Thinking of Quitting Teaching? Here's What to Do Next
In my unfortunate experience, being a teacher in many schools today is not about teaching — it’s about acting.
Acting like you have the perfect reaction to each and every behavioral issue you come across; acting like your administrator is an all-knowing genius: like you don’t have your own thoughts or opinions, like parents are always right, like students are never out of bounds.
That’s without even mentioning the responsibilities that teachers need to pretend are totally within the realm of their job title. Dealing with disruptive students, piles of paperwork, pressure to meet standardized testing goals, documenting each and every student incident just in case — the demands on teachers just keep growing.
Recent research shows that low pay and lack of support from administrators are two of the biggest factors driving teachers out of the classroom, which I don’t think anyone is surprised to hear.
You’re also probably not surprised to hear these frequent responses: “People don’t go into teaching for the money.” “At least you get summers off.”
Right. I went into teaching because I wanted to make a difference. I did have the summers off. Some districts do pay teachers decently.
But something that the general public doesn’t seem to really register or fully understand unless they see it first hand is how demoralizing it can be.
When you couple that with increasing class sizes, lack of resources, and constant curriculum changes, it's a recipe for burnout.
Teachers are expected to be counselors, parents, and disciplinarians on top of actually teaching. But when they speak up about issues, their voices often fall on deaf ears. No wonder they feel under appreciated and overwhelmed. Until we start truly valuing educators and giving them the support they need, the teacher shortage crisis will only get worse.
P.S. I created my FREE downloadable guide Your Strategic Career Transition Toolkit just for you. It includes:
Your Skill Translation Cheat Sheet
Networking Quick-Start Guide
Industry and Career Ideas for Teachers
Methods for transforming classroom skills into corporate language for resumes and interview
Taking the First Step: Deciding if Quitting Teaching is the Right Choice for You
We all know the pros and cons: the ridiculous pressure teachers are placed under, the generally discouraging atmosphere surrounding so many schools today. When it comes down to it though, you need to decide what’s right for you.
As someone who did leave, I can’t recommend it enough. But it was also very difficult, and it was pre-covid, so it was in a different job market. And even though it did work out, I wouldn’t want to go through it all again.
This is definitely not meant to discourage you — it’s to be realistic.
If there’s any part of you that can see yourself staying in teaching and not being miserable, I would probably recommend exploring that further before changing course. Are you interested in trying a different school setting? A different grade level? A different role? I say this because it’ll be easier than starting from scratch, and you may actually find your passion for teaching reignited after changing things up. I recommend checking out this post where I outline some tips on how to decide if you should quit teaching while you think things through.
But if you know that you are done with teaching, it’s time to take the next step.
I wrote a post here that outlines the steps unhappy teachers can take now to get clear on their goals. In this post, though, I want to talk about how to leave teaching.
Preparing for Your Transition Out of the Classroom
Whether you're burnt out, looking for a change, or just ready for something new, transitioning out of teaching can be a daunting prospect.
Start by doing a little soul-searching - what are your passions, your strengths, the things that get you fired up? Jot them down, because those are the clues to your next move.
To get you started brainstorming, take a look at this post I have on the 4 essential transferable skills for teachers and consider how they align with potential interests of yours.
Next, start networking and exploring your options.
You may have to start by looking for a bridge role — something that gets you out of teaching and positions you well for the industry you eventually want to develop a career in, even if it’s not where you start off.
This question is key:
Is it crucial for you to quit teaching, even if it means starting in a job that isn't your ideal choice?
If you're truly ready to say yes, you can begin taking steps towards a new career. You'll need to support and believe in yourself on this journey. You'll be in charge of where your career goes. Although it’s scary, it really is a great feeling to know that you’ve been your own biggest champion.
Exploring Alternative Careers for Former Teachers
If you're a former teacher looking to make a change, there are plenty of options that can put your skills to good use.
Many of the abilities you developed as an educator - like communication, organization, and patience - are highly valued in all sorts of industries. You could leverage your teaching experience into roles like training and development, HR, or even sales. You could put your expertise to work as an educational consultant, a curriculum designer, or even a freelance writer.
The transition from teaching to a non-teaching job might seem daunting, but with the right mindset and a little creativity, you can find a fulfilling new career path that aligns with your interests and skills.
I’m working on an in-depth guide on alternative careers for teachers with first-hand accounts and advice from former teachers who’ve successfully transitioned to other professions. You can sign up for my email list here to be notified when it’s posted.
It’s natural to be afraid when you start exploring a career outside classroom - but remember your teaching days have prepared you for all kinds of opportunities!
Maintaining Your Sanity and Finding Purpose During the Transition
It's totally normal to feel a little lost or unsure at first. The important thing is to be patient with yourself and focus on taking care of your mental health.
Sure, it might feel like you're stepping into the unknown, but that can also be exciting. Take some time to reflect on what really brings you joy and purpose. Maybe there's a new career path you've been curious about or a hobby you've been wanting to explore.
The key is to not put too much pressure on yourself. This transition is all about finding what works best for you. Lean on your support system, try new things, and most of all, be kind to yourself along the way. You've got this!
If you found this advice helpful and want more in-depth advice and support on transitioning out of teaching and so much more, subscribe to my substack newsletter here!
