A former educator reveals that enduring repeated physical and verbal mistreatment in her profession led her to resign, despite it once being her aspiration, with some of the mistreatment coming from parents. From a young age, Alice Scholz was inspired by her mother to pursue a career in teaching and had devoted years to the field.

However, she encountered several “disturbing” incidents that made her reconsider her path. The 31-year-old faced harm from students in the classroom and encountered hostile behavior from parents as well. “I have faced physical and verbal abuse during my time as a teacher, and some of it has been extremely distressing,” shared Alice, who resides in Windsor.

“I have been hit, scratched, and left with bruises by students. Recently, while assisting a child who was causing harm to peers, I followed his suggested calming technique by kneeling down to his level and gently holding his hands, only to have him forcefully grab my breast, resulting in bruising.”

“In one instance, a father larger than me loomed over me, pointed in my face, and yelled that I wasn’t putting in enough effort because his child was hit with a plastic block. In another case, a father was irate that I had to report his child for hitting a peer.”

“He cursed at me, insulted other students in the class standing behind me, and then both parents spent the following month recording me on their smartphones during pick-up time.”

Alice initially entered the teaching profession inspired by her mother, who supports children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Now, her mother is one of the many family and friends who are “relieved” that Alice has left her job.

Expressing her feelings, Alice stated, “I am truly saddened that the profession I once adored no longer feels like the right fit for me, as it truly feels like a loss. Nevertheless, I also feel a sense of liberation now that I am no longer under the constant pressure of the job.”

“People around me were actually relieved when I disclosed my decision to leave. My parents, boyfriend, and best friends had been urging me to step away for a while because they could see how distressed I was, and they detested hearing about the mistreatment I was enduring.”

Originally from Australia, Alice noted a distinct contrast between the education systems in Australia and the UK. She remarked, “At the outset of my career, it was exactly as I had envisioned, particularly during my initial two and a half years of teaching in Australia, where I had considerable creative freedom in my classroom and could tailor learning to suit my students.”

“I have taught in both Australia and the UK, and the disparities were evident. Australia offered a superior work-life balance and better compensation. Although it has been about seven and a half years since I last taught there, during my tenure, there was much less pressure to constantly prove oneself as a teacher.”

“I also had more autonomy over the curriculum and teaching pace, which significantly enhanced student engagement and enjoyment. In contrast, the UK system is heavily focused on data and does not always align with the realities of today’s students entering schools.”

“While there have been moments I have truly cherished while working in the UK, the system itself has been draining and ultimately led to burnout, making me prefer the Australian system overall.”

Alice does not foresee a full-time return to teaching but acknowledges the possibility of working as a supply teacher due to the current job market. However, if she pursues this path, she will establish “clear boundaries” to safeguard herself.

These boundaries include restricting her workdays and thoroughly researching schools before accepting placements, even if it may put her in a financially precarious situation. “I must prioritize my well-being as I know the school system won’t.”

“I am open to what the future holds. While I have enjoyed supporting other teachers who resonate with my experiences, realistically, that doesn’t pay the bills.”

“Additionally, I have been enhancing my skills by completing a project management course and exploring opportunities in corporate roles.”

Reflecting on her teaching journey, Alice emphasized that while teaching can be immensely fulfilling, people often underestimate its impact on educators. She remarked, “It can also be draining and detrimental if the system fails to support you.”

“My journey has highlighted the significance of establishing boundaries, autonomy, and receiving support. Without them, even the most enthusiastic, vibrant teachers can experience burnout. Teaching is a profession filled with highs and lows. While I will always cherish the experiences and students I have taught, it is also acceptable to step away when it becomes unsustainable for your well-being.”