Work unsustainable (teacher) and I’m not sure what to do

[feb190225]

I work as a teacher, three days a week, and have two children aged 4 and 1 and a half. I’ve been back at work properly since the beginning of this academic year and I’m really struggling with the inflexibility of the job - I know it isn’t unique to teaching.

I am trying to work out what option is best. Leave and come back to it in a few years - but surely things won’t have improved when my children are at primary school? Look for another role - but what, and what about school holidays? Just feeling a bit lost and fed up.

You should be able to find supply work near home given the huge shortage of teachers at the moment.

@Proudestmumofone1 OK - no problem. I'm a tutor now after 20 years as a primary teacher. Better pay and still get all of the holidays. A huge amount less stress and a lot more flexibility. Fits in around my own small child a treat - can actually do school drop offs for the first time ever as I don't start until 9.30.
My only regret is I didn't do it sooner.
And again, you're pulling my chain re teaching hours being 8-something until 4-something. You clearly dislike teachers but again, sadly that's not uncommon and lack of respect is another reason for teachers leaving in droves.
May I ask what you do for work or are you are SAHM?

@Oioisavaloy27 Most schools now use cover supervisors or TAs to cover teachers rather than supply. It's considerably cheaper.

It sounds like your lack of emergency childcare is your biggest issue. Ask your local school or other local mums if they know of anyone who offers flexible childcare. A flexible childminder is worth their weight in gold.

Consider working for your local LA writing EHCPs. You can do this from home in most places and it wouldn't be a sharp pay drop assuming you're still on the main scale for teachers pay. I'm not going to lie, there is stress involved but the hours are the hours. No working in the evening or weekends and you go on a Local Government Pension scheme which you can link to your teachers pension meaning you're still on a career average pension scheme. I did this for 7 years then went back into teaching no problem.

Maybe you should go into teaching? There is a national shortage.

@Proudestmumofone1 you're kidding yourself if you think that you think that's the hours teachers work. I may not be a teacher but I live next door to a secondary school and there are often teacher's cars in the carpark until after 7pm and at weekends- and that doesn't include for parents evening or things like like Duke of Edinburgh stuff.
@feb190225 have you worked out what it is that you like about teaching? Is it imparting knowledge to others (adults or children)? Is it a love of the English language? Is it working with children? If you do decide to leave the sector, work out what transferable skills and what interests you. (FWIW I worked for a charity and we came from many backgrounds- banking, customer service, solicitor, MP's staff, shop owner, and hairdresser to name a few. We all brought a lot of different skills to our organisation).

Sign up as supply. Then start building up as a tutor. Do both.
What subject do you teach?

I’m commenting on the OPs post of her hours and that she does drop offs and pick ups!

oh and do have direct experience thanks.

I would love to say what I do for work, but would be highly inappropriate.

However I have worked in schools for many years.

I am not disputing how hard teachers work, I’m simply emphasising that any salary calculations need to include the immense benefits of holiday pension etc.

the hours are stated by the OP, I’m not making them up!

there simply are very few other professions / jobs that can provide the same level of pay, holiday and hours.

@Proudestmumofone1 Ooooooooh in that case it's something illegal!! Does it earn well? 😆
Failing that, I'm guessing at Ofsted Inspector.

Teachers make more decisions per minute than surgeons. It is a seriously stressful and tiring job - I dont think it is the most stressful/tiring but people always pooh pooh teachers as having an easy job and still complaining. It isnt the case.

Any salary calculations need to take into account the desperate need to recruit and retain teachers. The government needs to either do something to radically reduce teacher workload or pay teachers a lot more (I don't think the latter would even work) if they want qualified people teaching the country's children. Pretty much any teacher I know would take a workload cut over a pay rise any day.

Is a nanny an option? Apologies if that’s already been asked