Giving up teaching

[Chrissy1986]

I think I'm about to give up teaching for good. I love the idea of teaching and enjoy being with the children. But I just can't do it anymore. My memory is shot and Im just not on the ball, like I used to be. I just needed to put this out there and see it written down. I have no idea what my next steps will be!

Sorry you're in a rut. Have you got a folder with teaching memories? Cards/drawings/ messages etc. They're always nice to look through when you're feeling down!

Have a think about what your ideal job would be. Is it the school? Are your policies/SLT just too much? Sometimes moving school is the answer.

Otherwise there's a great facebook group about leaving teaching, we have a set of very valuable transferable skills

Do whatever is right for you! best thing is, you can always come back. your qual won't ever expire

Thank you. X

Over the last couple of years I stopped enjoying teaching and found it boring. I was doing the same old stuff year after year (Learning Support). I felt that I couldn't be bothered putting any effort into it any more and so doing my pupils a disservice. That was when I realised it was time to go, Luckily I was almost at retirement age. I was going to do some supply but haven't had any phone calls at all so am giving it up completely.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do OP.

I feel the same but worry that at age 50, I might be unemployable…

I'd consider a part time job but education is all I've ever known - school, college then 40 years of teaching.
I wouldn't even know what to do in a normal workplace

Have you considered a move into alternative provision? I was feeling like you but have made the move this year and it's been the best decision I've ever made!