Thinking of retraining as a teacher - good or bad idea?

[AnonymousBleep]

Looking for advice as the thread title suggests! I'm a journalist and editor, about to turn 50, fed up in my current role and thinking, god, I've got another 20 years of this until I can retire! The industry has been decimated, first by the internet and then by AI, so it's really difficult to get decent jobs, and at 50, it's going to get harder for me anyway as recruiters prefer younger (and cheaper) candidates. I've considered the classic move into PR but not sure that's going to provide me with a steady income for the next 20 years either. So I am thinking teaching (English). I did an English degree and have a MA in Creative Writing. I'd want to teach secondary school level - I have teenagers myself so am used to teens, and primary school level doesn't interest me at all. Is this a good idea? Is it easy to do? Has anyone else on here done it and can offer advice? I KNOW it's a nightmare in the teaching profession due to lack of resources but tbh I've been made redundant four times and dealt with endless cuts and 'economies' in the jobs I've had to date, and am now single-handedly doing the job of what used to be three or four people back in the 90s/early 2000s so I think I can cope with that. I like helping people and the thought of doing something worthwhile really appeals.

In the last 5 weeks I've been sworn at, spat at, cornered by a student, had things thrown at me (one hit me and cut me) and broken up a fight between two 6ft teenage boys that ended up with me covered in their blood.

I've marked 120 exam papers, 450 exercise books, written 60 reports. All with just 75 mins of PPA time a week, because I work part time. If I worked full time, I'd never see my own children.

But, there are also wonderful lessons, and fabulous children. I adore my (chemistry) A-level teaching.

I've been in this game 17 years. It's a different job now from the one I started, and a differe world to when my MIL taught.

I wouldn't say no!

It is a remarkably rewarding career and most days I have a huge amount of fun. The kids are (mostly) great and I have really brilliant colleagues. Finding the right department and the right school will be hugely important to how you find it.
Yes, English teachers will spend longer on marking then I do (Maths) - but there are plenty of sensible schools with sensible understanding of workload who make feedback policies entirely reasonable.
The workload is (or can be) mad - especially for the first few years. With that being said (and this is always slightly controversial), lots and lots of teachers have a perfectionist streak and will therefore spend LOTS of time on preparing for lessons because ultimately you never reach a point of being 'done'. My happiest teacher friends (and I am a happy and very successful teacher!) are those who are happy with 'good enough'.
Regardless of workload, it is exhausting and being 'on' for five lessons in a day can really take it out of you. The flip side is that it's never dull!
I'd strongly recommend gaining some secondary school experience in advance of making any decisions - but providing that you like teenagers, want to help them learns and be successful and are reasonably stoic and resilient, I'd say go for it.