Talk

Flip

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

The staffroom

Why can't I force myself to step back into teaching? What other career could I do?

20 replies

user555999000 · 25/04/2018 19:42

Hi all,

After many months of soul searching and confusion I've come here to try and reach some clarity about my situation. Was a primary school teacher for over 10 years. Was fairly senior and good at my job, well respected. Was KS2 Leader, Literacy Coordinator, Assessment Manager, Curriculum Leader, Eco Committee Manager, Year 5/6 teacher...I wore all the hats in a small school. You all get the picture.

I left after the birth of my first child 3.5 years ago - mainly due to burn out and I'd become disillusioned....the same story you hear all of the time. I maintained a good relationship with my last school and over the last 3.5 years cover their occasional supply days.

Recently I've seen a job advertised which is close, a nice area, and to teach Literacy to Years 5 and 6 mornings only (0.55). I've been to visit the school. I liked the headteacher. I liked the feel of the place. I liked the children (and miss working with them). I liked the idea of just teaching Literacy (this is to better provide for a large class of 40 - I'd take 20 and the classteacher would take the other 20). I wouldn't have any of the workload associated with having my own class as a whole.

Here's the sticking point. My DH and I really could do with me working again. We do ok but money is very tight every month. BUT we don't crave nicer cars, holidays or dining out so we are quite happy as we are. It's more due to the risk of only one of us working that I feel I need to get back into something soon. I'd have to put the baby into childcare every morning and our eldest child would have to go to breakfast club every morning. Obviously this will take a lot of any extra wages in childcare fees.

I feel like I should be jumping at the chance of this new job vacancy. I know I could do the role standing on my head. I felt the headteacher was willing me to apply. I keep looking at the personal spec. There are no guarantees I would get the job obviously but even so it is like the spec was written for me.I keep worrying about pension pots, working until I'm 70. I keep hearing people tell me I'll not get another chance if I stay out of the job market fro much longer.

And yet despite all of this - I just can't seem to find it in me to start writing an application. There's every reason I should apply but It's like my soul is screaming at me not to.

I feel as though if I get sucked back into teaching now I'll never get out again. I'm in my early 40s so I feel it's retrain in something else now - or enter the lion's den of teaching once more.

I keep looking at other industries and careers and I bounce from one to the next confused. When I first entered the classroom it felt like home. I felt like I truly belonged. However as we all know the relentless workload and never ending high stress levels are just not sustainable. Especially not with a young family. And a husband who works away half of the year.

Can I ask what other careers people have gone into after teaching and really enjoyed? I'm totally lost and can't decide what to do.

OP posts:

Report

Dozer · 25/04/2018 19:45

That job sounds good. It is easier to get a job when you have a job. No reason why you couldn’t look at other options while working.

I’m not a teacher but am in the “wrong” career, to pay the bills. I really value financial security and my personal earning ability.