Anyone left teaching and regret it?

[CanYouGuessImATeacher]

Just that really. Anyone left and realised that the grass isn't actually greener?

Or left and realised the grass was just as wonderful as you'd imagined?

I was made redundant, but it was the absolutely the best thing! Would not want to go back.

I felt teaching was like being in an emotionally abusive relationship.

Oh my god, YES!

Teaching in the UK is totally like being in an emotionally abusive relationship. It's not helped by many schools being the Head's own little fiefdom where it become easy to undermine, isolate and gaslight.

It took me a year to get over the experience and even now I find some situations cause me crippling anxiety. I used to be so confident professionally and academically and that was stripped away. I struggle with self-esteem now.

I do have a lovely job now with wonderful, supportive colleagues but I find it hard to completely trust my manager as a part of me is just waiting for her to turn on me. This has no foundation in reality at all and is very unfair on her. It is great being treated like a competent adult though.

I felt teaching was like being in an emotionally abusive relationship.

Now that you've said it, that is exactly what it felt like:
They regularly demean or disregard your opinions, ideas, suggestions, or needs.
They correct or chastise you for your behaviour.
They try to make you feel that they are always right and you are always wrong.
They regularly point out your mistakes and shortcomings.
They repeatedly cross your boundaries and ignore your requests.
They don't seem to notice or care about your feelings.
They make subtle threats or negative remarks in attempt to frighten and control you.
They view you as an extension of themselves and not a separate individual.

Wow. What an enlightening way to think about the last few years.

Thank you all for contributing. I will be leaving at Christmas. I'm feeling desperately sad that my 10 year career has left me feeling an incompetent jibbering wreck. I feel I have learned nothing in 10 years and I know less and have less skill now than I did as an NQT!

I know I have learned lots but the goalposts keep moving so I never even get close to being 'good' enough.

I'm hoping from the ashes of my teaching career will rise something worthwhile. Who knows.

I'm feeling encouraged by you all though, thank you.

It's not just greener. It's shiny, lush green grass

Just saw your last post. Absolutely go for it :-)
You will have gained so many useful and usable skills for your new job.

And when you get a job in the "normal" world you can look out for hearing at some point: "I wish I had the long holidays that teachers had" (I'll leave it to you to prepare suitable defence of teachers on that one).

Also, when someone complains about stress (which I don't dismiss as a genuine problem in an office environment), you can take a breath and remember it's nothing like the stress of an Ofsted inspection / teaching unruly Y8 on a Friday afternoon / .

You don't need the long holidays when you don't spend your evenings and weekends slogging away.

Hi can I ask what you are now doing with a maths degree that pays higher. Maths teacher here 1st in my degree and I need out. But I’m a single parent of 2 boys so can’t afford to take a pay cut. Thanks

Yes, and I've now gone back after nearly 18 months out and it was the best decision. Grass definitely is not greener!!

I know a few people who left:

One left to work for a charity, struggled to make ends meet once she factored in school holiday childcare and returned to her old school after 18 months. Has now left again (8 years later and kids grown up) to retrain in a different career.

One left to be a hypnotherapist, did supply to boost her income and ended up settling into a new school that she absolutely loved.

One left, got a job in the passport office and never looked back.

So a mixed bag really but mostly there are massive benefits to leaving but sometimes pay-pension-school holidays will swing things in favour of teaching.

I left some years ago now having felt pretty emotionally abused by the end. I can't believe I put up with the endless hours and endless abuse (from SLT and pupils really) for so long. I did an MSc to take me into a new career and I am so happy with my decision.

Working with schools
One headteacher colleague who became the senior lecturer on the primary education and PGCE at a university
A primary teacher is working as a mentor for PGCE students
A primary teacher leading apprenticeship courses again at a university
A primary teacher who is working as an education officer with the National Parks
A primary teacher who is a foster carer
Another is a safeguarding officer with a premier league football club and one works for a company who write and distribute ‘news/current affairs items to schools.