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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask ex teachers...

66 replies

verytiredmummy1 · 08/05/2016 19:33

Is it super nosey of me to ask what job you are doing if you've left teaching?
My degree is very education specific but I find that I can no longer continue in the current education system.
Feel at a loss..it's all I've ever done or wanted to do!!

OP posts:
Scarydinosaurs · 08/05/2016 19:34

I plan to soon be an ex teacher, and I'm currently doing qualifications to enable me to be a before and after school childminder.

TwistAndShout · 08/05/2016 19:35

Another childminder here.

GinnyMcGinFace · 08/05/2016 19:36

My sister was a teacher here. She upped sticks and moved to Australia where teachers are valued and paid accordingly. Less red tape and paperwork bollocks. She's never been happier.

katemiddletonsnudeheels · 08/05/2016 19:44

In the process of buying a private day nursery.

I also tutor, and do examination marking.

I'm not completely done with teaching yet but as soon as I buy the nursery, I will be.

ElegantDream · 08/05/2016 19:47

There's a thread in Workplace Dilemmas on TES about alternate careers. There are also a couple of threads here in the Staffroom. We're all leaving - can the last person out switch off the lights, please?

Clare1971 · 08/05/2016 19:47

I researched this for a book which I won't mention as the post will get pulled! Most ex teachers take a pay cut at least initially. Lots go into education related work, eg: tutoring either privately or with organisations, running after school clubs eg: French classes. Child minding is fairly frequent especially with mums with small children. Non teaching things include sales jobs, maybe book parties, avon etc, quite a few admin or office manager type jobs, charity jobs. Used to be a lot of education related work in places like museums and visitor attractions but far less now. Quite a few go self employed - book keeping and accounting is popular as you can study for the qualifications at home. A surprising amount work as teaching assistants! There are a couple of books available on Amazon giving advice for people thinking of leaving teaching including the one I'm not allowed to mention! One thing I will say - practically no one I interviewed regretted leaving which I find quite sad, though not for them obviously.

tethersend · 08/05/2016 19:48

I'm an advisory teacher for children in care. I work for the LA.

IonaNE · 08/05/2016 19:49

For a while I was self-employed doing public service interpreting (none of my degrees are in languages but I speak two foreign languages); then I got a job in public service, something I had zero experience in, but I learned fast. Currently I'm a data analyst in a multinational company (none of my degrees are in Maths either Grin.

Original poster
verytiredmummy1 · 08/05/2016 19:50

Thank you.
I thought about childminding but our house just isn't big enough.
I'm feeling a bit under pressure as I'm the larger wage earner and so there's a lot of pressure on me to have a job of equal salary and it's making me feel like I have to stay being a teacher even though I'm miserable!
I'd love to buy a nursery. It's always been a goal of mine but don't currently have the funds!
It's such a shame to feel like this about a once lived career isn't it?

OP posts:
Original poster
verytiredmummy1 · 08/05/2016 19:50

Auto correct... loved not lived

OP posts:
chickenowner · 08/05/2016 19:52

I work part time as a supply teacher - still technically teaching I know, but without the long hours and stress!

scaryteacher · 08/05/2016 19:53

I am a kept woman ( resigned to follow dh abroad, HM Forces) 10 years ago, and he has now retired and got a civvy job abroad. I mark GCSEs once a year, and used to do things as a volunteer for ds's school, but once he left, that stopped.

Even when we go back to UK, I can't see myself teaching again, unless it is very part time.

SukeyTakeItOffAgain · 08/05/2016 19:56

I started my own business with my husband.

katemiddletonsnudeheels · 08/05/2016 19:57

very, I love teaching and cliche as it is adore the children but it's data driven and has a very nasty side to it.

I'm glad to be (on my way!) out xx

baggyleggings · 08/05/2016 20:20

Try the independent sector. I've been at an independent school for the past 15 yrs and am very happy. We are not at the mercy of government whims and get to teach. It comes with its own stresses but I genuinely love my job.

We are advertising for second in the maths department at the mo and have been inundated with really well (and over) qualified applicants from the state sector.

YorkieDorkie · 08/05/2016 20:27

I'm training to be a beauty therapist! I won't truly be ex-teacher but I'm going to work 2 days a week due to starting a family and so I need to support my income from home.

froggyjump · 08/05/2016 20:36

someone mentioned the independent sector - I would also suggest thinking about alternative types of schools, such as SEN or PRU - there is still an amount of paperwork, but usually a different focus in the schools, with much more emphasis on pastoral care and seeing children as individuals rather than exam fodder.....

IonaNE · 08/05/2016 20:37

Supply teaching is good if it's day-to-day and you can get a steady 2-3 days a week. In 5 mins before the kids, out 5 mins after the kids. Grin

OwlinaTree · 08/05/2016 20:40

I feel like I'm the only person who loves this job now. Can't imagine doing anything else. Maybe I've just been lucky with where I work!

Mov1ngOn · 08/05/2016 20:43

I'm an ex teacher and it seems most options are quite low paid.

Most teachers are graduates, often good graduates (I have 2 v good degrees) but it seems leaping into another world of work is quite tough.

I've considered retraining but locally I can only see OT/social work/nursing which costs to train and then bottom of the payscale again.

I wish Id started out as something else...

ilovesooty · 08/05/2016 20:44

I work with offenders and substance misusers. I'm also a counsellor with a private practice.

IonaNE · 08/05/2016 20:48

I'm also a counsellor with a private practice.
I've also looked into this but the risks seemed to be too high.

I feel like I'm the only person who loves this job now.
Out of my nearly 20 years of teaching I spent 10 in a country on the Continent. 50% of your time was PPA and in your free periods you did not need to be on the premises. There was no school after lunch (1-1:30-ish). Summer holidays were 10 weeks. I loved being a teacher there compared to that teaching in the UK only allows a very low standard of living.

IonaNE · 08/05/2016 20:49

*there; compared

OwlinaTree · 08/05/2016 20:52

Maybe it's because I had so many shit jobs before I became a teacher.

gingergenie · 08/05/2016 20:58

Is there such a thing as a shared tutor for home educated children? What about something like that??