Unsure I can see my future in teaching
Discussion
I've been in teaching for a total of 6 years. I had always wanted to do it, so it wasn't just something I fell into by default of my being useless elsewhere. I had the grades to do something 'more' but I was convinced teaching was my calling. And it is, or at least, it was.
I started at 22. I'm now 28. I've went from the basic salary of 21k as a Probationer to now earning £46k in a promoted position. I've obtained my Masters degree in Education and Leadership and I'm now doing a Doctorate on-the-side. Yet despite all this, I'm just losing the will. I work in one of the most deprived areas in the country and every day there's another welfare or child protection issue (that's the side of things I deal with) and it's just not what I see for myself.
My frustration is that I just can't see myself being considered for a role anywhere else, doing anything else. I've made my box and I now need to live in it. So I'm wanting to seek the collective guidance of people that likely don't hold the biased views of my education colleagues. Is there life beyond this box? Is it unreasonable to feel that my ambitions are beyond this? Or is it just a 'grass is always greener' scenario?
I started at 22. I'm now 28. I've went from the basic salary of 21k as a Probationer to now earning £46k in a promoted position. I've obtained my Masters degree in Education and Leadership and I'm now doing a Doctorate on-the-side. Yet despite all this, I'm just losing the will. I work in one of the most deprived areas in the country and every day there's another welfare or child protection issue (that's the side of things I deal with) and it's just not what I see for myself.
My frustration is that I just can't see myself being considered for a role anywhere else, doing anything else. I've made my box and I now need to live in it. So I'm wanting to seek the collective guidance of people that likely don't hold the biased views of my education colleagues. Is there life beyond this box? Is it unreasonable to feel that my ambitions are beyond this? Or is it just a 'grass is always greener' scenario?
Yes, there always is...
I taught for near on 15 years until my mid thirties, got increasingly demotivated by the job and left to go into IT.
A lot of skills are transferable, time management, planning, etc. and whilst there's not the holidays as before, my work-life balance is so much better.
In any case you can always return to teaching at a later date, it's not as if teachers are not in short supply...
I taught for near on 15 years until my mid thirties, got increasingly demotivated by the job and left to go into IT.
A lot of skills are transferable, time management, planning, etc. and whilst there's not the holidays as before, my work-life balance is so much better.
In any case you can always return to teaching at a later date, it's not as if teachers are not in short supply...
I must temper this question with the comment that I am not, in any circs against the state school system and it works well for many/most, including both my, now grown up, children (who are similar ages to the OP).
OP, have you ever considered teaching in the private/Public school sector?
My step daughter (27) teaches in a prep school and although there are problems in families/kids, the parents are much more aligned to the idea of educating their kids rather than leaving it to the school to manage problems (not all are like that obv, there are rich chavs too!).
JM
OP, have you ever considered teaching in the private/Public school sector?
My step daughter (27) teaches in a prep school and although there are problems in families/kids, the parents are much more aligned to the idea of educating their kids rather than leaving it to the school to manage problems (not all are like that obv, there are rich chavs too!).
JM
There aren’t many in their forties or fifties doing exactly what they were doing in their twenties, so I wouldn’t be too alarmed.
The trick is deciding what to do next. Many would remain in the same industry, but would move in to different areas. Just as many would leave their industry altogether and try something new.
What would you enjoy doing next?
Have you got the skill/experience to do it?
If not, could you get them?
Staying within your profession; could you move in to senior leadership? There is a desperate shortage of great headteachers, particularly in the more deprived areas. How about training the next generation of teachers? What about working with the regulator? Or how about a stint teaching abroad?
If you want to leave the profession; how about a switch to HR or a learning & development role in a large corporate? Police or Armed Forces? Plenty of organisations would recognise both your academic and leadership skills.
Good luck; and do let us know how you get on.
The trick is deciding what to do next. Many would remain in the same industry, but would move in to different areas. Just as many would leave their industry altogether and try something new.
What would you enjoy doing next?
Have you got the skill/experience to do it?
If not, could you get them?
Staying within your profession; could you move in to senior leadership? There is a desperate shortage of great headteachers, particularly in the more deprived areas. How about training the next generation of teachers? What about working with the regulator? Or how about a stint teaching abroad?
If you want to leave the profession; how about a switch to HR or a learning & development role in a large corporate? Police or Armed Forces? Plenty of organisations would recognise both your academic and leadership skills.
Good luck; and do let us know how you get on.
popegregory said:
How on Earth have you got to £46k within six years and where have you got the term “probationer” from?!
NQT (newly qualified teacher) would be the usual term I think?£21 to 46k is a good rise in that time but the Masters and ongoing Doctorate suggest that the OP is something of a career climber while many in his profession may still be finding their feet for the first few years.
A high school head of dept in a deprived area and with some extra responsibilities will be earning reasonably well or a fast moving (male, I know it's sexist but I understand it can make a difference) teacher in the primary system could be a deputy head by now..........
rog007 said:
Advice
Yes, much as I thought but good to see it written down. I've considered a few of those avenues already. I have some involvement with Initial Teacher Education through a University but it's not a formal position. I've never considered some of the other sectors though. To be clear, my natural (and at the moment, default) progression will be to Depute Headteacher and then to Headteacher. My concern is whether I want to do that. I've considered Private/Public schools but as a mere working-class peasant I don't think they'd be able to look past a) my accent b) that I currently work in a school about as far from the Private sector as possible.
rog007 said:
learning & development role
I would be very interested to know more about this. It's the one area you mention that I've never considered/really heard of. popegregory said:
How on Earth have you got to £46k within six years and where have you got the term “probationer” from?!
In Scotland teachers are called 'Probationers' upon completion of their Initial Teacher Education (BEd or PGDE). They work on 'Probation' for a year at a reduced timetable and £21.5k. If they pass their Probation period they can then go on to apply for full-time vacancies. I'm ambitious, worked hard, and put my job before everything else (except family) no secrets really... Some examples of a L&D role’s in Scotland:
https://www.indeed.co.uk/m/viewjob?jk=dcdfe3badefb...
https://www.indeed.co.uk/m/viewjob?jk=dda2cfa8d57a...
https://www.indeed.co.uk/m/viewjob?jk=3ff8736e5378...
https://www.indeed.co.uk/m/viewjob?jk=dcdfe3badefb...
https://www.indeed.co.uk/m/viewjob?jk=dda2cfa8d57a...
https://www.indeed.co.uk/m/viewjob?jk=3ff8736e5378...
Do you actually get to do much teaching, or is it mainly paperwork and meetings regarding pupils and safety? I'm just asking as you mention becoming a headteacher no longer seems like a great option, would that be because you actively enjoy the teaching element and would rather have more time for that?
At the very least I'd suggest you try moving to a different school. It's easy to become disillusioned in a job when the place you're in is problematic, sometimes moving to do the same or similar job in a different environment is the change you really need.
At the very least I'd suggest you try moving to a different school. It's easy to become disillusioned in a job when the place you're in is problematic, sometimes moving to do the same or similar job in a different environment is the change you really need.
Would it be too late to look for a graduate scheme? My daughter taught for two years before deciding it wasn't for her. She also worked in deprived areas and basically had enough of working every weekend and evening just to keep to top of the workload. She loved the actual teaching elements of the job though.
She started a graduate scheme in HR for a financial services company. Loves the fact that when she leaves work she rarely has work to take home. She is being funded through additional HR qualifications. She has been pleasantly surprised how many transferable skills she has brought to the job from teaching. After facing down classes of 30 rowdy 15/16 year olds when you are 22 you can handle most tricky situations at work.
She completed her NQT year so has retained the option to return to teaching later if she decides.
The benefits of a grad scheme are that you get to work in all the different areas over one or two years before applying for a permanent role at the end. L&D is one obvious outcome but you may find over the course of the program that other roles attract you more. Most of the participants in these schemes are new graduates but I'm not sure that is a mandatory requirement - my daughter was a couple of years older than the others.
She started a graduate scheme in HR for a financial services company. Loves the fact that when she leaves work she rarely has work to take home. She is being funded through additional HR qualifications. She has been pleasantly surprised how many transferable skills she has brought to the job from teaching. After facing down classes of 30 rowdy 15/16 year olds when you are 22 you can handle most tricky situations at work.
She completed her NQT year so has retained the option to return to teaching later if she decides.
The benefits of a grad scheme are that you get to work in all the different areas over one or two years before applying for a permanent role at the end. L&D is one obvious outcome but you may find over the course of the program that other roles attract you more. Most of the participants in these schemes are new graduates but I'm not sure that is a mandatory requirement - my daughter was a couple of years older than the others.
JeS10 said:
I've considered Private/Public schools but as a mere working-class peasant I don't think they'd be able to look past a) my accent b) that I currently work in a school about as far from the Private sector as possible.
Have you actually apply for a position in a private school? I am pretty sure with your experience you shouldn’t have issues obtaining a decent position. I usually feel the same at the start of every academic year but the feeling goes away as teaching starts. JeS10 said:
I've considered Private/Public schools but as a mere working-class peasant I don't think they'd be able to look past a) my accent b) that I currently work in a school about as far from the Private sector as possible.
You’re letting your prejudices of their assumed prejudices stop you. 
Give it a go...v15ben said:
I'm considering private schools, though there are pros and cons to public vs private of course, but I'd ignore your bias. (I'm also from a working class background).
Having worked on both private and state I much rather do private. I can only think of one drawback which is pension related. sas62 said:
Would it be too late to look for a graduate scheme?
The jump down from £46k to £20k-something would be too great a leap now. Otherwise I'm sure graduate schemes would've offered me the sort of variety of choice I'm looking for. MentalSarcasm said:
Do you actually get to do much teaching, or is it mainly paperwork and meetings regarding pupils and safety? I'm just asking as you mention becoming a headteacher no longer seems like a great option, would that be because you actively enjoy the teaching element and would rather have more time for that?
At the very least I'd suggest you try moving to a different school. It's easy to become disillusioned in a job when the place you're in is problematic, sometimes moving to do the same or similar job in a different environment is the change you really need.
My job is really meant to be about 20% teaching and the rest being responsible for the care and welfare of the pupils - attending multi-agency meetings and Children's Reporter hearings etc. Unfortunately, far too much of my time is taken up teaching classes, which I once enjoyed but now resent as it's getting in the way of making sure I can get all of the legal side of things done to the highest standard. What makes this worse is many of the classes I 'teach', I'm just baby-sitting as they're often classes that merely occupy a timetable slot for young folk that struggle to 'self-regulate their behaviour'. At the very least I'd suggest you try moving to a different school. It's easy to become disillusioned in a job when the place you're in is problematic, sometimes moving to do the same or similar job in a different environment is the change you really need.
I've found it difficult to have constructive conversations about this because it usually comes across as just another teacher moaning about pay and conditions.
Cooper2 said:
Have you actually apply for a position in a private school? I am pretty sure with your experience you shouldn’t have issues obtaining a decent position. I usually feel the same at the start of every academic year but the feeling goes away as teaching starts.
I interviewed for two very prestigious ones two years ago. I was successful with one and unsuccessful with the other. I only turned it down because my current employer offered me a pay increase and additional responsibilities that I needed on my CV to get a promotion. That turned out to be good in the sense that it allowed me to achieve that goal, but yes I often wonder how much more pleasant life would be had I opted to just stick as a classroom teacher in the rather nice private school.v15ben said:
You are basically me. 
TL;DR - I'm also a 6th year teacher, also unsure if I can see a long term future in teaching. Have you considered teaching abroad? Ignore your private school bias, it might be a good option.
I'm married with a 2 year old child and have only recently bought a house we're happy with, so I'm not convinced I could make that move now. I considered it in the past though! TL;DR - I'm also a 6th year teacher, also unsure if I can see a long term future in teaching. Have you considered teaching abroad? Ignore your private school bias, it might be a good option.
I completely understand where you're coming from, I am 29 and I left teaching in August after 5 years. Although I did thoroughly enjoy my job, It does seem I felt a similar way to yourself. I was in a similar position of class teacher, SENDCO and PE coordinator so as you can appreciate a pretty full timetable! I did spend the best part of a whole academic year retraining in half terms to change career whilst always thinking ''Am I making the right decision?!''
But I am now a self employed (under a financial company) mortgage and protection advisor and loving it, and although initial thoughts would suggest this is absolutely poles apart from teaching its actually not too dissimilar. As previous posts have mentioned transferrable skills...this is definitely true (I was always told teachers had transferable skills but thought that employers wouldn't take a second look at ex-teachers!). Actually from having my 'interview' with the directors of the financial company I work under they said that everyone understands how hard teachers work so they kind of know they are going to get some one who is prepared to put in the hours which is an obvious benefit for them as employers.
From my perspective, my work - life balance is much better, yes my wage has decreased but I know I will be rewarded for my hard work in time...sometimes I felt aggrieved that I worked a lot harder than some of my colleagues but always came out with the same monthly wage!
I was lucky as a colleagues husband gave me the nudge I needed, but I would advise you to keep your options open, don't rule anything out and if you're feeling brave go for it (you won't regret it!)
Richard
But I am now a self employed (under a financial company) mortgage and protection advisor and loving it, and although initial thoughts would suggest this is absolutely poles apart from teaching its actually not too dissimilar. As previous posts have mentioned transferrable skills...this is definitely true (I was always told teachers had transferable skills but thought that employers wouldn't take a second look at ex-teachers!). Actually from having my 'interview' with the directors of the financial company I work under they said that everyone understands how hard teachers work so they kind of know they are going to get some one who is prepared to put in the hours which is an obvious benefit for them as employers.
From my perspective, my work - life balance is much better, yes my wage has decreased but I know I will be rewarded for my hard work in time...sometimes I felt aggrieved that I worked a lot harder than some of my colleagues but always came out with the same monthly wage!
I was lucky as a colleagues husband gave me the nudge I needed, but I would advise you to keep your options open, don't rule anything out and if you're feeling brave go for it (you won't regret it!)
Richard
You sound disillusioned. I'm not saying a change isn't right for you, but I think it's also true that the grass is always greener. In addition, by your age you are part of that generation that was told the same as me, "if you work hard enough you can have anything, be happy, satisfied in work, and make a positive contribution to our world".
But that simply isn't true however.
The reality is these are hard times. Our generation is worse off than our parents in terms of opportunities and finances. I'll make the assumption you have debts from studies, and are not independently wealthy, so you have bills to pay and a family (which you have recognised must come first), and you also find yourself in stable work on a good salary. You can change career, sure, but you will need to start again, with no real guarantees of the success you currently enjoy or beyond, and with significant financial burdens to your family in the interim. As someone who puts their family first without hesistation, even watching them endure the slightest financial hardship will be very difficult.
When you have such responsibilities beyond yourself, when your successes are part of who you are, starting again is not so easy. It may still be the right decision for you, but please don't underestimate the extent to which you can be misled into making bad decisions by disillusionment, and you will not be alone in carrying the burdens of doing so.
I'm not saying don't follow your dreams, but this was your dream and you've done well, so perhaps a change in perspective, if possible, would be a better choice?
Just a thought.
But that simply isn't true however.
The reality is these are hard times. Our generation is worse off than our parents in terms of opportunities and finances. I'll make the assumption you have debts from studies, and are not independently wealthy, so you have bills to pay and a family (which you have recognised must come first), and you also find yourself in stable work on a good salary. You can change career, sure, but you will need to start again, with no real guarantees of the success you currently enjoy or beyond, and with significant financial burdens to your family in the interim. As someone who puts their family first without hesistation, even watching them endure the slightest financial hardship will be very difficult.
When you have such responsibilities beyond yourself, when your successes are part of who you are, starting again is not so easy. It may still be the right decision for you, but please don't underestimate the extent to which you can be misled into making bad decisions by disillusionment, and you will not be alone in carrying the burdens of doing so.
I'm not saying don't follow your dreams, but this was your dream and you've done well, so perhaps a change in perspective, if possible, would be a better choice?
Just a thought.
I walked. Had just gone through threshold, couldn’t see anything changing for the better, was utterly fed up.
Nowadays I make ice cream. Flexible hours means I can walk my girl to school and collect her most days a week.
Money is in shorter supply, but quality of life is immeasurably improved.
Nowadays I make ice cream. Flexible hours means I can walk my girl to school and collect her most days a week.
Money is in shorter supply, but quality of life is immeasurably improved.
OP, you mentioned in a post above that you turned down a job in the private education sector (in a prestigious school) because your current employer offered you more money. I am pretty sure that this thread isn't about money but more about job satisfaction. Obviously money will make a difference but at least give the private system a go before giving up. The profession needs teachers that have a passion and want to teach, not people chasing the highest wage packets. Also. have you ever looked into the salaries for the private school senior teachers/Heads? I think you may like what you find.
JM
JM
Firstly 28 is no age to suggest you're in a cul de sac... But there is a tipping point at some point where the effort needed to change the course of your life becomes exponentially greater, I suspect that changes from person to person depending on circumstance.
If you enjoy the teaching and the kids but just don't want the drama of dealing with child protection issues etc... There must be some other career course you could take, lecturing, college tutor, private tutoring etc...
I've always thought that teaching at high school is a thankless task but it's not an academic pursuit, surely the whole purpose and reward in it is catching the falling kids... A robot could teach the bright kids what they need to know to pass the exams... No?
I'm sure you'll sort it out.
If you enjoy the teaching and the kids but just don't want the drama of dealing with child protection issues etc... There must be some other career course you could take, lecturing, college tutor, private tutoring etc...
I've always thought that teaching at high school is a thankless task but it's not an academic pursuit, surely the whole purpose and reward in it is catching the falling kids... A robot could teach the bright kids what they need to know to pass the exams... No?
I'm sure you'll sort it out.
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