You should never make a career change without carefully researching all your options. However, the first and most important reason I quit my teaching job was because I was a new parent. Honestly, I thought Id be in a 9-5 position and wasnt sure how to handle the new change. However, I refuse to suffer financially or emotionally over a profession. Its actually something Ive been working toward for a long time. I felt stuck, which led me to feel uninspired. No more stress, no more guilt, no more doubts. While I wouldnt consider myself Covid paranoid, I was cautious. After this meeting, I approached one of the board members to clarify that I would not be bumped up the schedule according to my experience in the district. After you step into your new career, you will be surprised at how many people you know want to follow in your footsteps. I realized this was the hardest thing Id ever tried to do because I was utterly clueless. And as hard as that is to say, I know it is harder to hearbut its absolutely crucial for you to grab onto and internalize. I can say with confidence that quitting teaching was the best thing I ever did. I realized I had no idea where to even start with figuring out my next move. Where does this behavior come from? This is one of the reasons why quitting teaching was the best thing I ever did. Hey, maybe it did make you happy for some time. Will I Make More Than My Teacher Salary In A New Position? I absolutely loved teaching; in fact, (spoiler alert) I am working with kids this school year. But the world we live in now is so different from the world the previous generation knew. I remember feeling like it was my way to give back to the community. I want to help you get some clarity in the options available to you. The good news is there is life after teaching. I realize that I am lucky to have this option. The key is knowing when to pack your bags. After all, I had heard rumors about the corporate world and the grueling, unforgiving place it was. Like I said before, the first time I left the classroom, my husband and I had a plan. However, because I was confident in why I was quitting teaching, that why kept me grounded even when I questioned my decision. It may be scary to consider change, but leaving the classroom was the best thing that I could have done. Many teachers feel guilty, isolated, and unsupported when deciding to leave the profession. Now I use that same creativity to design websites (or online scrapbooks as I like to think of them) that are unique and customized to the person for which I am designing. I did everything I could to help myself financially. It's an unusual circumstance, no doubt, but the transition for teachers was particularly tough. After years of working in a thankless job, my self-esteem was at an all-time low. Every year, I thought about quitting. Thats why we put together this list of 75 quotes on gratitude by famous personalities to help! Ive never had a problem talking individually (or even in a small group with other adults) thanks to my extroverted personality. And this is just a short listing of what all is available. However, as I thought about quitting teaching and relying solely on TpT, I did start to panic a little bit. To know EXACTLY what you need to do (and not do) in order to get your foot in the door. But what I didnt realize until after quitting teaching was just how many more people I could help outside the classroom. (Insert guilt here.) For me, this meant pinpointing strengths and weaknesses in order to achieve the growth I wanted. Now you might be thinking, Wait a secondif thats what God designed you to do, shouldnt you be doing that? Well, that is a very astute point. Teaching seemed like the logical choice for majors when I started filling out college applications. Thats 2,340 hours annually. I began researching how other Teachers Pay Teachers sellers created their resources and packaged their material. I tried to quit so many times, but for some reason, Id get back up the next morning and push through the struggle while climbing that learning curve one more time. Leaving the classroom has forced me out of the safety of my comfort zone time and time again, and now Ive started embracing this space because Ive seen firsthand just how much awesomeness is waiting for me and for you. Life keeps me busy but I LOVE helping other teachers! It wouldnt have led me here, to you. The crazy thing is its actually more frustrating to stand at the precipice contemplating all of the what if scenarios than it is to just take the leap. Roythe dogis my baby, and I already felt immense guilt for the time he spent alone. But they expected every staff member to be physically present. This has become glaringly obvious since the pandemic of 2020. Im lucky. I couldnt wrap my brain around how someone could put D+ work out into the worldbut in that same moment I realized the A+ work I was still working on after a year of tweaking had made no impact whatsoever. That's according to newly released . Teaching is lit. Instead, they create entitled children who are also blind to growth opportunities. That pay freeze lasted five years. 243 likes, 27 comments - Leah Gervais (@leahgervais_) on Instagram: "What's the best thing that happened to you in 2020? Thats quite the mental picture! I was very comfortable with my paycheck and teaching kids through third grade, but I was going to be pulling my boys out starting in third grade and fifth grade. After graduation, many of my peers struggled to land their first teaching contract, but I had done it. One of the biggest mistakes that we see teachers make is that they try tonavigate this process alone. I had several phone calls with colleagues. It would go away. My goal from the beginning was for them to understand that my decision was in no way related to a problem or issue I was having in my current position. I hoped this new job would help things click for me. Take that . My partner noticed the changes over the five years. We'll be back from 6am, but before you go, here are the highlights from today: NHS nurses walked out on strike . Talk about scary!!! . But when everything is said and done, our families will stand long after our jobs have faded away. The security that protected you before is now strangling the life out of you. I started to realize that the pressures of the day just werent worth draining energy that I could be using toward my family. Were suddenly selfish, weak, or selling out. And while this can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it, the world of education has enlarged itself over and over again producing so many unique job opportunities for teachers. Often, they put off researching until the very last minute. Working with children, guiding them to success, and helping them grow their self-confidence is what I used to believe God had designed me to do. I made the decision when I was 19. Even if my fears are irrational, having a backup plan seems like a good idea. I'm sorry that teaching did not turn out to be the fulfilling second career you hoped for despite all the sacrifices you have made. I also started working on the Teacher Career Coach course and website to support teachers looking to transition out of the classroom. I was stuck in this career. While we are pouring our heart and soul into our students and our classrooms, we leave little for our families. I could finally do those things I simply couldnt find time for before, like read a book or meet with friends for a drink. Staring at my first class ever, I just wanted to leave. I had wasted my college years, passively working on a degree I felt totally neutral about. The first time I left the classroom, it was tough financially. We all have much room for growth if were willing to take that first step into the discomfort. And most importantly, I will be around during all of the precious, irreplaceable moments at home. Sarah Robinson, 50, from Birmingham, used to enjoy working as a supplier development engineer in the automotive industry, before she handed in her notice in early 2021. Teachers for some reason stick around in a school or profession So that night, I made my first ever post on Linkedin and launched my. I too quit teaching as I just couldn't do it anymore. The pandemic threw everyone for a loop. I did love my coworkers and my students; I love my school still. I remember setting up my classroom, excited for the fresh start. I dont want to become one of them. Through my work, I searched for grants and technology giveaways to help match districts with great opportunities for them. The truth is we claim perfectionism when many times were just terrified of failure. And boy have I seen some amazing things in my business. It seems that every student who fails or performs poorly (or doesnt score perfect!) I talk about my unit overhaul in more depth over here, but as I created all new materials from scratch, I decided I might as well make them Teachers Pay Teachers worthy. After all, if I needed these resources, someone else might too. However, I thought an occasional $10 here and there would be nice. (We both know you work way more.) It took a lot of work, but I soon had my students actually living and breathing growth mindset. It seems like every classroom practice is designed to keep students from challenging themselves and taking risks. I was totally lost when looking for employment opportunities outside the classroom. However, I serve so many more people than I ever did before. (He told me to quit that minute, but I wasnt that brave.) This lesson is one people need to revisit again and again. Mum had been a brilliant teacher at Camden School for Girls (where I also went in the 1970s), and even though the idea of teaching had always seemed horrible to me (too much work, too little money . I could build additional income or start a passion project Id been putting off. My experience as a teacher helped me understand what I believe to be the cause of student entitlement. As an Educational Consultant, I was able to identify positions above me that I was interested in and make a clear game plan to leverage myself into higher-paying roles. because we continue to tweak things. Ive been teaching for eight years. I can also recognize the value in the time I did spend in the classroom. and came back to the district in October of the following year. This is incredibly damaging to a persons wellbeing, and is one of the main reasons why teacher burnout is so common. Fast forward a few years and I discovered a love for scrapbooking. One thing I learned in my life after teaching is that many salaries can be negotiated upon hiring. And I did get better at it. I was proud of myself and happy to not let down my parents. I might not grow my retirement much over the next year, but I think long term Ill be able to contribute more. At this point in my teaching career (year 6), my take-home pay was about $2000 a month. We know teachers dont make much, and as Im getting older, my priorities are changing. Unfortunately, my teaching job was starting to get in the way of this. The truth was I was miserable. This step-by-step guide has helped thousands with a transition from teaching. It was like a cloud lifted from over my head and a weight off of my shoulders. If I didnt have the same struggle, it wouldnt have pushed me to support those going through it now. We are so glad you are joining us. Signup for my TPT selleronly newsletter for tips, tricks, and freebies to help you become a Teachers Pay Teachers rock star! My second sale came about a week after my first. As soon as you hand in your resignation, your employer will be looking through an endless supply of resumes from other teachers waiting to fill your shoes. Maybe before the end of the year, I could pay myself back. Regardless of being underqualified for this position, they nearly handed it to me because my network could vouch for work ethic and value-add. After all this talk about growth mindset, it is easy to look at my decision to quit and feel that I was acting from a place without growth. In a new interview with The New York Hardcore Chronicles LIVE!, Phil Demmel, who left MACHINE HEAD more than four years ago, reflected on his decision to exit the band, saying: "I think that it . I was all-in. Oh, and no sub plans required. This post could be what they need to make a change! Subscribe to the Teach 4 the Heart Podcast. So, I was determined to make a little bit of money. In reality, I learned a lot about myself, my desires, and life in general once I let go of my teaching career. It's time to think of teachers as expert learners, who can grow students as learners capable of adapting in the modern world. After coming home from a long day at school, I sat down and worked on my own business for a few more hours. And, with my school shut down, I had more time to work on my business. We fear not measuring up, not being successful, and we allow that fear to paralyze us into never finishing. I know those can feel like lonely thoughts, worrying that your co-workers wont understand or will shame you for considering an alternative. My role in education isnt disappearing; its just going to look a little different. I get to work less, enjoy my family more, and live life on my terms. It was the BEST thing I ever did. Before I share why quitting teaching was the best thing I ever did as well as the ten things I've learned after quitting teaching twice, I want to share my heart. We taught at a higher level and far more than . I never came home and complained about my students. Maybe you are currently struggling with the thought of quitting teaching because you. what career ouside the classroom is right for you? I hit my stride, found some work-life balance, and counted down to summers. You see, I'm a small-town girl with a big heart for adventure. And I repeatnone of this would have happened if I hadnt quit teaching in the classroom because the safety of what I knew would have kept me inside of my little comfort zone box. It wasnt until I started selling Premier Designs jewelry that I learned what true financial success from home looked like. While its true I was able to impact up to 85 students my last year, now as a coach, TpT author, course creator, website designer, blogger, and podcaster, Im able to reach thousands of people. Before that summary is the long-winded tale of how I went from graduating college to quitting my career. Maybe youre in that place right now, wondering what lies beyond the walls of the classroom. Between partners and administration, I felt like I was never doing enough. I knew I needed to tackle that beast before it got out of hand. Lets say you work 39 weeks out of the year, with an average of 60 hours per week. I was a late bloomer. To my surprise, the educational companies Ive worked for mimic a teachers schedule. All was well and good! Have you ever heard the old adage, Where there is a will, theres a way? It got to a point where parent interviews were cookie cutter experiences. I dont know if its because I act their age or because I have no shame when it comes to acting silly, but I seem to have a knack for connecting with them. While I was comfortable teaching early childhood and elementary-aged children, staying in my comfort zone wasnt what God designed me to do. And suddenly a roomful of sullen teenagers was staring at me, waiting. Perhaps the thing that lights you up inside is the thought that you will make a more significant impact on the world of education. Maybe I could have done more hours, but I was single with a dog to care for. A couple of days later it sold! I cut everything I could. I realized just how crippled I was by perfectionism and I dont believe I wouldve ever discovered this without quitting teaching. Still, I was afraid to lose that luxury, as are many teachers, especially moms. There are various ways to support education, kids, and teachers in your life after teaching. Even better? You never know when or how it will come in handy. Ive watched another former teacher quadruple her salary within 3 years of leaving teaching, something that would have been impossible for her in the classroom. I developed an exit strategy, growing my network and applying to jobs that fit my skills and experiences. And if you have other unanswered questions (like what jobs hire former teachers, what to know about leaving a pension, or how to rewrite your resume) make sure to check out my Teachers Changing Careers FAQ page. After working as an Educational Consultant, I began meeting people at districts throughout the area. Because of this, quitting teaching was the best thing I ever did. Social media is teeming with comments about teachers and how we are failing our students. Ive received a raise every year, much larger than any teacher salary step. While I enjoyed parts of the job, I didnt love it in the way I wanted to love my job. Some months I was just a little shy of paying for my expenses, so I had started accruing some credit card debt. Since I planned on Teachers Pay Teachers replacing my salarynot adding to itI have not allowed myself to use my profits for bills or new expenses. I thought that I was going to love teaching, yet I couldnt shake this feeling. There is ultimately no positive outcome that can result from your burning a bridge. But leaning into my strengths gave me the gumption and fortitude to push through strengthening my weaknesses. If we have children, Ill have the flexibility to be home with them, volunteer for field trips, do all the mom things, and still be able to bring in a full-time income. Then, I began to use some of it to start a retirement account external to my job. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of jobs that are a good fit for former teachers. At that moment, any ideas I had ever had about pursuing teaching further was put to rest. It seemed like the only move I could try to make was in administration, but even that usually required additional degrees. I could spend all day writing about all of the negative aspects of teaching that led to my decision. Knowing that the door is still open to go back into the classroom because I didnt burn any bridges allows me to feel confident as I pursue ventures outside the classroom and now back in the classroom. And Im not overwhelmed anymore. Ill take the guesswork out of designing a fast & mobile-friendly website, so you can spend your time creating amazing content for your clients. Ive also been creating a six-month emergency fund for my Teachers Pay Teachers business. My last school year ends in June of 2021. Student entitlement is one of the major issues teachers experience these days that makes them want to quit teaching. I knew some people did Teachers Pay Teachers full time, but seeing $1000 on my dashboard convinced me that I could do that too. But there are many things I dont like about the job, too. In this post, I try to explain completely why Im quitting teaching, how I arrived at the decision to finally do so, and how Im managing it financially. Absolutely not!! So obviously, this seems like an ideal situation for someone who really likes security. My children were going to know that they can do anything they put their minds to if they are willing to work for it. I started to pursue work that was much more in line with my values and my priorities at this stage of my life. I added digital resources to my store, which have helped. However, I knew there was something else out there that was a better fit for me, my strengths, and my desire for a work/life balance. It wasnt a failed attempt. This is why I shut my school down and quit teaching all together. I will always be grateful and glad for the time I spent teaching. If I can take this leap, I think well be better off financially for it in the long run. You always have to remember that different companies have different budgets, so even after doing your research, its not a one-size-fits-all answer. Of course, even though I will always love teaching in the classroom, its really nice knowing there are so many different options out there in the big wide world including. Thats what inspired me to create the Teacher Career Coach resources in the first place. And it is at that point that the very same job security that made us feel safe has become a prison. It wasnt until someone talked about how creative I was to be able to design these scrapbooks that I realized how much of a strength this was for me. I did the math to figure out my hourly earnings and was utterly dumbfounded. Whether we intend to or not, by default, education teaches students: I loved helping students learn about growth mindset and how they can see challenges as opportunities for growth. If I want to go back to teaching, I can. I monitored a computer classessentially a study hallfor a semester. There were no more pay increases for graduate credits; you had to obtain the full masters degree to get the next education-based pay level. Ive already made it clear that my plan for quitting teaching relied heavily on my Teachers Pay Teachers business. It was a stepping stone. After finally deciding to leave at the end of that year, I remember panicking. My colleagues and I panicked. Now butchers, teachers and photographers, these former journalists say quitting the field was the best thing they ever did. But it's not too late to change your situation in fact, your physical and emotional well-being depend on it . I uploaded pieces of my new unit as I finished them. I would only use Teachers Pay Teachers income for additional savings or retirement contributionnot for lifestyle inflation. This podcast episode is not intended to knock teaching or anyone who chooses to continue teaching. Once teachers gain tenure, they are pretty much guaranteed a job until retirement. introduced me to the concept of a growth mindset, 175 Positive Affirmations to Start Your Day Off Right, 75 Inspiring Quotes on Gratitude by Famous Personalities, 115 Inspirational You Are Amazing Quotes To Empower, 175 Best Motivational Live Your Best Life Quotes, that they are smart if they get questions right, failure means they are bad at the subject, taking risks means you could end up looking stupid, the parent believes that the child is a genius without flaws, they will make up excuses and place blame elsewhere when their child doesnt perform, Student performs poorly (or does not get perfect), Parent demands meeting with the teacher and administration, Student and parent blame teacher for poor performance. I was able to leverage my experience in a way that was valuable in other industries. I told myself that the job only sucked because I was inexperienced and unprepared. One of the texts that was very transformative during my research was Carol Dwecks Mindset. Life is short, and if your work impacts every component of your life negatively, its time to re-evaluate. Our new technology still had not arrived due to pandemic delays, and there was no time for training on how to use any of it. I spent days on end piecing together advice and best practices. For the last three, I have been a full-time teacher and a Teachers Pay Teachers seller. Now that Im getting married, and Blake and I are talking about the future, I also feel like I need to think of him and our future family. This gives me a sense of purpose and meaning in my work. The New Normal: Is Online Education The Future For Passionate Teachers? If you want the whole story, keep reading. High School English and TPT Seller Resources. Youll have to look into if these benefits are listed in the job description or on the careers page of the companys website. No job was worth giving up my physical or mental health. I went to the board meetings as they discussed their work on the new salary schedule. I found the time with them much more rewarding then anything in the classroom. Alexa Towersey, from Sydney, said giving up alcohol was best thing she ever did; . Up to 50% of new teachers are leaving the profession within the first five years. For whatever reason, many of us feel as though were bragging if we mention our strengths. In fact, I continued my Premier Designs business journey until I went back to the classroom. is able to lay out exactly why they should have gotten a better mark. I also worked really hard on making a unit that I thought would engage my students. This next section is just a quick outline of my quitting teaching plan. When I look back, I am able to see how much I have grown since I started teaching. To my surprise, my new passion for Teachers Pay Teachers has actually benefited my actual teaching. "It's basically the . I wont simply walk away from teaching and never think twice; its impossible. On weekend, I awoke early to devote myself to my store. This came over my Pinterest recommendations and caught my eye. Ability to do what is best for my family without compromise. It was a catch-22. I started applying for part-time jobs. The worst thing was that I couldn't guarantee that I'd have work. But through the struggle, I discovered something truly amazing. I really enjoyed my job, and was probably one of the most passionate math teachers you could meet. Theres a reason why people say, Its not what you know. Strength to serve and help others on a grander scale. I couldnt afford to keep teaching, but I also couldnt afford not to teach. I grew both personally and professionally during that transition and Im better for it. I finally started to understand what life could be like outside the classroom. 30. Personal trainer Alexa Towersey reveals why quitting alcohol was the best thing she ever did. Last year I was completely convinced that I actually hated teaching and had made the wrong choice in profession. Meet JenniferShop ResourcesDisclaimerPrivacy PolicyTerms of Use, Private CoachingWebsite DesignStart a TpT ShopTeach ESLSide Hustling, Math + LiteracyBooks for KidsLife SkillsEnvironmentTeacher Life, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Perfectionism is a tricky thing. I had always wanted to be a teacher, and it was easy to make myself feel wrong when the job didnt feel right. Worse, my district hired me during the first year of a district-wide pay freeze, after Act 10 (leaving unions in Wisconsin with little power), and with no chance of ever receiving tenure or a bump in benefits. When I spoke at schools or conferences for work, teachers would come up afterward and ask me for career advice. This led me down the path to finding my ikigai (the Japanese word for passion, purpose, and a reason for being). Im also open to subbing in the fall. Thats equivalent to $26 an hour, plus you get your time back. But if Im focused on helping other people, it doesnt matter if I mess up or say something incorrectly because the ultimate goal isnt in my perfectionits in serving others. At the last minute, the district switched stances on us. I know I made the right decision by leaving. Tap the button below to learn more. This isnt common in teaching, and its still underutilized in other industries (especially amongst female job candidates). As I mentioned at the beginning of this podcast, I was blessed with a great ability to connect with young children. In hindsight, it would have been much easier had I made more connections in the industries I was interested in. We tend to roll our eyes every time its embedded in a conversation because weve heard it so many times. I just didnt know what else to do when I was all grown up. There are many things about teaching I enjoy: curriculum planning, reading, and discussing ideas with students. The concept of growth mindset is fascinating, but its become such a common phrase in the education world that it has actually lost some of its impact. Do you know a teacher or a friend who is struggling with work/life balance? As a new parent, I really wanted to be at home and focusing on my family. Teaching was not the right career for me. All of my hard work trying to teach students to find growth in struggle was constantly being undermined by their parents. Even when I was giving it my all to the point where I was giving up every bit of my personal time, it wasnt good enough. However, I quickly realized that it wasnt just the fixed mindsets of my classes I was fighting. The first job I had after leaving teaching gave me an annual salary of 25,000. I am also planning on subbing for my previous school one or two days a week. If your salary is $55,000, that comes out to $23 per hour. I felt guilty for the thoughts I had about leaving the classroom. All of the demands and stresses of the job were at least somewhat manageable prior to having children, however, things changed when I became a parent. Its important to note that not all companies are like this. It wasnt until my first day of teaching that I realized how bad of a fit teaching was for me. Our insurance costs went up every year, as did the general cost of living, but heading into my fifth year of teaching, I was still earning the salary of a first-year teacher. Sales would eventually rebound. But for me, it just wasnt (and Ill explain why below!). While I had no idea what my next step would be, I knew I had to figure it out. As soon as the words were out of her mouth, I was equal parts horrified and in awe!! But trust me. I used growth mindset quotes regularly during lessons, and I hung growth mindset posters all over my classroom. I think its important in understanding my story to know that I did not go into teaching with a burning desire to teach. That's what education should be about, not achieving some test . But I was growing bitter and angry over my checks. I couldnt believe it even as I stared at the notification on my phone. Hold yourself together for ten more feet. Just ten more feet. Plus, if I do sub once a week, I can use some of that income for additional retirement contributions. I broke it up into questions that I think other teachers might have. There are days when work is exhausting, stressful, and feels pointless. They dont prepare you for what to do if you dont. After this school year, however, Teachers Pay Teachers will be my full-time job. When I looked at job postings, I didnt have ANY idea what to expect for a starting wage.