Long thread: I’m sitting here working through this game as I watch and I’m just tired. I’m working, at minimum, another 40 hours a week right now in unpaid overtime. Online learning is crushing my soul. I don’t make enough to pay the most general of common bills in your 30’s.

I work 2-3 nights a week bartending and make more than my weekly take home pay as a teacher. I’m lucky, as far as my health, that my in person teaching has been limited, but teachers as a whole in Indiana continue to be ignored in terms of vaccination.

This while being in a room of 20-40 kids each day who have a long list of major concerns before you even think about keeping a mask over their mouth and nose. Sitting in my room because it’s “not safe” to eat lunch in a cafeteria, but safe for all kids to take their mask off

In a 10x10 room and have their lunch. I wanted nothing more than to be a teacher for the rest of my life, but as I sit here, with my first child on the way.... I’m beginning to question what’s best for me, my family, and unfortunately what I dedicate most importantly my students.

I put in the time I do because that’s what they need from me. I’m changing things daily to keep their interest, adapting on the fly, trying something different every day. I can’t continue to do what I do without the effort I put into it, everything I can think of. It’s impossible

I don’t know the point of this rambling but I don’t think I can teach anymore... I’m exhausted and emotionally destroyed. I see Indiana, a state I love and their complete disregard for teachers.

I’m working throughout the night until my eyes can’t stay open, and then, can’t sleep from the stress of knowing I didn’t get everything done. I’m not sleeping, drinking more than I should, just at the hope of passing out and getting sleep.

This is the life of teachers in America now. So...if anyone knows of employment opportunities that I may be considered for, please share. I feel I’m pretty smart and adapt and learn quickly in any environment. If it was just me, I’d continue, but I want my family to be better.