I think I can help with this:

I taught for 7 years. Flamed out spectacularly (no, I didn't get in trouble with the law, just yelled too much), and went into oil and gas. Now I'm a commercial title examiner with one of the biggest financial firms in the world. This is all in addition to being your humble TYB moderator, BrynnPark data provider, drill designer, doting husband and loving father, etc.

School work is nothing like the real world. It's harder. Adminstrators are worse, and the rules are stupid and the customer (the parent) is always right.

It doesn't work like that in the real world. I can take off when I want to, and not have to worry about anyone else but me. Oh, and it is PAID time off, which I accrue. You kinda get that in schools, but it runs out real quick. The insurance is better, the retirement is better. We also have guiderails for bad bosses/admin, where they can be let go and NOT assigned to some easy gig.

Do I miss teaching? Hell yeah. Love to teach. Help train folks in what I do now. But as y'all know, teaching is about 30% of what teachers do now, if that much. There's a reason why teachers leave, and there are great reasons to stay - that being each and every kid.

Blessings to you all who stay, as its not an easy life at all. But it ain't the real world - its much more difficult - unless you've got a job that's been featured on Dirty Jobs.


Tim