Returning to teaching - am I mad?!

[lionfish]

Hi, I left teaching to run my own business 3 years ago. Over the past few months I've really missed lots of aspects of my old teaching job and am considering giving up the business and returning to teach. I was going to take my time to weigh up all the pros and cons, but a job was advertised which I applied for, and have an interview on Friday.

The business is successful, although I don't earn as much as I did. The first few years were great because I was learning all the time, but now I'm a little bit bored and lonely (I work on my own). I'm also acutely aware that there is no security, no earnings if off sick and poor pension - all things that I'd have if I went back to teaching. Running a business and being self employed comes with it's own stresses and responsibilities.

I didn't hate teaching when I left, but I do remember how stressed I was and how hard I had to work. I also remember the daily battles with pupils who behaved badly, but know I made a positive difference to the lives of many pupils who were engaged. I always used to refer to it as binge working in that I'd work my socks off during term time but you would have the holidays to enjoy.

Have I just forgotten how bad teaching was and am absolutely crazy to think about going back?

[KTD27]

Yes. sorry. But yes.

[Sewingbea]

Yes, you are. Why don't you do some supply and remind yourself of school life? You could surely fit that around your business?

[TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince]

Yep absolutely

[winewolfhowls]

Yep! Soz.

[Whatacarryon81]

Absolutely yes.

[Katjolo]

Yes

[LittleMissnotLittleMrs]

Nope, go for it. If you loved it, you've got to try. Maybe if you start feeling worn out in a few years, you could go part time and work on your business too?

[shiningstar2]

I would try to keep the business going part time while also doing supply teaching part time. That way you can see and evaluate the benefits and disadvantages of both your business and teaching.

Teaching is tough but setting up a business is also tough.If you've got over the first hard years of a business I would be reluctant to dismantle it before I was sure about going back to teaching.

[lionfish]

Thanks for the advice - most of you think I'm mad!

Ideally I would like part time hours but those jobs are few and far between (I'm secondary so would need to be subject specific, and expensive as I'm top of the pay scale). It was also being in the classroom that I liked, not the marking and planning etc. so I wouldn't get a 'real' feel for the job if I did a few days supply to 'put me off'.

Part time supply wouldn't work alongside part time business as it's a retail shop which needs to be open to make money. Employing staff would just be another worry. I'd also not have any security re sick pay etc if I was part self employed and part time supply.

Hmm, 48 hours to think about it before I go/don't go to the interview. I completely realise that there's every chance that I won't the job even if I do go!

[WalkingOutOfFlabbiness]

You just need the right place ... I had a lot of time out and am very much back in the swing of it. In many ways now is probably better than 5+ years ago.

[IHeartKingThistle]

I was out for 5 years, albeit in Adult Ed so still teaching. I came back to secondary 2 years ago - I had a very similar thread to this but people were a bit more positive! It's really worked out for me but I'm very part time. The lovely bits of the job are still lovely but the other stuff is all still there! I'm really happy I did it though.

[Casino218]

Sometimes you have to try something else to appreciate what you had. If you go back to teaching then you are fully aware of what that entails as you have already done it. So I say go for it.

[Smellbellina]

I would also say go for it, but I also work part time, maybe that’s what makes the difference?
I also think go for the interview first, and decide after.

[BodenGate]

Go for the interview and what will be will be.

[lionfish]

Thanks for the additional comments, which are very much more positive. I'm very much an 'everything happens for a reason', and I will certainly never regret my time out from teaching if I go back. We'll see what happens...

[teachandsleep]

Don't do it. It destroys every bit of you bit by bit. The endless battles with behaviour, the blame culture, the paperwork. Run for the hills!

[Piixxiiee]

Nope I'm going back after 6 years out, the school holidays are worth if for me.

[lionfish]

Ha ha @Piixxiiee, I love your honesty! I had 14 days off last year (not including weekends, but didn't have all of them off) so the holidays would definitely be better.

[Letseatgrandma]

I've really missed lots of aspects of my old teaching job and am considering giving up the business and returning to teach.

Is it the pay and the holidays that you miss?

That’s about all that’s keeping me there.

I would imagine you’d struggle to get a part time job on UPS (unless you’re maths!)

and expensive as I'm top of the pay scale

You aren’t top of the pay scale anymore, sadly. Pay portability ended years ago so it’s quite feasible that you’d get offered low main pay scale.

[WalkingOutOfFlabbiness]

Depends a lot on subject, area and when you time your application. I kept pay and was quickly promoted but shortage subject, tough school etc

Having also run my own business I rather like having holiday pay, pension contributions and the whole concept of sick pay!!

[fishonabicycle]

My stepdaughter loves her job teaching (secondary, science, part time).

[Flinstones]

Go back to teaching as long as your a good teacher to all, I'm fed up of my kids going to school to be taught by teachers that don't want to be there! My kids are well behaved, hand homework in etc but most teachers are unfair & I think it's because they hate there job! Don't teach if you hate kids & don't take the naughty kids behaviour out on our good kids!!

[animaginativeusername]

Maybe this thread might offer some guidance

Leaving teaching behind...feel amazing! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_staffroom/3795822-leaving-teaching-behind-feel-amazing

[lionfish]

@Letseatgrandma The pay, holidays, sick pay and pension are all better than I currently have being self employed. However, what's really got me wanting to return is seeing the difference I made to the lives of some of my pupils.

I do teach a shortage subject and would expect to negotiate a return at the same pay as I was on before. If they don't think I'm worth it then it's their choice.

@Flinstones I think I was a good teacher. I worked hard for my pupils and most pupils appreciated my efforts.

I've planned my lesson and presentation for the interview so that tells me that I want to go. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason so will be fine whatever the outcome.

[Handbaghag]

What happened at the interview OP?