Desperate to quit teaching - single mom - ideas for new career path?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that SLP would be worth looking into. Also look at Pearson, The College Board, or some of the other education non profits.

SLP isn't going to work...What is she going to do about income and benefits while she gets her Master's degree and does her fellowship?

[Anonymous]

Switch to a private school? Pay may not be as good but the schedule/ stress could be a lot lower.

[Anonymous]

Could you work for your state’s Department of Education? Or for your county/school district coordinating special ed services / early intervention?

You can stay part of retirement system that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Education related vendors, Department of Education jobs if you are in DC. I know Sped teachers in DOD overseas schools who retired to teach in regular public schools and went right back to DOD as soon as possible.

Several teachers I know became real estate agents.

Are you willing to move overseas? DOD teachers overseas have health insurance, great benefits, and draw a housing allowance and cost of living allowance. You can shop at the commissary and BX. Sped teachers are always in demand. It would be a huge change, but may give you some of what you’re looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As you think about switching, remember that you will likely be giving up that your summer break and a week off a Christmas and need before/aftercare.

Parents who don't teach have to juggle a school calendar. Summer camps. Beforecare, aftercare. Random days off. Explaining to the boss that no you can't do a call at 5pm because aftercare closes at 6pm and you live an hour away from work (in the Before Times). It is quite a PITA.

I don’t know a single teacher who doesn’t need before and/or after school care unless they have a partner with a more flexible schedule.

[Anonymous]

This! It will take 2 years to get a master's. Full time. And while she could work in private practice, it's harder to get benefits that way.

Is there another position within the school system that would be less taxing. I know a few folks who switched to ESOL (took a praxis) and are happy. How long have you been in the system for? Check out what it takes to be vested in the pension system before you leave. Like others have mentioned, I have heard good things about the DOD. What are your salary requirements - that could help us make recommendations. Could you maybe take a year or two leave of absence? That way you could get a less taxing job and then go back to teaching (if you want). It's been a really tough year for teachers with Covid and maybe you just need a short term break.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that SLP would be worth looking into. Also look at Pearson, The College Board, or some of the other education non profits.

SLP isn't going to work...What is she going to do about income and benefits while she gets her Master's degree and does her fellowship?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd think 2x about quitting now since school is in full swing.

No. She doesn’t have to suffer through the whole year miserable unless she wants to be rehirable in that district, which it certainly doesn’t sound like she does. She “owes” no one anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As you think about switching, remember that you will likely be giving up that your summer break and a week off a Christmas and need before/aftercare.

Parents who don't teach have to juggle a school calendar. Summer camps. Beforecare, aftercare. Random days off. Explaining to the boss that no you can't do a call at 5pm because aftercare closes at 6pm and you live an hour away from work (in the Before Times). It is quite a PITA.

I don’t know a single teacher who doesn’t need before and/or after school care unless they have a partner with a more flexible schedule.

Yeah but a real corporate job, you need more than before care and after care especially if you are a single parent. Most after cafes close at 6 or 6:30 which means reliably leaving by 5:30 factoring in commute, and that’s not common in corporate positions. It’s why so many are forced to keep a nanny even after their kids are in school.

[Anonymous]

Is there something else within the school system that would feel like enough of a change? Librarian, reading specialist, something like that?

[Anonymous]

I was a sped teacher for six years. I quit last year and became an instructional designer. In short, someone sends me "boring" training manuals/processes that I turn into engaging, web-based trainings. It was exactly what I needed after burning out. I definitely miss the breaks, but the schedule flexibility and work from home options are great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try computer science.

huh? this makes no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find a new man, get married, have two incomes?

A man is not a plan.

[Anonymous]

I'm a single parent and an ESOL teacher. I really recommend it. Lots of paperwork at the beginning and end of the year but most of the year is not bad. I love my students and love seeing the progress they make each year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a single parent and an ESOL teacher. I really recommend it. Lots of paperwork at the beginning and end of the year but most of the year is not bad. I love my students and love seeing the progress they make each year.

+1 I became an EL teacher (from classroom teacher) after my first child was born and it so much more manageable. I feel guilty, but so much responsibility is placed on classroom teachers that it’s just not manageable for me with kids although I definitely miss it. Coach, reading specialist or EL should help a bit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try computer science.

huh? this makes no sense.

Computer science pays well enough to support her family and is very work-from-home friendly so she can be near her kids. What doesn't make sense about it? The industry has enough incompetents that look "nerdy".