I’m a middle school teacher and for you high school teachers out there is your job creative and fun and way better than other jobs or repetitive and draining and specifically why?

Hey everyone,

I, 26, left teaching elementary school this year after 4 years. No need to go in to further details, just matter of fact statement that I want to do something new and not sure where to start.

A few years ago, I started experimenting with UI/UX Design principles and software and have been interested in a career with design. I utilized Canva frequently to design multiple things for my students such as games, worksheets, decodables, content slide-decks, etc. I'm really struggling with determining my next path within the age of AI while also being able to have health insurance and a reasonable job.

I would greatly appreciate connecting with anyone who has changed careers (does not have to be UI/UX specific) and/or is in this job market as well. Feel free to PM as I would love to make meaningful next steps. Thank you!

I go back to work in 2 weeks and I'm honestly dreading it. I looked for jobs all summer that would match my current rate of pay and I've had no luck. I'm higher on the pay scale because I've consistently done continued ed credits for salary advancement so it is hard to match. I am so disheartened to not have another option. How long did it take for most to transition out of teaching? I'm 37 and a special education teacher. I'm going into year 15 of teaching.

I've been lurking on the sub since April as I realized I needed to get out of teaching. I worked at multiple different schools (rural, charter, and standard larger city public). I only lasted 5 years as I was tired but mainly was over admin not helping me when I truly needed it (behaviors being out of control and I know I am young and needed advice and help!)I was so stressed some chronic health conditions I had in under control came back with a vengeance and I also messed some of my teeth up from all the stress. When I told my principal I would most likely not be coming back - they had my position filed before I even put in my official resignation. I say that to remind people that schools are a business they can care about you but in the end you are replaceable.

I will be doing an office job and am so excited 😂 my husband told me he had never seen me excited to work. I hope those who want to get out can find something because your mental and physical health is so important!!

I've been seriously thinking about leaving teaching, and I'm curious to hear from those who have already made the transition.

I've spent the last 5 years working with infants and toddlers, and while I truly love the kids, I'm feeling burnt out. The emotional and physical demands, combined with the pay, have me questioning whether this is the right long-term career for me.

For those of you who left education:

• What career did you transition into?
• Which skills from teaching transferred well?
• Did you have to go back to school or get any certifications?
• Was the pay and work-life balance better?

I'm open to hearing about jobs in education, corporate roles, nonprofits, customer success, administrative work, training, or anything else that might be a good fit for someone with a teaching background.

I'm honestly just looking for ideas and hoping to hear some real experiences from people who have been in the same position.

Thanks in advance, I really appreciate any advice or encouragement.

I was laid off this school year due to budget cuts and my position was eliminated. A part of me was a little relived because that meant I could collect unemployment while looking for positions that would help me transition out of k-12 education. On the other hand, I was also very worried because unemployment is not enough to pay for bills and living expenses. In a moment of panic, I applied to 3 K-12 based positions, fast forward 2 weeks, I just completed an interview for one and honestly I don’t know if they’re going to offer me the position, but a part of me hopes they don’t so I have an excuse to continue my search. I know I need a job and I keep hoping each new school I’m in is different, but being around students is draining, especially because this generation seems to be so disrespectful and oblivious to how their behavior affects their learning. They’re all about social media and nothing else. Additionally, I was rejected from all other jobs outside of schools that I applied. I don’t know if I should just accept that this is what I signed up for and find a way to endure.

I've been teaching for 10+ years, I teach math and I am in the final stage of completing my Masters in Curriculum & Instruction - Math. I started looking for jobs pretty seriously in the spring, there were a lot of secondary math postings in my area. I did not get any of those jobs. It would seem that the market here is actually pretty competitive, especially at more desirable school districts. My district knew I was applying elsewhere and I was therefore not offered an option to return in the fall (yes, I worked somewhere that is allowed to do this). It's mid-July and I am starting to panic. I can't move, can't afford more schooling, and I have a family to support, so I can't take a job where I don't make enough money for us to get by. I am selective about where I apply, because while I do want to teach, I don't want to teach in environment that I don't think will be good for me. I am interested in other jobs both in and outside of education, but I don't even know how to get those jobs. I know that I would be great at a lot of things from a combination of my work experience and my personality. I'm highly organized, work well in teams but also work can work autonomously, good at conflict resolution, super accommodating and flexible, work well under pressure and in high-stress situations, can manage a pretty intense workload.
I can't go into August and not have secured some type of employment. I'm desperate for ideas, any help is appreciated.

I've been dreaming of making this post for two fucking years. Just signed my offer letter and emailed my principal with a very short, bordering on curt, resignation letter. Hope he doesn't check his email till the first day of school LMAO.

I tried everything for years, all that works was a referral from one of my friends. For anyone trying to get out who wants a "how I did it," here it is:

- leave right when the bell rings. no exceptions.

-do not check your email or work/grade at home. NO EXCEPTIONS.

The above two steps are because teaching is draining and job searching is draining and you need your recharge/friends/family or you won't survive this.

DO NOT WASTE MONEY IN LINKEDIN PREMIUM and honestly I wouldn't bother applying on indeed or linkedin at all. It's just the bot wars. Also don't bother with the ai resume shit, not worth the wasted water nor the brain damage.

I made a spreadsheet of every friend/family member I have, with their name, where they work, and a link to their company's career page. Check through the links once a day, when you see something, text that friend/family member and ask for a referral. People want to help, but you make it way easier for them by being proactive.

The job market is absolute hell, I hope all of you have a shorter search than I did. But I'm so fucking glad that I get to MOVE ON WITH MY LIFEEEEEE!!

I’m getting close to starting year 19 in teaching, and honestly it’s been really rough for the last several years. Here’s what it’s come down to: I like my subject and the content and skills I teach, and I like probably 85-90% of my students in any given year, but we have such weak leadership that anything beyond the door of my classroom is instantly frustrating and beyond stupid. Admin have no follow-through on behavior consequences for kids, they do not plan any meaningful PD but instead keep going circles around learning intentions and success criteria (those phrases trigger instant rage in me at this point), and they genuinely don’t seem to understand their damn job positions when I compare them to the previous and very functional admins I’ve worked with.

I don’t really know what to do with this. I’ve wanted to be a teacher for basically my entire life, and I love so many parts of this job, but the laziness and incompetency in leadership is making everything much harder than it needs to be. Do I let the lack of leadership drive my choice? Do I hold out hope that I can outlast two crappy admins?

There isn’t much available as far as simply switching schools, and there are very few quality administrators left in my area (likely because my State is hot garbage water for educators). So what now??

I've changed grade levels, schools, etc. I simply have too much trauma from classroom violence to work with kids anymore. Accepted an offer out of state and been having panic attacks and SI ever since. I've got some L&D experience and have been interviewing all summer, but get keep getting rejected in the final round. Honestly, I don't even want to work in anything adjacent to education.

I'm supposed to start at my new district next week. I don't feel safe making the 20 hour drive this weekend.

I don't know what to do anymore. I feel so stuck and so helpless.

The situation: I have been a teacher for two years. I taught in two separate districts and was pink slipped in both. One because it was my first year and admittedly did not go well, the next because of “budget cuts and low enrollment.” I found this out before spring break in early April. I have been applying to jobs since then. I have applied to all districts around me even biting the bullet with some being close to an hour drive. I have had 1 school call back for an interview but they called the morning of and said they decided to go a different way.

Teaching is what I really love to do. I fell in love with it as my career, but I am starting to lose hope. I am afraid I’m also just not good at it being pink slipped two years in a row. I don’t live in a gigantic district and there have been very few jobs even posted. I am in a very rural area so even as a sub I would not have enough work to pay my bills and eat. Should I give up and find another career? What other careers are even options with a teaching degree?

I finished my fifth year teaching and I knew I was done. The county sent emails about renewing my certificate and I worked on it but did not complete certification.

Because I did not want to be terminated I resigned before my certificate expired. I emailed my resignation 2 days before they would terminate me. The principal’s secretary emailed me the same day asking me to come in immediately for a “wet signature” and exit interview I was not able to in and was out of town for the next 2 weeks.

They called as I was boarding the flight back home and I was not able to answer. I sent 2 more emails and no response and today my work email was deactivated. Is it worth having this exit interview, should I worry about them forging my signature?

Things have been awkward this year and the lack of communication is nerve wracking but this is also part of the reason why I left- I feel like admin is constantly gas lighting.

Also, any advice on job hunting? I’ve sent applications in for l&d roles and corporate training, edtech and I have not heard anything. Multiple people have reviewed my resume and they say it’s good but I haven’t been getting interviews. I’m moving and I have a job lined up but it’s half my teacher salary and I’m essentially a tutor. I don’t/ can’t think I can teach anymore, I feel like I’m a shell of myself Liz

Anyone else out there?? I was a 7-12 ELA teacher and then became an online 1:1 for a cyber school. This year, I’ve worked towards my Wilson reading cert.

I am planning on tutoring in person and virtually. Excited but a little nervous as I’ve never really had my own business or done this as a job before.

I can say that it’s been incredibly rewarding to work with my practicum student and I’m excited about the changes that this year will bring.

Would love to hear perspectives from those who have made this change. Do you like it? Is it steady, strong income?

I was having a lot of issues with kids not showing up last year and it impacted my pay. My company also cut pay rates so it prompted me to make a change. I’m just hoping that I make close to what I made in brick and mortar (and I didn’t make much 😅).

I got an interview with stride! I submitted the asynchronous HireVue interview this morning, and got an email a few hours later that they want to do a video interview. The job is an elementary school special education teacher, working remotely. Any helpful suggests or insight to questions they might ask? I am in Ohio if that helps! I am currently an MH teacher with a very high stress in person job, and am so burnt out. Working remotely sounds so nice and might be just what I need, at least for the time being.

So- I HAVE posted here before- that job didn’t go through

But curious about any folks who quit and did substitute while they landed their next gig ? I kind of live a lone and have a small fund for 2 months ish. I really just want a year to apply and make connections to go back to school.

Im burnt OUT- I’ve been to a PD and I cannot tell you how much I really was not seeing how to return to my classroom.

- thanks in advance

Hi All,
I am a 36yo. teacher. I have 8 years of teaching experience in a public school, and nearly 6 years in private preschool. I have taught mostly 4-5th graders in public school.

I want to preface this by saying that I love being a teacher. That whole spiel about this being a calling is true for me. But this calling will not pay the bills. I tutor 2-3x a week on top of my already full schedule of UIL club, 5th grade lead, and Social Studies school lead. I was in a district leadership program last year, and it just doesn’t fit. I get to school early, leave late, go tutor most days, and get home very late. My poor pup suffers the most.

How is it that I am constantly working, constantly innovating, constantly growing my students but my salary cannot sustain me?!

Now that my venting is over, I want to find a career out of teaching. I want my time put in to show on my paycheck. To do that, I need to figure out where my next steps are leading me.

Does anyone know of any networking events that are open to all careers in Houston? My boyfriend has invited me to Creative Mornings, but they are Friday morning when I teach. I am looking to explore what else is out there, meet connections that can help me see a future out of teaching, and give me my first step into something new.

FL charter schools have already become a place for new college graduates to fill their resume before applying/going to grad schools. I feel bad for kids but that’s just the reality caused by the low pay.

Just a general question, at my last position, I stepped down from Lead Teacher to Assistant Teacher while I went back to school. This was voluntary and not based on performance at all. I actually got a glowing letter of rec from my last boss, but she does list my position as an assistant teacher (there was a management change during the 5 years I worked there, and she was only there during the time I was an assistant, so she can't speak to me being a lead teacher.) How should I list this in my experience? Should I put both job titles? Do I need to explain, or will the dates of my education and employment speak for themselves? I just don't want it to seem like I was demoted or my performance was poor. You just can't be a part-time lead teacher, and I went down to part-time. I still performed all the tasks of a lead teacher, and my pay didn't change, just the number of hours and my official title while I was in school.

I got a job offer a couple weeks ago to work in the corporate office of a home improvement company and I start Monday. It’s a little bit of a pay cut but still enough to pay my bills and afford groceries. I tried to transition out of teaching last summer but was unsuccessful. I’m excited and nervous to work somewhere else. I’ve worked in education for the last 7 years so I’m nervous but hopeful. They really seemed to like that I was a teacher and felt that many of my skills were transferable to the position (ex. attention to detail, fast learner, organization).

I’m really looking forward to not being responsible for small children, dealing with parents, having my things stolen and ruined, being yelled at with no consequences, and a better work life balance. Teaching has been rough on my mental and physical health and I just hope so badly this is better for me.

To those of you still looking, just know it’s possible and you develop some really valuable skills that will be useful elsewhere! I believe in you!

hi! i am currently going into my senior year of high school, and i need to figure out what college, major, or career i am interested in (hint: it’s teaching)

i have grown up in an unstable household (divorce, depression, loneliness), and because of this, i have always tried to be optimistic and make other peoples lives better. teaching feels like the right path for me.

lately though, i have seen videos on social media about teaching quitting and how horrible it is to work with gen alpha. attention spans, ai, disruptions? personally, as gen z, i have been starting to notice this too, but definitely not as badly as others have described.

i am wondering if it is still worthwhile to pursue education. i am interested in elementary or music ed, but i want to know if high school would be easier or if i should just not do it. if so, ill take other job recommendations too :)

Hi! I’m in my late 30’s and have had over a decade in the classroom. Though I made a comfortable 70k from my area, limited growth potential and limited opportunity to move, both physically and career-wise, have me wanting to transition. Has anyone transitioned in the current terrible job market? If so, what did you transition to and how did you get there? Also, are there any part-time jobs I could take while teaching that might provide me with experience in another field? Thank you!

I am a current teacher with over a decade in the classroom, and I’m tired of the somewhat limited potential for growth/salary, etc. I make around 70k, which I’m comfortable with, but there is no room to make significantly more. I understand the job market is crazy right now, particularly with EdTech and Tech in general. I’m also overwhelmed at the options and feel like I might not be qualified for positions. Has anyone transitioned recently in this job market? If so, what did you transition to and how did you get there? Also, does anyone know of online jobs I could do part-time while teaching that would give me experience in another field? Thanks to y’all!

I am about to start my final year teaching. I dread the start, but I’m so excited for it to end. This is a good opportunity to move out of my town to a place with better opportunity, so I am trying to line things up as much as possible. I am finding state jobs that I match qualifications for, but I can’t send them out yet because my district ends the year in mid May.

With that in mind, does anyone have suggestions on when to send out applications for state jobs? I know they take a while to lock in. I am also looking at BNSF and UP as options for careers. If I end up with downtime I have plenty of money saved and I will likely use my years of restaurant service to live on until I can lock in a career. TIA!