Ideas and actionable steps for a teacher to leave the classroom

[Anonymous]

I’m 36, 13th year and also need to leave. In my state I entered just as the pension changed so I am supposed to work until 62. I cannot do this for 26 more years! I am burned out and exhausted at the end of the day and go home and get into bed. I will be following this post

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m 36, 13th year and also need to leave. In my state I entered just as the pension changed so I am supposed to work until 62. I cannot do this for 26 more years! I am burned out and exhausted at the end of the day and go home and get into bed. I will be following this post

PP,
Your post describes me about three years ago. I left public, giving up my pension after 17 years in the system. I found a private school position and never looked back.

I’m so much happier now. The job is still hard, but it’s also enjoyable again. I can now stay another 15 years.

[Anonymous]

Could you move into an office or admin position so you won’t loose the pension? My MiL was a teacher who moved to administrator and eventually a superintendent. She hated it but retired mid 50s (it has since changed) and she is glad she stayed. Husband had various issues and left his career to own a business that folded and they owed money. If it weren’t for her pension they probably both have to work forever. They are in their 70s now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re public, consider looking into private schools. Many of us have made the switch already, and we often tell each other how grateful we are.

The problem is id have to bring my kids with me, so Id make no money with the tuition and pay crossing each other out.

My husband travels a lot and we don’t have childcare, so it’ll be driving and dropping off and I can’t do 2 drop offs.

Part time or remote work is best. I just don’t know.

Why can’t your kid take a bus or you drop them early? Many schools have early morning programs or let kids get dropped off before the start of school.

You realize as a remote worker you’re most likely required to have child care when you’re working right?

I just had to deal with this with someone who thought once her kids were done with school at 2:30 and 3 she could coast/ sign off/ pretend to be online and wasn’t. She had a talking to and might loose WFH days because it hasn’t changed (we are hybrid). It’s required to have care and many schools offer after school or club programs to cover this. Occasional sick day, sure, work from home, but it can’t be an everyday occurrence.

As others said look at a public pre school teacher. My child’s made 6 figures and the kids take naps!

Look at EdTech, non profits, higher education, tutoring. Could you look into subbing? Some districts the substitute teachers are unionized and get good pay and health benefits. You could do this if you don’t find something you like by next year.

Director of a fancy pre school or maybe look into Director of Development or fundraising at a private as they may let you work hybrid.

Everyone wants the remote jobs and more and more companies are RTO. You might have a better shot applying for in office jobs or jobs that are hybrid and then after working there for a few years apply to remote positions since your skill set will be larger.

I second subbing. You'll be well qualified of course, and you can pick and choose your jobs/schools. Of course, there's the pay - don't get me wrong, I know... but as you move forward with your master plan, this sounds like a good solution.

[Anonymous]

All I have is a bachelors degree in education and I'm a GS 13 Fed. Don't listen to the naysayers, you have tons of transferrable skills. Mainly amazing people skills!!! When I left teaching though, I wasn't picky about my work. I took a pay cut with crappy office jobs to get admin experience. But once I got it, I qualified for a govt. job. And if you are good, you can work your way up quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 36, 13th year and also need to leave. In my state I entered just as the pension changed so I am supposed to work until 62. I cannot do this for 26 more years! I am burned out and exhausted at the end of the day and go home and get into bed. I will be following this post

PP,
Your post describes me about three years ago. I left public, giving up my pension after 17 years in the system. I found a private school position and never looked back.

I’m so much happier now. The job is still hard, but it’s also enjoyable again. I can now stay another 15 years.

My understanding is private schools pay significantly less than public- is that what you found?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you’re public, consider looking into private schools. Many of us have made the switch already, and we often tell each other how grateful we are.

Are you married? Not the OP but I’m a single parent teacher and I’d worry about the job security and income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 36, 13th year and also need to leave. In my state I entered just as the pension changed so I am supposed to work until 62. I cannot do this for 26 more years! I am burned out and exhausted at the end of the day and go home and get into bed. I will be following this post

PP,
Your post describes me about three years ago. I left public, giving up my pension after 17 years in the system. I found a private school position and never looked back.

I’m so much happier now. The job is still hard, but it’s also enjoyable again. I can now stay another 15 years.

My understanding is private schools pay significantly less than public- is that what you found?

I make about 7% less, but I also get a very generous discount for my own children. I consider that discount part of my income because I would not be able to afford private school for my own children without it. But there are other ways I am compensated that I wasn’t in public. I don’t have to spend any of my own money on supplies; I get a budget. I also am compensated well for clubs I run, subbing I do, and outside chaperoning.

I see the other question about job security. I feel just as secure here as I did in public. I have tenure now, which works similarly to public schools. Even when I didn’t, however, I felt that I had job security.

[Anonymous]

If you don't think you can stand teaching anymore, I wouldn't tutor or sub. I'd look for something completely different. But if you can stand it, subbing means you leave it behind at the end of the day which is a plus. If you can't stand the atmosphere, look for something administrative in an office where you can keep your head down and you don't have to teach anyone. Or look for customer service support phone jobs. But write down the skills you have from teaching: managing a classroom (other people, customer service), planning and organizing, ability to work without constant supervision (good for independent or remote work) etc.Think of what skills could transfer to another job even if you don't know what that job is now. Take a small step every day and keep an open mind to what might be ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All I have is a bachelors degree in education and I'm a GS 13 Fed. Don't listen to the naysayers, you have tons of transferrable skills. Mainly amazing people skills!!! When I left teaching though, I wasn't picky about my work. I took a pay cut with crappy office jobs to get admin experience. But once I got it, I qualified for a govt. job. And if you are good, you can work your way up quickly.

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m 36, 13th year and also need to leave. In my state I entered just as the pension changed so I am supposed to work until 62. I cannot do this for 26 more years! I am burned out and exhausted at the end of the day and go home and get into bed. I will be following this post

It's so depressing. My family deserves more from me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could you move into an office or admin position so you won’t loose the pension? My MiL was a teacher who moved to administrator and eventually a superintendent. She hated it but retired mid 50s (it has since changed) and she is glad she stayed. Husband had various issues and left his career to own a business that folded and they owed money. If it weren’t for her pension they probably both have to work forever. They are in their 70s now.

My county is pretty small, unfortunately, so this will be nearly impossible.

[Anonymous]

LOL @ those suggesting subbing. Substitutes are paid less and treated worse. Also once they find out you are capable and licensed they will keep you in a substitute position and never hire you back on as a full time teacher. OP needs to leave education field entirely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LOL @ those suggesting subbing. Substitutes are paid less and treated worse. Also once they find out you are capable and licensed they will keep you in a substitute position and never hire you back on as a full time teacher. OP needs to leave education field entirely.

This is if she can’t find anything by next year OR finds something PT and wants to supplement income. My public school system (not in DMV) pays subs well and you can pick and choose so say OP is working PT remote and can pick hours but wants some extra income then the can sub on some days as well. It’s not a permanent solution but in case they need it!

I changed careers I worked overseas as a humanitarian aid worker for decades worked up to a Country Director. I was totally burned out as it was literally 24/7 every r&r and vacation I was called back or had to cancel (I worked in war zones) so I came home and wanted to change careers. In the interim of doing consultancies for non profits and NGOs I subbed in schools. It gave me some income and let me pick when I wanted to work while giving me the space to figure out what I wanted to actually do- which for me meant going back to grad school. I changed fields and love that I am with my kids and family.

Good luck OP!

[Anonymous]

The issue is everyone is applying for remote roles and more companies are returning to office. I second also applying for hybrid and in office roles. Less people will be applying so you’ll have a better chance and then you can use that to apply to more remote jobs in the future.

Does your district pay for development or classes you can take? Even if they pay a % maybe you could take an online certificate course or something that would help in your change.

I also recommend looking at universities. Center or Program Manager, Coordinator, Assistant Director of a teaching program. Then work your way up every couple years.
Some universities after # years of working will
Help pay for your children’s college or sometimes offset costs if your child is admitted to their university. A family member works at a top university which does this after 5 years of working so check benefits.