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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To really not e enjoying teaching?

117 replies

NotEnjoyingTeaching · 22/01/2022 10:50

Sorry - moany thread and I don’t think there is a solution although happy to hear any suggestions.

I was deputy head, stepped down after having DD, classroom teacher again and I thought I’d love it.

I hate it. I don’t know whether it’s being a mum now and not so career focused or whether it’s the relentlessness of teaching all day every day and the accompanied planning and marking, or whether these strange post covid times. But it’s exhausting me.

I’m already dreading Monday Sad

OP posts:
DaisyTheUnicorn · 23/01/2022 14:31

I am job hunting and it seems local council jobs are all £10per hour or occasionally 24-27 (tbh I'd take the hit) but wanting a ton of other experience I don't have.

I feel stuck as cant see how to find other work that will lead to a graduate level job/paid over 22k a year. And I'm happy to start low down.

I really wish I'd qualified as an ed psych/OT /Salt pre kids.

cafedesreves · 23/01/2022 14:31

@42isthemeaning oh no that's a real shame. We're still in it for the time being.

DaisyTheUnicorn · 23/01/2022 14:32

It is so so so hard to jump from teaching to somethiñg other than a 20k job and that's so wrong when we were told you have a degree for life/transferable skills etc.

Paivaa · 23/01/2022 14:49

I used to teach in schools but due to personal circumstances, I went from a class teacher to supply teaching to now running my own tutoring business which I have been doing for the last few years. I specialise in primary SEN, all online since 2020 and I love it, it ticks all boxes- meets all my needs both professionally and personally.
There's always something that will need to give a bit when you change career direction, whether it's time or financial reward but tutoring is something you can begin while doing the 'day job'. Then when you feel you're making enough to go it alone, hey presto, no one to answer to, you decide when you work and how you work, etc, Obviously, there's more to it, as with any self employed business, there's a lot of 'behind the scenes' work but for me personally, it's been worth it. And I'll be honest, a negative experience is what pushed me to make a proper go of it as my main income. Before then, I was coasting along, doing the odd evening session.
This may not be for you at all but if you still enjoy teaching/children and it's the bureaucracy that's wearing you down, it may be an option....😊

Howshouldibehave · 23/01/2022 14:57

I really wish I'd qualified as an ed psych/OT /Salt pre kids

Me too. I wouldn’t recommend teaching to anyone now. A lot of my DC’s friends are heading into the above careers rather than teaching.

Original poster
NotEnjoyingTeaching · 23/01/2022 15:10

The thing is, independent schools just aren’t the magic solution. There aren’t loads around here, only two within (reasonable) commuting distance, one is one I would possibly send my own children to, so only one. One of my colleagues worked there and while she is complimentary about it as a school, she certainly has a heavy workload. I think in private schools behaviour can sometimes be better which is why it’s often touted as an appealing option but behaviour isn’t my main bugbear.

I’ll look into Teach First mentoring - could be interesting.

OP posts:
Howshouldibehave · 23/01/2022 15:23

I agree about private-a friend went to teach there and whilst she gets slightly longer holidays, she has some quite unpleasant stories to tell about treatment from some of the parents (wanting their pound of flesh as they ‘pay her wages’ etc). The pension wasn’t good either.

Grapewrath · 23/01/2022 15:28

Yadnbu
I worked as a TA for a while and hated it. I love children but I found the classroom boring and draining. The teacher was great but it felt relentless. I left to work as a waitress and much preferred it.
Do something that brings you joy.

JamaicaSq · 24/01/2022 17:15

@Howshouldibehave

I really wish I'd qualified as an ed psych/OT /Salt pre kids

Me too. I wouldn’t recommend teaching to anyone now. A lot of my DC’s friends are heading into the above careers rather than teaching.

And there is a huge shortage of Ed Psychs. My LA are really struggling with referrals due to no EP's.

Sometimes I fantasise about being in one of those rural schools you see in movies with one teacher, no colleagues and no interventions from above.

Those days are long gone. Curriculum framework and OFSTED would dictate that you are the leader for all curriculum subjects to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum - just about impossible in our two teacher primaries.
I was involved in an inspection where OFSTED said the barrier to the school being anything other than inadequate was a small staff.

Howshouldibehave · 24/01/2022 17:33

And there is a huge shortage of Ed Psychs. My LA are really struggling with referrals due to no EP's

Yep-it’s become massively worse since it went from being masters level entry to doctorate level. I know a fair few teachers who left teaching and did the MSc in the early 2000s, but whereas taking one year to retrain is doable, the 3/4 it now takes, isn’t!

TheHoptimist · 24/01/2022 17:53

@Howshouldibehave

And there is a huge shortage of Ed Psychs. My LA are really struggling with referrals due to no EP's

Yep-it’s become massively worse since it went from being masters level entry to doctorate level. I know a fair few teachers who left teaching and did the MSc in the early 2000s, but whereas taking one year to retrain is doable, the 3/4 it now takes, isn’t!

Very very hard to get on a course and even harder to get a funded place.
AssemblySquare · 24/01/2022 18:01

I bloody hate teaching… Like others I left after a few years, did some quite high level jobs in the real world and changed frequently because I was sooooo bored! Didn’t miss the holidays at all, and pay was the same. Like a fool I went back to the classroom. 12 years later and again I’m so bored!!!! I’m very busy…. But my job isn’t at all fulfilling!! Thankfully I’ve got a new job starting in April, out of teaching, and I can’t wait!!

DaisyTheUnicorn · 24/01/2022 18:04

Yup I could manage the old masters system. But cant commit 3 years commuting to uni town full time at all.

FrownedUpon · 24/01/2022 18:15

I left teaching. It was the best thing I did. Our staff room was full of teachers moaning about how much they hated the job, but so many of them never did anything about it and are still there. Still moaning too. There are always other paths, but you have to be proactive and change your situation.

DaisyTheUnicorn · 24/01/2022 18:18

Ooh what did you change to?

It is really hard to leave!

AssemblySquare · 24/01/2022 20:36

I’m lucky because I got other experience and qualifications in the 5 years I was out of teaching. I’m just finishing off my MA as well which I’ve done part time and it has made me so much braver! I’m off to connect businesses and schools and build brilliant careers education work between them!

Lemonweightloss · 24/01/2022 21:27

@FrownedUpon, exactly. A pp upthread said people make it sound so easy....just leave....money's not everything....life's too short etc. It's not easy but if you're miserable, you can do something about it. I don't advocate walking out of any job tomorrow - it took me 3 years to leave. I had a plan. You do need to make sure you've got some money behind you ( anything else would be stupid). Am I rich today ? No. But I'm happy.

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