When teachers leave teaching and still want to work in education, how should they get started?
I don’t believe there is enough support for teachers who want to leave teaching. Especially for those who want to keep contributing to the education system. Much of it is left to chance/risk, word-of-mouth or unspoken secrecy. I want to build a network to help people make a successful transition…
[Preamble] *I've cobbled this together after a big response to something I tweeted last night. I'll tidy this post up in due course and post an update about what
As someone who has always worked as a teacher.. not being in the classroom is a little scary. Any advice and a sense I am not on my own, is so very welcome. Thank you
Thanks, Louise. I am plotting some ideas behind the scenes and will make sure to add a note here in the future.
I think any “exit guide” should have a “re-entry guide” too. I found doing something else helped me return to teaching with a new perspective. I found, when I was returning to teaching that my NQT year hadn’t been “signed-off” correctly!
That’s an important point to make, thank you.
I have been working as a teacher for 10 years, being around children everyday and see those light bulb moments are truly amazing. However, I have now been in leadership for the last few years and It is certainly beginning to take is toll, any tips about leaving the profession would be welcomed. It’s a daunting prospect to think will you every be good enough in any other profession?
I’ve been there too; easy to have low confidence and not know how to use the skills you have in another sector. Rest assured, 6 years in for me (after 25 years of teaching and 22 in leadership), YOU do have a wide repertoire of skills. I also hadn’t realised how many employers are looking for teachers to work within the sector – publishers, museums (education team), and edtech organisations. The list is endless. I would start your ‘side hustle’ whilst still teaching; start doing it part-time after working hours or if you think it’s viable, make a part-time move. Good luck!
I’ve been thinking for a while about following a new career path, whilst staying in the education sector. I’ve been teaching for 20 years and am a HoD of MFL. Having turned a department around, I’m looking for a different challenge, but feel ready to leave the classroom. I’ve enjoyed training other teachers in the past, as well as offering peer support across schools, so feel I would enjoy some form of consultancy. I was really excited to see and read this article, so thank you for highlighting the issue.
I watch your developing idea with great interest and am very happy to offer any help I am able to!
Hello there – hope to have something developing by late Spring 2023; so do keep an eye out on any of my channels. There will likely be a physical Kickstarter event in the summer of 2023 in Manchester.
This year more than any in my 20+ year career, teachers are leaving with nothing to go to. I’m a senior leader leaving too. I have had a brief 2 year period out of education but apart from that I’ve been a teacher and leader. You are right a gulf in the market… I would be jumping at the chance.
I’m sorry to hear this – lots of people every year sadly across England as costs of living do not live up to the salary and personal life expenses.
We were hoping to get out platform live at Easter, but have pushed back to 1st September. We’ll have some online and physical events to help you too; hoping to share all our wisdom.