Hi guys. Discovering this subreddit has been therapeutic.

I’m a first year ECT and 5 weeks in I already feel like I’m sinking. The school I’m at has a very intensive marking policy. All books marked and an assessment competed, marked and feedback given every three weeks (so twice a half term). Ive got 10 class groups so you can do the maths here…I’ve been staying up until 11 o clock two or three weeknights every week trying to get through it and I’m already not staying ahead. I got quite sick last week, and although the change of weather of course played a part I also think it was spurred on by exhaustion and lack of sleep.

Yesterday I got pulled in by a member of SLT as a complaint that I hadn’t marked one of my student’s books. I had already marked that class’s books but the student but have been absent when I took them up. Half way through the conversation I felt like I couldn’t even hear what they were saying to me and I had a really strong urge to just leave the building.

I feel like I’ve already checked out mentally and I don’t want to stay in this job. I know it’s really bad to leave a teaching position mid year, but I truly think I could see myself having a breakdown if I stay.

If I left, I was thinking I could do supply work until my lease is up on my apartment. Or even just find work in a cafe.

I’m not sure what response I’m looking for but I just wanted to air my thoughts.