I feel the same way. I'm in my 16th year of teaching. I seriously don't know how I've made it this far. Every day I can't wait until I get to leave for the day. I think about that scene in Mr. Holland's Opus where the principal berates Mr. Holland for practically running to his car after the last bell. That's me. What are we supposed to do, stay around and put in more hours and overwork ourselves even more just to show we are dedicated? I used to feel guilty for wanting to be done for the day, but I can't help but welcome it. No profession should suck the life out of you like teaching does - especially when students don't listen or care about their school work. Kids can't let go of their phones for 10 minutes and I have to turn into the phone nazi. I grade all weekend and get almost no personal time. And I don't even have kids to raise. There's no way I'd be able to raise healthy kids and be a teacher at the same time. Add to that the fact that I haven't really had a raise in forever and make almost 50% less than the average teacher in the U.S. It's pathetic. I don't get paid during the summer and have to dip into my retirement. Oh, and don't forget that I'll be paying back my student loans almost until I retire.