Argh seriously, seriously considering leaving teaching

Seems a shame to quit a job you care about. Lots of jobs are stressful and you might jump from the frying pan into the fire.
Would a change of school help? Maybe the ethos (a word I've only ever heard used in schools) in a different school would be less stressful.

But if not, get out while you're sane. I spent a lifetime in a job I at best tolerated in order to put bread on the table, when all I really wanted was to be a zoo keeper. And now it's too late.

And should there really be an apostrophe in tits, Miss?

 

There's good money to be made teaching in prisons. Basic English and maths stuff, and the people you teach are well behaved and eager to learn. Less government meddling since it's not in the limelight.

 

Most teachers I know love teaching but are dragged down by the 'politics' and bureaucracy of it all.

It's some comment on this shower of s**t of a government we have that they are driving away teachers and doctors, both of which we're short of.

 

Go with your heart JamDrop, you only have one life so better enjoy it and if you are in a job that you are getting no enjoyment out of then pack it in. It's not all about money.

 

You have PM.

 

We find out at the weekend Linton has left and all of a sudden you want to leave teaching?

 

You've got a couple of weeks until half term. Get yourself through it then try to get yourself away from it for a couple of days. Go to the coast, or shopping, or whatever you enjoy doing to relax and then see how you feel. You don't need to make any rash decisions now, but if you do decide to leave you can build your escape plan - decide what you want to do and what you need to do it, then put the steps in place to get there. It might mean that you have to carry on teaching for a couple of years while you qualify as a librarian (if that is what you want to do) but at least you have a plan and can work towards it.

 

Hi JD. I've been there and done that.

I would always recommend people who want to go into teaching to try it. There is nothing better than experiencing things first hand. Some people take to it and are happy with it. And it takes guts to leave a secure job and try something else.

I was HoD at 26 in a large comprehensive, and the only HoD on a scale 2 (everyone else was on a scale 3 or more). I asked to be put on a scale 3, was told no. I was even overlooked when a scale point came up for application for "extra curricular" activities. I ran the school's U13 football team and gave up a lunchtime a week, sometimes an evening a week and every Saturday morning. The person who got the promotion ran the chess club which involved unlocking a classroom at lunchtime!

My wife worked for the then DHSS working out people's supplementary benefits, but left as she had our first child. She worked out that if I were to leave and go on the dole, given our circumstances we would have been £5.00 per month worse off!!

So I left teaching and was fortunate to get a good job working for an educational charity, providing free courses for 6th form students, mainly from state schools but also some independent schools (I got Barnsley College onto the list). I left the charity after 17 years and now run my own business - totally outside education.

So I would say go for it whilst you are still young. Have you thought about teaching in an independent school? Or running your own business? Would your husband be able to support both of you short term?

Whatever you decide, best of luck and enjoy yourself.

 

JD... I hope I didn't upset your life too much when I started the big thread last week but let's be honest, it all needed saying.
You could tell from the tone of your posts you were very rattled so it doesn't surprise me what you are saying now.
My wife is totally pissed off with all things teaching.... apart from the actual classroom teaching bit ... as she is totally overwhelmed by the rest of the **** imposed on her and the other teachers, the reports, the monitoring, etc, so much so that her health took a turn for the worse and she moved on to a four day week. She has now applied to go on to a three day week from next year. SHE WANTS HER LIFE BACK !!!
Maybe you could consider that sort of approach, a 4 or even 3 day week ?
Other than that I would encourage you to leave if you really want to, you only have one shot at life, and the way the system is going now you will feel a lot worse if you let it drag on and fester. Teachers are to blame for all things in life, bad kids, bad parenting, crime, unwanted pregnancies, spots, Conor Wilkinson, you name it. It isn't going to get better.
Go with your heart, if you can afford it then seriously consider leaving, let some other poor unfortunate sucker take your place, they'll be the next to leave.

 

I know at least three teachers who have found that they've had enough over the last couple of years. One of them is very happily doing supply teaching while he embarks on further study, so that might be something to look into.

In terms of doing information management/librarianship masters, have you actually approached some institutions directly? You need to get a better idea of exactly what sort of experience is required - perhaps you could combine volunteering with supply teaching if that's the sort of thing that would get you onto the course.

 

Not surprised. A family member is married to a primary school teacher and anyone who thinks teachers do well with all their holidays haven't got a clue. If only it was as simple as planning lessons, taking classes and marking homework. Nowadays because of skint families i'm sure sometimes you feel the need to bring in food from home because you know someone has gone without breakfast due to being from a poor home. Or you end up being like a second mum dealing with them being upset because of home life like parents arguing every night etc. Then you've got those above you at work with their ways. Teachers should be allowed to simply concentrate on teaching, but it's not that simple anymore.

 

My advice, for what it's worth, is to decide on your future when you're less stressed. You're more likely to arrive at the decision which will prove to be best for you. However, if you're still determined to leave, then do so. Your health, well-being and happiness are paramount.
There is a whole world out there waiting for you. I was thrown on the scrap heap at fifty, after thirty odd years in the steel industry. But I decided to grab the opportunity to move into a discipline that I thoroughly love, I've not looked back and have no regrets whatsoever.
Good luck with your decision making and I hope your choice brings you happiness & peace of mind.

 

Excellent reply Jay.

 

Is this the same sort of "discipline" I'm thinking about?
You naughty, naughty boy.

 

Is this the same sort of "discipline" I'm thinking about?
You naughty, naughty boy.

Twice, apparently.

 

My gut reaction tells me "No".

 

Thank you everyone for your replies, I haven't time to reply properly right now as we've just been told that we have 'drop ins' this week (any lesson, any day this week). The line is that it is to monitor TAs but the people who have already been 'done' once so far this week got feedback on their teaching and the TAs didn't get any feedback at all! We also have maths book scrutiny on Wednesday and more drops in next week and two weeks later. I also have a class assembly to prepare and practise for parents and all my support plans to write and interventions set up.

Oh, and the third different writing book that the kids will have been made to have this year has just arrived so they need labelling too!

I give up!

 

Don't worry about the drop ins. Just pretend they're not coming, pretend they're not there and carry on as normal. If they give any kind words f negative feedback then you batshit crazy on them and tell them what you think. No point in worrying in advance when for all you know the assessor might think you're the best thing since sliced bread. Be yourself, carry on as normal and at least that way your feedback will be true and accurate and you can make an informed decision afterwards.

Could the kids label their own books maybe?

 

I'd pack in tomorrow if I had something else to go to.

 

a very hard decision indeed

about 16 or so weeks off in paid hols... then we have all the Inset days... for 20k and rising . hmmm

however I will now cut that back and say that I do admire you... the present day does not allow any real discipline in our schools ... I would be on death row by now if I was a teacher as I would have swung for a good few of em ... respect luvvy I hope you make a good decision as you so obviously care about what you do