I Signed Up to Teach, but is it teaching? The reality of a class teacher …

meditatewithsteph
Jul 21
3 min read

When Did Teaching Become This? (And Why Didn’t Anyone Warn Us?)

I became a teacher because I like working with children.

I like watching that spark when they finally get it.

I like creating fun, meaningful learning moments.

I like the energy, the laughter, the tiny wins.

I like inspiring children through my own passions.

But lately, I’ve been asking myself, more and more… it‘s not about teaching anymore…

When did teaching become… this?

I don’t remember my class teacher doing half the things I’m doing now.

She wasn’t wiping noses, navigating friendship breakdowns, and answering a dozen emails a day from parents questioning every move.

She wasn’t acting as a therapist, tech support, event planner, emotional regulator, and babysitter, all before lunchtime.

But somehow, that’s the job now.

Let’s be honest about what we’re juggling:

• Parents who challenge everything, even the most basic rules

• Over-the-top expectations, without any understanding of how schools actually work

• Prep overload, and admin mountains that are never finished

• Behavior issues, that run deep and often start at home

• A lack of Organisation within the school, but definitely becomes the teacher’s responsibility

And let me be clear — it’s not the kids’ fault.

They’re navigating a world that’s noisy, overstimulating, often confusing, and increasingly complicated.

Yes, schools could work on being more organised, more proactive, and less reactive, but let’s be honest, they’re under constant pressure from parents too.

The pressure trickles down, and it lands, squarely and silently, on the teacher’s shoulders.

And let’s not pretend parenting hasn’t changed.

We’re dealing with a generation of parents who, for a mix of reasons fear, anxiety, overcompensation, or too many parenting blogs. They have made teaching a completely different profession.

Here’s just a glimpse at the types of parents we meet:

Types of Parents Teachers Meet (a Survival Field Guide)

The Young Parent

Still figuring life out, often overwhelmed, sometimes treats you like Google. Asks what to pack for lunch, at 9:00 a.m.

The Helicopter Parent

Micromanages every second. Wants a daily update. Sends follow-up emails with bullet points.

The “My Child is a Genius” Parent

Convinced their child is gifted, even when they’ve just coloured in their face with a whiteboard marker. Everything is “too easy” for them.

The Ghost Parent

You’ve never seen them. You’re not sure they’ve seen their own child’s school bag. Forms go unsigned. Voicemails go ignored.

The Over-Sharer

You now know their full life story. You didn’t ask, but you got the plot, the twist, and the sequel.

The Competitive Parent

Treats school like a leaderboard. “Where does my child sit compared to others?” Signs them up for extra tutoring in Prep.

The DIY Expert

Corrects typos in the newsletter, sends links to “better” behavior strategies, suggests changes to your teaching plan.

The Outraged Advocate

Always upset about something. Sends emails with “urgent” in the subject line. Usually CCs the principal before you can respond.

So, here we are.

Teachers aren’t just teachers anymore.

We are secretaries, life coaches, mediators, mothers and aunties and “safe adults,” cheerleaders, cleaners, first aid officers, confidence builders, and sometimes, the only stable figure a child sees all day.

And I keep asking,

What happened to the job of the year?

When did teaching stop being teaching, and start being everything else?

So I want to know, what do you think changed?

Is this really what we’re okay with now?

Because personally, I’m tired.

I’m tired of holding everything together with stickers, compassion, and caffeine.

I’m tired of being made to feel like it’s not enough, when I know I’m giving everything I’ve got.

And that’s why, for the first time, I didn’t just write calming meditations for my students.

I wrote one for teachers. For me. For you.

Because behind the role, the duties, the labels, we’re still human.

And we deserve rest.