New job but think I want to leave teaching for good

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New job but think I want to leave teaching for good

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purplebutton
Member since 7-5-2012

Hi, Not sure if this is the right place to post this. I have had a tough few years at my last school so decided to look for a new job. I have secured a new position for next term but now all I can think about is leaving teaching all together. The thought of starting at a new place doesn't make me feel inspired, it fills me with dread! I feel like I have lost all my passion for teaching and feel like it is affecting my mental health. I am crying all the time and feel in a constant state of panic. Also I can't bare the thought of continuing my current rubbish work/life balance and I doubt starting somewhere new is going to help. I just want to look for a different position either nannying or even something unrelated to children. I have felt so stressed and unhappy lately and I don't think changing schools is going to help. The only thing that makes me feel calm is the thought of leaving teaching! I have already agreed to go to the new school and I am not the sort to let people down, so I know realistically I will go and buckle down and get on with it- perhaps I will really like it! But I can't help but think about calling them and telling them I can't come anymore. I have a permanent crushing feeling and I just feel I need to leave teaching before it's too late. I know what the 'right' thing to do is but would just like to hear from others. I feel so unhappy and stressed and I don't want to feel like this anymore. Thank you

Posted 20-5-2012 11:22

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ReadyAM
Member since 4-2-2008

I can totally empathise with your comments and I'd love to wave a magic wand for you. I felt exactly the same as you a couple of years ago while working in a mainstream school. I had decided that if I never set foot in another classroom i'd be happy. I kept applying for jobs so I could leave and like yourself I secured a job in a different place. This job however, was not based in one school and working with different children than I had been. It was the best move I ever made. I totally love my job now and wouldn't change it for the world. My point being, keep your chin up, keep trying and things will work out the way they are supposed to. I am a great believer that everything happens for a reason even if we cant see that reason at the moment. Best of luck whatever you decide to do.

Posted 20-5-2012 11:47

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primarytype
Member since 1-6-2006

I agree with the above post

I know exactly the feeling you are talking about. I left it too late and now although things are hugely better for me at work...sadly my sparkle has gone. I am resigning in the summer and moving on to something totally new. What I would suggest is to give the new job a try with a totally open mind and just maybe it will surprise you. Give it enough time to get used to the new place and decide then what is truly best for you. If you decide then that it really is not for you then look at all the options open to you. You will at least have given it a chance and feel more sure about moving on to something fresh. You will also have an income to support you while you find something that is for you. If you don't at least give it ago a) you will be left feeling bitter about teaching b) you will not be in a fit state to move on and a downward spiral could take over.

That's my tuppence worth...however only you know deep down what is the right thing for you. Take time to think it through and be sure you have the support of those close to you. I truly wish you happiness in whatever you decide

big hug xx

Posted 20-5-2012 13:42

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Xericist
Member since 18-5-2011

That's a wonderfully supportive response ReadyAM- and it goes to show that we never know what life can offer us if we do find we just have to move on! Taking a step into the unknown is often scary - but I believe it's the fear of taking the step that is more scary than actually taking the step! Glad it worked out for you

Posted 20-5-2012 15:06

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theedudicator
Member since 18-3-2011

I left and I always felt like you - I struggled on for a few years but in the back of my mind knew I would be happiest if I moved out of teaching. Now I'm out of it and I was right. I wrote this, 17 Reasons To Leave Teaching on my blog a while ago.

Posted 20-5-2012 19:49

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purplebutton
Member since 7-5-2012

Thank you all very much for your replies. I have really struggled with this the last couple of weeks but it is really good to hear from others. I already accepted the position at the new school so I know I should go there and try for a term to see if I like it any better. I know this is the right thing to do but I swing wildly from feeling positive about it to having a panic attack and crying because I just don't want to teach any more and believe I can't do it any more! I honestly keep thinking about 'running away'! Thanks again for your replies and sharing your experiences.

Posted 1-6-2012 14:12

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lgom
Member since 14-10-2009

Hi there, How about doing something over the holiday that you will really enjoy before you start in the new school. Try and think of the benefits that teaching gives you: the long summer holiday and make that work for you. I advise doing something 'craft like' that you may never have done before. Even gardening but what ever it is it has to be something that you can actually see the result of. I truly sympathize as I am in a nursing job that I feel the same about and am trying to move into teaching!

Posted 2-6-2012 0:48

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ilovescience!
Member since 11-10-2005

Out of the frying pan into the fire Igom? ;)

Purplebutton, I had the same feelings as you after a really bad experience and an awful head, then I got a temporary job at a much better school where I got on really well. Unfortunately the temp position did not last and because I couldn't get a job in a similar school I went back to a support staff role. I am now much happier not teaching and my home life has returned.

Posted 2-6-2012 10:00

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teacher hopeful
Member since 3-12-2007

Follow my blog and hopefully I'll be able to let you know if the grass really is greener on the other side.

http://missdrama1.wordpress.com/

Posted 8-10-2012 14:11

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Pinkytinky
Member since 15-11-2008

Oh gosh, I feel exactly the same. I don't wish to be awful but it really is a relief to hear that there are other people out there feeling the same. I don't know if it's just me though; I wonder if I will ever be happy. I am a primary school teacher in my 4th year. My last school was odd. Really. Just odd. Very strict with the children and with the staff. I shan't go into it here because I could go on all day. I thought I was desperate to get out and I was because I didn't like the lack of trust and the telling offs. But then I got out and started my new job in September. Granted it is a promotion and now I am a Key Stage Leader and member of SLT (among other things!) but I absolutely despise it. I don't want to go back to my old school; I didn't like it, but I never felt about it like I do about the new job. I am the same; crying all the time. I feel desolate. Is that the right word? I feel like I'm trapped and lonely and just devastated. I got married last week and even though I hate my job, I had that to look forward to but now it's over and done with, I feel like I have got to throw myself into my job and I really, really don't want to. The thought of spending all my evenings and weekends at it fill me with utter dread. All my friends say that it's because it's new and I'll get used to it and I'm sure I will but I don't want to live my life with that cloud of despair hanging over me. I don't know what to do. I have a past life in industry and I so desperately don't want to get known as someone flighty who can't be in one job for more than 4 years. If I had a skill I would be setting up on my own, but I don't! Anyway I didn't mean for this to turn into a 'poor me' rant. I hope that it has all worked out for you. I really hope that it is what you wanted and that you feel better about it because I know what it's like when you hate it and your life revolves around it. I realise that this is a relatively old post but my google search for 'Help, I need to get out of teaching' threw up your message!

Posted 3-11-2012 13:05

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foxymox
Member since 25-4-2011

Hi Pinkytinky, just read your post and wanted to let you know that you are not alone. My situation is similar apart from the fact that I have been in teaching longer (18 years). I loved my last school but for a variety of reasons felt that I needed to make a move. I'd been there a very long time and could've stayed there forever but an opportunity came up.....promotion but low risk (can't say why on here...sorry) so I went for it and got it. I was gutted to leave my old school but felt that I was slowly going mad with the demands of classroom teaching coupled with SLT responsibilities. I thought that a non class based post (although with a big teaching commitment) could be the answer. It's not....... I know it's early days but I know it's just not for me. I've lost my confidence and just want to get out of teaching altogether. The kids and the school deserve someone who really wants to be there. I resent evenings and Sundays spent working and the fact that you can never switch off, despite a decent salary. I'm now looking for alternatives and am even thinking about quitting next year. Drastic I know but I just want my life back. I'm sorry I can't offer you any solutions. I just want you to know that I understand and sympathize. Hope things get better for soon xx

Posted 3-11-2012 19:06

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