I Quit My Teaching Job Today
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- čas přidán 7. 08. 2012
- I know this is a little bit of a rant, but I had some air to clear on why I've quit my college position. Its been in the works for a long time. I just finally pulled the plug.
I think that formal, higher education is in a very weird place now. Its still relevant at the moment, but it needs to start changing with the times. Its extremely expensive and college should offer something you can't just find on line.
To be clear, with the right program and the right teachers you do get personal attention, projects, critiques and experience that still offer the value of formal education. In my situation I was oddly chair of the education advisory board for curriculum, but I had been given only online classes to teach. The system in place at this particular school had nothing to offer with online. It was just a way to keep students from going somewhere else as far as I could see.
I'm not willing to sit and fester in a system that won't progress which is why I quit.
I'll be focusing my time on making images and continuing my videos online at the moment. I have a huge love for teaching and eventually will find a way to do this in a capacity I believe more in.
you didnt quit teaching! you quit your job as a teacher, but you still teach us, here, on youtube! and i think i speak for everyone that we are really really thankfull for that!
I want out! but have no idea what else I could do with my life without having to go back to school. The amount of kids with behavior and learning problems that we get every year is just insane. Getting blamed for everything by parents, and the paper work involved behind the scenes...it's meant for people who are made of steel! I'd be very happy with an office job. Just a nice quiet cubicle.
Kay2be2mr Ive been feeling the same way. I'm going into my 10th year of teaching, but I'm over it now. The administration is getting out of control, their pretty much bullies. Paperwork is over the top, no planning time, or support for behavioral issues. I would love to be sitting in an office workinh smh.
Kay2be2mr dude just pass all your students so you keep all the kids parents administrators happy. No worth trying to win a losing battle.
Word!! I feel the same.
I quit my last teaching job for the same reasons: the students don't really care, they don't study, not even a word, and as regards management, where is everybody ?
They don’t READ. It’s frustrating.
Yes! The system is so messed up! ..if I may speak colloquially. To spend 4 years in college in hopes of getting your dream job after graduation, only to settle into a job that has nothing to do with your degree, but you have to pay your bills! Only to find out that in order to have the life you want and support your family, you must go back and complete another 2-4 years of grad school so you can attempt to beat the competition, only to dig yourself into a deeper hole, to come to fast forward
This is my first time to ever comment on CZcams - I'm usually just a 'watcher' and maybe throw out a 'like' every so often. I know this video was posted several years ago, but I am so incredibly glad I stumbled upon it. It's exactly what I'm experiencing right now and I can't tell you enough how much it hit home. THANK YOU for sharing this.
Thanks Nicole!
I love this. I watched this right after I printed my resignation letter..
+Eljay Leyble congratulations!
I watched the entire video and I think it was really admirable to stick to your principles and maintain integrity. I wish you all of the best in the future.
I watched the whole thing and found it very inspirational. Life is ever-changing but some changes are bigger than others. When you follow your gut feeling, things usually turn out all right. As long as you are honest with yourself, there is no wrong path to go into. Thank you for doing what you do, I just found your channel so I have some catch up to do. Thanks again!
Best of luck in your future endeavors, and Thank You for all of your videos, all of your instruction, and your love for Photography. And I look forward to your Future Videos.
your rants are well-spoken. found your channel 2 days ago. i've watched over a dozen vids and enjoyed them all. great info and super entertaining. thanks.
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing. It is really nice to see someone with so much integrity!
I subscribed this channel last week. And I've found this particular video is very inspirational. Thank you!!! All the videos are very nice. Thanks for your hard work!!
I stumbled on this video after not being able to sleep tonight. I'm currently considering a career change and this video gave some solid advice. Thanks for putting the effort into these videos, I look forward to watching more.
This is the first time that I have seen this video. I am the same age as you and am going through the same career crossroads situation that you went through. Thanks for your honesty. I take great inspiration and knowledge from your stories. I think I know how I will proceed from here. Many thanks!
I am so ashamed I hadn't ever watched this video earlier! Coming from a fellow teacher also in the DFW area I totally agree with you on your ideals of teaching and college. At times I get overwhelmed with the the lack of embrace our fellow coworkers have towards the future and the injustice done to teachers pay and student tuitions. No matter where you go you will always be a great teacher I have learned so much from you and continue learning through your channel! BTW I laughed when you mentioned about the reapplying bit...that drives me crazy too!
I think you are an amazing teacher. I've learned so much from watching your videos on CZcams. Thanks for all you do and your willingness to share so openly.
Thanks Ted. Just found this. Since this vid was posted , in your more recent vids you actually look healthier and happier. I find your honesty refreshing.
Thank you, The Art of Photography. I really appreciate the time you take to make this. I just subscribed. I hope to look for more recent videos because I can see this is from 2012.
great Thanks Ted....after 2 years and this video helped me think about things ...needed this a lot .
Your videos are a lot of help. I'm leaving for college in 3 days to major in photography and I learned a lot with your videos. While creating the portfolio I used to get in to college your videos were a life saver. This has nothing to do with anything I just wanted to thank you for the time that you put into the videos.
You're an inspiration Ted, your sincerity pours through the screen. Your integrity will be rewarded, cheers Ted.
Awesome video. Lots of sound advice. I love your videos, you've helped me so much. You do what great teachers do which is make you think. You're passionate about what you do and it makes your students (us) passionate also. So I just wanted to say thanks.
Very sound advice. This world needs more people like you. Best of luck moving forward!
It’s been 5 years ever since... I’ve grown very fond of your channel and I have to say this is the most honest and the most interesting channel I’ve seen so far here in CZcams. I love how you go beyond the technical aspects of photography, you make it deep and quite personal! So I guess I just want to say, thank you, Ted, for everything you’ve done so far. I’m sure it has paid off greatly!
It's always been educational when i listen to you. Keep it up! Glad to be on this channel:-)
I enjoy your video, as always. I've been watching for the past few years. You're no doubt a very good teacher.
Thanks man - really means a lot to hear.
Ramble away Sir. I loved this video. I love the Inspiring/Expiring faux pas (?) at the end! Your channel, which I just found and have watched most of your videos (in their entirety!) are both informative and heart felt, from my chair anyway. I am a full time artist, custom painter, photographer, pinstriper. I have 2 thriving businesses in my home city. At times I beat myself up for not getting a degree... You have made me feel a bit better about taking an alternative route. Thanks for the affirmation (such as it is)... Keep the vids coming.
Thanks for this video! Really helped me come to some much needed decisions I needed to make.
I did watch it all, there are a couple of thins you mentioned I had never thought of and you made me realize of them. so thanks. btw I've followed you just a day and the videos are really helpful.
A brave and well substantiated move Ted! You must feel so much better now. My best learning experiences at University came from in-class debate and discussion with dedicated teachers and keen students. I agree that the online learning concept, whilst convenient for some (mainly for missing lectures!) has severe drawbacks. Your mentoring and teaching role lives on with us AOP (and now Vlog) followers. Enjoy the new found freedom!
A very thought provoking video. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
good on ya mate, all the best for the future. great videos as always!
Interesting video, you seem like an interesting and inspiring teacher and I hate that our educational institutions for the most part are so broken. Keep teaching, you are good at it!
Sir, like I said before and I'm going to say again, you are one of the main inspirations nowadays for me, thank you so much for all of this. Your passion is contagious! I'm really glad that I found your channel! Thank you teacher.
I hope it stands to you :) I have come through an irish perspective for a student, passion and integrity in a teacher is the most important quality in my view. their loss is our gain! :) so i lift my hat to you!
you've got a big heart And a very giving nature, teachings loss is our gain. Thank you Ted:)
Thank you for your video. I deliberately looked for this subject and could not be happier. I am at a crossroads regarding by 10 year teaching career and am about make the same decision. I choose inegrity and am looking for that work/life balance. I too loved many of the experiences in education, but I cannot deny my need to make a change; you took the words right out of my head...wow.
I truly appreciate your series. The energy and passion that you exude are tremendous and quite frankly I am hooked on your series. What you do in this series matters, they do! Here it is two years since this vid was published and I am a newcomer. I got my first Nikormat 35mm at the age of 23 and had to stop. Marriage, Family, and life happens. I spent a lot of time traveling around in my job "seeing" frames in my head. I missed it!
Once again, this body of work that you have accomplished is impressive and tremendously helpful! I hope that things have been going well since this video. You really do deserve the very best!
Take care,
Richard
Richard Adams Thanks for the kind words Richard. Never too late to start again!
I like your honesty. We definitely are facing serious issues in higher education which is a shame. I'm not in your field but enjoying what you do is the most important thing!
This video was posted a couple of years ago but I just watched it today (Oct 2015) . I've recently watched many episodes of the AOP by Ted Forbes with great interest and satisfaction because of my long-standing interest in photography. This particular episode, however, deeply touched me because of its more philosophical and political nature and comments on academic life. I am writing this as a university teacher who is soon about to quit my job due to insufficient research funding and just feeling a bit fed up with the endless struggle. I really found your video and authentic comments very inspiring and illuminating. Thanks so much!
Best wishes, Mattias Burell
+Mattias Burell thank you Mattias. This video is several years old and I still think it was a good decision. I now do this show full time.
+The Art of Photography Dear Ted, I guess you have tons of emails each day and many other pressing concerns. In view of this I really appreciate your taking the time to respond to me, and so quikly. I really, really like a whole bunch of your CZcams videos and vlogs + reflections on photography. I am myself in a tiresome and troublesome transition between academia and new pursuits and ways of employment. It's a drag. Cannot figure out if photography will just be my hobby ore something more serious. I'm happy to know it worked out for you. You really are a great source of inspiration! Hope to be able to interact with you someday. Take care! M
Of course! Thank YOU for the kind words!
I discovered this channel 3 days ago and been seeing videos all day(s) long. I´ve had some GREAT teachers who taught because they love to do it, love their topic, or both. It´s been an honor to be their students and i´ve been thinking a lot about teaching because i want to transmit the feelings and thought they gave me in their class, i just want to pay it back, i know its been long since this video but i really admire your thoughts, the situation in México isn´t very different.
Ive only recently discovered your channel so this fills in quite a bit of "back story" for want of a better term. You cover a lot of territory in this video and I dont think anybody can doubt your enthusiasm for teaching and the creative realm. You raise a lot of interesting points about the cost of a university education, the unsatisfactory remuneration of teachers and a changing employment landscape where qualification for just one career isnt the golden ticket it once was. I agree with all of it! I dont think of what you said as a rant as much as an honest and heartfelt appreciation of that situation and your unwillingness to continue to participate in it in a way that was no longer fulfilling. Your honesty in discussing the situation and the fact that 2 years on the decision you took seems to have reaped dividends is inspiration just on its own. It feels a bit weird to be commenting on this video more than 2 years after it was made but I wanted to take the time to thank you for sharing so openly and congratulate you for it. Its a great channel and its encouraging to see good teachers prevailing (and prospering hopefully) through different mediums when the more traditional avenues seem to be failing. Keep up the great work. Cheers. Mark.
Hi I have been following all your vlog on photography and really enjoy it. Although this vlog is off topic, I find it inspiring. Thanks
I don't think you try Ted, I think you very much succeed in inspiring people! You're an awesome mentor. Your channel has taught me what photography is truly all about. Thank you Ted!
finally, someone on CZcams talking about actual photography and the
things that really matter rather than directly or indirectly trying to
sell me something or waffle on about the technical/gear related side of
things.
love your channel
I watched your video very inspirational I do admit I am not a photographer background so haven't' watched all your videos but I can relate with you as an educator. You followed your heart and I think that is the most important thing. Most people drag themselves to careers they hate simply because of pressure from outside world. I do agree our education system is completely broken. I wish you the best of luck and don't doubt yourself the choice is brave and many wished they could do.
Ted...I am more impressed with you now than ever. It has taken me 52 years to be where you are now. Well done. I have been in a field that has truly suffered these last 4 years and it has changed me. I also watched my 26 year old son scum to cancer just 3 years ago. It makes you think about what is truly important in life. You have a true gift in teaching. I am much older than you but I find you make it interesting and enjoyable to learn..even now. I applaud you.
Ted, I know this video is now a couple years old, but I was really touched by your passion and concern for education. I've learned a lot from you and your work. Thank you.
Thanks Tom!
First - I'm humbled to hear that. Second I think you have a GREAT idea! I have a friend who's an incredible photographer who teaches high school (14-18 year olds). He's got a great job that supports him all the way and he loves it. Might consider having him on an episode. He teaches historical process and takes his students to China on a photo trip every summer. Its a complete contrast to what I'm talking about above.
In other words - GO FOR IT!!!!
What an awesome, inspiring human being. You are the best, Ted! :)
Ted is a grand guy. Thanks for the videos and the heart.
Thanks a lot... The world need more people like you...keep going
I am just now seeing your video and am so grateful for this. This is my existential crisis, right now. And, today, I have to give a teaching presentation for faculty development, at a college where I cannot eek out a modest living and there is no room for advancement. So I am planning on leaving by the end of the semester.
I am going to quit and devote my time to writing drama and telling stories.
I’m rewatching this, getting tired of the adjunct life.
I have been going thru something similar, after 10 years I was downsized at my job, I was devastated at first but then took some of my buyout and bought a new camera and some pro gear, and mostly inspired by you I started going out and just shooting, mostly nature but it is the only time I am truly happy it don’t pay anything now but hope to get jobs doing portraits and parties to pay for my love, I wish you the best and I am sure you will succeed in anything you do
I love all your posts. You're always dead on...just like a quality teacher should be. Unfortunately for the arts many schools focus too heavily on theory alone as a means to an end, instead of practical application. I could have used an adjunct professor like you who had one foot rooted in real world application. Their loss is our gain. Keep up the great videos, the world is your classroom now.
Great video! thanks for sharing I believe you shared with us a very valuable info!
Be proud of your self Ted, and keep up the good work you are doing...greetings from Norway :)
Since returning to amateur photography this year after a 30 year lay off I have been watching your videos avidly. I was never a good photographer 30 years ago and I am still not a good photographer today but I am getting better at it and this is entirely down to you. I must add here that my passion is for 35mm film photography but I do watch videos about digital photography as well. You have given me tremendous help in my struggles to be a better photographer and because I am learning from you my own passion for photographer grows daily and I do believe that one day I may become a good photographer. So sincerely, thank you for being you.
That's great! Thanks for the kind words! Never too late my friend.
Thanks for posting this. Very interesting. Extremely engaging. I hope all is going well for you now. I taught high school for fifteen years and that is also very political.
Thanks for sharing that Dean - VERY touching. And yes - theres' more to life than all of this. Thanks for the comment!
This video was both inspiring and honest, I wish I had a professor like this when I was attending CalPoly SLO for engineering. I am graduated now, thank God, but everything he just said is so true. Sure college back in the day (Grandma' and Grandpa's time) college paid off TODAY tho', its a much different. Im sorry guys the numbers just aren't there and this is coming from an engineer from one of the best colleges in the entire state of California, with a 3.85 GPA!
P.S. thanks for this upload hopefully someone who is a high school senior will get to it before they make a life changing decision.
Seriously - thank you for the kind words!
Thank you for being so honest.
All the best for the future Ted :-)
Wow, it's 2018 and I'm just seeing this for the first time. I'm also an Adjunct photography/photoshop instructor in the Dallas area and have been for 11 years. Although I'm not heavily involved in the politics of the college system, I definitely know where you are coming from. This semester, I have the exact same thoughts and feelings that you are stating here and I am comforted by your comments. Thank you.
i know this is an older video but i have to say you are a great teacher on here and i watch your videos regularly trying to learn about photography
Really enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing.
I think you should run for President.
You are a truly inspirational person who clearly loves what they do and it really shows. Thank you for sharing your experience and passion for art and photography with us and I hope you can take comfort in the knowledge that there are so many people who appreciate what you do.
You are a wonderful person and, from what I've seen, really a person who is born for teaching. (btw, thanks a lot for this fantastic podcast)
But even though I think I can understand your frustration, you are really a person who can make a difference in this system.
30.000 are much, and also that significant little bit, better spend when you are on board.
Anyway, thank you very much for sharing this thoughts.
just noticed that you set yourself in video according to rule of thirds...:) thx for your videos and thx for the knowledge that you share through your videos!
Thanks, nice to get some info on your background.
haha, i watched the whole video...
It was good, and gave me a lot to think about. Thank you so much.
Ted, I'm commenting from my family's channel, and it's been a while since you uploaded this video, but your decision to change directions in teaching was the right thing to do. It seems you were born to teach photography. You are a wealth of knowledge and experience, and you speak right to the ones that need to hear what you have to say. I think you've found your place in the world, and I'm so grateful to have found your videos. They've helped me so much.
Sincerely,
Tammy Ruggles
TammyRuggles1 Thanks Tammy - I've never looked back!
I can tell! You sound so happy and right where you were meant to be. It's a good feeling to be able to do what you love in this world. Time is shorter than we realize. Your impact will live on with the photographers you reach for many years to come. I know this sounds like flattery, but if you only knew how much I have learned from you. Thanks for replying.
you are one of the most interesting and insightful talking heads on the web.
I know this is a very old vlog, but I wanted to say, I hear you! I’m a fellow adjunct. I’ve been teaching for 25+ years, and I’m burned out. I used to LOVE teaching, but things have changed a lot in 25 years. Teaching at a college/university is now a 24/7 job thanks to email, cell phones, texting, and online courses. It’s exhausting, but rewarding. I still love teaching and my students, but I’m tired of all the bureaucratic b.s.. I appreciate your vlogs. Thanks for this one.
Thanks for letting people know the OTHER side.
I'm watching this in March 2017 , so I guess I'm kinda late to this news. But for what it's worth I have enjoyed your art of photography videos immensely and I think you are a great teacher and an inspiration, keep up the videos while you maintain that enthusiasm for sharing your passion.
Peter B
Great video! I love your stuff!
Very relevant rant, Ted. Not only is online education coming to the fore more and more but retailers, for profit businesses such as Lynda.com, are competing directly in the vocational field with colleges and doing a better job. What with the cost differential colleges don't stand a chance.
That said, however, I have to admit that as a former college student in photography who got the online bug I miss the class interaction and common goals in the assignments.
SWEET! MORE VIDEOS FOR US!
You cant buy integrity, good luck Tedd!
Thanks for your inspiration.
This is a great video and very inspiring. I struggle everyday choosing between school and full time work. I work full time currently and realize I can't afford university it is very expensive and even online choices are still ranging in mid $20k. To live and pay for everything you have to work full time and everything else because of an expense is luxury. Thanks for your inspiring video though
Well said Ted. I studied photojournalism and art photography at a major university in the late 70's-early 80's. A friend just posted a photo today that strongly reminded me of a W. Eugene Smith photo of Tomoko in her Bath. This was a seed planted many years ago by a good professor. As a teacher (formal or web) you can have a lasting impact. Thank you for what you do.
Excellent......Good luck and I'll be watching.
you're a poet and an artist! amazing!
I could learn from this man because he seems to be a person I could trust . I'm retired but of I went back to school ,
I would welcome this person as a Teacher .
hi ted.....i would like to say thank you very, much for your videos....when one wants to watch an entertaining camera review you may not be the first person they think of.....But when i want to be inspired, educated, and motivated i go to your channel. If your viewing numbers aren't huge it is because most people are into gear ''Bullshit''. Please keep up the good work you have thousands of students who want to learn about the 'art of photography' and not the latest technology....thank you.
Hi Ted
The length of the video doesn't matter if the content is interesting and informative. This was both.
Just about every successful person I have studied has said do what you want to do regardless and success will follow. Hard and smart work are, of course, a necessity but if you follow your passion you will succeed. I can only hope that the college will discover what they have lost and that you find what you need to continue on your artistic and professional journey.
The message coming though is that life needs purpose and helping out where you can is a great approach - that's our philosophy too.
Even two years later, the time and effort you put into making this video impact me and teach me new things. The road has risen to meet you, my friend. I'm thrilled that a humble fellow like yourself lives in "an urban loft apartment in a renovated late 19th-early 20th century high rise and purchases espresso from an independent coffee shop every morning in his gentrified neighhorhood." (Poor chap has no clue where you live I'm sure, and I don't understand why he feels his assumption is relevant, he must consider his deductive skills to be quite sharp) Regardless, your success makes my heart happy. I appreciate your wisdom, Mr. Forbes, I look forward to making eye contact with you and shaking your hand someday. Cheers from Texoma.
Thanks Jon - that's very nice!
theartofphotography FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) fire.org 'Indoctrinate U' documentary film avoiceformalestudents.com
Good for you! I agree with all you say here and just lived the same, so I get it.
I wanted to take the time and tell you how much your videos have helped me throughout my year in university; mind you I live France, where a university education is free. What's so great about your videos are the fact that I can cross-reference what my professors teach me, get a second point of view that isn't my own, AND take bite-sized knowledge at any time of day.
So thank you for all the great passion and effort put into these videos, and I'd love to believe that the best has yet to come.
Cheers
Thanks Marc! Best of luck in school!
Are you serious University education is free in France? It should be like that everywhere if they want people to succeed and go on in life to make a difference in community.
Claire Carter It's free in Sweden too, all you have to do is pay your room and board.
You are without a doubt an inspiring teacher and human being. It's almost frightening how everything you've said about the education system is almost completely true for the system in Belgium. I've been an art teacher (traditional printing) for 4-5 years and lots of teachers with tennior just don't belong in their positions anymore.
Anyway, I'm sure things are working out for you without your teaching job. I wish you the best of luck. Btw, you play music? What instrument?
Wow! Good luck for the future..
You are speaking to me on pretty much every level right now. COVID-19 and society have kicked my ass. I don't want to teach any more, but I am at an age where starting over is not reasonable. I have been considering retirement for well over a year, but not really knowing what I needed to do, I have sought advice, and now know that in 6 years I will be able to retire and make as much or more than I am making right now. Prior to COVID, the idea of retirement seemed laughable to me, I loved what I did SO much. Teaching was, as I would say, "The easiest hard job I ever had". I thought I would just keep teaching forever. That thought is gone now, though. I have suffered from anxiety and depression so profound that it has affected my health, particularly my heart. I have broken out in rashes all over my body that got so bad that for more than a year, I could not wear a button down shirt, or even tuck my shirt in. I gave up on JROTC because of the apathy I have seen directed toward the program for the entire time I participated in it. I have given up teaching honors history because of a single incident with an entitled parent that proved to be the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back. I have lost my respect for local elected officials, and educational leadership. I am sick to death of the level of disrespect that my profession is shown by society as a whole. My morale is pretty low right now. Low enough that if my wife wins the lottery at some point, I would not hesitate to walk away, and let her be my sugar mama.
Great job to you Ted. As a high school student, I'm honestly terrified for college. I have no idea how on Earth I'm going to pay for it, which is exactly why I'm not getting a degree in photography, even though I want to be a professional photographer. I just feel like it's such a waste of money and my time to get a degree in something I'm naturally good at(Not to sound narcissistic, but I've just accepted it). Hopefully, I plan to get a degree in business marketing and create my own studio.
You have my support Mr. Forbes! Please realize that you might have quit teaching locally but you responsible now for teaching the world = ) I am all for unconventional ways of doing things! Kudos to you = )
Ted, I took several courses from my university from a teacher that was as burned out as the one you mentioned and it was unforgivable. I've learned more from your free youtube videos than from that classwork. You've made the right decision and they are ridiculous for letting you go... I would've loved to have had a photography professor such as yourself who is obviously knowledgeable and very good at getting this knowledge across instead of what I paid a ridiculous amount of money for.
Hi Ted, I have been following you for a couple of weeks, I've watched a lot of your videos and learnt a lot about photography too. First, let me thank you for everything you've been doing for us, the public, students and aspiring photographers, it is very nice of you to give us time from your life and explain things no one generally does. It is not only photography, by watching your videos I got to learn a little bit of videography too. My second point is related to videos, that is, in this particular video you've placed yourself to the right side of the frame as I see it, for you I think it is to the left of your frame. This may sound a bit odd, but I personally find it very difficult to keep my eyes locked on your eyes, it's actually very straining and tiring for me (personally). I keep focusing on the left side, on that brick wall. I want to know the reason behind this. Is it because I am left eye dominant and I find it easy to focus on the left part of a frame (only in videos)? Or is it because you are too far right in the frame leaving a wide empty space in the left side and I have to try to find a focal point, work and adjust my eyes accordingly?
I just want to know how to frame single subject when taking videos, because in your recent videos I see you more towards the left of viewers frame. Is this a technique to consider in videography? A subtle change which makes a huge difference?