Any teachers who've become teaching assistants?

[DaddaGreen]

Several years ago I trained as a secondary teacher. I realised after a couple of years that I really wanted to work with younger children (& the hours were too much). I left and worked in a charity working with primary aged children. I ended up giving that up to balance our family life. With the kids getting older I'm now looking for a job that means working with primary aged children & works well with school hours.

Does anyone have any experience of working as a teaching assistant after being a teacher? How have they found it?

Belated, but I know someone. Despite the lower pay (and often being asked to cover classes) she loves being able to leave it all behind at 3:15 and would not swap it for being a teacher again!

I know sooo many deflated teachers who have become teaching assistants. They complain of low pay but are so happy with every other aspect of the job.

Do you want to work in a school, or is working with small children the most important for you? Other careers could be: speech therapist; occupational therapist; children's nurse; health visitor; social worker; nanny - with all these you could get part time work.