Does anyone have an escape from teaching plan?

[Tomatoandbasil]

And can you share it with me?

I’ve been a teacher for 17 years and I’ve been in a leadership position for 8 of those. Working in school is very stressful right now and I just don’t want to do it for the rest of my working life. I really love teaching and I love my job but I can’t cope with the workload long term. Add to that the horrible way teachers and schools have been treated by the government and media (and large parts of the public) during the pandemic and I just can’t stay in this job. This can’t be my life. I am pregnant and on maternity leave from January. It seems like a good time to make an escape plan. I think I’ll need to be prepared to take a big salary drop for a different job but maternity pay will be a good test for this.

Any one else looking for a way out of teaching? Anyone done it already?

I’m on an escape from current job plan - interview for a very different role and school next week. I’ve been teaching 22 years and if this year doesn’t end with improvements (ie a new job that I like) then I’ll move to part time with a view to finishing altogether.
Good luck

No escape plan but I'd love one. Been teaching 28 years, last 4 have been the hardest after moving schools. Can't see me staying at same school after this year if things don't improve dramatically. Not good for your mental health to be stuck somewhere where you are unhappy every single day. Doesn't matter how lovely the kids are!

I want to be out by 50. I'm 46.

This is my second career- I was a civil engineer for 13 years before teaching. Don't want to go back to that, but thinking of other options.

If I can't work out another option, I'll go v part time.

Would like to be an interior designer.

similar to @ohthegoats but already 50. I don't want to go back to old career as I have been out teaching now for 15 years. Feeling somewhat drained. Ideally, I want to work for myself otherwise I want to go part-time next academic year. I have a good track record recruiting on A Level classes due to all the extracurricular that I do. I am sure that I can reach an agreement with the school.

They will never let me go part time as a senior leader but I could look for a part time class teacher role. These don’t seem to come up often though.

We should all set up an online tutoring company.

Aiming to get out when mortgage paid (about 7 years or so), will be mid 50s. Was saving to retrain as a therapist in my specialism but those savings may have to come in early due to pandemic...

OP I know part time senior leaders. You can but ask.

I would have to say being part time doesn't remove a lot of the stress, just gives you an extra day or two to get over it

I 'escaped' 2.5 years ago. Best thing I ever did.

I now work as a private tutor and educational writer. I do the odd bit of supply (or will do again once COVID has calmed down) and I also tutor for my LEA for kids who are off school sick.

Fewer holidays and my income is less stable but I no longer get that feeling of dread from Sunday morning onwards.

I’m walking round with my notice in my school bag! 14 years in and this is the worst year ever, although it’s only September.

To all pp, I feel your pain! I have been teaching for 16 years now (part time for 11 of those) and I don't think I would still be in teaching if I had stayed or gone back to full time tbh.

My plan is to stay part time until I am able to retire, if I can. But I too am struggling with all the changes this year from this blasted virus 😬 Hoping if I ride out the storm until next spring, things will get better again then 🤞

Been teaching 24 years, 10 of those part time. When I was 45 I told myself I would give myself permission to consider leaving teaching at 50. That will be next April. Will see what happens this year.

I have handed in my notice this September after 28 years of teaching.

I still love the teaching but that is now such a small part of my job and covid was the final straw for me. After exam fiasco and the way my organisation is dealing with student safety. The turning point for me was at an enrolment interview a Mother said to her son l with me that "dont worry she will keep you safe from Covid" - I realised I could not do that.....

I do not regret it one bit. I am working to rule a bit only do what is best for the students,so less management stuff and box ticking. This allows me to spend weekends and all the other time I was doing school work planning for a new business to start in January.

In my opinion part time is a bit like Hotel California you can never leave and for me it would still be emotionally tying so I am going for a clean break

Thanks for the replies. It’s nice to know I’m not alone. Although I’m in a leadership position I still have a full primary class responsibility with an afternoon out on top of PPA. Maybe it’s carrying both roles? I’m hoping I can reevaluate things while on maternity leave and see if I can survive on reduced pay.

I was a part time deputy/SENCO. Was fine. I am busier now, but my job takes up less head space.

I have done it - and it feels really, really good on this side of the wall. I have been especially enjoying this fantastic September weather. I love that I no longer have that feeling of dread all day Sunday and I have zero regrets. I thought I would be in till at least the age of 58 but when I got to the point that the mortgage was paid off, my kids could stand on their own two feet financially and I had enough money in the bank to live on before I could draw my pension I did my sums and realised I could go.

It was scary handing in that notice letter but boy does it feel good right now. Covid aside I cannot remember when I last felt this relaxed and at peace with myself. I mourn the teaching profession I joined - I genuinely loved teaching for many, many years, and I was bloody good at it - but I got too expensive, my face didn't quite fit with the new SMT (who knows why?) and there were cheaper people all too willing to leave me to hang out to dry and snap up promotion for themselves. To be honest they did me a favour. I believe that going now has given me the opportunity to enjoy a classroom free existence and a far longer and healthier retirement.

So - my escape plane? Save like crazy, learn to be frugal. pay off the mortgage as quickly as possible, downsize the house when your kids leave home and prioritise health, mental well being and time over the certainty and security of a good wage.