Transition from teacher to new career

[Anonymous]

I'm a SAHM ready to get back to work. I have a masters in education. However, because I've been at home with children for the last five years I'm ready for a new career, but don't want to go back into teaching. Does anyone have an ideas or experience with this and what career or job do you think I could transition into?
Thanks

[Anonymous]

Burnt out fourth year teacher here. I'll be following this thread. I've personally thought about trying to move into program management at a museum or children's program of some sort. Not sure. So tired

[Anonymous]

I am you OP but I am a dad.

Following.

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher, and I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I'd stayed in my grad school job.

When I was in grad school, I had a part time job in the Financial Aid office of the university. The people who worked there full time had good salaries, and it was such a relaxed work environment compared to teaching: no work to take home! I was offered a full time job, but didn't take it because I got my first teaching post, but I still wonder... A girl who had started part time as a student, like me, is now working for American Student Assistance, traveling a little for work, and makes a lot more than I make.

I think a cozy job in university admin somewhere would be lovely. Good holidays, good insurance, great free gym facilities, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Burnt out fourth year teacher here. I'll be following this thread. I've personally thought about trying to move into program management at a museum or children's program of some sort. Not sure. So tired

Consider a transfer.

I was a burnt out teacher. I spent a decade in high poverty schools. I spent 10 hours a day in that building, 4 more at home each weekday night and hundreds of my own salary monthly trying to redress systemic gaps. It was never enough. That job stripped the meat from bones and came back to suck out the marrow.

I transferred to a suburban, mostly high income school and my burnout vanished. Trust me, the kids still have academic and personal challenges, but the sheer number of drowning kids isn't overwhelming. I still seek out the FARMs students and the secretly poor ones.

[Anonymous]

I switched careers out of teaching, but I did a lot of research into Masters courses that were in high demand fields (related to IT) and spent a couple of years doing that part-time while still teaching. First job was entry level (even earning less than teaching) but promotion was quick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a SAHM ready to get back to work. I have a masters in education. However, because I've been at home with children for the last five years I'm ready for a new career, but don't want to go back into teaching. Does anyone have an ideas or experience with this and what career or job do you think I could transition into?
Thanks

I think you're SOL in education unless . . .


you have knowledge of ed policy - Think non-profit.

Or - what about online courses? Even if you're not teaching the courses, there's a demand for course design. But you'll need experience in instructional design. I learned on the job, but that's a rare opportunity.

You could work in transitional services - helping those with intellectual challenges. Do you have any background in SPED? Pay is crap, however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher, and I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I'd stayed in my grad school job.

When I was in grad school, I had a part time job in the Financial Aid office of the university. The people who worked there full time had good salaries, and it was such a relaxed work environment compared to teaching: no work to take home! I was offered a full time job, but didn't take it because I got my first teaching post, but I still wonder... A girl who had started part time as a student, like me, is now working for American Student Assistance, traveling a little for work, and makes a lot more than I make.

I think a cozy job in university admin somewhere would be lovely. Good holidays, good insurance, great free gym facilities, etc.

Burnt out fourth year PP here. Maybe I will look into this. Also at a title 1 school, just switched schools from my first where I was for three years. I am so tired of admin requiring things they are contractually not allowed to stipulate. Assigning reading over thanksgiving break when I am already bringing home tons of work from my own classes. I am exhausted and crying now about going back tomorrow. I need to get a grip. I am just so frustrated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher, and I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I'd stayed in my grad school job.

When I was in grad school, I had a part time job in the Financial Aid office of the university. The people who worked there full time had good salaries, and it was such a relaxed work environment compared to teaching: no work to take home! I was offered a full time job, but didn't take it because I got my first teaching post, but I still wonder... A girl who had started part time as a student, like me, is now working for American Student Assistance, traveling a little for work, and makes a lot more than I make.

I think a cozy job in university admin somewhere would be lovely. Good holidays, good insurance, great free gym facilities, etc.

Burnt out fourth year PP here. Maybe I will look into this. Also at a title 1 school, just switched schools from my first where I was for three years. I am so tired of admin requiring things they are contractually not allowed to stipulate. Assigning reading over thanksgiving break when I am already bringing home tons of work from my own classes. I am exhausted and crying now about going back tomorrow. I need to get a grip. I am just so frustrated

NP here. I totally understand. The state of public education makes me so sad. You might need to take a salary cut and go to a private school or take a leave of absence to figure out what's next.

[Anonymous]

If you are in DC area, there are a lot of school related initiatives in Dept of Education, education school research positions, and education policy. There are also associations for every ilk of teachers and these might be places to work.

I'd start by analysing positions of interest, looking at skills and experiences. You may need to volunteer or prove some new skills to make this transition.

[Anonymous]

Not sure this is relevant to you, but I hope so: One of the most rewarding jobs I ever had involved coaching high-school kids for college, helping with college applications, etc. You met motivated students (or helped to motivate them) and helped to hone their skills. Flexible hours, not well paid, but quite rewarding in other ways.

[Anonymous]

I taught for 9 years and stayed home full time for 5. I just went back to work as a part time IA and it's working out really well. No pressure from lesson plans, grades, etc.

[Anonymous]

Change of approach rather than lower burn out rate, but school counseling would give you a different set of responsibilities. You would need to get certified but could do that while teaching. Very rewarding but not easy work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Change of approach rather than lower burn out rate, but school counseling would give you a different set of responsibilities. You would need to get certified but could do that while teaching. Very rewarding but not easy work.

Those positions can be hard to get. The budget cuts are eliminating some of the positions plus there is competition from people who are certified and have not yet found a position.

[Anonymous]

You can see about getting certified in something like ESOL. Wouldn't take too much time and while it is still school based you don't have the same exact pressures of a classroom. You could see if there are any curriculum writing jobs for online companies like K12. There are some online companies that hire teachers for students taking the non traditional online route. Or there are educational non profits that are looking for teachers especially in the DC area - you will definitely make less.

I'm a speech therapist and was also getting burnt out in the school environment since my caseload was getting huge, paperwork was increasing and also had some litigious parents. I've switched grade levels/schools (a few times) and now work with preschool level kids. I have finally found my forever job.

I feel lucky that my Mom persuaded me not to teach as she was a teacher herself and saw the writing on the wall. My teacher friends love the kids but with all the new testing requirements and data collection are really starting to be unhappy with their jobs. And that is so unfortunate.