. Have you ever asked any administration for any of the positions? "I would love working with the girls in extracurricular activities. Please keep me in mind when..." ?

2. Have you gotten involved (not for pay) occasionally so they can see your passion and talent?

3. This one hurts- : Schools nowadays are into young. Young teachers, young principals... I hate to say, anand I dont know your age, but while teachers in their30s and 40s are being offered positions of growth, teachers in their 50s aren't.
And there are problems with that.

amother

↑ OP

Today at 10:07 am

amother Mayflower wrote:

Honey I’m not in my 40s yet lol almost though . I’ve been teaching in the same place since I graduated.

At this point my life, I’m not even looking for the extracurricular it’s being taken by the young teachers that come and go in their single/ newly married years, but I am looking for more of an administrative position or at least something more than I’ve been doing for the past 20+ years.

icedcoffee

Today at 10:20 am

I can sort of relate - I've been at my school for a decade. I definitely feel like it's gotten a little repetitive, but I also feel like I'm really lucky to be where I am. I've established myself and am well-liked by admin and students. I know what's expected of me, I know how to successfully work with this student body, and I'm happy enough going into work every day. If I were to go to a new school, I wouldn't be able to count on any of that. It feels like a no-brainer to stay at this school where everything is going well. After a few years here, I asked if I could run the school website, because no one else had taken that on. Last year, I also took on yearbook. Both of these things helped me feel like I was contributing in a new way and also added some extra $. I also have my eyes on an admin at some point in the future, but I'm not sure what that will ultimately look like or when I'd be able to get another degree.

amother

Oxfordblue

Today at 2:42 pm

When I knew there was an opening, I expressed interest in the role. Sometimes people don't always think of everyone, and if you've never expressed an interest, they may think you're content as you are.
I have a friend who has been a teaching assistant for decades and she doesn't want to do anything more. She likes not having additional responsibility.
Ideally I probably would have wanted to take on the role a few years further down the line, but I knew it was unlikely another opportunity would come up.