Why “Doing It for the Kids” Isn’t Enough (And What Will Actually Help Make It Enough)
- Chelsea Sahagun
- Jun 29
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 1
The same teacher who once told me, "I do it for the kids,” quit mid-year.
I have zero context for why she didn’t return after winter break, but I can tell you with my whole chest: "Doing it for the kids” is not enough.
Not enough to make teaching sustainable.
Not enough to keep you from burning out.
Not enough to carry you through when everything else feels broken.
And if I’m being honest, I started out with that same mindset:
“Okay, I’ll get paid less, but I’m doing it for the kids. That’ll be enough.”
It wasn’t.
In my first three years of teaching, I worked at three different schools.
After year one (and my first-ever panic attack), I tried to quit teaching for good.
I gave it another shot at a public school with better admin, but zero behavioral support
(like... none). Then I tried again at a charter (same network, but different school) because I realized I preferred the structure and community that it had to offer.
I told myself if I tried one more time (like really gave it a shot), I’d finally have clarity:
Was it the school? The kids? Or me?
Spoiler alert: It wasn’t me. It was the school.
And while we all hope that “doing it for the kids” will be enough, the truth is:
Your mental, physical, and spiritual health are deeply affected by the school that you’re in.
The environment you teach in plays a huge role in your ability to actually show up for your students.
After 3 schools, here are the 3 things that made me re-sign my contract:
1. My Paycheck!
Let’s just get this one out of the way: Your salary matters!
I work at a charter school now, not because I blindly love charter networks, but because they offer competitive pay, and I genuinely like the smaller school community.
Tenure? Doesn’t matter to me.
Being paid well and pushed to grow as an educator? That does.
At the public school, it often felt like teachers were just clocking in. I’m not saying don’t show up for the check (please get your bag), but I want to show up for the check AND to keep growing as an educator. I don't want to feel stagnant.
My current school challenges me to do that, even if I’m exhausted and complaining by October.
2. Admin Who Actually Care
Not all admin are created equal.
Yes, the U.S. education system is a mess (and some administrators are just a product of that mess), but at the end of the day: Leadership matters.
My current admin? They ask A LOT.
Sometimes more than I feel I can give.
But here’s the thing: I truly believe they care about our students and about us. I mean they might be extremely motivated by their own paycheck, but I also know that they want what’s best for the school as a whole.
And because of that, even on the hard days, I’m more willing to show up.
3. Teacher Community
This one? Game-changer.
At my first school, there was a “popular teacher” clique. If you didn’t fit the mold or challenged the norm, you were either ignored or labeled “difficult.”
(And your girl is a Scorpio with a mission, so you already know I love challenging current beliefs, outdated systems, and admin intentions)
At my second school, I rarely saw other adults unless I actively sought them out. The lounge was silent and everyone was glued to their phones. Some teachers had their own fridge and microwave in their rooms just to avoid the shared space.
Everyone was surviving, but no one was connecting.
Now? I’ve found my people.
No, I don’t vibe with everyone.
But I have a solid group I can laugh with, cry to, vent with, and grow alongside.
And that kind of teacher community?
It makes a difference.
To wrap this up, here's what I've learned:
You cannot show up as your best self for students if the system is draining your soul.
And in this country? Teaching often does feel like soul-sucking work.
Especially if teaching isn’t your first career (when you know for a fact that the way some school leaders talk to you and about students would never fly in the corporate world).
But in education? Somehow they’re protected. It’s wild.
Anyways, these are the 3 questions I've asked myself when deciding whether to stay or leave a school:
🍎 Am I being paid what I’m worth?
🍎 Do I trust my admin?
🍎 Do I have a teacher community that supports me?
If I can answer yes to all three, I know I’ve found a place worth returning to.
If you're feeling stuck, just know this: It can get better.
One school, one admin, or one bad year does not define your whole career.
You don’t have to “stick it out for the kids” if it’s breaking you.
You don’t have to stay just because it’s your first “big girl” job after college.
You’re allowed to want more.
You’re allowed to find a school that fits you.
And when you do? Teaching becomes a whole lot more sustainable.
Okiii that's it for now. Love you byeeeeee!
With gratitude,
Chelsea Sahagun
Founder of Finally Teaching
& your favorite ELA 9 teacher bestie
✨ Ready to feel like you’re finally teaching? ✨
Join my membership built just for 9th grade ELA teachers—a space filled with done-for-you resources, real talk, and thought partnership that actually gets it.
This isn’t about surviving another year—it’s about finding your rhythm, feeling supported, and knowing you’re not in this alone.
Comments