To not want to teach

[idontwanttoteach]

This is probably going to be a frustrating thread because there’s literally no way around it, I sort of have to teach because it’s the only thing I’ve done and the only thing I can earn the amount I do and plus the holidays (have young children) and so on.

But. I. Do. Not. Want. To. Teach.

I know about the FB group by the way but there’s no real feasible alternative for me at the moment.

You need to work on a plan...

Can you get another position in education? Train for another job?

Check out Learning and Development roles in the corporate world. Plenty of ex teachers land there. You have all the skills and experience required, just need to translate them into corporate speak.

Ok, what would you like from the thread?

A good old whinge.

Get an exit strategy. No child deserves to taught by someone who doesn't want to be there. Loads of alternative in the private sector for teachers though the benefits and pensions etc aren't any where near as good, generally.

So leave teaching and make other childcare arrangements, like most people

As I’ve said, that isn’t a realistic option.

As for every child ‘deserving to be taught by someone who wants to be there’ - really? Professionalism isn’t enough, rapid joy is now a demand as well?

Can you go part-time? Knowing I only have 3 days gets me through. I work another job for the other days that's mundane and boring - lovely!!

Such a helpful comment 🙄

Have you thought about supply? A lot of people find that less stressful than being in a permanent post.

I am part time due to having very small children but to be honest while it has its advantages I always feel on the back foot and it is more stressful in some ways. I can never work out if it’s more or less hassle to be full time!

I couldn’t. It just doesn’t pay enough and I would need guaranteed work for childcare.

You already know the soul sucking list of what is demanded of teachers by SLT, HoD, ofsted, parents, pupils, social workers etc.

So no professionalism isn't enough.

Life's too short to do something you hate. If you can't leave now, make a plan to at the earliest opportunity.

Definitely, PT is not a a good deal in teaching. Where I was, they gave us the same load for all the ‘extras’, of which there are many, as the FT staff. Not to mention cramming two classes into one to make it fit. And guess what, workload wasn’t allocated per student, so same amount of marking as FT.

My friend was a teacher. She now has a very successful dog walking business. With all due respect (and I mean that because teachers are worth their weight on gold with all the shit they have to deal with), I don't understand why you can't do something else. Maybe I am being stupid, but why do you have to teach?

Maybe I am being stupid, but why do you have to teach?

money

I completely get it. The FB group videos and suggestions are all about finding your bottom line and then income streams to meet that, but tend to focus almost completely on either supply or tutoring-neither of which I want to do! I don’t want to teach at all-private/mainstream/special, but that seems to mean starting completely from scratch in a minimum wage role which isn’t viable financially.

I wish there was a sideways sort of step, but there doesn’t seem to be. I definitely can’t do this until retirement though-it’s become a horrible job.

I don't know why it's so controversial to say look for something else. There are compromises to all jobs, you work part time and have long holidays but find the work demanding and stressful, you might find something that's not as stressful but it will likely come with other compromises like hours or pay, but until you know what other options are out there how can you weigh them up?
I work in a really demanding public sector role, I have colleagues who complain incessantly but do nothing to change their circumstances. That doesn't benefit anyone. There are downsides to my job but on a balance I can deal with them and the more rewarding side of it (and the pension) are worth it.
It's not snarky to say have a look around.

What is it that makes you not want to teach? This might help people to make suggestions.

Sorry to hear it op. It sucks feeling trapped in a job you hate.

Would another school be any better? Are you primary or secondary?

Mortgage. Bills. You know.... Food, drinks, a general life? Plus once you're a UPS3 it's incredibly difficult to get anything to match your salary elsewhere.

I hear you loud and clear OP and I’m with you. It’s just a rubbish position to be in.

I could only cope by dropping to part time...is that an option?

I was in your exact position, getting paid just enough that I couldn't justify the pay cut in starting somewhere new, but not enough to afford retraining in something else. I also found it hard to transfer over skills; unless you have extensive leadership experience, you'll end up in entry level jobs with a massive salary drop which isn't feasible either. My only solution was to move country and teach somewhere else, I'm now earning more for a FT position with fewer hours than my PT position last year, in a more relaxed school with far better behaviour. I do actually have joy in my job now but I don't know what I would have done if I'd stayed as I was really hitting rock bottom with no way out. I'm sorry I can't give better advice but totally understand why you need to whinge!

Yanbu.