Any teachers who have left teaching?

[TooMuchSaidAndDone]

I've been a primary teacher for around 25 years. After a really stressful few months that I believed would resolve positively, but didn't, I've finally come to the decision that I need to be out of this.

I love my job but I can't face going in on Monday - I'm dreading it - and it's the first time I've felt like that about teaching for about 10 years. I just don't want to go in.

Of course, I will go in on Monday. And I will do everything I can to do my best for the children, as usual, but my trust in and respect for the HT and DHT has gone.

The last time I felt like this was 10 years ago.and I left that job and did supply teaching for a few years before taking this job. So I'm not really looking to go back into that.

I've also considered tutoring and, whilst I'm still open to it, my confidence has been shattered and I'm just not sure I'm ready for it yet.

So I wondered what other people who have left teaching have done and, more importantly, where do you look for jobs?

Thank you.

Non- teaching roles seem to just ask for confirmation of dates etc - not a personal reference. It doesn’t have to be the Head either.
Notice periods vary too so it is not unusual for people to have a 1-3 month notice period.

I left teaching last year for the Civil Service. Frame it as an exciting time for you as you're looking to use your skillset in a new arena. You've faced plenty of challenges and overcome them and you're keen to find new opportunities to evolve your capabilities. You've got heaps of experience and useful skills and I wish you all the best for figuring out what you want to do next. I personally tried tutoring for a few years and it's not for me-a lot of hustle, a lot of admin, and fewer opportunities for daytime work that's paid well. I second joining the Facebook group about leaving teaching as there's so many resources.

I was a secondary school teacher for about 12 years. I did a bit of supply which I hated then got a job in the charity sector. The pay is much less but I can do it full time and still be doing less hours than I was putting in part time teaching so in real terms it’s much better. I do a little bit of tutoring to supplement my income

I left and I had only been teaching a couple of years, but I could see what lay ahead. I was already starting to feel the same as many veteran teachers and I could not imagine staying. The constant feeling of never being good enough, or constantly failing. I miss the very few moments that made teaching that wonderful career, but they were so few and far between. Leaving teaching is akin to leaving an abusive relationship, you try and hold on to those ‘magical moments’ but the negatives soon wipe them clear. Get out for the sake of your health and mental wellbeing! Life after teaching on FB and the pit pony video is a great place to go. Good luck…you soon will be free!!

I didn’t even think of asking for a HT’s reference tbh. Instead I asked for testimonials from people I’d worked with or supported from in my own school and others, focusing on particular skills that I thought were the most transferable.

I’ve also come across business coaches who will give you some great advice - and confidence - to move out of teaching. If you can afford £100-150 for an hour or so with someone like this it could be invaluable moving forward.

I have so many ideas for things I'd like to do for myself. A couple of community things I'd like to run and personal goals that I don't have time to think about until the summer holidays when I realise I've spent another year thinking and not doing.

It would be so nice to have the time to do them!

I'm feeling really positive about it now!

I've requested to join the fb group - just waiting to be accepted.

I’m a support worker with children who have disabilities in a residential care home. I’m one of 3 former teachers in a staff team of 12. Lots of transferable skills and obviously we’re well able to cope with the paperwork. Our DCs are all older though. Early shifts start at 7am & late shifts finish at 9.30pm, so no good if you have children that need you before & after school, unless you have family who can help with your own child care.

I gave my notice on the last possible day you could in order to leave at the end of the year (I wanted the summer hols paid!). I did say I would be happy to work part time from the September for a term if they needed it, and they asked me to teach two classes, which I actually did for the whole next academic year as that worked for me. It was very different as it was on my terms - I was doing them a favour - but I wouldn’t have felt bad just leaving as I wouldn’t have been in breach of the contract.

I didn’t need a reference at that point but I have asked for references a couple of times since (like when I was applying for my masters), and they were happy to give one. I asked a deputy head I got on well with rather than the head. Most references these days are factual though so I really wouldn’t worry about that.

I was a secondary teacher for 10 years and left last summer. It was destroying my mental health and I didn't realise that was the cause until I left. I'm self-employed now and finally feel like I have my life back. I can go to my daughter's school assemblies, needing a day off sick doesn't fill me with anxiety, I no longer have the Sunday night dreads, and I can even go to a GP appointment in term time! I didn't realise how poor my work-life balance was until I got it back.