What jobs do teachers who quit teaching go on to do?

[sherbetmelon]

Exactly that really...

Some days I love my job as a primary school teacher but most days I'm exhausted, overwhelmed and underpaid.

It's not a sustainable lifestyle.

I like working in education and with children/families, but I know I won't be a teacher forever.

What could I do instead?!

I left to go into Ed tech. Lots of former teachers there. Better salary and work life balance.

What @Fieldday said although the salary isn't better for me.

Great question for a thread OP. I often wonder this myself.

What's Ed Tech?!?

A well known provider of teaching resources, in my case.

Would also like to know what Ed Tech is

We use a literacy scheme at my school which I really enjoy teaching from. They sent an email (I'm on their mailing list) advertising for for an early years specialist with a specialism in phonics to work in their CPD department.

Not sure if CPD is the path I'd want to take but early years and phonics/Reading are what I lead in school and am very passionate/knowledgable about so it did give me the push to think wow there actually might be a job that I am capable of doing that isn't this.

@Barbie222 that's really interesting, is it the well known one?

@sherbetmelon yes, although I don't make the bunting and banners. Funnily enough I work in a very similar area - early phonics!

Another week wishing I did any other job in the world. Surely it's not normal to feel burnt out after just 2 weeks.

Well, apparently, there are loads of driving jobs about? Whenever I'm feeling hounded by too many kids always wanting my attention, I have a nice little daydream about retraining as a driver. I love driving, and I could just imagine myself in my cab, no one hassling me or arguing with me. It would be just me and my lorry. I quite fancy being a long-distance lorry driver and driving through France to Germany or Spain or somewhere.

@astuz

Well, apparently, there are loads of driving jobs about? Whenever I'm feeling hounded by too many kids always wanting my attention, I have a nice little daydream about retraining as a driver. I love driving, and I could just imagine myself in my cab, no one hassling me or arguing with me. It would be just me and my lorry. I quite fancy being a long-distance lorry driver and driving through France to Germany or Spain or somewhere.

Oh wow! That would be a more unusual swap imho.

I personally would hate to drive for a living. Can't even manage my 1 hour commute without getting stressed/road rage 🤦🏻‍♀️

Join the group 'Life after teaching - exit the classroom and thrive' on Facebook. Lots of stories and advice from people who have already got out of teaching.

I tried to leave teaching and could only get a band 3 NHS role. It was worse in that I had no autonomy, was much lower paid and felt far less valued, so I went back to teaching. I'm craving a cushy work from home role.

I am a supply teacher now after many years trying and disliking ‘proper’ teaching since having my children. The downside is that the pay is irregular and unpredictable which can be stressful at times. However the plus side is I get to enjoy the actual teaching, get to know regular schools and leave early with no after school work. I can’t ever see me going back to life as a class teacher.

I've just left classroom teaching, after 25 years in early years, and have set up my own small business offering individual tutoring.

I'm absolutely loving tailoring sessions to the child's needs and feeling I'm making a difference. It's also lovely getting to know their families well.

There's definitely a demand for phonics catch up in particular, and for general reading, writing and maths for children who just need that little bit more individual help and confidence building. Most of my pupils are in Y1 and 2. I would like to add some small groups for preschoolers next.

I would also really recommend the Facebook group mentioned above - leave the classroom and thrive. I've got so many tips and ideas from there, particularly on the running a business side of things. Also Twinkl have a lot of resources for private tutors and a Facebook group now too.

I was a teacher for 30yrs (secondary school) I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and had difficulty keeping my blood sugars regulated. This had an effect on my eye health and I was told that if I didn't get my sugars under control I could be blind by the age of retirement. The stress of the job, the lack of respect from the kids and management meant that my decision was a no brainer. So I sorted out my finances (25% reduction for retiring early) and handed in my notice. That last term was the happiest of my teaching career. The mere thought of doing an extra 3months, never mind 5yrs put my bp up.
I loved my job at the beginning when I was actually teaching the subject I'd trained for, and, because it was an option subject, the children wanted to do it. Latterly the NC was introduced and the subject bias was changed, making it less meaningful to the students. It became more academic, so many were less successful. In turn they became more disruptive and the whole thing became a child minding , fire fighting exercise which I hadn't signed up for and so, despite being very successful results wise, and having a leading role in the school I had to leave - or I might have ended up in prison! That's how bad it got.

@loopylindi

I was a teacher for 30yrs (secondary school) I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and had difficulty keeping my blood sugars regulated. This had an effect on my eye health and I was told that if I didn't get my sugars under control I could be blind by the age of retirement. The stress of the job, the lack of respect from the kids and management meant that my decision was a no brainer. So I sorted out my finances (25% reduction for retiring early) and handed in my notice. That last term was the happiest of my teaching career. The mere thought of doing an extra 3months, never mind 5yrs put my bp up. I loved my job at the beginning when I was actually teaching the subject I'd trained for, and, because it was an option subject, the children wanted to do it. Latterly the NC was introduced and the subject bias was changed, making it less meaningful to the students. It became more academic, so many were less successful. In turn they became more disruptive and the whole thing became a child minding , fire fighting exercise which I hadn't signed up for and so, despite being very successful results wise, and having a leading role in the school I had to leave - or I might have ended up in prison! That's how bad it got.

I know how you felt. I felt similar when I was teaching secondary. Thankfully, I'm now in a primary school and it's much better for me 👍

When I left teaching, I moved into Ed Tech and I'm now a Learning Designer. The pay is similar and I normally work 35 hours a week (except at the very start of the academic year when I do a few hours a week extra). I get 44 days leave (including bank holidays). The role is really flexible with great progression opportunities.

What is Ed Tech?

Ed Tech is Education technology/learning technology. It could be working for a content producer like Pearson or it could be working for a company/college/university as a Learning Technologist supporting the use of a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) and other technologies. It also sometimes covers media production.

Those who have moved into Ed Tech, did you have to retrain etc.. or did you just have an interest in tech?

I just had a keen interest in technology and was more confident with computers than most of my colleagues. I was 'faculty ICT champion' in one of my teaching jobs.

I am also in this same boat and totally have fantasised about a driving job @astuz
I get so jealous of anyone who even just goes to work in an office and doesn’t fire fight in a room of shouting and screaming all day 🤦🏼‍♀️ I’m off on maternity just now and while pregnant I felt like I was just on the countdown to getting out of there. Being off has allowed me a bit of breathing space to think seriously about it and I’m 100% sure I don’t want to return. I might go back supply if need be until I get something else up and running but I just can’t live that life for another 30 odd years 🤦🏼‍♀️

…have a life!!
I went to work for my local council and deliver parenting sessions and family support.
Much better lifestyle and easier pace of life.
I recently met up with some old teaching friends and couldn’t believe how they only spoke about school, planning, SLT, lessons etc and thought I can’t believe I used to be the same! Now I finish work and enjoy my own family and friends time! Much happier!

My SIL was a teacher and is now a home shopping delivery driver for Waitrose. She loves it.