You know all the "I hate teaching, how can I get out?" threads?

[Caff2]

Well, I thought I would post a bit of a different one. I had the worst year ever in career terms. You know all the things teachers routinely fret about? Well I had lots of it except for competency proceedings. And I lost my job.

I went away from the profession and worked in a supermarket for a while.

I have returned to teaching. In a different role, but a mainscale teacher, having been completely honest on my application form, and I love it. I have a supportive school, a great bunch of kids and, from what I have seen so far, lovely colleagues. I'm loving being back in school (part time). My new job is really rewarding and challenging - I have my passion for the job back.

I had 8 great years and then the annus horribilis, and I'm starting to believe (short of anything going wrong - the paranoia is still there a bit! But I'm only 6 weeks since interview and 3 weeks in!) that the job I love is mine again.

Just an optimistic one - schools/roles can be really good.

[LittleRobots]

Part time and a different school is the answer in your case then....

Part time is a very different role.

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

I'm glad OP. I hope you continue to love it.

[Caff2]

It's not just the part time. The part time is partly to do with regaining confidence and overcoming a very bad year. But I am starting to regain job satisfaction and remembering the good stuff (having done a challenging stint in retail where the job was easy, but the house and pay were terrible and no real job satisfaction (except nice colleagues)). Also enjoying using my professional experience and expertise, if that's the right word? again.

[Caff2]

Not house - hours!

[JennyBlueWren]

I've known teachers who've left and taken a break in another job (e.g. festive work) and then returned to teaching in a different school and found it so much better. Sometimes it is teaching that's the problem, sometimes it's the role (e.g. pt/ft/stage), sometimes it's just the school, colleagues, management etc.

[Dragonlette]

I'm really glad it's worked out for you. Sometimes a change of school is all you need.

I had a horrible year in my second year and thought I just wasn't cut out for teaching. I changed school, same job, still ft, similar catchment. I love it, the smt are so different that it's a much, much nicer environment. I've been here 9 years now and have no plans to leave any time soon.

[susannahmoodie]

I too, am a happy teacher. When I post on those threads, no one ever believes me.

[guggenheim]

Good post. I briefly worked for a vile HT,it was a horrible experience and broke my confidence.
I supply teach now and I can see the huge difference between schools and I sort of hope that when ds is bigger that I can go back somewhere nice.

Keep us updated and good luck

[Dixiechick1991]

I'm having a bit of a rocky experience in school at the moment too but I'm an NQT - panicking that I'm gonna fail my first term and then not be able to find another school to complete the remaining two terms.

Wanna get that love of teaching back & not get a horrid sick nervous feeling every night as I go to sleep!

It's nice to see that people have come out the other side and are very positive!

[Smartiepants79]

I strongly believe it is all about the school you are in and the people you work for and with. I am a teacher and have many family and friends who are teachers and their combined experience shows the difference it makes.
Government make stupid decisions and ofsted loom on the horizon but it's impact on individuals is entirely to how the school is managed.

[socially]

Agreed that a happy teacher is down to management 90% of the time.

I have a supportive management structure, a great head and lovely colleagues.

I love my job

[rollonthesummer]

I think being part time has got a lot to do with it though!

[fancyanotherfez]

Glad to hear that! I'm currently on a break from teaching after having a terrible year that sapped my confidence. I thought I'd spend this year looking at alternatives but I actually like teaching and I think I'm still good at it! I was part time, but was hourly paid, so also kept accepting additions to my timetable that ate into my prep time.

[Dixiechick1991]

"Agreed that a happy teacher is down to management 90% of the time"

I think I can agree with this. Hoping that a bad start to this year in the wrong school for me can be turned round and I go back to loving teaching again as exhausting as it is!

[chosenone]

Agree re pt. But I also agree slg and the climate/morale in your school makes all the difference. Ours is generally v supportive, fair regarding workload and grateful for all you do. I intend to stay here forever get the mortgage paid off and hopefully go pt in my 50's .