(Privileged) dilemma. Help from “the outside” needed.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-18T07:35:51+00:00

I don’t think you realize the impact your comments have had. Thank you for the nudges from wherever you are. Truly 🙏

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-18T07:23:34+00:00

I think you have a false perception of international teachers and may be projecting some of your insecurities onto them. Just because the schools we teach at usually cater to privileged communities, doesn’t mean the teachers come from the same background.

My experience, even in top schools, has been that teachers come from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds, majority of which are pretty average, working class. Some of my colleagues left their small towns due to extremely Christian / religious families, some lost everything and started from zero. I even worked with someone who was homeless during childhood then went on to leadership.

They, myself included, too, had to work hard just like you did, pay off large debts, support family members in different countries, etc.

Also, unless you’re speaking openly about this to colleagues (which may cause increased feelings of isolation), no one cares.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-17T19:50:24+00:00

I completely agree with you about there being zero correlation between having an MA and being a good teacher. I don’t have one and would consider myself, while by no means perfect, a quality, well performing teacher. It is somewhat discouraging to know that I wouldn’t even get the chance to show that to some schools due to not having a masters. But then, moving forward, is that the sort of school I want to continue with? I’m experiencing that sort of school now and might be ready to move on from that culture. Again, though, fearfully trading in one problem for the other. I’m at some sort of turning point and it’s comforting to know there are also good schools that don’t require a masters.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-17T19:34:53+00:00

If I’m honest, I believe I’m entering a panic phase. Another idea was to bike across parts of SE Asia. I’ve taken a year off work completely before and I’m comfortable with doing something non conventional for a year but I worry about employment and stability afterwards / in the long run. Again, this fear of “I am an idiot for giving this up…”

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-17T19:28:10+00:00

😂 thanks for keeping it real.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-17T14:32:47+00:00

That’s it. That’s the dilemma. Which gamble do I go with? The plan right now is to stick around for a couple years, anyway. That allows enough time to save and see how things turn out. Thank you for the reply.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-17T14:31:34+00:00

Thank you. It was just one of many ideas I had that seemed a decent way to be in other schools. I wouldn’t necessarily mind going through the safeguarding process for a school that agreed to the volunteering but again, it was just a rough idea as I felt I needed some sort of plan for after ending my time here. Of course being employed is the ideal situation but I am also open to other things if I have sufficient savings.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-17T04:55:39+00:00

I agree.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-17T04:55:20+00:00

Thank you, great advice.

The school is definitely top tier and it pains me to say that the leadership team has become toxic (I only know to label it as that after lots of reading aboht what toxic leadership looks like. It’s not all of them, but it’s enough. The positive here is that colleagues see it, too and we have each other to work through it together). I can’t even really tell you when or how it happened, it was slow, and I hope we are going through the worst of it. My fears are twofold: I’ve become so comfortable in a great place that I’m quick to criticize and resist and 2) I realize what a privilege I had if I move on.

As for settling for a lower tier school, this is the sort of school I moved to this current school from. I was younger and less experienced but I could feel the unorganized, erratic approach, mandatory volunteering, general lack of care for teachers, and lower pay wasn’t for me, either. This is why I really wonder if my current situation is really the best it will be for me.

It’s just - you don’t know what you don’t know! I really don’t know if I’m being ridiculous. “Trading in one problem for another” is exactly it.

I have friends in other places who I keep in touch with. Depending where they are, some are happy to have moved on while others would like to try and return.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-17T04:48:10+00:00

This is a major reason we are still where we are. My husband is in health care so he would have to be re-certified and licensed wherever we go, something he is hesitant to do, which I completely understand and respect. One of his nonnegotiables for change is job fulfillment. In his words “I don’t want to be a 40 year old who plays PlayStation all day” - something I wouldn’t want for him, either. I’m sorry to hear you once suffered these feelings of isolation.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-17T04:44:14+00:00

One idea I had for after leaving was to volunteer in different schools for 1-3 months at a time to see what it’s like in different places. I wouldn’t necessarily need to be unemployed for that long but financially, I’d be most comfortable having that amount saved just in case I can’t find work so quickly.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-16T18:37:01+00:00

I already took a year unpaid leave for personal reasons a few years ago. This is why I’m saving again. Admin has changed and I’m not sure I’d get the same chance. I think I’d be moving on for good. It’s nice that you got the chance to do that. There’s so much value in being able to come back to a place while being given the freedom to change things up.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-16T17:39:16+00:00

Absolutely agree. These are the exact questions I’ve been asking myself over and over for the last year almost. More seriously in the last few months. I’m a big fan of the pros and cons list and use this approach often. The inability to come to a sound conclusion is what led me to post this. I usually wouldn’t make such a big decision based on the opinions of others so me asking publicly is really the next step in gaining more insight. Another barrier is my husband not being able to work internationally as easily as I can.

I’ve narrowed it down to 3 options. Originally it was 2: wait it out or quit. The third one is to try and embrace change with an open mind. Detach and stand still while everything moves around me. It seems like a less daunting version of “wait it out”.

To quit, I need to be in a financially stable enough position to leave my job and be unemployed for a year or two. So while waiting it out and trying to be accepting and open minded to change, I’m saving up to be able to quit should the next couple years continue to make me feel like this.

I feel I have a sensible plan for the time being. My only issue is the fear that arises when I think I’ll give up this life situation, only to realize I had it pretty good.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-10T05:00:47+00:00

I’m so interested in the coaching you mentioned. I do not agree with or respect my admin at all because of lies and manipulation tactics but I’m very bad at being fake. What are 1 or 2 of the most valuable tips you’ve learned for “faking it”? Ive just gone quiet but I feel my soul crushing.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-08T08:19:34+00:00

Bist ein riesiges A.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-05T18:20:48+00:00

Thank you! This is exactly the daily schedule I am looking for a bag to accommodate. Gym in the morning and all the things I need for a work day including food. These 2 comments have me convinced. 🙏

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-05T14:07:21+00:00

Keep windows slightly open, diffuser with a neutral smell like fresh laundry or “anti-Tobacco” or disinfectant, and if you have carpet and younger students, ask them to bring indoor shoes

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-04T21:43:58+00:00

Maybe email the DRK to see if this is appropriate? You could also ask local schools if their art department is interested.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-04T21:40:07+00:00

I love him so much; his genuine empathy makes my heart so happy. His comments like “is this what it’s always like? Do you ever get used to this?” and the way he seems to be caught off guard with how much he feels is so heartwarming and human. He’s a sweetheart.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-04T21:28:38+00:00

I never said I was surprised or unhappy . I was looking for accurate information about what happens to the clothing in those bins.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-04T20:24:07+00:00

Absolutely. The bins gather a crazy amount of random “garbage” in my area, which is why I’ve never used them before.

Fun-Feature-2203 · 2025-01-04T20:20:23+00:00

Thank you. This is what led me to ask this question. I donated a large amount of clothing to oxfam but they didn’t take everything. I was then left with clothing that I didn’t know what to do with so I thought of the Rotes Creuz bins. I was hesitant because a lot of the clothes were still wearable and I felt uncomfortable imagining them just being shredded so the accumulative responses that say the clothing does actually get sorted and passed on to different avenues is very comforting. Sometimes the state of those bins is quite dire.

Fun-Feature-2203

TROPHY CASE

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