teaching vs. subbing

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Home : 2004 : January : 6

teaching vs. subbing
By Monica

Here's my 2 cents' worth, which may be helpful because I'm married and have a child and this is my first year of teaching.

I've had an enormously stressful first year of teaching so far (I posted a message a few months
ago titled "Can't eat, can't sleep," which should give you an idea of how much fun I was having) but can see things getting better. Having a holiday break was an enormous help, and I've found a couple of colleagues who are really supportive and take some of the sting out of the fact that my grade-level colleagues really could not care less whether I get through this year or not.
My husband

is very supportive as well, but I know he's looking forward to next year, when I've promised him I'll be more relaxed. My son tells his friends that his mom is crabby almost all the time, but that dad says she'll be better soon.

I've heard from so many people who say it gets easier after the first year, and I believe them (I'd go crazy if I didn't!) If your family is supportive and understands from the beginning that your first year will be really hard but that things will get better, then I say go for that full-time job. But if you suspect that your family will be resentful of the time and energy that you'll be putting into a new job, and that dealing with that resentment will only add to your stress, then think twice. Best of luck to you, whatever you decide!