Re- trained as a teacher and now worrying it was a mistake

[Renata101]

Looking back I realise now that giving up my previously successful career to stay home with my kids maybe wasn’t the most wise career decision!
I never realised how hard it would be to start again after so long away and I really struggled to find a position in a similar field.
I hadn’t even tried to restart my previous career and I decided to retrain as a teacher instead - it was something I always wanted to do although everyone thought I was mad. I’ve now got a job for September and I’m terrified - I just worry I’m going to find it utterly exhausting as I quite often did on my placement. Just trying to manage behaviour and hold the attention of the children was exhausting and I’m now going to have to do this all day. I’m just so worried this has all been a mistake and im kicking myself for not keeping my previous career going while my children were young. I feel like there’s no going back now! Any advice?

What was your previous job? What made you think you couldn’t go back and do it?

I wouldn’t recommend full time teaching nowadays to my worst enemy but I presume you researched this pretty thoroughly before training?

I'm an experienced primary teacher. It's very hard even after many years. Workload has increased massively and accountability is huge. I was part time for 10 years when my DCs were little and now I'm full time. It's very rewarding but emotionally, physically and mentally draining. Do you have help with housework, cooking etc?

Primary or secondary?

It is exhausting, it is impossible at times, but if you have a supportive school it is doable, probably? We have had a few ECTs with young families. you definitely build stamina!

For what it’s worth, I found having my own class significantly easier than being on placement.

And stock up on vitamin C tablets ;).

Advice- use your ECT time to observe other teachers and get tips on behaviour management. My current class are very well trained which makes everything easier. Prioritise two things when deciding if something needs to go on your to-do list: will it impact the children's learning or wellbeing? And, will it help my future self? Planning ahead is important to keep on top of things. The job can expand to fill limitless amounts of time so perfectionism is pointless. Make friends with the site manager and cleaners. Have fun with your class when you can.

Would you consider working for the private sector or as a replacement teacher in state schools?
I don’t have first hand experience but I know several former state school teachers that did this.

It is pretty exhausting, yes. Are you going to be doing all the domestic stuff as well? As that’s the killer imo. Term time is manic but the holidays are brilliant so it’s very much about having the systems & support in place to make home life easier during term time. Eg I have a cleaner 2x per week, amazing childminder, local babysitter, use Ocado, dh & I share everything equally, even things like in term time I do a 4 week meal plan just like school meals and that’s what we eat through the term.

I am not a teacher but all the posts from teachers complaining about the job would make me think that yes, you've made a mistake. Give it a go though you might like it.

It's ok most of the time. Unless you have SLT that basically like to point out everything that doesn't meet their insane standards.

When I had young children I went back to teaching, but I hadn't been a teacher long before I had my eldest so it was quite a steep learning curve!

I worked 0.6, because that meant I had two days off in the week to do my planning, so I did nothing in the evening and at the weekend. That made a massive difference for me, because pre-DC I used to stay at work till five, come home have dinner, then do more planning. I also set aside all of Sunday for planning (although I was allowed to stop if I got done!).

I'm not sure whether working part time is a good idea if you are an ECT because it will really drag it out, but I wouldn't rule it out.

And obviously having the holidays with the DC has been amazing over the years.

People aren't complaining about the job, they're saying it's exhausting. Have you tried it? I still really enjoy my job but the reality is, it's hard work.

I actually love being a teacher ! Am secondary maths. Hope you will love it too.