For those of you who have left teaching

[magichippo]

I’m a teacher. After an awful year I think I’m finally done. I’m fed up with having no time for my own children, while having to do pointless stuff that doesn’t help other people’s children.

So, if you have left teaching, do you have any regrets? Did you have any problems getting another job? And what did you move into?

Thanks

I left two years ago after a fairly long career and it was the best decision I ever made.

I now have a life and my DH has commented that he's got his wife back. He said I'm like a different person now I've left and that he thought teaching might eventually send me to an early grave- or at least ruin my mental health completely. My DS also feels as though things are so much better now that my focus can be on him and not other people's children.

The lack of long school holidays is more than made up for by having evenings and weekends to myself- I don't bring work home at all.

I do study at home in the lead up to exams but I'm doing another degree through my employer so I really don't mind.

Work is flexible and I can start or finish early and make up for it on another day. I can take holidays in term time which is fabulous!

I work for a large government department and love being respected and valued. I have control over my workload and most days plans are decided by me. I set the priorities. It's worlds apart from teaching and I love it.

I can see myself being in this career until I retire which is certainly not something I thought about teaching!

I also think you don't realise how f*cked up the world of teaching truly is until you're not in it anymore and you have a new career. It's a relief but also a very sobering process.

Thank you! It just seems a bit step into the unknown...but that probably says more about where my head is at the moment. I have had other jobs, although I can't go back to that for various reasons. But, I have never actually dreaded going into work in the mornings.

Onward and upward, I think

I left at the end of December 2017. A combination of bullying, psychopathic, micromanaging SLT and a growing frustration that my subject (MFL) was being slowly but surely devalorised across the school.

I now work for the local council in a totally different role. Apparently, my job is supposed to be fast-paced, intense and high-stress: it's literal bliss after teaching. Not a single regret here at all, although I do occasionally miss the kids.

So interesting to read some of these experiences. I'm doing some research into why women aged 30-39 leave teaching and would love it if you could complete and share my survey: docs.google.com/forms/d/1MzfTBUMmFf-PrOgnBO33kLwuUKLuc-0rmqhhcHcCkRQ/edit I need 500 responses and have 313 so far so would love you to share it with any friends/ colleagues who also fit this criteria.

Hope you find a job that works for you and your family.

Hello,
I left teaching primary a year and a half ago after 7years of teaching. I felt used up and the workload of the primary schools in my area was just shocking.
I began a support staff role and applied for bits and pieces like project management etc. Didn’t get one bloody interview! Nowhere was interested in an ex teacher!

Then my current school persuaded me to take on a couple of classes (high school). A few months in and I am genuinely enjoying it! The switch to high school (or perhaps just a dIfferent school!) made a difference. I have friends who have moved schools and fallen back in love with teaching so there is hope.
I never ever thought anybody would get me teaching again. But I am being asked to up my hours and am seriously considering it.

I don’t regret packing it in. It gave me a much needed break and has lead to something different! But bare in mind that other schools can offer you a much better balance!