Can someone troubleshoot my big xmas day life decision?

[waytheleaveswork]

Had some time this week to reflect on the past year. I've been a teacher for 10 years, same school for the last 8, and realised I need a change. I've been very unhappy with my job for the past 2 years even though I know covid etc is partially to blame.

I rent a flat. No DCs. 30k in savings. I'm 33.

I'd like to hand my notice in, leave in April, do supply for a few months and generally take some time to reassess my work. But wondering if it's madness to throw away a permanent job.

Insane, or should I be bold and go for it?

Grateful for any thoughts, and shout out to anyone else having big epiphanies today!

Can’t you reassess whilst in work? Why is it easier to do in supply or unemployed?

30k in savings is going to be burned through pretty quickly...

Work out what you want to do next whilst in your current job. No need to worsen your financial security whilst working it out.

Yes it’s madness. You wouldn’t get paid in the summer holidays for a start.

Why don’t you just look for a new job first?

What do you teach? As some subjects of your plan didn’t go to plan you’d be able to get straight back into teaching.

They often say it’s easier to find a New job when you have a job!

Teachings a real hard one to do once tour heart isn’t in it

I'd try a new school. It can make the world of difference. Supply is awful. Pension is important too. If you can it, there is plenty of work if you are self employed and you soon build up a reputation and

@Bluntness100

Can’t you reassess whilst in work? Why is it easier to do in supply or unemployed?

Ha I really have tried! But the stress of teaching and safeguarding is overwhelming. I work in a deprived area with lots of vulnerable children.

Oops but you'll need to do your own taxes. I've just changed school and I love my new post.

Thanks all - I know its not ideal. I just have this gut feeling that I need a proper breather, even if I do end up in another school afterwards.

If at all possible, I would try and get another job, that way you can see if it's teaching you want out of, or the current school you are teaching in.

Yes. As a fellow mid thirties teacher, it's madness especially when the world is still so fragile with covid.

You have a 6 week summer holiday to do this.

@BlueBloodedBlue

If at all possible, I would try and get another job, that way you can see if it's teaching you want out of, or the current school you are teaching in.

Thank you - I do see your point, but I feel so burned out that I think even the perfect school wouldn't feel right at the moment.

Depends what you teach. If primary, assuming you'll be at least M6, if not UPS. The main danger would be never being paid that rate again as you'll be priced out by ECT. However if you're secondary physics, go for it, they'll he your arm off wherever you are on the pay scale.

Honestly the time to do it is now before you have any dependents - go for it OP, teaching has so many transferable skills which will make job hunting /retraining easier.

I used to work in schools OP and I know many ex teachers and support staff who found leaving teaching /education was the right thing for them, I also know many staff who still work in schools and it is the right thing for them to stay, but once you have started considering your way out I think you really need to give it a go and see if it is the right choice. To be fair a change of schools could help also?

I used to work in schools (not teaching -
In a pastoral role though I am a qualified teacher ) but I currently work for the NHS and I have a much better work life balance !!

@NoIdeaWhatIWantAtAll

Yes. As a fellow mid thirties teacher, it's madness especially when the world is still so fragile with covid.

You have a 6 week summer holiday to do this.

Yes you're probably right.

All a big no so far - thanks everyone for your thoughts!

I'm secondary English. UPS.

@WaningMoon

Honestly the time to do it is now before you have any dependents - go for it OP, teaching has so many transferable skills which will make job hunting /retraining easier.

I used to work in schools OP and I know many ex teachers and support staff who found leaving teaching /education was the right thing for them, I also know many staff who still work in schools and it is the right thing for them to stay, but once you have started considering your way out I think you really need to give it a go and see if it is the right choice. To be fair a change of schools could help also?

I used to work in schools (not teaching -
In a pastoral role though I am a qualified teacher ) but I currently work for the NHS and I have a much better work life balance !!

Thank you. Yes the no dependants thing is important. I feel this is my chance to put myself first and give it a shot.

UPS main school teaching English would be harder to get back into as schools often employ NQTs or MPS so unless you go for more senior roles it may be tricky

I was 5 years into teaching Secondary when I handed my notice in without a job lined up. I hadn't any savings as we'd just finished major building work on the house but had a relatively low mortgage to pay and no dependants so could live on one wage.
It scared me that I didn't have a job lined up but teaching was breaking me and I knew I had to get out. I immediately felt better and got the second job I applied for in the Civil Service. It can be hard to see that you could be anything other than a teacher BUT when you look at what you do everything is a perfect transferable skill. I also thought that if I didn't leave teaching at that point in my career I probably wouldn't ever leave so made the decision go jump.

I thought I'd take a year off and then reapply for teaching once I had a break but by the end of the first month in my new role I binned all teaching related items in my house and haven't had a panic attack since.

Go for what though?

I’d figure out what direction you’re going in before you quit. Career shifters is a good organisation.

Yeah there are so many reasons to stick with it.
And yet all these really helpful replies are doing is highlighting how much I really want to bite the bullet and leave

Why not make an appointment with a career coach? Think about what area you might want to go into. If you want to reassess, why not join a non-teaching agency? See whats out there?

@LizS16

I was 5 years into teaching Secondary when I handed my notice in without a job lined up. I hadn't any savings as we'd just finished major building work on the house but had a relatively low mortgage to pay and no dependants so could live on one wage. It scared me that I didn't have a job lined up but teaching was breaking me and I knew I had to get out. I immediately felt better and got the second job I applied for in the Civil Service. It can be hard to see that you could be anything other than a teacher BUT when you look at what you do everything is a perfect transferable skill. I also thought that if I didn't leave teaching at that point in my career I probably wouldn't ever leave so made the decision go jump. I thought I'd take a year off and then reapply for teaching once I had a break but by the end of the first month in my new role I binned all teaching related items in my house and haven't had a panic attack since.

Thank you. This is a really hopeful story!

Part time in a different school? I wouldn't give up a permanent post, it can be hard to get another. Often a new school gives you a fresh perspective.

I'm already part time - 0.8.
And honestly in the last 2 years with covid it has pushed me to the edge.
I think I'm partially exhausted with the stress of the pandemic and I need a dramatic shift to be able to see clearly.