If you’ve left teaching what do you do now?

[Volcanoexplorer]

Just that really. I’ve been teaching for 15 years. I’m currently part-time working as head of Geography in a secondary school. After Gavin’s latest ‘possibly’ on Andrew Marr this morning I’m seriously considering a career change. I enjoy the teaching part and I’m really good at it, but it is becoming clearer every day that the government think of teachers as robots and not actual people. This isn’t a thread about the current situation or an opportunity for more teaching bashing (so walk on by and post on one of the hundreds of other threads). I genuinely would really like to know what other people have done if they’ve left teaching. Thanks very much.

@Appuskidu no worries. You have to apply for the job rather than the course if that makes sense ? I signed up to alerts on NHS jobs but friends also tell me they come up on Indeed. Some are NHS and some are charities - depends on who won the contract for the area. Then you make an application to the uni linked to them. So it’s a dual application - the course is funded and you also have to pass their course requirements. There’s a good explanation on the nhs website about it. Courses usually start in September and January and jobs are advertised in the months before those intakes.
Not sure how to PM but you’re welcome to if you need more info than that.

My DH was an art teacher, now a senior education manager for LA. He started as a specialist teacher for looked after children & worked his way up. Quite a few previous SLT move into education roles in public sector.

I was a classroom secondary teacher for 20 years. Left 2 years ago and went on supply. Love it! With the crap of ticking boxes for ofsted removed I actually enjoy being in the classroom and I can disappear at the end of the day and not have to spend my evenings and weekends working :-) My subject area is in demand and I always have 3-5 days a week. Lockdown has been grim, but even so I've had a minimum of 2 days a weeks since Lockdown 1 last March.

@BugsAndBeesAndBirdsAndButterfl

Im genuinely considering working in a library. £10 an hour so nothing like teaching.

10 years ago I wanted to retrain as an ed psych . I feel I've really missed the boat for a career change now.

I hope I can help my children to choose better!

Most of the people working in our local libraries have been made redundant - most of the staff there now are retired volunteers.

Ours haven't (yet) and they have relief positions available often. It seems to be the way in. None are run by volunteers here and we have a lot in our area. I have no idea how...

Oooh musicinspring I saw the adverts for that. I wasnt sure I could comit full time at the time.

I'd love to hear what the training was like/what the work is like? I do a lot of wellbeing/menal health awareness courses for adult ed but am paid in buttons .

Thanks to everyone who have shared their experiences. Loads of variety and really interest to hear about. Definitely some options to consider. Unfortunately, as with most people money is an issue so not entirely sure what I’d be able to do. Dh is a primary deputy head so we’re both in education. So he understands the pressures well, but then ends up working loads of hours. I just don’t see how I can do this for another 28 years.

I was a primary teacher, chucked it in and did a master's in something I found interesting. I'm now a university lecturer in that subject.
Much more interesting, easier, more freedom. Similar in terms of skill set

I set up my own tutoring business after I left teaching. Work was quiet at first but then word spread and I was recommended on. It’s something you can fit in round your day. I worked mainly late afternoons and early evenings. It was great.

Sorry, I forgot to add that I also worked mornings in some of the school holidays.

I was a primary teacher, then a youth worker, then a private tutor, now a primary teaching assistant (could be persuaded to go back into teaching eventually 🙀).

@CharlieTPatteson

I have been teaching for a lonnnggggg time. I must admit- I always wanted to teach SEN. Halfway through my career, I switched to SEN. I have never been happier- I could never imagine teaching mainstream again. I have the most fun everyday. I love the kids and the people I work with and feel like I actually make a difference. I adore my job- love going to work each day and can’t imagine anything else I would rather do. I wasn’t ever that happy in mainstream although it was a job I wanted to do. Maybe switching to a different area/school would be of benefit?

I came here to say exactly this! I feel the same. Bloody love my job now, after my last mainstream job left me signed off with stress.

I tutor in a private Alternative Provision setting.

It’s heaven.

I was a primary teacher for about 20 years ending up as a deputy in a really small school and effectively running the school due to 1 day a week HT.
Had a life changing heart problem diagnosis 18 months ago so now effectively retired at 51.

I work for an educational charity creating online resources and when not in lockdown workshops. I took a huge pay cut - I earn in a week what I earns in a day. But I am in charge of myself, my hours and I get to be so creative!!! I don’t think I could go back to working so hard since being out of the classroom.

I'm in primary but debating working as a childminder. Not sure where to begin. Currently on mat leave so the time to think is soon!

I’m desperate to get out. I’m a HoD and have been teaching 14 years. The problem is we have a hefty mortgage and I’m not sure what I could do that would match my salary. I don’t want to change what my family have grown accustomed to because I don’t like the career I chose anymore. I feel really up against it all the time- parents blaming you if their child does badly, but you never get the praise if they do well. I’m fed up of working until 11pm midnight because I have kids and can’t work while they are awake... there are always lessons to prepare, essays to mark, forms to complete, reports to write, risk assessments.....

I work for a big corporate that hires lots of school leavers on apprenticeship and partnership degree programmes. My job focuses on delivering work experience programmes nationally for sixth form students, and engaging with schools on supporting students to understand the industry and what careers could be available to them. As a PP said, standard 5 weeks holiday a year compared with much more when teaching, but it feels like plenty compared with teaching, where it quite frankly never felt enough! I loved so much about teaching but it was just never sustainable from a work/life mental health balance. My pay now is marginally less than when teaching. I did find it really hard leaving teaching. I always worked in schools with very vulnerable students and had a lot of guilt about 'putting myself first' which is ultimately what I was doing by leaving.