To wonder if anyone leaves teaching for a different job and regrets it

[Pukepukepuke]

Massive sweeping generalisations here but....People seem to leave their jobs to teach and say it’s the best thing they ever did but teachers seem to say it’s awful and unsustainable so wondering if people leave teaching and realise it’s not so bad or if it’s just a greener grass thing?

I left teaching & never looked back. I do miss the actual act of teaching, but my lifestyle is so much better (even with my salary cut in half).

I know several people who've left teaching and seem to be happy with their lot. I don't know anyone who hasn't taken a big pay-cut though, which is what keeps lots of unhappy teachers in school.

Took redundancy a year or so ago after 16 yrs of teaching. Wouldn’t have done it for so long if I hadn’t loved it. However it was making ill. It was relentless and nothing to do with the small proportion of my working day spent in front of the class. I can compare it with previous roles including what could be seen as high pressure ones in the city and nothing comes close. I’ve gone back to uni and I’m studying for a PhD now and feeling more myself again. It’s funded, but not enough! Wouldn’t be able to do it if I didn’t have a supportive DH.

I know people that have had big cuts and are happy. I don't know anyone that regrets leaving and I know a lot, and it's ever increasing

I’d be taking a massive pay cut. but hopefully much less pressure

Don‘t know anyone who regretted leaving, me included.

Sad about not standing in front of a class of teens anymore, I sometimes miss their funny, clever, puppyish ways, but I would never go back.

Been offered 2 teaching jobs recently and my stomach went into very familiar knots. It was the right decision to leave.

I left teaching about 15 years ago and have no regrets. I do miss working with the kids but that’s it. Left after 6 years as a classroom teacher and got a job with a charity on a similar salary. Went back in to education after a few years - but not teaching in a school - at a decentish salary and have subsequently stayed in various education management roles.

I might be earning more if I’d stayed in schools and become a Head but I earn a decent enough amount and have a much better work life balance. I do feel a bit sad I’m not still teaching as it was a vocation for me but personal ill health and ridiculous government directives, obsessions with data and Ofsted pressure mean I’m glad I’m not still teaching.

I work with one ex teacher. She moans a lot about our private company's terrible holidays (above average) and pay/ pensions etc. She dsnt day anything positive re less stress and I don't think we're in a stressful industry having taught and worked in far more stressful areas, but she is one person so might not be representative