Any former teachers who have changed careers?

TKx2 · April 2012

Just wondering what you moved into. I've been teaching for 7 years and it has really lost all of its joy for me. It has become miserable to go into work everyday. I've been off work since October after getting pulled for pregnancy complications, and my time away from my job has made me realize just how stressed and unhappy I was. I'm due to go back in August, but I'm thinking a career change is definitely necessary for my sanity. The problem is I'm not sure what else I can do. I can't afford to take a major pay cut and I can't afford to go back to school. So, if you've left teaching, what other opportunities have you found?

Ms5586 · April 2012

I left after 3 years. You could be an aide (obviously a step down, but also much less responsibility and the ability to "leave work at work") if you can take the paycut. Curriculum writer, corporate trainer (that's what I am!), and administrative assistant are all things I looked into after I left.

It sounds like you realized that it's not living up to your expectations, I hope you can find something that will be more enjoyable for you!

TKx2 · April 2012

Ms5586:

I left after 3 years. You could be an aide (obviously a step down, but also much less responsibility and the ability to "leave work at work") if you can take the paycut. Curriculum writer, corporate trainer (that's what I am!), and administrative assistant are all things I looked into after I left.

It sounds like you realized that it's not living up to your expectations, I hope you can find something that will be more enjoyable for you!

Can you tell me more about being a corporate trainer?

historychick79 · April 2012

I got my MAT in adolescent social studies, and was very wary about the career after student teaching. I began working in a university Registrar's office, and now work as a general advisor and administrator for study abroad. It's a bit boring, and we still deal with high maintenance students/parents, but definitely not the same level of pressure I felt trying to teach.

caramia582 · April 2012

Would you consider early intervention? I'm not sure how it is in your state, but here you can work as a "developmental specialist" and probably work per diem hours (ie, make your own schedule), and you would work with infants and toddlers who are developmentally delayed. In MA you also get bonus $$ if you work extra hours.

I am a special ed teacher with a behavior analyst certification, leaving the field to work with autistic children in their homes. If I didn't have the additional certification to fall back on I would be seriously looking into EI.

TKx2 · April 2012

caramia582:

Would you consider early intervention? I'm not sure how it is in your state, but here you can work as a "developmental specialist" and probably work per diem hours (ie, make your own schedule), and you would work with infants and toddlers who are developmentally delayed. In MA you also get bonus $$ if you work extra hours.

I am a special ed teacher with a behavior analyst certification, leaving the field to work with autistic children in their homes. If I didn't have the additional certification to fall back on I would be seriously looking into EI.

I absolutely would. Would I be qualified for that with just a K-6 cert? I'll have to look into it.

cwm11985 · April 2012

TKx2:
Just wondering what you moved into. I've been teaching for 7 years and it has really lost all of its joy for me. It has become miserable to go into work everyday. I've been off work since October after getting pulled for pregnancy complications, and my time away from my job has made me realize just how stressed and unhappy I was. I'm due to go back in August, but I'm thinking a career change is definitely necessary for my sanity. The problem is I'm not sure what else I can do. I can't afford to take a major pay cut and I can't afford to go back to school. So, if you've left teaching, what other opportunities have you found?

I'm so glad you asked this. I teach and I really can't imagine coming back in August. I love, love, love the kids and really do feel like I'm making a difference for them; but, as we all know...teaching is no longer about the kids, its about the politics and it sucks big time. It is so miserable around my school (we're doing so poorly now that the standards have been raised way too high) and I'm ready to find something new also.

caramia582 · April 2012

TKx2:
caramia582:

Would you consider early intervention? I'm not sure how it is in your state, but here you can work as a "developmental specialist" and probably work per diem hours (ie, make your own schedule), and you would work with infants and toddlers who are developmentally delayed. In MA you also get bonus $$ if you work extra hours.

I am a special ed teacher with a behavior analyst certification, leaving the field to work with autistic children in their homes. If I didn't have the additional certification to fall back on I would be seriously looking into EI.

I absolutely would. Would I be qualified for that with just a K-6 cert? I'll have to look into it.

Every state might be different, but in MA you do not need a teaching certification at all. You might not even need a Master's, just a bachelor's in a related field. I would think you are more than qualified.

caramia582 · April 2012

cwm11985:
TKx2:
Just wondering what you moved into. I've been teaching for 7 years and it has really lost all of its joy for me. It has become miserable to go into work everyday. I've been off work since October after getting pulled for pregnancy complications, and my time away from my job has made me realize just how stressed and unhappy I was. I'm due to go back in August, but I'm thinking a career change is definitely necessary for my sanity. The problem is I'm not sure what else I can do. I can't afford to take a major pay cut and I can't afford to go back to school. So, if you've left teaching, what other opportunities have you found?

I'm so glad you asked this. I teach and I really can't imagine coming back in August. I love, love, love the kids and really do feel like I'm making a difference for them; but, as we all know...teaching is no longer about the kids, its about the politics and it sucks big time. It is so miserable around my school (we're doing so poorly now that the standards have been raised way too high) and I'm ready to find something new also.

I totally agree. I am leaving the school system after this year as well. It has been incredibly stressful for me this year as a special education teacher. Not about the kids, just pacifying parents (by basically lying to them) and I am done with it.

TKx2 · April 2012

caramia582:
TKx2:
caramia582:

Would you consider early intervention? I'm not sure how it is in your state, but here you can work as a "developmental specialist" and probably work per diem hours (ie, make your own schedule), and you would work with infants and toddlers who are developmentally delayed. In MA you also get bonus $$ if you work extra hours.

I am a special ed teacher with a behavior analyst certification, leaving the field to work with autistic children in their homes. If I didn't have the additional certification to fall back on I would be seriously looking into EI.

I absolutely would. Would I be qualified for that with just a K-6 cert? I'll have to look into it.

Every state might be different, but in MA you do not need a teaching certification at all. You might not even need a Master's, just a bachelor's in a related field. I would think you are more than qualified.

I'm definitely going to check into this. I have a MAT in elementary ed. We actually used EI for DD1 when she had torticollis and then when she was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome.

caramia582 · April 2012

TKx2:
caramia582:
TKx2:
caramia582:

Would you consider early intervention? I'm not sure how it is in your state, but here you can work as a "developmental specialist" and probably work per diem hours (ie, make your own schedule), and you would work with infants and toddlers who are developmentally delayed. In MA you also get bonus $$ if you work extra hours.

I am a special ed teacher with a behavior analyst certification, leaving the field to work with autistic children in their homes. If I didn't have the additional certification to fall back on I would be seriously looking into EI.

I absolutely would. Would I be qualified for that with just a K-6 cert? I'll have to look into it.

Every state might be different, but in MA you do not need a teaching certification at all. You might not even need a Master's, just a bachelor's in a related field. I would think you are more than qualified.

I'm definitely going to check into this. I have a MAT in elementary ed. We actually used EI for DD1 when she had torticollis and then when she was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome.

glad I could help! Good luck!!

hunnygirl · April 2012

Lurker coming out to say, "Thank you" for asking the question and "Thanks for all of the info.". I want to look into this as well!

ns1 · April 2012

I left after 3 years too. I taught high school English, and knew I had to get out because I wanted to start a family and couldn't justify taking time from my family for my students or taking time from my students for my family.

I took a pay cut, and luckily my husband and I can still live adequately. We've cut out luxuries for sure, and don't have any great and wonderful stuff, but we are comfortable. I'm also getting my Masters in Library Science while working full-time at a public library. I just decided I had to come up with an interest quick, start getting a degree for that, and get a full-time job. I told myself if I didn't have a job by fall I would sub. It's definitely an adjustment, but I have never regretted it for a moment! (I may miss it, but I don't regret it!)

Best wishes!

ns1 · April 2012

Estwd2:
I used to teach high school English and also worked before that teaching toddlers at a daycare. Both of those experiences helped me land a job writing educational materials for a nonprofit. Soooooo much better than teaching for my sanity!

Can you tell me more? This sounds awesome!

SiDiosQuiere · April 2012

Like a pp, thank you so much for this! I'm a HS Spanish teacher and I'm so frustrated by the profession nowadays. I love helping my students but I'm tired of a lot of the day-to-day stuff. (not to mention I'm tired of the anxiety I've felt for the past 5 years)

Estwd2 - I'd love to also hear more about writing educational materials. I've worked at both the HS level (5 years) and working with toddlers at a daycare (1 year).

Thanks again everyone!

Ms5586 · April 2012

TKx2:
Ms5586:

I left after 3 years. You could be an aide (obviously a step down, but also much less responsibility and the ability to "leave work at work") if you can take the paycut. Curriculum writer, corporate trainer (that's what I am!), and administrative assistant are all things I looked into after I left.

It sounds like you realized that it's not living up to your expectations, I hope you can find something that will be more enjoyable for you!

Can you tell me more about being a corporate trainer?

My full title is actually Technical Trainer. I work for a government contractor. Basically, for me, our team is contacted by a government office who says "I need a product that does X, X, and X". Some of my team members try to find that product and tailor it to the govt office. I come in when the product is finished, learn the product, learn how the govt office will use it (policies and procedures) and train their employees. It's awesome. I also do a lot of online written and video tutorials, and create trainings for our team as needed.

cwm11985 · April 2012

Estwd2:
ns1:

Estwd2:
I used to teach high school English and also worked before that teaching toddlers at a daycare. Both of those experiences helped me land a job writing educational materials for a nonprofit. Soooooo much better than teaching for my sanity!

Can you tell me more? This sounds awesome!

Not to brag, but my job kind of is awesome, haha. (I just wish I had awesome bosses, too. Grrr). My official title is Educational Writer/Researcher. I work for a national nonprofit and our educational materials are used all over the world. My day-to-day duties include:

- writing scripts for animated and documentary-style videos, lesson plans, printable kids activities, multimedia presentations, teaching guides, print materials like brochures, marketing materials for all our products, web text for our websites, and anything else that needs writing

- conducting surveys and focus groups with parents, children, and educators to find out what kinds of products they want (I had no previous experience in research. I have since taken classes to be proficient, but I'm by no means an expert.)

I get to use my writing skills (MA in English) and my teaching experience to teach kids and parents about something important (not going to elaborate because I don't want to give myself away!). It's work that matters and I don't feel burnt out at the end of the day. I still get to interact with kids, but not every single day and I don't spend all day with them, so no headaches!

I always thought I wanted to be a teacher and while I love educational theory and curriculum development, I just was not cut out for day-to-day in the classroom, dealing with helicopter parents, and school politics. Leaving was the best decision I ever made. Good luck to you!

I'm curious as to how you got into this. Where did you find your job? I teach and have a BA in English and Creative Writing and your job sounds so ideal (I love to write). Thanks!

segerama · April 2012

I have been thinking of switching careers also. I keep hoping that the education system and politics will change, but after 9 years, I am beginning to lose hope. I love working with kids and don't mind my parents. It is the unrealistic expectations coming from the state with no additional funding that is getting to me. I also miss the autonomy of having a choice of what to teach. We are now forced to follow a researched program with no room for creativity.

Whoo · April 2012

Ms5586:
I left after 3 years. You could be an aide (obviously a step down, but also much less responsibility and the ability to "leave work at work") if you can take the paycut. Curriculum writer, corporate trainer (that's what I am!), and administrative assistant are all things I looked into after I left.

It sounds like you realized that it's not living up to your expectations, I hope you can find something that will be more enjoyable for you!

I've been teaching for 14 years. I have always dreamed of being a corporate trainer. I am curious if you had to take any additional classes or certifications to qualify for the position?

discohiker · April 2012

Educational consulting.... still miss the classroom though. Just had to switch. I have also thought about going into administration.

kyethra · April 2012

I am pursing my behavior analyst certification-- it does require extra classes and a masters and right now I get low pay while doing supervised hours, but I really enjoy it. I'm a school librarian with various endorsements and I was never able to find any work teaching after grad school. i really enjoy what I am doing now.

TKx2:
caramia582:

Would you consider early intervention? I'm not sure how it is in your state, but here you can work as a "developmental specialist" and probably work per diem hours (ie, make your own schedule), and you would work with infants and toddlers who are developmentally delayed. In MA you also get bonus $$ if you work extra hours.

I am a special ed teacher with a behavior analyst certification, leaving the field to work with autistic children in their homes. If I didn't have the additional certification to fall back on I would be seriously looking into EI.

I absolutely would. Would I be qualified for that with just a K-6 cert? I'll have to look into it.

lindsay.lou · April 2012

I don't really have advice, I just wanted to wish good luck. I'm in my 4th year teaching and can completely understand your frustrations. For me, the biggest part is that the job is never-ending. It seems nice to have summers off (and it is, don't get me wrong), but for those 9.5 months that I'm in school, it's a 24/7 job. I stay late for extra help, I come home and grade papers, my weekends are spent lesson planning. It never stops. There is always something.I can never relax. I often say to my husband that I fantasize about having a dull, boring, data entry desk job where I sit and stare at a computer all day. Sometimes that seems better, just b/c I'd be able to leave work at work, you know?

I'm not ready to leave (yet?) b/c I'm still trying to just find a way to make it more manageable for me, but I wish you the best of luck and hope you can find something fulfilling.

alyss0nl · April 2012

What about working as an Occupational Therapist, or a Speech Language Pathologist for SpEd? If I hadn't gotten my K-8 cert, I would've been interested in this field.

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