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Original poster

I want to leave the teaching profession

28 replies

PennyA92 · 24/09/2023 10:47

Hello,

This is my first thread and was just seeking some advice, and maybe some reassurance…

I am a 31 year old female primary school teacher, and have been one for 8/9 years. In the past couple of years, I have struggled with my mental health, anxiety due to the stress of work and (unfortunately) feeling uncomfortable working with my headteacher.
As a result of this, I have fallen out of love with teaching, leaving me feeling lost and anxious again.

I am keen to try something new, and desperate for change. I’d be willing to lose the holidays and take a pay cut should I have to, just to be happier again.

I was wondering if anyone has experienced similar emotions/feelings in their career?

Many thanks, x

OP posts:
emmaliz · 24/09/2023 11:05

I think most teachers question their career choice! My relationship with teaching swings between love and hate, sometimes on a daily basis. I love being in the classroom and working with the pupils, this is what keeps me going.
Try something different, you can always go back to teaching.

emmaliz · 24/09/2023 11:07

Another option is to change schools, as the culture can vary widely. Or go part time. Or even work with older students in a college setting?

Original poster
PennyA92 · 24/09/2023 11:09

Thank you!
I agree, it definitely is a love/hate relationship, unfortunately I’m feeling a lot of hate towards it and feel a change is needed. I’m just scared about it.

thank you for taking the time to reply x

OP posts:
emmaliz · 24/09/2023 11:15

It is scary and a bit of a catch 22 as you don't always feel in the right headspace to apply for new roles when you are feeling anxious in your current role.
I don't know you, but if you've been a primary school teacher for as long as you have, you've definitely got many skills and dealt with many tricky situations! Try another school maybe, the relationship with your head wont be helping this at all. if you're willing to take a pay cut part-time may help you also.

BG2015 · 24/09/2023 11:16

I'm a teacher, been teaching for 28 years and I've loved it for many years. I've fallen out of love with it too but I'm getting close to retirement and hope to retire in 3 years at 58.

It's a well paid job once you get to the top of the pay scale and if you have children the holidays are are massive bonus.

You could try moving to another school but unless you're sure you're not moving out of the frying pan into the fire you might be best finding another job.

Once I retire I'm going to look for a part time job in the NHS doing admin to top up my pension.

emmaliz · 24/09/2023 11:17

Also, out of interest, what is your degree in?

ScotchPine · 24/09/2023 12:14

Check out the Facebook group ‘Life After Teaching - Exit the Classroom and Thrive’. Members give emotional support, but also practical suggestions, both for staying in the teaching profession and moving on. If you search the posts, you can also see what other people have gone on to do afterwards for some ideas. Good luck, I’m and ex-teacher and sympathise.

ScotchPine · 24/09/2023 12:16

And sorry to hear how tough things have become x

MaralRose · 24/09/2023 12:24

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Isometimeswonder · 24/09/2023 12:34

PennyA92 · 24/09/2023 10:47

Hello,

This is my first thread and was just seeking some advice, and maybe some reassurance…

I am a 31 year old female primary school teacher, and have been one for 8/9 years. In the past couple of years, I have struggled with my mental health, anxiety due to the stress of work and (unfortunately) feeling uncomfortable working with my headteacher.
As a result of this, I have fallen out of love with teaching, leaving me feeling lost and anxious again.

I am keen to try something new, and desperate for change. I’d be willing to lose the holidays and take a pay cut should I have to, just to be happier again.

I was wondering if anyone has experienced similar emotions/feelings in their career?

Many thanks, x

I left teaching, similar reasons. I went into the civil service. Although I do shift work now, which can be hard, but once my shift is finished I don't think about work at all. That is worth everything to me, to have my time back.

FASDE1517 · 24/09/2023 12:44

This was me over the last few years. I finally left in July and set up my own tutoring business. It was terrifying but it's been amazing. I'm still teaching but none of the other jobs which took 75% of my time and zapped y love for the job.
It's only been three weeks since schools went back but I haven't missed it for a second. Send me a message if you want to chat more.

FASDE1517 · 24/09/2023 12:45

I'd also recommend Life After Teaching on Facebook and MissMooreNoMore on Instagram.

dottiedodah · 24/09/2023 13:39

Hi there Im not a Teacher ,but have friends who are and know its tough going! The Staffroom on here has lots of info from people relocating to different Careers , Maybe look on there as well.At 31 you have lots of time to change Career .Maybe Civil Service or similar .With a degree you are in a good position .

Bovrilla · 24/09/2023 13:42

I left after nearly 20 years and now work for a charity and in education and training.

It's great. I am skint but I am much less stressed, and I get to WFH a lot.

Original poster
PennyA92 · 24/09/2023 14:48

History x

OP posts:
Original poster
PennyA92 · 24/09/2023 14:49

Thank you!
it’s just gotten too much for me to cope with, I’m getting very upset each morning at the thought of having to go to school.
I am trying my best to be proactive and look elsewhere for work.

OP posts:
Original poster
PennyA92 · 24/09/2023 14:50

It definitely does take its toll! I am ready to not have to worry or think about work after working hours anymore, and tbh after deductions etc I don’t believe you’re that much better off salary wise each month.
thank you for taking time to reply to me

OP posts:
Original poster
PennyA92 · 24/09/2023 14:51

It’s just daunting and scary to think about not being able to get a job or work elsewhere (I’m sure I’m overthinking a lot here), but I know it’s the step I need to take to be happier in my personal life.
thank you

OP posts:
EddieVeddersfoxymop · 24/09/2023 15:16

Same here, but I'm a TA. I'm in Scotland, where the role is utterly undervalued and underpaid. I'm degree qualified, experienced and highly trained - done the job for 9 years. But I'm frazzled and anxious and want to leave but am scared to make the leap. Also - I feel a bit of a fraud when I'm not the class teacher almost that I have no right to be anxious and stressed about work when others in the same building have it worse. I adore the children in my care but have fallen out of love with the job for a million reasons.

Good luck OP, hope you find your answers soon!

Original poster
PennyA92 · 24/09/2023 15:24

You have every right to feel anxious and all the other emotions you feel. TAs do not get enough credit for what they do.

I am extremely frightened to take the leap, but I feel it is needed. I don’t have many friends in teaching that don’t work in my school so it is hard to seek advice

OP posts:
Iloveanicegarden · 24/09/2023 15:24

You only get one life and when work starts making you so poorly it's time to go. Think outside the box - think museum guide, archeological related jobs.....

Melstarrynight · 24/09/2023 15:27

There is a Facebook group called 'life after teaching, exit the classroom and thrive'. There's lots of advice on switching careers from teaching on there. You are far from alone in the way you are feeling.

menopausalmare · 24/09/2023 15:43

I would change schools before quitting for good. I hit a low point 12 years ago but went part- time (had children) and passed on my HoL/CAM responsibility. I've been full time again for 6 years with no responsibility and am glad I stayed.

whenwhenwhen · 24/09/2023 15:56

I taught for 15 years, then left the profession. I loved teaching, and I loved helping young people, but the system makes you feel that you are never doing enough, indeed the demands placed upon teachers are essentially unachievable, and there is also a real lack of respect from some - particularly managers who only care about statistics, parents who cannot conceive that their child would ever do anything naughty, governors who think that teachers are workshy, or politicians who are happy to give themselves outrageous pay rises while defunding schools and refusing to maintain rates of pay for staff.

I switched careers and took a 70% pay cut - but I'm happier, and freer!

brightblueskies80 · 24/09/2023 18:06

If you're on Facebook, search for the group called Exit the Classroom and Thrive to find over 100,000 teachers feeling the same as you x