What do you do when you feel like quitting music teaching? More than ever before, teaching has gotten harder for a variety of reasons. Maybe you used to love your job, but the thought of doing it anymore just drains you. If so, this this blog post (and episode 224 of The Elementary Music Teacher podcast) will inspire you to keep going and to remind you that you’re doing a heck of a lot better job than you think you are.
Your Views About Work
Your job is not just a job, but it’s a career and a calling. I don’t find it a coincidence for one second that you’re at the school you’re at while teaching the students you teach. Although you know this in your head knowledge, getting it into your heart knowledge can be more difficult. It’s okay not to like your job every single day. That’s normal! But, when you realize you’re teaching music for a reason, it helps to go in each day.
It’s important to find seasons of renewal and rest, like over built in breaks and on the weekends. If you don’t, the freight train will keep moving faster and faster and you’re not really taking care of YOU! It’s all about finding the balance you need to be effective both at work and home.
Dealing with the Hard Days
When you feel like quitting music teaching, how are you supposed to keep going on those “I want to give up days?” First of all, know it’s okay to take a mental health day if needed EVEN if you can’t find a sub. There’s a substitute shortage everywhere right now and it can cause you to feel guilty about taking a day off. But, this isn’t your problem or worry. Your personal days are YOURS. So, use them accordingly.
Plan for ease and don’t try to fit in so much you’re getting overwhelmed. One of the reasons you might be experiencing harder days is due to you over planning. If you’re trying to fit too much into a single class period, think about the transitions, activities, and the way you’re teaching. Then, think about what’s causing you to feel like music teaching is just too hard. If you don’t get to the root of the issue, it will keep rearing it’s ugly head again and again. Take the time to really process through these feelings.
Moving Forward
When it comes to moving forward as a music teacher, the first step is to re-evaluate why you became a teacher in the first place. Why did you become a music teacher when you could have been anything else? Then, think about if you want to keep doing this year after year. Think about what else you might want to do if you weren’t teaching (let’s chat about it during coaching calls).
And the last thing you can do is journal about how you’re prioritizing your time and if your work life balance is off kilter. There is no perfect job. If you choose to move on to something else besides teaching music, you’ll still feel stress and overwhelm if you don’t find the balance you’re needing in your life.
Have you thought about quitting music teaching? Tell me about it in the comments below or share your thoughts on social media as you share this post. I’d love for you to share this post or any of the resources on my website with a friend or colleague who you know NEEDS to see it too.
P.S. Are you feeling frustrated or stuck as an elementary music teacher? Check out these free resources to help you teach elementary music with confidence!
Also…I wrote a book called “Make A Note: What You Really Need To Know About Teaching Elementary Music” to help music teachers move forward in your teaching career. You can get your copy here.
