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!

@Sodullincomparison

From what I saw last year local schools used TAs or shut down bubbles or took on unqualified teaching staff or used everyone else’s time. Schools can’t keep on paying if they have no reserves.

I’m lucky - my school didn’t need to bring in cover.

You’re UPS English- that’s a hefty experience with that That transcends lots of different stages and sectors. What about working in School Admissions in the independent sector? Or at a Trust or Group level? DfE roles? Or working with the university PGCE programme one day per week to give some balance? Or even SLT?

Sounds counterintuitive as Leadership carries stress but it’s different from the day to day teaching stress and energy needed. I don’t have that patience or skillset any more.

I changed from state Secondary Head to independent prep school head.

I’m all for change just suggest you do it from your current strong position.

Interesting- I don't know in state secondary if our LSAs would ever be used for cover.

Thank you- yes I have a lot of experience and get good results, but SLT is not for me and I don't think I have the networking skills for the others. That's what's making me think I need to step away completely from education for a few months.

I think you should follow your gut instinct, you wont get anywhere in life if you play it too safe.
I know of someone who feels exactly the same as you, and he has just handed in his notice at the school hes been working at for several years and now going down the road as a supply teacher , temporarily, to see how it works out.

@RebeccaCloud9

I teach in a large primary school and we never ever get supply teachers in any more. We cover with support staff or part time staff doing extra days. This may not be the case everywhere but have you factored in that you just may not get supply days?

Yes. I have low outgoings - I've figured I'd need to do 3 supply days per week to cover all rent, food and bills. And I'd use my savings as a safety net obviously.

@Moonface123

I think you should follow your gut instinct, you wont get anywhere in life if you play it too safe. I know of someone who feels exactly the same as you, and he has just handed in his notice at the school hes been working at for several years and now going down the road as a supply teacher , temporarily, to see how it works out.

Thank you

I’d consider other schools, but also start applying for other jobs in different sections. Interviews will give you a flavour of what is out there and what you want to do. I personally wouldn’t leave a job for nothing.

Why not look into tutoring, if you're already part time you could get some students now. I left teaching this time last year and it's all going well! PM me if you want more info

I remember googling “jobs where I don’t have to speak to anyone” after teaching for a decade.

You know you, follow your gut!

Go for it OP! You only live once.

@Sodullincomparison

I remember googling “jobs where I don’t have to speak to anyone” after teaching for a decade.

You know you, follow your gut!

I have googled 'how to make myself enjoy teaching again' more times than I can count this year.

My Google search knows the depths of my soul...

Maybe ask to go to 0.6. Then you have two days a week to search.

If you're UPS you can no longer guarantee getting that if you move schools. My school are currently going to be taking UPS off people unless they can pr be they still deserve it 😫

On the plus side you teach English which is always needed.

Also look at other schools.

I am exhausted from the pandemic - it's not worth asking people on MN to understand or sympathise. But it's been such hard work with traipsing round different rooms to teach, having to get set up, stream lessons home for those absent, upload materials just in case & then all the rules about where to stand, making sure students are not getting too close. Then the impact of seeing so many people in a confined space knowing you're more likely to catch covid.

There must be easier jobs - or at least jobs where you're not made to stay in a packed room all day with 150 different students when there's covid being passed round.

I think teachers have been treated disgracefully throughout the pandemic. I know two teachers who left in the summer. Neither have looked back. I actually hate writing that because they were exactly the kind of people I want teaching my own DC!

I left a different career to retrain and work freelance. It's meant a temporary pay reduction but life is so much better. It all goes so quickly so don't waste it in a job you hate.

@converseandjeans

Maybe ask to go to 0.6. Then you have two days a week to search.

If you're UPS you can no longer guarantee getting that if you move schools. My school are currently going to be taking UPS off people unless they can pr be they still deserve it 😫

On the plus side you teach English which is always needed.

Also look at other schools.

I am exhausted from the pandemic - it's not worth asking people on MN to understand or sympathise. But it's been such hard work with traipsing round different rooms to teach, having to get set up, stream lessons home for those absent, upload materials just in case & then all the rules about where to stand, making sure students are not getting too close. Then the impact of seeing so many people in a confined space knowing you're more likely to catch covid.

There must be easier jobs - or at least jobs where you're not made to stay in a packed room all day with 150 different students when there's covid being passed round.

I hear you - last year was brutal.

But it's been 2 normalish terms and I think I've just fallen out of love with education for now. So hard to tell

Yes I feel sad because if I was teaching 20 years ago, I'm the sort of teacher that would have done it for life, IFYSWIM.

@HereticFanjo

I think teachers have been treated disgracefully throughout the pandemic. I know two teachers who left in the summer. Neither have looked back. I actually hate writing that because they were exactly the kind of people I want teaching my own DC!

I left a different career to retrain and work freelance. It's meant a temporary pay reduction but life is so much better. It all goes so quickly so don't waste it in a job you hate.

What did they move into, if you don't mind me asking?

Honestly I would stick it out until summer. Use your time off to reassess and search for things, but I wouldn't be comfortable packing it all in with only that level of savings.

With no dependents you are free to make some big moves. If you are struggling working in a school with underprivileged children, you could take some time out but still be in the education sphere by moving to teach in an independent school, boarding school, school in a wealthier area, or even a school abroad - either in an English speaking country or as an ESL teacher. Or you could set yourself up as a tutor, even a niche tutor e.g. 11+ if you live in the right part of the country. Or you could work in a school admin role for a while.

If you want to move from education altogether, there are lots of places recruiting both in the UK and internationally. But I would try and see the school year through. Start looking for things now.

I am mid 30s and a teacher too but also a lone parent so I could not leave so easily. The lack of security would keep me awake at night but that is just my situation.

But when I was disillusioned in pre covid times I changed schools and it made all the difference for me. But really research to make sure the ethos of where you are going suits for you. I moved from an outstanding school (' one of best in country'- defo not for staff wellbeing/workload) to a good school and there is less unnecessary work / box ticking. It felt like a different job! I felt I got some work-life balance back. I also took on a significant responsibility in my new school and still feel I have a better work/life balance than my old.

What sort of school are you in now? What are the biggest challenges? Is it all boys / girls / mixed? Is it Outstanding / Good / RI? State or private?

I've been having the same thoughts today. We broke up last week and the headspace has been a bloody dream. I've been feeling happy and relaxed when I'm usually burnt out and stressed during term time. Schools are carnage at the moment and it's a different job to when I started 20 years ago.

I think whatever you decide you need some headspace to make the right long term plan so I would simply quit and look at tutoring so you can get some income alongside the headspace to make a decision about whether it's your school or teaching itself that is the problem. Could you get a temp job as an HLTA to tide you over? I think you can definitely find a way of making money for a term or 2 whilst you decide on what to do next.

I think if you live in a city and have a solid 8 years in a challenging school, you will have no problems getting another teaching job if that's what you want? Have you thought about smaller setting such as a pupil referral unit or an SEN school ( different challenges I know!)

Do it! You are young, no dependents, loads of savings, and a job skill where you could literally move anywhere and find employment.

I quit my job and had a "year out" to refind my mojo when I was overdrawn so you are in a brilliant position. It was the best year of my life.

Just do some stuff you've always wanted to do, or experiences that you'd be interested in. I did some stints of volunteering in different parts of the UK, and 1 trip abroad, interspersed with temping. The temping was cos otherwise I had no money, you might not even have to do that, but even the temping meant I met some interesting people and got insights into work sectors I'd otherwise know nothing about.

Absolutely do it and start thinking about some things you really want to do, already.

I refound my mojo and the "proper job" I got after that time, I wouldn't have got without those experiences.

I did this. Quit after 11 years as an MFL teacher. School in special measures in one of the most deprived areas in Britain. I just gradually came to the realisation that I was falling out of love with it.

I took ten or so weeks off (left in July) to gather my thoughts and remember who I was again - I really needed this. Then did some supply (everywhere - nursery right upto college, wanted to try it all) combined with tutoring for two terms. Then found a school I just loved - it's a non-academy, very family feel, bit old fashioned, wellbeing at the forefront of everything. Went there on supply, applied for a mat cover, then a sick leave cover and just never left, I'm HOF now and love it.
I've taught English during my career and the workload is enormous but thinking of English in our school, there's 18 staff and there's always supply in covering (many) mat leaves, sick leaves, all kinds. The work is there.

Leaving felt a bit scary but once I'd decided, it felt exhilarating really. I just knew it was right. Good luck.

I think you know when you get to the point where things are so bad that anything seems better. You may or may not be at that point. I've left jobs three times with nothing to go to, swapping between employment and self-employment, I've now run my own business for 10 years. You're in a great position with those savings to get some breathing space. Take any job in the meantime if you want to supplement your savings. Rest, get clarity, who knows what might happen? Work out what's the worst case scenario and how that would feel in comparison to what you have now.

Thank you @leccybill and @chillied - those are great stories and I salute you for your courage!

I would leave - no hesitation whatsoever.

Also, if I were you. I would consider leaving teaching in state schools and go for something new. You are young with some savings behind you. You will feel such a weight lifted when you leave that job for the last time.
Caution is not always the answer - sometimes, most of the time - taking a risk is the best way out.
Good luck!

Haven’t rtft, but for what it’s worth, in your shoes I’d bite the bullet and leave. Working supply isn’t so bad, certainly not in the short term, and it sounds as if you’re desperate for a bit of time away from the restrictions of a permanent job. You wouldn’t be burning your boats by taking time out either; there’s always a way back if you decide you want one- and you may not.
Best of luck, op, whatever you decide. Merry Christmas

I understand completely, and that was me - I felt trapped and had no idea what else I could do after 20 years in the job. It's hard to explain, but while you're in teaching it's like you can't see the wood for the trees. During term time your vision narrows and you can only focus on what's infront of you - the day to day survival. And then in school holidays having a bit of space to look up. I don't think I'm explaining well. But I needed to leave so that i could actually have the space to think properly. Of course it's great advice to look for something else while you're in a job, but that didn't work for me at all.

I sent out feelers to all the schools I knew to ask about intervention work (I still love working with kids, but didn't want the whole ball ache of being a class teacher anymore - all the Ofsted/open eves/assembly etc). That brought up lots of other opportunities that I hadn't even considered (I looked at developing education software, for example, but when I visited a company for interview realised I didn't want something where I wasn't working directly with kids at all). Eventually I started up my own business revolving round schools - don't want to say what exactly in public as it's outing. But it's the best thing I ever did. I can talk to you about it in pm if you like.

There are plenty of things you can do with your skills and experience. In the current climate it's not that risky as an experienced teacher of a core subject to quit . You can go back to it if all else fails.

You have a 6 week summer holiday to do this.

Yes, but if OP waits until the summer hold, she's going to be tied in to working through the autumn too.

OP, I think it's worth considering how you will feel if you find another career you want to embark on where the training starts in September and you find that not only do you have to wait another year to start as you've missed the intake for this coming September, but you also have to work your notice in your current job into the autumn term knowing not only that you're not feeling it anymore, but that you've actually found something else you're really excited about.

I would start looking at your options now as you might end up treading water for another year if you wait until later in the year to apply for something new.

It would obviously be better to not hand in your notice until you've got another job lined up normally. But in your case, you'd be changing careers so it's a bit different. As long as you're confident you could get plenty of supply work (or tutoring, etc) in your area, then I think if you're planning to leave teaching anyway, it won't do you any long-term career harm to hand in your notice and switch to supply.