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Post by AnastasiaBeaverhausn on Aug 29, 2015 2:42:20 GMT
Did you get out before retirement? Mind sharing the circumstances? What do you do now for a living?
I'm burned out and have been for awhile. I'm ready to go. It isn't the kids; it's everything else. If teaching were about well, teaching, I could keep going but I'm so sick of the politics.
How did you brave souls decide to get out? Where did you find other employment?
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,423
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Aug 29, 2015 2:53:52 GMT
I'm on year 17, myself. Feeling the grossness of politics and crap. Not going to get out early if I can help it since I'm the only steady income.
That said, a friend of mine with over 20 years of experience had a rough year last year (involuntary move to a different school, no admin support, coworkers not friendly, health issues) and when she was denied a transfer back (after being told she could when she moved) she chose to retire early. She's in her mid 50’s and could have done another 10 years. Last we chatted, she's taking a year off to just enjoy life. She's trying to decide if she wants to go back to the classroom or find something else to do.
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Post by librarylady on Aug 29, 2015 2:56:07 GMT
I left for the business world, first as a secretary/administrative assistant--then outside sales. Eventually went back to school and got a Masters in Library Science. Loved that job and wished I had done it longer. It was hard for me to get a job outside of education. I was told repeatedly, "You have too much education. You will leave us for another teaching job." 14 years later, I did return.  |
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Post by danalz on Aug 29, 2015 3:10:23 GMT
I left teaching 3 years ago after teaching special ed for 18 years. I couldn't handle the stress anymore and decided I needed to leave. I got a job working with adults with disabilities at a vocational rehabilitation agency. I do evaluations to help people decide on a career path and do some job development, helping people find work.
I love my job and I don't bring work home with me. I can take a day off and not worry about sub plans. I took a pay cut but I'm lucky that my husband has a job that pays well. Leaving teaching was the best thing I've ever done. I'm healthier and happier now.
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Post by beaglemom on Aug 29, 2015 4:05:13 GMT
I got to be on our local NPR station this week talking about it. California is experiencing a horrible teaching shortage. Because during the economic downturn tons of teachers were pink slipped and positions were eliminated. Enrollment in teaching credential programs is down 50%. So they are hiring people that are not fully credentialed. Which they did about 15 years ago and the state ended up with a large amount of people that weren't qualified that have now been teaching since then and have tenure protection, so they get to keep their jobs while individuals that have gone through complete programs are getting let go.
Long story short. I graduated with my credential in 2007. Was pink slipped due to budget cuts 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, despite exemplary reviews. In 2011 I had my first dd and gave up. I was tired of not knowing if I would have a job the next year, working my butt off and the politics of public schools. I LOVED teaching kindergarten. I miss it. But I don't miss the rest of it. Now I am happily home with our two kids and pregnant with our third. Teaching would never cover child care for all three. Not sure what I am going to go back to when they are all in school.
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Post by stampinbetsy on Aug 29, 2015 4:15:25 GMT
I taught for 9 years. Part of Wyatt got me out was my administrator and all the craps that was going on. I haven't taught in 5 years, and I really don't miss it.
I tried to go back to doing customer service, but I think most people probably looked at my education and figured I wouldn't really take the pay. I worked retail for a couple of years, and now am basically an administrative assistant for a company that moves seniors. I'm considering going back to school to get some kind of paralegal type training, but I'm not sure.
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Post by nlwilkins on Aug 29, 2015 5:19:33 GMT
Before I had to retire for medical reasons, I moved into a position at the University. It was a great job, I worked as an Instructional Designer and helped professors organize their online courses. Actually, I was the project manager for getting their courses on line and had a web developer and graphic artist to help out. When working on my Ed Admin Masters I had to take a course in Instructional Technology and learned about this field and got hooked. It was kind of funny, I finished up the first Masters and went back for the Instructional Technology Masters, which led to the position.
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PLurker
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,744
Location: Behind the Cheddar Curtain
Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Aug 29, 2015 5:34:34 GMT
My DD is entering college next week. As a kid she always wanted to be a teacher. No more. She was and is really in tune to the B.S. (not Bachelor of Science) around her. Even in elementary school she told me she was being turned off of teaching idea because of administration and politics. Then in high school her fears were confirmed by the teachers she grew to know and love. They love her too and were probably very open around her and she heard her fill of the craziness. Unless something changes I don't see her being a teacher. Which is too bad because I would think, being left to teach without the BS, she would be well suited. Kids are drawn to her like bees to honey- for as long as I can remember. And she loves them, too.
Hearing you teachers on this forum has confirmed what she feels for me, too. It's sad that teachers can't simply teach. Hopefully things will change. You would think they would have to.
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Post by fiddlesticks on Aug 29, 2015 5:50:18 GMT
I will be watching this thread. I would like to be in the group of "former teachers".
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Post by alexa11 on Aug 29, 2015 6:41:44 GMT
I taught for 25 years and bought out my last 3. I started deferring a good bit of my check after my divorce because taxes were killing me. It was worth every penny to get out! I just run a teeny tiny ebay business now- never returned to work- and it's been 10 years.
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twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,987 
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Aug 29, 2015 9:06:21 GMT
We had the chance to relocate a few years ago. I went through the certification process gor our new location, but I was also looking at non-teaching jobs. I found a position as a college academic advisor and LOVE it.
I'll never go back to teaching unless I teach a college level course. I might get to teach a section of our orientation class next year, and I'm pretty excited about that.
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Post by ten&rose on Aug 29, 2015 12:02:09 GMT
After 9 years i quit to be a SAHM. After 6 years of that I started nursing school. I finish in may. I just didnt like teaching.
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Aug 29, 2015 12:23:02 GMT
I taught elementary (3,4, and 5 for different years) for 14 years. I got married at that point and moved four hours away. I was interviewing and was offered a job in my new town the same day I found out I was pregnant. I didn't feel I could accept the new job then go on maternity leave a few months later. So we decided I'd stay home with my daughter. I didn't love the offer as it was for a grade I'd never taught before and it was just at the time testing in Ohio was really ramping up, along with all the crap that has been building up around that. I was honestly already burning out and didn't feel I could keep up the pace with a new grade level, new marriage, and baby.
I loved my job and was very good at it. I put in an inordinate amount of time and effort. It was wearing as a single person, but I knew something would have to go and I didn't want to sacrifice being an excellent teacher.
When my daughter was ten I went back to school and got a Montessori certification. My daughter was in a Montessori school and I fell in love with it. That's not at all related to my traditional certificate and I could have done that with no teaching background. I now teach half days in a Montessori preschool and love my job and hours.
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Post by Merge on Aug 29, 2015 12:24:51 GMT
When I leave, I'll probably go back to some kind of university admin job (advisor, admissions, etc.) to finish out my years until retirement. They pay into the same system so it counts, and the jobs are much, much less stressful than teaching.
I plan to put in at least ten more years teaching and/or stay until I get selected to have a choir perform at TMEA. After that I'll probably look for something less taxing.
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Post by AnastasiaBeaverhausn on Aug 29, 2015 17:18:18 GMT
Thanks all. I was kinda afraid I'd get roasted for asking this. I would get out in a heartbeat if I knew what to do. I think I'll start my resume (haven't done one in 16 years) and look to the university scene. DBF supports whatever I want to do but he'd like me to get some job.
I'm wondering if part time teaching would alleviate some stress on me.
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Aug 29, 2015 17:36:39 GMT
Do you have the option to job share? Part time would definitely help, if you can do it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 2:06:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2015 17:59:13 GMT
My neig
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Post by leannec on Aug 29, 2015 18:03:02 GMT
I'm in a bit of a different situation ... I taught junior high Humanities for 11 years and then had to go on a medical leave of absence because I have a condition where I fall unconscious without warning ... apparently it is due to stress and teaching was my main contributor  Luckily, I am still getting a paycheck because of my insurance through my school board so I've been able to be a SAHM since 2008 ... I know that doesn't happen for everyone |
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Post by AnastasiaBeaverhausn on Aug 29, 2015 18:13:40 GMT
Do you have the option to job share? Part time would definitely help, if you can do it. Not sure. I've never known it to be done. We just give my hours to another teacher since I'm secondary. I could go part time but DBF thinks it's the same stress with a smaller paycheck. I think it's helpful. Fewer papers to grade, fewer parents to deal with, less r time I have to be there. |
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Post by darkchami on Aug 29, 2015 18:21:06 GMT
Thanks all. I was kinda afraid I'd get roasted for asking this. I would get out in a heartbeat if I knew what to do. I think I'll start my resume (haven't done one in 16 years) and look to the university scene. DBF supports whatever I want to do but he'd like me to get some job. I'm wondering if part time teaching would alleviate some stress on me. I would question anyone who would roast you. I am a current teacher. I love my job. There are no plans on leaving, and yet I may have to at some point. The stress is taking a very real toll on my body. I've had doctors tell me to change careers. When you add that to decreasing paychecks, well, a plan B is never a bad thing. Teaching is hard. There is nothing wrong with moving on when it becomes too much. I hope you find something that makes you happy. |
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Post by AnastasiaBeaverhausn on Aug 29, 2015 18:34:26 GMT
Thanks all. I was kinda afraid I'd get roasted for asking this. I would get out in a heartbeat if I knew what to do. I think I'll start my resume (haven't done one in 16 years) and look to the university scene. DBF supports whatever I want to do but he'd like me to get some job. I'm wondering if part time teaching would alleviate some stress on me. I would question anyone who would roast you. I am a current teacher. I love my job. There are no plans on leaving, and yet I may have to at some point. The stress is taking a very real toll on my body. I've had doctors tell me to change careers. When you add that to decreasing paychecks, well, a plan B is never a bad thing. Teaching is hard. There is nothing wrong with moving on when it becomes too much. I hope you find something that makes you happy. Thanks, Darkchami. I never know how things are going to go over here. It's my life and my stress. Part time might be my answer. |
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Post by sues on Aug 29, 2015 18:49:19 GMT
I taught grade school for 15 years. I loved the actual teaching part. I loved the kids and getting to know their families as they grew up. WHat killed me was the dynamic between staff members and the dynamic between our principal vs staff members. I worked in Catholic schools for my entire career and out of 5 principals in three different schools, only one was normal (supportive, encouraging, etc.). The other five seemed to be frustrated Mean Girls.
The last one was so vile, she pitted teachers against each other and actually created her own class system for us. Everyone knew who was up and who was down; they also knew they risked their own standing by having good relationships with those in a class beneath them. I wish I was kidding- but I'm not.
I ended up leaving because of my youngest child- she was an ornery baby who got fired by her sitter. It was a blessing though. I made the decision to stay ome full time, and only then did I get the distance I needed to see what happened to me. If I hadn't left, I think I'd have lost everything- my marriage, my friends, the relationship with my extended family. I was so unhappy at work, it changed my personality bit by bit. I was always on edge, snappish, angry. I didn't trust anyone. I was suspicious of everyone. It took me a year to decompress nd feel like myself again.
I quit in June of 2001. I always thought I'd go back when dd was in full-time school. Whenever I think of going back, I start to feel anxious. I honestly don't think I could ever teach again. As much as I liked it, as well suited as I was- the last years were too much. They ruined me. Rationally I know it wouldn't be the same, bad situation if I went back now- but then...it might be. You never know. And I can't do that again.
Contributing factors- so much has changed. Even the process for getting my certificate renewed in IL is so convoluted I can't figure it out to save my life.
The degree to which politics is involved in the educational system just blows my mind. I feel defeated by it and I'm not even in the classroom.
Working with that many other teachers again scares the heck out of me. I really don't think I could shake the 'no one will like me' feeling my last job left me with.
This year I started thinking about getting back out there (working, not teaching). I'm checking into local colleges to see what might be available.
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Post by shamrock on Aug 29, 2015 22:10:44 GMT
I left after 7 years when I had my oldest. He is now 11. I've subbed a tiny bit the last few years. I could have subbed almost every day, but I'm picky. I'll sub for friends or schools & grades I like and I just don't want to do it every day LOL! I don't think I want to go back full time. It is very different than when I left. If I do go back, I'd like to be able to teach 1st or 2nd- before the testing gets crazy.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 2:06:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2015 22:29:49 GMT
I just went back full time this year. I have been out since 2001. I had a couple of part time teaching positions as a preschool teacher and a reading teacher. I am wondering what I got myself into. Data is the big word and everyone walks around terrified of that word. Are we getting the right data? I just keep thinking that there are lies, damn lies, and then there are statistics. I didn't get into teaching to worry about measurable progress on goals or whether we get all the right data. I can understand why you would want to get out. I'm hoping to find the fun in it that I had all those years ago.
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angier
Shy Member
Posts: 12
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Post by angier on Aug 29, 2015 22:33:07 GMT
I could only hope to be a former teacher someday. I teach at a Catholic school and have been for the past 14 years. The plus sides? We don't have to worry about state testing, have the freedom to be creative with our lessons, and don't have to worry about some of the other politics of public schools. I have been at my current school long enough that I really know my families well and they know me. My own children attend this school as well. The negatives? The pay, of course. I make about $10,000 a year less than I would at the public schools here. The pension plan I have is a joke. I will be lucky to ever be able to retire. Luckily for us my husband has a good pension with his job. Once my kids are a bit older I am going to start exploring other options. For now, it's a huge plus that I get to spend my summers and holidays with them. Once that's no longer a necessity I may decide it's time to think of something else. I love teaching and I love watching children grow and learn, but the job and its expectations are changing all the time and I definitely feel like I need more education to keep up with it.
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on Aug 31, 2015 21:03:54 GMT
There were years I really wanted to quit, but financially it was just not an option! So I stayed for a full 35 years. I have to say that my last years especially my very last year were my favorite. I think I got to the point where I really didn't care so much about the administration. I did what I was supposed to do, but I didn't break my back for things that did not affect my classroom. And I have to admit the retirement is very nice
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Post by meridon on Aug 31, 2015 23:35:50 GMT
I've been teaching high school for 15 years now and still love it, most days. Honestly, though, I can't see me doing this day in and day out for another 20 years. I love my content and love the students, most days, but the paperwork and the constant demands to play by one set of rules one year only to have it switch to something else the next is getting exhausting. One year it's a state-written end of course test, the next we live or die by ACT scores. And the constant attacks demonizing teachers and other public sector employees from the likes of Scott Walker just pisses me off to no end. I haven't had a raise since 2007 and my health insurance premiums have doubled. There will come a breaking point.
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Post by 950nancy on Sept 1, 2015 0:38:22 GMT
I taught for 28 years and bought out four. Last year, they gave us iPads and told us to teach from the iPad. It was a curriculum where each small group gets fifteen minutes of instruction and 45 minutes of no instruction (independent work). I knew I was out. I feel like I am very creative and loved every minute of teaching and being involved with the process of reading and writing and building up kids to believe that they could do whatever I asked. This program "started them where they were" and the ability grouping put my fifth graders back at third grade levels of writing because they didn't know the program. It was not a program that was even voted on or discussed and I have no idea how it got passed the school board. Ugh.
I have also had lots of other teammates feel the same way as you. One went into the online program the district offers, one opened a painting studio, another one found a job at the community center. Maybe see if your district offers other forms of teaching or instruction so you can keep your retirement. Good luck!
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