Award Winning Teacher Looking for Transition Advice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the teachers (and others) who have responded, I appreciate your insights and perspective. While I acknowledge that I may have it "good", my primary concern is if this level is sustainable for the next decade. There would have to be adjustments made and I would have to find better ways to handle the mental, emotional and physical strains of the profession moving forward. I think in my case, talking to a career professional might be the most immediate plan of action.

Additionally, if you are putting 60+ hrs into the profession weekly, I encourage you to explore ways to reclaim your time. It doesn't have to be the norm, as there are many of us who are able to accomplish our tasks within the confines of a typical school day. I understand that this greatly depends on factors such as grade level, subject matter, educational systems, and so on, but there is a better way.

I teach a full schedule of AP and Honors English. I usually work 6-7 days a week, mostly because of the stacks and stacks of essays.

The only way to cut my hours is to grade less or comment less, which means I won’t be doing the job I was hired to do.

You have it GOOD. How can this not be sustainable? I have no doubt your days are exhausting, but your hours are enviable. You have all evenings and all weekends to recuperate.

That, and you are paid better than most teachers. Anywhere.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm a teacher in PGCPS and I understand your comments that this work you are doing doesn't feel sustainable. Your high salary right now is a result of IMPACT, right? How does that work exactly? You need to keep performing at a certain level every year, I think (meaning, your students need to get certain test scores I think?) and if you perform at that level two years in a row, you get an extra bonus. But miss a year and the bonus goes away and miss two years in a row, what would your salary be? What exactly do you have to do to keep these bonuses? Like, say you have a major health crisis and need to take time off, or just take it easy and you underperform for a year. How much salary would you lose?

And what is the pension system for DCPS teachers?

[Anonymous]

Maryland is trying to put a career ladder in place for excellent teachers, to keep them in the classroom but yet advance their careers in a way that is more sustainable. It's called the "Blueprint for Education" and it has many components, but one of them is this career ladder. Ideally, teachers can move up the ranks, still teaching classes but maybe only 20-40% of the time, while providing mentoring to other teachers or working on district initiatives. It's a way to keep excellent teachers who don't wish to move into administration, and the salary increases are supposed to be commensurate with becoming a principal. I'm a little skeptical of what it is going to look like, but it might be something for you to consider. However, no school in Maryland would be likely to match your current salary, with all the DC IMPACT bonuses, and you would lose your retirement credits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maryland is trying to put a career ladder in place for excellent teachers, to keep them in the classroom but yet advance their careers in a way that is more sustainable. It's called the "Blueprint for Education" and it has many components, but one of them is this career ladder. Ideally, teachers can move up the ranks, still teaching classes but maybe only 20-40% of the time, while providing mentoring to other teachers or working on district initiatives. It's a way to keep excellent teachers who don't wish to move into administration, and the salary increases are supposed to be commensurate with becoming a principal. I'm a little skeptical of what it is going to look like, but it might be something for you to consider. However, no school in Maryland would be likely to match your current salary, with all the DC IMPACT bonuses, and you would lose your retirement credits.

Not to mention this is going to take time to implement and it sounds as you are looking for something sooner rather than later. The career ladder is 5-10% of teachers based on the Blueprint so sounds good..if you can get into it.

[Anonymous]

I don't believe you can find what you are looking for. You won't find anything with fewer hours, you likely won't find anything that pays anywhere near what you are making, you will be hard pressed to find any "new to you" job that gives more than 2 weeks vacation. If you want something easier, you'll have to give up some or all of those good things. But hey, maybe we're all totally wrong. If you do find something that pays you 130K or more, gives you 4-5 weeks vacation, and is easier? That's a unicorn I'm sure we'd all like to meet.

[Anonymous]

Would you be less stressed if you worked with fewer students? Perhaps you could be a Title I math teacher, a school librarian or transition to special ed.

There is some work in nonprofits but I don't know that your salary expectation is realistic.

Another option might be to create a private business: teach teachers, sell your materials, teach higher level math or SAT math prep.

[Anonymous]

Fellow burned out educator here with similar salary and hours and years left to retirement. It sounds like maybe you are single and have time to explore your career passion after the work day and on holidays. Rather than trying to transition to a new career, I would look into developing a profitable side hustle that you feel passionate about. I did this prior to having kids and found it very invigorating. Try emotionally detaching yourself from your current job. It doesn't mean that you don't care about the kids or do things less well...you just become less bothered if a coworker attacks you or by office politics, etc. Use your energies towards springboarding your next chapter in 10 years from now. We both have it really good and it really is like golden handcuffs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about working in school administration within your current district?

This is not less stressful, probably requires 12 month work, and requires many more hours.

[Anonymous]

The grass is not greener elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

The grass is not always greener...
I was a teacher for 16 years (not DC area). Finally had enough post-Covid and started volunteering at a large non-profit. I learned CRMs and event planning software. After 1 year of sending out resumes and a few interviews, I finally got a job in development at a larger non-profit (museum). Took a massive pay cut and I now have to pay for after school and summer childcare. My salary is almost a wash (DH makes more $, so I am very lucky).
Besides the financial difference, I miss school culture more than I thought I would. Every day was different. Teacher colleagues have a "we are in this together" mindset--even pre-Covid. I miss having my classroom and being (mostly) in charge of my day. Kids are hilarious and thoughtful and challenging. The days go by so fast.
I find myself now sitting in my quiet cubicle, staring at a spreadsheet, and the clock, wishing I could go out to recess duty.
This is just my story OP. But, I am telling it so that you understand the reality of making the transition.
Do not expect your (very high) teaching salary will magically be replaced once you transition out. Be prepared for a culture shock in work environment. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand why you would leave this job

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you be less stressed if you worked with fewer students? Perhaps you could be a Title I math teacher, a school librarian or transition to special ed.

There is some work in nonprofits but I don't know that your salary expectation is realistic.

Another option might be to create a private business: teach teachers, sell your materials, teach higher level math or SAT math prep.

Op cannot transition to being a librarian. Those jobs are in high demand and require a degree in library sciences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you be less stressed if you worked with fewer students? Perhaps you could be a Title I math teacher, a school librarian or transition to special ed.

There is some work in nonprofits but I don't know that your salary expectation is realistic.

Another option might be to create a private business: teach teachers, sell your materials, teach higher level math or SAT math prep.

Op cannot transition to being a librarian. Those jobs are in high demand and require a degree in library sciences.

All the other suggestions also require more coursework. Special ed is it's own degree or endorsement (and sped paperwork is overwhelming). There's very few math interventionist positions. Reading interventionist jobs require a reading specialist degree most of the time. And, like mentioned, being a school librarian requires a library degree (and if not, it's just a TA position with TA pay).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you be less stressed if you worked with fewer students? Perhaps you could be a Title I math teacher, a school librarian or transition to special ed.

There is some work in nonprofits but I don't know that your salary expectation is realistic.

Another option might be to create a private business: teach teachers, sell your materials, teach higher level math or SAT math prep.

Op cannot transition to being a librarian. Those jobs are in high demand and require a degree in library sciences.

So does nursing. So does IT. She has said she is willing to get a new degree. These areas would at least be related to her field, possibly keep her in her pension plan and may not be year-round.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you be less stressed if you worked with fewer students? Perhaps you could be a Title I math teacher, a school librarian or transition to special ed.

There is some work in nonprofits but I don't know that your salary expectation is realistic.

Another option might be to create a private business: teach teachers, sell your materials, teach higher level math or SAT math prep.

Op cannot transition to being a librarian. Those jobs are in high demand and require a degree in library sciences.

All the other suggestions also require more coursework. Special ed is it's own degree or endorsement (and sped paperwork is overwhelming). There's very few math interventionist positions. Reading interventionist jobs require a reading specialist degree most of the time. And, like mentioned, being a school librarian requires a library degree (and if not, it's just a TA position with TA pay).

She said she was willing to do additional coursework - and she may get the school system to help her pay for these fields. Secondary endorsement is only 30 credits - shorter than an RN or IT degree.