To return to teaching?

[ReturnTeach]

I left teaching 2.5 years ago for a job in insurance. I was asked to apply by a recruiter and fell into the role, as at the time I was on supply and searching for something more secure.

My work now is incredibly easy. 35 hr weeks, 4 days from home, which is mainly spent building models in specialist software, some analysis using various programming languages, and meetings/presentations. I earn just over £38k, and expect a promotion and payrise to £40k in the next few months. Reasonable pension, good benefits. My colleagues are lovely and the work environment is also very good. I have been able to be more present at weekends for my primary aged DC.

However I'm bored. Compared to the adrenaline of teaching, there's no buzz. There's nothing quite like teaching a class and spending the whole time communicating new ideas to them and seeing progress.

Logically I know returning to teaching would be a bad idea. But I can't stop browsing the TES job site.

Anyone is else out there in the same position? AIBU to consider a return?

I am not in the same position-I’m just another teacher, looking to leave, but I think you’d be mad to leave that job!

Take up a hobby that gives you a ‘buzz’ instead. Or do some tutoring!

It's a difficult one but some things to consider:

• What pay grade would you go back on? If you were on M1-4 before you left then you're likely to take a pay drop
• Teaching is high challenge in a good way, but you're also returning to all the stress of accountability for behaviour, results and the endless bureaucracy of report writing and data.
• I've definitely felt a shift in behaviour and policy over the last few years, you may find it very ovewhelming to return and have to shift from communicating with adults, to communicating with children.

What level/subject did you teach?

In all honesty, I wouldn't dream of giving up what you have to return to the classroom. If you really wanted the reward of helping kids learn, you could take up some hours doing private tuition instead.
Things in schools are bad and seem to be getting worse year on year. So many issues with behaviour, budget restraints, lack of time etc. So much of my day is spent dealing with pastoral aspects too rather than on teaching and creating those memorable learning experiences I came into teaching to do.

I was Maths, UPS3 with a responsibility point before I moved to supply after having my second DC. So fairly expensive - I did take a substantial pay cut to change roles from my potential full time pay.

Sitting here with a coffee on a Sunday, thinking that 5 years ago I'd be logged onto my computer and working right now, makes me think maybe I should give my head a wobble.

Haha, I'm actually on Mumsnet procrastinating from filling in a pointless data document that no-one in SLT will likely read, but must be filled in lol
Then I've got to change my whole period 3 lesson for tomorrow, because the class has a very high number of SEND students, plus 4 students they've moved in there due to poor behaviour in other lessons.

Maybe you should just take up skydiving for excitement lol

In the nicest possible way, are you insane?!

You have a great, decently paid job that gives you the time with your kids. You can't put a price on that. And that's the first thing that would go if you went back into teaching.

I do get it - the good bits of teaching are very good but the bad bits really are horrendous.

It's getting worse not better. Even in the last 2 years it's considerably worse - trying to do more with less; budgets absolutely slashed but having higher expectations, significantly more children requiring a very high level of support. It's unmanageable now.

I really wouldn't. Or ride it out for a bit and see what might happen if (when 🤞) there's a change of government.

44,000 teachers left the profession last year for a reason other than retirement.

I think I would find wfh quite boring & enjoy being with students. Yes it's hard work but you would get school holidays off. They're crying out for maths teachers. Could you do 0.8 and avoid working weekends that way?

Maybe volunteer with guides or scouts if you miss teens?

Don't go back to teaching. You don't really want to work evenings and weekends and you wouldn't get ups3 if you went back.

I have been able to be more present at weekends for my primary aged DC.

And you think not being bored at work is more valuable?

I did this (for the same reasons) and now I'm planning to get back out! I suggest you use the extra brain space from being bored to volunteer doing something you love. Be a school governor, walk dogs for the RSPCA, be a mentor for a vulnerable family... anything apart from teaching!

Very good point, it's not just me to consider anymore.

You’d be crazy to go back. You’ll have an increase in salary soon, you can, as has been said, offer evening tutoring if you want, you have more time with your family and little or no stress.

Your current job sounds ideal for family life.
There is so much wrong with education.
It would take all day to list the problems.

I loved the buzz of a good lesson. The interaction with students and staff.
I loved the 'light bulb' moment when students got a concept. I enjoyed helping to sort out students family problems and safeguarding due to a lack of social services. I enjoyed helping their parents with literacy, maths and life skills.
I love it when years later someone stops me to say thank you. Especially when they say how you helped turn their behaviour and life around. How you instilled a love of learning for learning sake rather than just exams.

Saying all that I think you should stay in your comfortable job. You can always go back in later years

Teaching has changed and schools are falling apart. It is not just the physical building the staff are overstretched in every way. Too many chiefs. Academies have lots of corporate staff in head offics many of whom have no idea about schools.Behaviour is at an all time

I have great admiration for those who continue to work under these circumstances.
They truly believe in education and want the best for their students.
It is sad that Government,some parents, and many students don't value education and leaning.

This is about the fourth thread on this subject in a couple of weeks, from various different posters.

Election time debate?

OP, just echoing what others have said really. These years with your children are gold, and you have a job that allows you to be “you” with decent reward as well as have time for your children.

If you really wanted to do more, I’m sure you’d get many takers for either 1-1 or group tutoring if you felt that would be workable? That way you could keep your hand in in a way that suited your family - e.g maths revision group every other Wednesday for an hour maybe?

Unfortunately you won't be able to go back onto UPS3 as schools generally can't afford it now. I had to go to UPS1 to get my new job last September and now the school is closing I am looking again. Most of the ads are for MPS only and if you want UPS you have to enquire. They will tend to only offer UPS 1. Schools just don't have the money to pay experienced teachers any more.

Agree with this-thanks to Michael Gove, Pay portability for teachers was scrapped in about 2014, so just because you are UPS3, if you move school, that isn’t yours to keep. In primary, if you move schools or leave and return, you will probably get put back on MPS and never see over threshold again!

I must admit this is a consideration. Private schools pay is better, but then they demand even more from you in terms of weekend work.

Maybe volunteering with Scouts or Guides is the way forward, certainly there's a demand for leaders locally.

Private schools pay is better

I’m not sure that is universally true. Certainly not in primary. Many have opted out of the TPS as well which makes it a worse deal all in.

find your buzz somewhere else. Volunteer for brownies/cubs etc, do private tutoring, take up a sport,

don't return to teaching