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.

Try a private school (unless you already are?). I’ve just moved into private and it’s a lot better for me

MyOtherCarisAVauxhallZafira

I don't know why it's so controversial to say look for something else

Its not but its not always feasible.

It's not snarky to say have a look around.

No-one said that it was.

In that case you'll really have to assess whether that's a reasonable trade off for you given that you're miserable. Perhaps at some stage the scales will tip. Only you can know that.

@idontwanttoteach there are lots of other part time/flexible jobs with good progression and that pay better than teaching. They are also less stressful. If it were me, I would be exploring some other options. You have many transferrable skills from teaching, no need to start at square one. I'm sure there would be employers ready to snap you up if you presented yourself right.

I left teaching and now train adults in the private sector. Pays not great, 43k, but work from home 75% of the time, arrange my own diary, no marking or planning, as we do lessons plans as a team.

For me, things like

-total micromanagement and lack of autonomy-it’s less about teaching children what you know they need and more about making sure you deliver the correct ‘script’ at exactly the same time as all of the other teachers in your year group whilst people who seem to do less work than you, walk round with a clipboard to check. Everything has a scheme and there is no joy left any more.

-ofsted. When your workload is so massive, it’s impossible to keep on top of everything (especially in a small school where you have subject responsibilities coming out of your ears) and they can always find something you haven’t done.

-feeling like because you are top of the pay scale, you are perpetually at risk of a capability plan because your school budget is so tight, your head would rather have two ECTs than one you.

-high levels of pupils with extremely complex SEND in a class of 30+ with no funding or TA and still being expected to meet everyone’s needs at all times.

-55/60 hour weeks and a complete inflexibility during term time.

Side step into learning & development in a medium-large business, then take another side step out of L&D into another department elsewhere in the business.

@goodluckbinbin well that will be half the children in the country then at least. The kids don’t need Mr Tumble they just need good teachers who do their job well. I can definitely be professional and do a good job even though I don’t want to be there.I can plaster on a smile and get on with it, like many others do every day. I’m sure the same applies to workers in many other professions too, not just teaching, but it doesn’t mean they’re not doing a good job.

What's your subject? I was a languages teacher and quite easily moved into industry to use my languages.

Same boat 👋 can I join your whinge?

Definitely harder working part time as you still need to stay on top of all the developments and staff meetings while only expected to attend half of them. You are expected to have 100% of the knowledge in 50% of the time.

And there's no wriggle room for "oh I'll just do this task after school tomorrow..." because you're not working tomorrow (or whichever day) so you stay late to get everything done in less days.

And then there's the handover if you are part of a job share. So time consuming, especially if you don't have any cross over time and it's all done by email or notes.

And don't even get me started on sharing a classroom with another teacher as a job share. So awful when you arrive to start your day and find you have to scurryfunge the room, clear the desk of old papers and junk accumulated and antibac everything because your colleague is a messy person who would lose a cow amongst a small field of sheep with the amount of junk piled up "just in case".

And not forgetting the assumptions from colleagues that you are having leisure days on your days off. No no, I'm a SAHP those days. I'm run ragged by mine own small humans on those days. And they don't sleep through either.

Full time is definitely the easier option than part time & SAHP.

You called? 😂

Joking aside, I understand that you feel like you're trapped, but you're not. There's always a way out. It isn't always easy, but the sooner you start investigating other roles and applying for other jobs, the quicker you'll be out of the classroom.

there are lots of other part time/flexible jobs with good progression and that pay better than teaching. Such as? Can you give an example or signpost towards these jobs please? 👀

@Redlocks30 thanks … problem for me is realistically I am UPS3, so finding something t else for three days a week is unlikely to happen on the same amount of money! Plus I do have to do this sort of work due to having to work around DH. And it fits well with children in some ways.

@MyOtherCarisAVauxhallZafira it isn’t controversial but not is it doable … I know I won’t get anything else for the same money which means I am trapped because I earn too much!

Thanks for letting me whinge … will read page 2 now!

I'm not a teacher but am also interested in these flexible, part time jobs with good progression that pay better than teaching please ☺

I joined the FB group when it started and it really motivated me to leave. This year I celebrated my three year anniversary in my new job and I'm now earning more than I was in my last teaching post.

Initially I took a pay drop but within a year I had been promoted. As teachers we don't give ourselves enough credit for how transferable our skills are. My new employers trusted me with more responsibility very quickly. I have never regretted my decision.

I have annual leave but don't miss the holidays at all. My work is flexible and quieter during the school holidays. It works for our family. I would say what others have said. Plan your exit. You won't regret it.

Sounds like the holy grail! 🏆

YABU to play the victim. No-one forced you to become a teacher, and no-one is forcing you to stay. Millions of adults make ends meet through other jobs. Pick one of those routes, cut your outgoings if necessary, and make a plan.

If it was only me I had to think of I would agree but with a young family I obviously have to think of the impact it would have on my children and my husband. For them I can grit my teeth and plough through; I reserve the right to hate it though!

@JumpstartMondays oh I hear you … I hate the way people assume I’m having a ball, I’m really not and like you I’m up multiple times in the night. Last night DD woke at midnight and I didn’t get her back down until 2, then she woke at 6. DH took her for an hour and then I was late - not late late but arriving with the kids which clearly isn’t ideal. But I am so so tired.

And then things like deadlines, everyone else’s deadline is Friday but mine has to be done by Wednesday because I work PT. I’ve got a stupid open evening next week and will be stuck there until 730 too. (I know, other people in other jobs but I’m having a whinge about mine!)

@Whinge i like the username. Me too!

I’m not playing the victim, I am whingeing!

Whinge away. It's a bit shit. It's a bit like we've painted ourselves into a corner isn't it? Completely get it.

Same here! 3 days enough to get me through!

I’m very ambivalent as to how I feel about part time. I don’t feel it massively reduces my workload at all, and it does increase it sometimes in fact. But it does mean I’m not there as much. The flip side to that is that I often miss stuff and other people pilfer my things.

Why do you have to be the one to cover childcare? Can't your husband be more flexible so you can move into a different role. You could work full time to match the money to start with and share more of the childcare?

So where did you go?