Disillusioned teacher... what else can I do?

[Grockle]

For the mostpart, I love my job. I love the children. I love teaching. I actually quite enjoy assessment & data stuff and I love writing reports, annual reviews, meeting with parents etc. The children make me laugh and I feel so proud when they make even the tiniest bit of progress.

BUT I'm not well - physically & it's taking it's toll mentally. I have had 2 meetings this week about new (more involved) paperwork, OFSTED this, performance management that, SEFs, SDIP, everyone must be a co-ordinator, we must all do monitoring & audits... I'm tired of all this, I just want to teach. To help the children reach their potential, to celebrate successes with them and not have to worry about jumping through hoops for anyone else. I think it might be time to leave. But what would I do?

[Chigley1]

I could have written your post a few years back...except I wasn't unwell. That must be tough. I left, no regrets. Now run a tuition centre. Lots of teaching, very rewarding, very little paperwork and still get the holidays. There is a lot you can do with your QTS without being in a classroom.

[Grockle]

Ooo, tuition centre is a good idea. I'll have a look around. I don't want to just throw in the towel but spending more time on paperwork than with the children is not why I went into this. I don't want to turn into a bitter old teacher! Thank you for the suggestion.

[EBDTeacher]

Special needs?

Change is as good as a holiday? There is paperwork but it is more child-centred.

[Grockle]

I already do special needs (SLD/ ASD). I love it and I don't mind the child-focussed paperwork at all, it's all the stuff that goes with teaching in general

[Chigley1]

I just felt as though with every year that passed the children were viewed more and more as 'products' of education rather than little people. I had to leave when I had my own. It's such a shame that so many teachers feel the same .

[iloveblue]

Another disillusioned teacher here. I've had a crappy few years (4 miscarriages) and its really changed my perspective of things. Finding it very hard to get my head round everything - we had a new head about 3 years ago and he has changed virtually everything.
I'm currently thinking of becoming a TA, maybe in a primary or SEN school (i'm secondary maths at the mo). I don't want to leave the education sector but I think a change would do me good.
Will be watching this thread for more ideas.

[racingheart]

Private tutoring in groups or one to one? Very well paid. Or set up an after school/lunchtime paid club. There's almost no paperwork involved.

[fivecandles]

Move to an independent school? Still lots of work but less pointless paper work and more focus on children and teaching. Smaller class sizes,more dealing with the 'whole' child and longer holidays.

[user12785]

Education officer for a museum / gallery?

[Xenia]

Work in a private school. You mgiht even get a pay rise.

[happygardening]

I'd be careful a about moving to the independent sector. Parents are significantly more demanding I know I am one! We ultimately are customers and we expect to be treated as equals who know and understand our children as well as you do if not better. I do not wish to be fobbed off with meaningless jargon or for my child's problems to be thrown back in face or swept under he carpet; and I'm not considered a demanding parent by any stretch of the imagination. On the rare occassionally I contact the school I don't want to be told teachers don't ring parents after 5 pm; "oh you're at work till 6 Pm in a situation where you can't leave and you can't take/make phone calls well I'm afraid teachers don't call after 5 pm! I want the person I speak to to listen to my concerns investigate if necessary and come up with a way of addressing it now. I do not want to be patronised.
I only know about boarding schools but our housemaster a wonderful man frequently emails parents at 2 in the morning any emails the very few Ive sent regarding a variety of things have been dealt with virtually immediately and in a competant kind manor. Ditto for any other teachers I've contacted. They may get longer holidays but most are working long hours 6/7 days a week and are often with the children for those 7 days. We know of a couple of teachers who've moved to the independent sector and none have found it the walk in the park they hoped it would be. Also independent schools are sadly also becoming increasingly regulated and I'm not sure long term you will escape the paperwork.

[nellyjelly]

Er to be fair I think alot of us in the state sector expect to be treated as equals and not to have jargon thrown at us. Just because we don't pay for our kids' education doesn't mean we don't want the best for them. Sheesh!

[happygardening]

I never said you didn't but parents in the independent sector are often more demanding.

[Chigley1]

I have worked in state primary. I now send my kids to an independent school for a multitude of reasons not because I think they are necessarily better; they aren't.

From a teacher's point of view and from what I have seen the parents are much much LESS demanding than in the state sector. And we aren't allowed to email teachers at all times of day and night. Had a letter to say teachers are entitled to work-life balance and will not answer non-urgent emails after 5.30pm. Quite rightly.

Independent schools are not bound by all the ridiculous govt interventions and initiatives. Or OFSTED. Which has to be a better working environment!!

[breadandbutterfly]

Teach in FE - less paperwork and admin. but less pay too.

Become an examiner if you enjoy assessment.

Work in education in a related field eg Museum Educator or similar.

Work in teacher education.

Work in educational admin or policymaking eg DfE or local council.

Work in training.

Lots of educational areas!

[Knowsabitabouteducation]

You might enjoy the independent sector.

You would be protected from the latest initiatives, except for exam changes.

Your teaching would be very holistic.

You could pick and choose the extras that you do.

[phoenixrose314]

I am in a similar situation, except I am not unwell - I am pregnant, a long-awaited and much hoped for pregnancy.

I am sick to the back teeth of working 12/13 hour days, spending my evenings behind my laptop screen and highlighting folders instead of spending time with my husband... I have coped and put my everything into my profession, but now I am thinking of my future son or daughter.... I don't want to be a weekend only mummy. I cannot possibly imagine doing the job I am doing now, and having a baby at home to care for.

Sadly, financially I cannot afford to be a SAHM or I would. All I ever wanted to be was a mother, and teaching was always a kind of replacement for that, as doctors said I may never have children.

I'm considering becoming a TA, or PPA cover teacher, or even going back to supply work (though the money is too unpredictable for my liking) ... please, if anyone has websites or links to other jobs where you can use an education qualification, I'd be very grateful.

Feeling so defeated at the mo. Especially as work (my head) has been very off with me ever since I told her I was pregnant.

[Feenie]

I only know about boarding schools but our housemaster a wonderful man frequently emails parents at 2 in the morning

I have no idea of the exact nature of a housemaster's role, but if it's anything to do with teaching then I would rather have one who had the sense to be sleeping at 2 in the morning.

[janji]

I am really saddened but so relieved to hear other teachers feeling like I do. Horrendous head began in January following school going into special measures. She has systematically bullied all teaching staff (all of whom have left except me... Only a small school) and has made me feel that after 18 yrs of teaching where I have always been judged as good / outstanding that I am worse than useless. Did 3 obs over a 6 week period and said all of them were unsatisfactory and put me on ore competency. During which time I graduated with flying colours in my npqh!
It feels like management I.e heads / LEAs treat staff as dispensable and use ofsted to get rid of who they choose by interpreting and incorporating policies in any way they choose regardless of impact on us as human beings. I was until 6 months ago a happy, dedicated and well respected deputy head. I now feel useless and don't know what to do?!
Am lurking for any more good advice. Thank you op for making me feel I'm not the only one struggling.

[janji]

Incidentally this is the new heads first headship and she herself has suffered supposedly at the hands of a bully, took months off at her previous place and refused to go back for her ofsted as she was beginning at our school in a matter of weeks. How is it that management can get away with treating their staff so badly?!

[BlueMoon74]

Disillusioned here too..for exactly the reasons that you mention. I am 32 weeks pg and cannot wait to go on mat leave. However, this is first baby, and I have no idea how I will be able to go back to work and do the same hours I currently do. Only teachers understand that teaching is not a 9-3 job with loads of holidays!

[Olympicrock]

Disillusioned here to. Slogged my guts out to become an AST, now school has made that part of my role redundant, but still expects me to do all the support work I did before. Kinda makes you feel less than valued.

[notamomtokids]

Hello All, this is my first post so please forgive my mistakes. There, I just tried to use a smiley face and....nothing. Anyway, I cannot believe how many teachers are on here and feel so disillusioned with their work. I have a language school (I am not in the UK) and I feel the same, but for different reasons. I teach English and do a darn good job and the way my students speak English reflects that, however, I keep coming across parents who do not support me in my endeavours and I often wonder why I bother. I love doing the work I do, and at some point I will write at length my views on language learning, but I cannot understand this lack of support. We are only there to help the children but this failing in support for the education providers is breath-taking. I keep giving myself pep talks; it helps. I do hope the situation changes for all you feeling sh*y about something that should be so wonderful.