To leave my professional career for a low paid job?

[raininginbaltimore]

I'm a teacher. Been teaching for 8 years, I'm a Headnof department for a small dept in secondary school.

I have bipolar disorder, diagnosed two years ago an have just had my second dc. As a family we have had a rough few months, I've been in a mother and baby unit and dd has been ill. I cannot face going back to work. Teaching just doesn't seem doable anymore. I can go back 4 days, but nothing less. I can't move schools as I am too expensive, and not many local jobs.

I am so exhausted with the job. I have been made aware of a job in a local charity. Two days a week, much lower salary etc. however after childcare costs etc we wouldn't be much worse off.

Has anyone done this?

[SaladIsMyFriend]

OP, you should go for it. As you yourself said, life is too short.

I gave up my well paid but waaay too stressful job last year, am currently doing nothing much and loving it. A good pension is pretty worthless if you've keeled over with stress earning it, or spent your life wishing you'd been brave enough to do something else that could ahve made you happier.

So YANBU and do it!

[BranchingOut]

Oh, it is also a big relief to feel free of that public perception that teachers are responsible for the world's ills.

Riots, schools closed when they shouldn't be, schools open when they shoudn't be, grades too high, grades not high enough, too much health and safety, not enough health and safety, poor behaviour in school, poor behaviour out of school...none of it is anything to do with me anymore!

I think a good way of staffing schools would be the option of 6 year short term commissions, a bit like Teach First or the armed forces short commissions. Schools would benfit from keen staff, but they would teach for a finite period of time and receive a payout for retraining at the end. 'Lifers' would have a reduced timetable and access to full pension etc in return for a commitment to longer service.

[TheNebulousBoojum]

'I think a good way of staffing schools would be the option of 6 year short term commissions, a bit like Teach First or the armed forces short commissions.'

Yes, I've often thought that would be a good idea. No burnout, no bewilderment as the systems and the rules and the goalposts changed all the time, the new intake would be without a backhistory.

Still waiting for the promised delivery of Officer Beefcake we were promised by the government BTW.
Decent eyecandy teaching me how to teach might go some way to improving my attitude.

[Arisbottle]

Only on MN do people think that teachers are responsible for world's ills and then to be fair it is only a few posters.

I know that I do a good job and that is good enough for me.

[BranchingOut]

Hmm, don't think it is just MN - news headlines and the rest of the media don't help. Also, I had some outright rudeness at times when I told people what I did for a living.

[countrykitten]

Yes - we are not exactly loved as a profession.

[countrykitten]

And breatheslowly offers good advice - this is what I did and would not set foot in another state school again due to the constant government intervention and the endless 'new initiatives'. And I was employed on UPS3 as a classrrom teacher so they will pay the extra and value your experience -unlike state schools which employ endless NQTs because they are cheap.-

[raininginbaltimore]

I have worked in a private school before and would consider it again. Not sure if I'd get interviewed with "bipolar" on my application.

I keep looking, but there aren't many jobs in my area at the moment (Yorkshire).

[Schooldidi]

Do you have to put the bipolar bit on the application? I don't remember ever having to disclose any medical information when I've applied for jobs. There aren't a massive number of jobs round here either.

[HollaAtMeBaby]

Yeah I would leave, if you can get the 2 day a week job. You can always register for odd days of supply teaching to top up your income if you're worried about being broke.

[raininginbaltimore]

I've often had to fill out a part of application with any medical conditions, number of days absent etc. I have a very good sick record in the last couple of years, but wonder if just seeing that diagnosis will put places off.

[slambang]

Taking a different tack - as you have bipolar you would perhaps be entitled to consideration under disability discrimination legislation. Just a thought - but could you explain that this is the reason that the school needs to treat your situation as requiring additional consideration and that your 'reasonable adjustment' to allow you to continue to work whilst having a mental health condition could be returning part time (or without managerial responsibility.)

I'd ask your union for help on this.

[slambang]

It is no longer legal to ask about health until the point of job offer. (Since the new diversity legilsation.)

[VestaCurry]

Have you talked to your union raining? My friend did and got a lot of support in terms of considering her options. She certainly felt she got good value for money (from the subs she had paid over the years). I expect you know you don't have to go through the school rep, just ring regional office.
Private sector is a good suggestion.
The charity job sounds fine, but have you thought carefully about what you'd really like to do as an alternative? Do you have the funds to go to a career analyst? SIL did this and found it invaluable, changed careers completely, did need planning though.

[Arisbottle]

Countrykitten I work in a state school that does employ the best teacher for the job. A good department has a balance of teachers, NQTs and experience. We appoint both. A good school will also shield teachers from endless new initiatives and interventions.

[countrykitten]

In the state system no-one can be shielded completely from government initiatives - they have to comply and I abhor the way successive governments have kicked education around. I think most teachers will agree that many state schools (obviously not the one you work at) will often employ a cheaper teacher over a more experienced teacher as funds are tight. This is also how cover supervisors have become so popular in schools and supply teachers are now all but extinct. But that is another topic entirely!

[Arisbottle]

We have 2 cover supervisors but they are trained teachers, but I agree it is an issue at many other schools. I am not saying that we don't employ NQTs but if we need a more experienced teacher or a more experienced one applies we will and have employed them.

If a government initiative comes along that is useful we will put it into action, otherwise standard teachers are generally shielded from them as much as is possible.

[Arisbottle]

I don't think the issue is teaching as such, but poor management in some state schools.

[slambang]

FYI from www.rethink.org

The Equality Act 2010

The EqA has restricted the questions that a prospective employer can ask about health or disability in an application form, therefore you do not normally have to provide any information about your health on your initial application form. An employer may still ask these questions but they should only be asked for specific reasons e.g. to enable the employer to make reasonable adjustments in the interview or to establish that an applicant can carry out tasks necessary for the job.

[storynanny]

Just make the decision to leave and cut back on non essentials, you will be so much happier. I've been a teacher for 34 years and left a senior post last year as I could no longer agree with all the rubbish that I was expected to do in the name of "progress". I now do the bare minimum on supply in a few local schools and make a point of not working on Mondays so I never get that Sunday afternoon sinking feeling. Unless you had intended working at a high level your pension would not be that amazing anyway. Best of luck to you in your new job.

[Viviennemary]

at Countrykitten. Years ago an old school type Headteacher told somebody I knew struggling during their first year teaching. 'You're not here to be loved or even liked. You're here to teach and they are here to learn.' Don't suppose that would go down too well today!

[IAmLouisWalsh]

Do it. Seriously, just do it. Fuck the pension, it is worth bugger all - certainly will be by the time you retire. The time with the kids and the lack of stress will be the key things here - should make a massive difference.

My plan is to teach for another ten years or so, then get a job in John Lewis.

[zalana]

Having not so long ago left a well paid job in teaching to work part time for a charity, I would wholeheartedly say go for it, my only regret that I did not do it years ago. I feel so much better and enjoy life now, teaching is not the job it once was!

[WillowFae]

I'm in my fourth year of teaching and I am seriously considering quitting. I want my life back while my children are still young. I want to enjoy the weekends with my family without worrying about the work I have to get done before Monday. But I don't know if we can afford it.