To want to change careers?

[HohohoGreenGiant]

I work part time as a teacher. I hate it. Have hated it for years. Problem is it's good money, holidays etc.
I work in a really crap school and year on year it just seems to get harder and harder. This year we've had some behavioural problems and morale across school is so low.

Yes I could move school, but I work two days on the upper pay scale and I'd be unlikely to find anything part time on the same pay.
Also all my passion for the job has gone. I'd really have to put on a show in interview as my heart just isn't in it anymore.

There are other careers I'd love to do but it would take time and money to re-train.
My DH thinks I should just put up with it for the sake of only working two days. I could work more hours as my DD has started school now, but I would rather gouge my eyes out than teach full time. Even the thought of teaching 3-4 days fills me with dread.
He has a point, but I start dreading work 2-3 days before, so I actually spend most of the week thinking about and dreading work.
It's not right, but I feel a bit trapped because I don't have anything else to walk into.

I'd love to try tutoring but it would likely clash with school runs.

Do I just need to suck it up? I know I'm in a good position. My DH is the main breadwinner and we are doing fine financially, no mortgage etc. I just wish I could do something I actually like doing.

Life is too short. I read somewhere years ago that everyone has at least 3 different careers in them. Which number of career is this for you?

I guessed it would be another teacher. No not at all unreasonable. I think most teachers are looking to leave.

I still haven't got my exit plan but do it. I follow "life after teaching" on Facebook and so many people talk about how different life in the jobs they've found after teaching is. Like a weight lifted...

I just need to work out what direction to take myself. We have so many transferable skills and as a graduate could start elsewhere. It's a weird mindset we get into about it being teaching and I'm finding it hard to break!

Thank you. I think I'm just worried what my DH thinks. I think he thinks I have it easy. He's not wrong I suppose.
I really want to hand my notice in next week so I can leave at Christmas but I need to have some sort of plan first, and I don't have one yet.

Teaching is not easy. It's a different kind if intensity and stress. Like performing evrryday
Or having meetings to present to clients every day but have to do all the work for them on your own time...

You will probably find that even taking a pay drop yo u could do more days and be less tired and worn out. And you'd enjoy weekends more etc.

Do join the fb group. Lots of stories.

I think you need to have a plan in place,and then follow that.less money will have an impact.I left a good job for something different and I absolutely hated it,.maybe get some career advice or speak to someone who works in the area you feel might be of interest to you.i know what it’s like to feel like you hate a job,but it can help to say that out loud to a colleague or a trusted friend…I wish you well with your decision..

I could’ve wrote this myself except I’m in nursing x

@dottydaily you are absolutely right. I definitely need a plan. I can't just pack it in and expect my DH to pick up the slack while I figure out what I want to do next.

I second the "Life after Teaching" Facebook group. I also left my part-time teaching job in the summer but I'm somewhat older and DH is the main earner. I'm taking some time to sort some health issues and our neglected house before I look for something else.

I left secondary recently - I still teach but in a different setting - game changer!

If you are working 2 days a week and DD is at school could you find the time to retrain? I did a part time conversion masters online. It was really hard fitting everything in, and a big financial investment. But 5 years on I’ve got a good job which is varied and suits me. I think our generation will be working into our 70’s so you may as well be doing something you enjoy.

The hardest thing is working out what is worth retraining in! My mum did an OU degree when I was little- I think it did me good to see her study and it meant I spent lots of 1:1 time with my dad on the weekends, unlike a lot of my friends. Good luck!

I did exactly the same as @Hep1989 . Once my kids were at school I did the online masters alongside my teaching job and am now fully out of teaching.

A friend of mine left teaching and works for education services in the local council. There are lots of roles around but the names keep changing so it might be good to have a poke around on your LA's website or speak to someone to see what kinds of jobs there are. I believe my friend is full time now but the lower wage is made up from doing more hours. There is also really good flexitime and a million times less stress!

I also work for a LA! Flexible and hybrid working is a godsend, good holidays and a decent pension. Would definitely recommend it!

@HohohoGreenGiant browsing the Mature Study and Retraining board

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

might help to focus your thoughts and assess your best options.