Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

AIBU?

to quit my job in this climate?

145 replies

burntoutteacher · 12/05/2013 15:21

Hi all

Need some MN wisdom, regular ( although not on AIBU), have namechanged as I dont want to out myself. This is more of a wwyd to be honest.

I am a secondary school teacher, been in job 8 years, at top of pay scale and also have extra responsibilities. However I am miserable. School are heaping more and more work on me, I rarely leave the building before 6, later some nights, then im back in front of my computer screen when dd is in bed. Admittedly some parts of the year are worse than others and I am currently in the middle of one of the crap parts (exam season), but I want to leave. Other things are swamping me about the job, increasing targets, incredible scrutiny from parents, heads, bloody Gove, Ofsted. There also feels to be a culture of kids being encouraged by pastoral leaders to complain about teachers and I have spent the last month defending myself against things I'm supposed to have said or done to upset xyz kid. Its exhausting and so damaging for the self esteem, I feel crap at my job in spite of gettting good results.
Heres the thing, I want out of teaching completely because I feel done with it. My DP is postively encouraging me to resign and said he will finanacially support me through a careeer change (socia work or OT) and although it would be tight, he could cover it. I can't help but feel though that it is madness to walk out of a well paying job without another one to go to, and one that lots of people would love to have. .
I'm in my mid 30's, one child and the idea of being a full time student while dp works his backside off feels so self indulgent to me. There is a deadline to resign coming up (31stMay) and I just cant write the letter. DP is getting increasingly frustrated with my indecisiveness and feels that I am being unreasonable not to take his offer but then complain about being unhappy.

AIBU? does anyone else think that it would be crazy to just leave and sort out a course/another job after I've left? my mum is climbing the walls btw, thinks im throwing everything away, which fills me with more doubt, that I am indeed..... 'throwing it all away'

OP posts:

Report

holidaysarenice · 14/05/2013 15:26

I wouldn't reisgn until accepted to another course. Being a sw is hell for all the reasons you hate teaching. Scrutiny, compaints, defending urself, late nights. You will always be the bad guy. Without the holidays to recover.

burntoutteacher · 14/05/2013 16:08

Think I def won't be taking up social work ( though I was never considering child protection anyway, would have been interested in older adult).
Going back to my job in sept to start another term makes me feel so anxious. They have made massive changes to my dept from then which will massively impact on my work load. I know it seems bonkers to resign before having somewhere to go, ( and I know it's foolish) but I don't know if I could make myself go back. I'll also have to work all through the summer on the proposed changes.
Do you think another school will be reluctant to hire me if I've not come directly from another school?x

OP posts:

ssd · 14/05/2013 16:28

your name says it all, you need a break from teaching, full stop

just be honest with yourself and stop waffling

claig · 14/05/2013 16:39

I think if it is affecting your health and well-being to such an extent, then yiu should resign and get out of it. But, I think you need to be prepared for teh fact that you may not be able to earn a similar amount again for quite a while. But get out if it is doing your head in.

claig · 14/05/2013 19:02

Could switching to primary be an option?
What about private schools? Is there less pressure and monitoring etc there?

I think you said you have been teaching for about 8 years, so your fears of being found out to be a fraud are unwarranted. Your confidence has been knocked and the situation is affecting your health and happiness. That is no good, and if there is no alternative, then I think you should resign and hope for the best in what happens next. Life and health are more important than a job that is doing your head in.

GoblinGranny · 14/05/2013 19:08

claig, primary is a nightmare too.

claig · 14/05/2013 19:16

Is it?
This is a disaster. Why is teaching so bad?

burntoutteacher · 14/05/2013 19:20

Claig-thanks for the replies. Yeah I've heard that about primary as well, and I would have to retrain. You can't go from secondary to primary I don't think? ( might be wrong)
I do need a break. Of this I'm sure!

OP posts:

GoblinGranny · 14/05/2013 19:22

I started off in a Middle school (9-13), but they're a bit thin on the ground.

Jestrin · 14/05/2013 19:24

Then take that break, OP! Your DP is supporting you in your decision and considering all that has been said I think you should. I work in a school and see the pressure on the teachers. I'm not one, myself, but toyed with the idea but the politics, legislation and pressure made me realise it wasn't worth the effort and that was a very sad conclusion to make.

Nenufar · 14/05/2013 19:25

My DH made a drastic career change last year. He worked crazy hours and was bringing home a six figure salary. He deliberated for the best part of a year about whether to give it up and retrain to do something else that would be better for us as a family.

He got a graduate job retraining in a completely different field. I got a part-time job (I wasn't working before). We now earn 25k between us (before tax).

Our family life is a million times better. I don't miss the money one little bit.

hettie · 14/05/2013 20:16

is there something in between teaching and a completely different profession?.... So for example universities look for engagement workers to reach out to current 16-18 year olds .... or things like this. There are also of jobs in skills based teaching (for example working with unemployed/vulnerable adults....). Just trying to think maybe of some jobs were your teaching background is relevant rather than having to completely retrain..... Having just done it (not from teaching though).... it's a bloody hard slog and it sounds to me more like you are over teaching than into something else (ifykwim). To get through the slog of retraining it helps to be really passionate about the the 'new thing rather than just hating the old.....

burntoutteacher · 14/05/2013 20:58

Hettie your post has really struck a chord with me. I think I'd like something 'inbetween'. I clicked on your link and though I'm way under qualified, I see where you're coming from and will give it a good look. ( I'd love to do something that had me moving around schools delivering sessions, changing scenes every day and kids appreciating the fresh face!

something

OP posts:

kim147 · 14/05/2013 21:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

burntoutteacher · 14/05/2013 21:21

Kim thanks for the info. Is that course the same as a pgce? I also have a pgce in post compulsory education x

OP posts:

kim147 · 14/05/2013 21:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

burntoutteacher · 14/05/2013 21:43

Oh right, so it's a course I would have to teach as well as already having a PGCE? Wonder why that's necessary? Is there plenty of work around?

OP posts:

burntoutteacher · 14/05/2013 21:44

Sorry you just said there's plenty of work- that's looks really interesting!

OP posts:

williaminajetfighter · 14/05/2013 22:16

OP I'm not a teacher but having worked in advertising/marketing for 20 yrs can understand the stress pressure and long hours.

My advice really depends on the kind of person you are. If you're a risk taker just go for it and resign.

I'm much more of a 'planner' and indecisive to boot. I'd give myself another term, knowing I was counting down the days to resign and use that time to research options and save money.

If you did that in your last term you'll feel a weight lifted knowing that you're leaving but not feel that you've just jumped off without a paddle. I know if I resigned today I would panic if I didn't have a plan. I would try to stick it out for another term and you may feel much more prepared for the future when you do leave.

scottishmummy · 14/05/2013 22:29

ot and sw are high stress public sector jobs.big caseloads,targets,demanding role
if you're thinking of it try meet,shadow sw and ot.be realistic about their role
don't get misty eyed about any public sector career.vocationally fulfilling but v demanding and stressful

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.