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Original poster

Any teachers out there who are no longer teaching? What do you do now?

29 replies

CareerConfusion · 28/01/2009 21:24

I am a teacher and I have had enough I just don't know what to do now! I worked in a variety of office jobs before I started teaching but none of which I would want a 'career' in. I have two school age children so I can't think of anything that would fit in with school holidays so well. I am creative, friendly, work well with others, have a good degree but I don't know where to start. I just want to earn some money! Please can anyone help, tell me what you are doing, tell me where to go and get started in finding a new career, any ideas will be welcome. Thanks.

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Hulababy · 28/01/2009 21:30

I was a secondary school teacher (ICT) for nearly 10 years before leaving.

Since leaving I have worked for nearly 3 years in prison education as an Information, Advice and Guidance Worker. I needed by teaching degree to get into this and also had to work towards a level 4 NVQ in IAG.

I left this in December and since January have a new job as a level 3 senior teaching assistant. My role aso includes being a study support coordinator, for a morning support group for infant school children who need help in literacy. I work 5 mornings a week in a Y1 class. So far I am really enjoying it. Little stress, not so much out of school work to do, and fun. However pay is rubbish, esp for how much I do and esp considering how often I take classes/half classes on my own, without a teacher present.

For me it isn't about the salary. Luckily I am in a position to make that choice, so for now I have gone for job satisfaction and having a job I enjoy doing. Teaxhing got me down in the end, esp at the school I was at. And the prison life eventually got to be a bit much. Have had a difficult year and a bit for various personal and health reasons, which was a key factor in me looking for a less stressful role.

Waswondering · 28/01/2009 21:34

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Original poster
CareerConfusion · 28/01/2009 21:34

Thanks Hula. I am definitely not cut out for work in a prison so I don't think that's an option! I have thought about the classroom assistant route but as you said the pay is rubbish. I only work part time at the moment and just find I can't build a proper relationship with my class, am treated like shite by the school and generally am not enjoying it at all. I feel really trapped

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Original poster
CareerConfusion · 28/01/2009 21:35

Thanks WW. I think maybe I need to go and see a careers advisor. Now where would I find one of those?!

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smellen · 28/01/2009 21:38

What is it about teaching that has led you to this conclusion? I have found the job can be very different depending on the school you're in. Also, you could think about PT teaching (for the security/pension advantages) alongside some freelance work of your own, which helps you develop a career in a different field.

Waswondering · 28/01/2009 21:40

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smellen · 28/01/2009 21:40

Crossed post, sorry.

Even so, how long have you been PT teaching? It can take a while to get to know your classes as a full-timer, but if this is the first year you've been in your PT post, things might get better.

What's your subject area?

Waswondering · 28/01/2009 21:41

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Original poster
CareerConfusion · 28/01/2009 21:43

I just don't enjoy it anymore. I've lost the joy in the children and mainly just find them annoying! Don't worry btw I amd still full of 'that's great work, well done you've worked really hard' but now I have my own children I just feel I don't care enough and working part time I feel like a non-entity at the school. I also don't feel like I'm being a 'good' teacher, I'm not in enough to get to really know the children. It's just depressing and not worth the small amount I earn each month for doing it.

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smellen · 28/01/2009 21:44

Yep, but without knowing what your subject area is, it's difficult to come up with any other suggestions...

Original poster
CareerConfusion · 28/01/2009 21:46

Oh I'm KS1 so all subjects!

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Waswondering · 28/01/2009 21:47

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saadia · 28/01/2009 21:48

A friend of mine qualified as a secondary maths teacher and now she has dcs in primary and middle school she does private tutoring. This means working evenings when her dh is around and during the day. I think she is also with an agency so does all sorts eg invigilating and tutoring children with behavioural problems (not SN).

Wonderstuff · 28/01/2009 21:49

Do you definitely want to leave teaching? I left for a year when it all got too much, worked in admin pay was rubbish, but gave me the space I needed to get my mojo back when ft teaching got too much and I got quite depressed.

I am currently working as a SEN teacher and loving it, I work 3 days a week and only teach 3 subject groups 80% of the time I work with v.small groups or 1:1, workload is less, its really interesting AND I get an SEN point. School have been really good at allowing me out on training courses. Are you in primary or secondary? Lots of primary SENCOs are pt.

Hulababy · 28/01/2009 21:49

I liked the idea of hospital teaching but wasn't sure how to get into it.

Careers Advisors would require you to take an NVQ L4 in that subject, as I found out when I did the IAG stuff.

pointydog · 28/01/2009 21:52

a counselling course and go into school counselling? I've seen secondments for that in my area.

smellen · 28/01/2009 21:52

OK. So, some ideas -
Set up your own toddler music/movement/exercise classes?
Childminding? Early years playworker.
Virtual PA - have read of other MNers doing similar - typing reports, conducting internet research, organising people's diaries etc.
Dog walking service.
Retrain for something totally different at college:
Apply for jobs which require some knowledge of educational methods/system, eg. museum schools officers etc.

Is that any help?
Am in a similar boat, but haven't totally lost my mojo - just dead keen on going back to a decent school rather than the "Dangerous Minds" scenario I was in before !!

pointydog · 28/01/2009 21:55

charities need education officers. Look out for ads.

muppetgirl · 28/01/2009 21:56

I'm doing an ou course to covert my degree into a psychology degree so I can apply to re train as an ed psych. I worked in a difficlut school and saw what I really wanted to do. It's a long raod and I'm only at the very beginning but I'm at home with the 2 ds's and another dc on the way so I though I'd use my time to re-train so I can start applying when my youngest (not yet born) starts school.

I think your starting point should be what do you really enjoy doing? What could you see yourself doing for the next 10/20/30? years?

Original poster
CareerConfusion · 28/01/2009 21:57

LOL Smellen! TBH I think I want to move away from working with children for a while, I have two young children (just at school) and it's hard dealing with young children all day then coming home to your own! Oh and I'm not a dog person (sorry!)

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DebInAustria · 28/01/2009 22:00

I was a teacher for 15 years and now I do this

Original poster
CareerConfusion · 28/01/2009 22:00

WOW! Deb! That is a career change!

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listenglisten · 28/01/2009 22:04

Museum or gallery education?

DebInAustria · 28/01/2009 22:04

Certainly was, but now we're thinking of a change so we're on the market!!Should I come back to teaching? I've been out for 4 years now

Original poster
CareerConfusion · 28/01/2009 22:05

Well there may be a vacancy at my current employers soon...

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