made a decision

[happyhappyme]

For the first time in I don't know when I woke up feeling happy this morning. I made the decision about 2am this morning to quit.
I have just sent in my resignation.
I can't stop shaking now, I can't quite believe that I have done it. I don't know if I feel like a failure or feel relieved.

[MotherPupper]

Good on you! I've been out nearly a year now and have loved every minute. Went out to supper with old school friends last night and was really shocked at the shite they put up with, thinking it's normal! Teaching is truly awful these days!

[sakura06]

That's a really brave decision. Well done.

[qwert9873]

Congratulations

[Tinnedpeachesandcream]

Good for you! When will you be leaving?

[likeafishneedsabike]

Congratulations. How long have you been in the job?

[happyhappyme]

Easter and just coming up for ten years. I have no idea what I am going to do next.

[joliejoleen]

Omg! I'm leaving too, just don't know whether I should stick with it until July or leave at Easter... no idea what I'm going to do either but I just can't take it anymore. I've been in what feels like a black hole for a few months now... I need out!

[TreesSandSea]

Happy, don’t feel a failure, you’re making the right choice for you and yours.

I left this summer after 23 successful years in the profession. I am honestly just recovering and feel like I am still recovering from something like ptsd from the last several years.

Well done. I have never been happier in my working life

[Tinnedpeachesandcream]

You are most definitely not a failure. Teaching is a absolutely brutal at the moment and it’s a horrible profession to work in. I’ve done 15 years and gone part time this year-still struggling though as there’s so much to fit in and work impinges on everything. Currently plotting future plans-can’t do this for another 25 years!!

[happyhappyme]

Thank you. It's got to the stage where it is too much for me and my children, I am sick of not seeing them enough. They have A levels and GCSEs next year so I think the time is right.

[EchoLimaYankee]

Congratulations! Well done for biting the bullet. I wish I had the guts and means to sometimes.

[Ni58]

Congratulations! I love reading threads like this one!
I did 15 years but I've been out of teaching for just over a year now. I still work in a school as the hours and holidays suit for looking after my own child but I'm thinking ahead to when she won't need me as much and I can do something totally different. Not sure what though!!

[hollieberrie]

Well done! I left in July 2018. Took a 6k pay cut but sooooo much happier.

[Fouroutoffour]

Well done! I've found this school year absolutely brutal. I came back from mat leave full of good intentions. I have such a horrendous timetable and SLT just make me feel like they don't give a shit about me. I guess I'm just an unimportant little mother now. I had two weeks off with depression before Christmas and no one from SLT (or line manager) has asked how I am. I find out tomorrow whether I am through to the next round of interviews for a really great job. Tbh stacking shelves in Sainsbury's is quite an attractive proposition at the moment though.

[BackforGood]

That must be such a relief.

I have a good friend - a fab teacher, a fab manager and organiser, who is really passionate about teaching and developing the whole child resign, with no job to go to in the Autumn. SUCH a waste.
So many good teachers just walking away, being signed off sick, or them both combining

On a positive note, my friend now has a job. She's gone from working 0.6, to a full time job and this has reduced her hours by 3 - 5 per week. What can I say? She is SO much less stressed already.

Good luck to you @happyhappyme

[Murrfect]

Omg! I came on to post has anyone just left with no job to go to and you’ve beaten me to it.

I need to resign early to let them find someone, I teach a difficult combination of subjects but I’m so exhausted I don’t think I can even look, I’m so tired and trying to keep up with the Alevels BTEC GCSEs n the neediest craziest set of Y9 tutees it’s ever been my pleasure....

I just can’t keep going, but I don’t know what else to do as love teaching :(

[Murrfect]

Lots of luck @happyhappyme

You do sound happy!

[albertcamus]

Well done, you will not regret it.

I left 5 years ago after 28 successful years; I still miss the interaction with kids & colleagues, but I completely identify with the PTSD feeling.

It's ridiculous, the system does not need to make the job as stressful as it is.

Enjoy the rest of the year in the knowledge that the end is in sight

[surlycurly]

God I'm so jealous. I Hate my job now. I love the kids but everything else about being a teacher is shit. Whatever I do it's not enough, and the way society treats us kids like we're all part time, holiday mad layabouts. I'm sick of it. If I could find anything that paid me as well then I'd leave.

[happyhappyme]

I've had no reply to my resignation letter, the head was in the staff room and walked out when I walked in without even a hello. Whatever, I'm going and that's that. I've applied for a couple of SEN assistant posts as I need to keep the money coming in, I can't afford to leave but already I've woken up feeling happy two days in a row which feels really odd.

[looondonn]

Perfect timing !!

I was a teacher in a different country - 9-2.30pm
Not much planning
8 weeks off each summer

I was exhausted a lot !!

Teachers in Uk (I trained in England) do not have it easy
I was doing 80 hour weeks as a trainee - lots of teachers in the job for a while doing similar
Not sustainable sadly

What about supply teaching for maybe a day or two each week?

[albertcamus]

There are other jobs. Among my ex-teacher friends, these are some of their new roles:

• online ESOL tuition to overseas students
  
• home ed tutor for LA
  
• adult learning tutor for LA
  
• Apprenticeship Assessor / Functional Skills Tutor 1:1
  
• GCSE marking
  
• academic proofreading
  
• screener for initial job applications to big companies, applying selection criteria (working from home)
  
  All are so much happier now.

[happyhappyme]

I'll do supply if nothing comes up soon. Meanwhile I've got an interview next week for small group teaching in a special school, groups of 4-10 children.

[albertcamus]

That's fantastic, well done and good luck.

[happyhappyme]

Thank you! So much for leaving teaching but I think it'll be rewarding if I get it.