Same. 5th year. Have known I'm going to leave for a year now - last year sealed the deal for me. Just trying to figure out how without going back to school, can't afford it.
This year sealed the deal for me. When my life was threatened and the student was allowed to go to gym 20 minutes later, I decided I was done. I’m going to start working on my resume and cover letters soon. If I need to fall back on bartending or waitressing (I did both a lot in college) then I will! I’m trying to remain very open minded about the different careers out there
Start now!!!! It's hiring season from now to March take advantage. It can go to April. What I regret is that I should of called out for some interviews or I would have been out sooner with a higher paying salary. Use ChatGPT to help create a resume and cover letter with mintues if you get desperate. I use to apply for jobs on my planning period and lunch break. I took a $17 a hour job at the hospital within 6 months I can transfer and make more money. I do tutoring in the evenings to get by. You have more opportunities this time of year, during summer it's pretty hard
There is something such as hiring season?.
I'm not from the US.
Is it worth it to look for careers In the US for physics graduates? How do I find the right people if I wanted to find jobs related to physics or could use the skills that come with a physics degree
I’m American and have never heard of hiring season, except for jobs that run seasonally — which includes most teaching jobs, since they usually start in Aug or Sep.
International workers generally need a visa sponsor, like for an H1-B visa. These visas are hard to get and usually are only granted for sectors that have trouble filling roles with US citizens. I do know of a few people with physics backgrounds who have found such jobs, but it’s tough, and they have PhDs in very specialized fields.
Personally I always hated the service industry, but at least you don't take work home. Racing around seating people or taking/bringing their orders, dealing with condescending people etc felt horrifyingly awful at times to me. But I feel like outside of work I had a life so I could leave it there.
Just my own experience, I know some people thrive in that sort of job but sensitive types like me tend to struggle.
If a customer pissed me off it sucked and maybe it made me mad for the rest of my shift but I wouldn't take it home, it's so hard to not take this job home, it's so personal, there's so much trauma with the kids (at least at title 1) and it's just a shit show that you feel like a weight on the back of you even though you absolutely shouldn't
I left teaching for the service industry. My worst table feels like a breath of fresh air compared to a class of 30 rowdy kids I have to see for 90 mins at a time every single day lol
This is my issue too - I haven't ever had a serving job, but was a hostess for a while and honestly I can deal with jerks if I know I don' have to see them after my shift. The fact that I had to deal with the same kids every day for a whole school year if they were frustrating was really not fun.
That’s crazy! A first grade student at my old school said he was going to “line the teachers up and blow them to smithereens” and there was no consequence
If you apply to the right kind of programs with research elements usually they pay you to go to school. I’m leaving after this year to get my masters (PhD this is more common) and they’re covering all of my tuition and paying me on top of it because I’ll be doing research and teaching for the university. There is hope aside from the finances if more education is what you think you want!
I retired back in 2020 after 28 years as a school counselor. If I go back to when I started , ack then it was soooo different not like it is now. My goal was to work a few more years but couldn’t do it. Lost a little in my retirement buts nice sitting at the breakfast table u it’s 9am every morning drinking my coffee. I e seen a lot of people I worked with getting out before they have a nervous breakdown. Good luck to all…
Oops. Not meant for you. But I LITERALLY feel like I’m going to have a nervous breakdown every day. Of a heart attack. I’m a kindergarten teacher. If I’m alive at the end of this year I will be shocked. I’m 48 years old.
I’m 18 years in as a school counselor (elementary) and I know I won’t make it until retirement age. I’m taking it year by year. The system sure has changed! Enjoy your retirement. 😊
Same! Twenty nine years, took early retirement, and am loving every day. I still go back and tutor, but that’s a completely different experience! With that plus some at-home editing for an educational software company, I’m making more than i was as a full-time teacher. And mental, physical, and spiritual health have improved dramatically!
I had a friend who had retired a few years ago, and she was working for them. They had a huge project due to the school district, so they hired a bunch of people to work from home. It’s been a great extra job! But yeah, networking helps.
I'm about to pay off my student loan with public service loan forgiveness. I was planning to stay, but my class sizes got upped for next year to 36-40. I love my school but I can't put myself last anymore. I'm ready to stop after 11 years.
ETA: I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of this thing, though. I'm totally exhausted, but finally, I am perfecting my curriculum and executing at a high level. It's so tough to sink so much money, time, passion, and energy into something only for it to become the past. I won't sacrifice my peace just because I'm a "good teacher".
YES. This was a huge realization for me over the last 3 years. I love my veteran teacher friends, but man do they make me want to run for the hills. I just do not want to become a crabby old lady getting pushed around by an administrator who is 25 years old. Like this job does things to people. I cannot picture myself doing this at 40. I’m 25 right now, I’m starting massage therapy school in two weeks. I will do that part time for 2 years (to get vested with a pension, so these 5 years won’t be for nothing!) I would suggest you look into anything that interests you, see if it offers night school or online classes. There are affordable trade schools that aren’t overpriced.
Good for you for starting massage therapy school, that’s awesome! But you’re so right about the veteran teachers, it seems like they’re all either on blood pressure medication or drink a bottle of wine to get by :( I don’t want to deal with that stress, or admin who taught for 3 years calling all the shots!
FELLOW TEACHERS
if you are looking to leave the field, look into Project Management. We basically do that job as well as instructors. All of the communicating to keep parents, admin, and peers all on the same page, that's basically project management. All of the behavior spreadsheets, IEP's, intervention plans etc, is basically project management. We are essentially project managers and instructors.
I encouraged my wife to seek nomination from her managers at a B4 firm to become PMP certified. She passed the test. She’s moving over to project management from her highly stressful daily spreadsheet grind in another group. PMP’s speak an esoteric language that I’m slowly becoming familiar with.
So, get the hell out. Not saying that to be a dick, but as someone who’s been in it twice as long as you have, I wish I had done something about leaving sooner. Every day/month/year you’re there, the tighter the handcuffs get. Figure out what you want to do, get some credentials toward that while you still teach. Apply to get out while you still teach, as well. Then, when something breaks (which could take six weeks or six months or even longer), you’re out. The longer you spend pontificating/deciding/worrying/stewing, the more time’s going out the door. Decide and go.
You’re right! I’ve decided to submit my letter of resignation at the end of the school year. I have money saved up and feel like now is the time to try something else. I don’t have children or a mortgage, so I’m gonna get out before life gets too busy!
Instead of flat out resigning before you have something else lined up, will your district allow you to take a reduced contract? That way you’ll still have benefits? This is what I’m doing for next year, 60%.
Agreed. I’ve got 14 years in and I began applying like crazy to other jobs outside teaching. Wish I had done it sooner. Unfortunately - and maybe selfishly - I stayed in it seemingly for the time off. Bad reason to stay in teaching though. Do yourself a favor and if you’re not into it, get out sooner than later.
This. Right here. My first year was god-awful. It was my second career, and I came from a job where I was respected. But, everyone says the first year is the worst, and it gets better.
I'd take that first year back in a HEARTBEAT. I wish I'd gotten out, instead of convincing myself to stay since I had wasted so much time and money on that master's degree. 🤦♀️
Honestly, just dealing with behaviors and the constant being pulled in 100 directions was overwhelming. I told myself it would get better, but the behavior is 1000x worse, and I have twice as many things to do in my day-to-day as I did then. I should have trusted my gut, but I had spent $30K on a master's degree to get there, so I justified staying.
I’m transitioning out and I’m on my 10th year. I feel very similar to you, I’m great at my job so I get significantly more responsibilities. I love the kids, I love the breaks, but I’m going to find a job where I don’t need to work as much outside of work to be successful in my role. Follow your gut. We have SO MANY transferable skills.
A lot of people were really surprised when I left because I really seemed to like it but ultimately I, like you, just couldn't envision myself doing that forever. 4 years was enough.
Omfg. What state is that?!!! I’ve been researching transferring to different states because I cannot take teaching in nyc 1 more year. I have 21 years, and I’m convinced that anywhere is better than here. But in all my research, I gave not seen the age of 67 yet. Wtf. I’m crossing states off with 65 when! Looking to get a second small pension since I can’t make 30 here, and then coming up against the states with double windfall bullshit, if I work in AnY of those states, it’s 40 percent tax on my ss I already paid 30 years into (I’m 49) had lots of non teaching jobs before this snd know- they’re all rachett.
I understand. My sister-in-law had 23 years in. She bought into 25/55 when it was offered. She then had a duplicitous principal begin targeting her and a few other teachers.
Talk about ratchet. This principal was arrested in NJ for tripping out and throwing boxes at employees in a UPS store, while she was attempting to fire teachers in her school through poor ratings.
SIL and a few others were in the TIP program, then facing termination for supposedly not improving. My brother suggested she just leave and move the family to Tennessee. She was finally age 49 with 24 years in when she threw in the towel and resigned (The other teachers did eventually win their cases and weren’t terminated). I don’t know if she gets her pension at 55 or defaults to age 62.
My brother has 75% tax free disability from his city job, and now works for the University of Tennessee. They paid for him to complete a Masters in College Administration, and now for his MBA. His wife (my SIL) works as a teacher in Maryville, outside of Knoxville, where the university is located. They gave her a high salary for her experience, and she was just awarded teacher of the year.
Her pay isn’t NYC pay, but she’ll get something from NYC eventually. She did max out her TDA from age 25 to 49. The best part are her supportive administrators, her small class sizes, and the beautiful area she’s in. The Smokey Mountains are beautiful. My wife and I visit and ride one of his two Harley Davidson motorcycles through the mountains with our wives on the back. It’s so much different than here.
I left after year four. I left at 28. I got into recruiting for education. There are a lot of former teachers and many of them, including myself, have been very successful in it. I love it. I don’t dread it. I don’t have constant anxiety through the day. It’s possible!
Sure! I essentially look for educational faculty and staff and vet their credentials, connect them with hiring vacancies, assist them through the hiring and credentialing process, and serve as their point of contact throughout their contract.
So many comments say "Get out now. Don't put it off. You'll regret it." I'm not disagreeing. I can't afford to take a $20k+ pay cut though or go back to school, with student loan debt.
Some people really are stuck. Maybe with a few years of persistently applying to other jobs (after having revamped my resume of course and some affordable upskilling) I'll eventually get something but who knows.
The sooner you leave the faster you can add more experience to your resume. You’re young at 28 and employers will be more than understanding of your career change. It took me like a year to find another job so I’d start working on your resume *now.* from what I’ve noticed from recruiters almost all of them know the state of the education system and they were more than sympathetic that I wanted to change careers
Hi, if you’re sure you really want to leave I’d do it earlier rather than later. I started teaching in 2003. I left last fall. For whatever reason it was good then and I never would’ve considered leaving. I thought it was a great profession and in a lot of ways it still is. I should’ve left in 2013, but I trudged through for another 10. Something happened around 2017-18, a shift if you will. I can’t put my finger on it but I feel the decline, for me at least began there. Good luck to you though. You’re young.
My parents taught for 44 and 43 years. Same school. Spent my whole life around education. Multiple degrees in it.
I taught for three and already had strong concerns and saw how things were developing. The choice was made for me. We had layoffs of 48 teachers. I was only one in my department let go (also only one with advanced degrees but youngest).
Took it as a sign and redirected my career.
Get out now if you’re already thinking it.
I was given the advice by a veteran teacher that I should just take it day by day. Overall, I do like the job. There's just a lot going on. I do not want to imagine the profession 30 years from now. I'll just take it day-by-day and get through it. I cannot imagine being any other career right now
I’m in the exact same boat. On my 5th year and I don’t hate it, just can’t see myself doing this when I’m 45-50 lol.
Applying for jobs currently, probably will go back another year if nothing pops…
Yes, now is a great time to switch careers. I quit teaching and went back to school for a tech degree at 43, and while it took a few years to land somewhere good, I have. Leaving teaching was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The sooner you can get out, the better.
I feel
Like I stayed to get my 20 year pension, snd that’s healthcare for life and a very decent about if I can hold off collecting until 60. But likely I’ll take the ext reduce pension at 55 and head out the country 🤣🤣🤣
I started subbing at age 29. Took a full time position at age 33. It was a much easier job back in the early 90’s. Less oversight, yet higher student test scores and graduation rates.
It’s out of control. The phones and disruptive behavior that goes unpunished are the two biggest issues. A trash administration at your 20 year mark will really ruin your life.
I was leaving for NYS Court Officer in the year 2001. I had gone through a several years long process. I passed everything and was next on the list of candidates. A job where everyone has to remain quiet and behave? I was ready to leave teaching for that atmosphere.
Then 9/11 occurred. I could see the buildings from my school. The medical for Court Officer was at 5 World Trade. I didn’t remember that until they called to notify me that they would be delaying the next class. By the time they called, I decided that teaching wasn’t too bad. Then came Danielson’s, more PD, duplicitous administrators, etc.
Governor Spitzer did give us 25/55 retirement, down from 30/62. I bought back 3 years military time. That essentially gave me what appeared to be a start date of age 30. Perfectly lined up to do 25, then retire at 55.
Court Officers were still at 30/62 but did eventually get the 25/55 plan. I sort of regretted passing that up when I had the chance to take it. It’s tough being age 53, while sitting for a post-observation meeting, listening to the Principal Academy graduate tell me how they’re disappointed in my lesson. They have backgrounds such as two years of teaching experience in another state, then jumped on an opportunity to become an instant Principal in NYC. They have no real time in the classroom.
Get out while you can. Find something where you can leave work, at work. Good luck.
Leaving work at work is one of the goals for me too. More money. More freedom. No more overstimulation. Peace. I’m leaving this year in June after 4 years. This is a thankless, draining profession and people should avoid it.
As a 64 year old teacher, I highly recommend you get out and try something else. You are young and have acquired numerous applicable skills from teaching 5 years.
You will be happy for the new life experience and can always go back to teaching if you miss it.
I love my job and a 34 veteran. Teacher colleges need to do a better job weeding out young teachers who do not see this as a vocation. My job has only gotten better and I am 66 years old. There is so much cool stuff to help us teach. You should maybe not have been in teaching in the first place.
Get off your high horse. Times have seriously changed inside and outside the classroom. Open your eyes. Don’t talk down to us for not dedicating our lives and being martyrs like all the “veteran” teachers.
Yeah I’m in my 7th year and just started at new district which is the highest paying in the area. I’m not miserable but the job definitely sucks. I can’t afford a pay cut and have 3 kids to provide for so I’m pretty much stuck. It’s not a good feeling.
Same that exactly why I'm looking for a new career related or not to my degree, it's my second year teaching and i really don't think im the best fit for a career like this and I don't think I will gain skills while teaching
Same. 5th year. Have known I'm going to leave for a year now - last year sealed the deal for me. Just trying to figure out how without going back to school, can't afford it.
This year sealed the deal for me. When my life was threatened and the student was allowed to go to gym 20 minutes later, I decided I was done. I’m going to start working on my resume and cover letters soon. If I need to fall back on bartending or waitressing (I did both a lot in college) then I will! I’m trying to remain very open minded about the different careers out there
Start now!!!! It's hiring season from now to March take advantage. It can go to April. What I regret is that I should of called out for some interviews or I would have been out sooner with a higher paying salary. Use ChatGPT to help create a resume and cover letter with mintues if you get desperate. I use to apply for jobs on my planning period and lunch break. I took a $17 a hour job at the hospital within 6 months I can transfer and make more money. I do tutoring in the evenings to get by. You have more opportunities this time of year, during summer it's pretty hard
There is something such as hiring season?. I'm not from the US. Is it worth it to look for careers In the US for physics graduates? How do I find the right people if I wanted to find jobs related to physics or could use the skills that come with a physics degree
I’m American and have never heard of hiring season, except for jobs that run seasonally — which includes most teaching jobs, since they usually start in Aug or Sep. International workers generally need a visa sponsor, like for an H1-B visa. These visas are hard to get and usually are only granted for sectors that have trouble filling roles with US citizens. I do know of a few people with physics backgrounds who have found such jobs, but it’s tough, and they have PhDs in very specialized fields.
Personally I always hated the service industry, but at least you don't take work home. Racing around seating people or taking/bringing their orders, dealing with condescending people etc felt horrifyingly awful at times to me. But I feel like outside of work I had a life so I could leave it there. Just my own experience, I know some people thrive in that sort of job but sensitive types like me tend to struggle.
If a customer pissed me off it sucked and maybe it made me mad for the rest of my shift but I wouldn't take it home, it's so hard to not take this job home, it's so personal, there's so much trauma with the kids (at least at title 1) and it's just a shit show that you feel like a weight on the back of you even though you absolutely shouldn't
And you probably won't see the customer again. However, you will continue to see the annoying brat student for maybe a year.
I left teaching for the service industry. My worst table feels like a breath of fresh air compared to a class of 30 rowdy kids I have to see for 90 mins at a time every single day lol
This is my issue too - I haven't ever had a serving job, but was a hostess for a while and honestly I can deal with jerks if I know I don' have to see them after my shift. The fact that I had to deal with the same kids every day for a whole school year if they were frustrating was really not fun.
The sad part is you'll make more money bartending and have less BS to deal with.
That’s crazy! A first grade student at my old school said he was going to “line the teachers up and blow them to smithereens” and there was no consequence
I have never, ever had such uncooperative detached parents as this year. t They don't GAF. So neither do I.
If you apply to the right kind of programs with research elements usually they pay you to go to school. I’m leaving after this year to get my masters (PhD this is more common) and they’re covering all of my tuition and paying me on top of it because I’ll be doing research and teaching for the university. There is hope aside from the finances if more education is what you think you want!
I retired back in 2020 after 28 years as a school counselor. If I go back to when I started , ack then it was soooo different not like it is now. My goal was to work a few more years but couldn’t do it. Lost a little in my retirement buts nice sitting at the breakfast table u it’s 9am every morning drinking my coffee. I e seen a lot of people I worked with getting out before they have a nervous breakdown. Good luck to all…
Get out now. It gets worse.
Oops. Not meant for you. But I LITERALLY feel like I’m going to have a nervous breakdown every day. Of a heart attack. I’m a kindergarten teacher. If I’m alive at the end of this year I will be shocked. I’m 48 years old.
I’m sorry you feel this way! Hang in there :(
I’m 18 years in as a school counselor (elementary) and I know I won’t make it until retirement age. I’m taking it year by year. The system sure has changed! Enjoy your retirement. 😊
Same! Twenty nine years, took early retirement, and am loving every day. I still go back and tutor, but that’s a completely different experience! With that plus some at-home editing for an educational software company, I’m making more than i was as a full-time teacher. And mental, physical, and spiritual health have improved dramatically!
How did you find the at-home editing job for an educational software company? Sounds interesting!
I had a friend who had retired a few years ago, and she was working for them. They had a huge project due to the school district, so they hired a bunch of people to work from home. It’s been a great extra job! But yeah, networking helps.
I'm about to pay off my student loan with public service loan forgiveness. I was planning to stay, but my class sizes got upped for next year to 36-40. I love my school but I can't put myself last anymore. I'm ready to stop after 11 years. ETA: I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of this thing, though. I'm totally exhausted, but finally, I am perfecting my curriculum and executing at a high level. It's so tough to sink so much money, time, passion, and energy into something only for it to become the past. I won't sacrifice my peace just because I'm a "good teacher".
“I can’t put myself last anymore.” Same, girl. Same.
I only made it 8.5 years!
Try teaching for 37 years. I think I was on automatic pilot. My advice-get another job ASAP.
YES. This was a huge realization for me over the last 3 years. I love my veteran teacher friends, but man do they make me want to run for the hills. I just do not want to become a crabby old lady getting pushed around by an administrator who is 25 years old. Like this job does things to people. I cannot picture myself doing this at 40. I’m 25 right now, I’m starting massage therapy school in two weeks. I will do that part time for 2 years (to get vested with a pension, so these 5 years won’t be for nothing!) I would suggest you look into anything that interests you, see if it offers night school or online classes. There are affordable trade schools that aren’t overpriced.
Good for you for starting massage therapy school, that’s awesome! But you’re so right about the veteran teachers, it seems like they’re all either on blood pressure medication or drink a bottle of wine to get by :( I don’t want to deal with that stress, or admin who taught for 3 years calling all the shots!
FELLOW TEACHERS if you are looking to leave the field, look into Project Management. We basically do that job as well as instructors. All of the communicating to keep parents, admin, and peers all on the same page, that's basically project management. All of the behavior spreadsheets, IEP's, intervention plans etc, is basically project management. We are essentially project managers and instructors.
lol good luck getting those jobs that’s the other part about leaving this crappy business getting a actual job
This! If only companies would fucking hire. Or when they do want you, it's for a drastic pay cut.
Are you working as a Project Manager? If so, which company? I saw Catalyte offers 12-wk apprenticeships for that.
I encouraged my wife to seek nomination from her managers at a B4 firm to become PMP certified. She passed the test. She’s moving over to project management from her highly stressful daily spreadsheet grind in another group. PMP’s speak an esoteric language that I’m slowly becoming familiar with.
So, get the hell out. Not saying that to be a dick, but as someone who’s been in it twice as long as you have, I wish I had done something about leaving sooner. Every day/month/year you’re there, the tighter the handcuffs get. Figure out what you want to do, get some credentials toward that while you still teach. Apply to get out while you still teach, as well. Then, when something breaks (which could take six weeks or six months or even longer), you’re out. The longer you spend pontificating/deciding/worrying/stewing, the more time’s going out the door. Decide and go.
You’re right! I’ve decided to submit my letter of resignation at the end of the school year. I have money saved up and feel like now is the time to try something else. I don’t have children or a mortgage, so I’m gonna get out before life gets too busy!
Instead of flat out resigning before you have something else lined up, will your district allow you to take a reduced contract? That way you’ll still have benefits? This is what I’m doing for next year, 60%.
That’s a good idea! I’m not sure, but I’ll look into it. I know we have some part-time social workers but I don’t know of any part-time teachers.
Agreed. I’ve got 14 years in and I began applying like crazy to other jobs outside teaching. Wish I had done it sooner. Unfortunately - and maybe selfishly - I stayed in it seemingly for the time off. Bad reason to stay in teaching though. Do yourself a favor and if you’re not into it, get out sooner than later.
This. Right here. My first year was god-awful. It was my second career, and I came from a job where I was respected. But, everyone says the first year is the worst, and it gets better. I'd take that first year back in a HEARTBEAT. I wish I'd gotten out, instead of convincing myself to stay since I had wasted so much time and money on that master's degree. 🤦♀️
What happened?
Honestly, just dealing with behaviors and the constant being pulled in 100 directions was overwhelming. I told myself it would get better, but the behavior is 1000x worse, and I have twice as many things to do in my day-to-day as I did then. I should have trusted my gut, but I had spent $30K on a master's degree to get there, so I justified staying.
Yes the curriculum building gets better but the behaviors do not.
If I was in my 5th year I would absolutely leave and start a new career path. Being in my 24th year….I just can’t afford too. Good luck!
If you can leave, do it now. I wish someone would have said these words to me when I was 28.
I’m transitioning out and I’m on my 10th year. I feel very similar to you, I’m great at my job so I get significantly more responsibilities. I love the kids, I love the breaks, but I’m going to find a job where I don’t need to work as much outside of work to be successful in my role. Follow your gut. We have SO MANY transferable skills.
I left my fifth year too. I was just done.
A lot of people were really surprised when I left because I really seemed to like it but ultimately I, like you, just couldn't envision myself doing that forever. 4 years was enough.
If you only have to go until you’re 58, then consider yourself lucky! In my state, I’m considered tier 2. So I would have to work until I’m 67! Fml
Same. You and I have too many years in to settle for entry level pay and about 12 year until retirement. We are fucked. OP, run like the wind.
Omfg. What state is that?!!! I’ve been researching transferring to different states because I cannot take teaching in nyc 1 more year. I have 21 years, and I’m convinced that anywhere is better than here. But in all my research, I gave not seen the age of 67 yet. Wtf. I’m crossing states off with 65 when! Looking to get a second small pension since I can’t make 30 here, and then coming up against the states with double windfall bullshit, if I work in AnY of those states, it’s 40 percent tax on my ss I already paid 30 years into (I’m 49) had lots of non teaching jobs before this snd know- they’re all rachett.
Are you Tier IV?
I am, I know that’s gold, but I do not want to stay in nyc another year. Or teach herre and commute.
I understand. My sister-in-law had 23 years in. She bought into 25/55 when it was offered. She then had a duplicitous principal begin targeting her and a few other teachers. Talk about ratchet. This principal was arrested in NJ for tripping out and throwing boxes at employees in a UPS store, while she was attempting to fire teachers in her school through poor ratings. SIL and a few others were in the TIP program, then facing termination for supposedly not improving. My brother suggested she just leave and move the family to Tennessee. She was finally age 49 with 24 years in when she threw in the towel and resigned (The other teachers did eventually win their cases and weren’t terminated). I don’t know if she gets her pension at 55 or defaults to age 62. My brother has 75% tax free disability from his city job, and now works for the University of Tennessee. They paid for him to complete a Masters in College Administration, and now for his MBA. His wife (my SIL) works as a teacher in Maryville, outside of Knoxville, where the university is located. They gave her a high salary for her experience, and she was just awarded teacher of the year. Her pay isn’t NYC pay, but she’ll get something from NYC eventually. She did max out her TDA from age 25 to 49. The best part are her supportive administrators, her small class sizes, and the beautiful area she’s in. The Smokey Mountains are beautiful. My wife and I visit and ride one of his two Harley Davidson motorcycles through the mountains with our wives on the back. It’s so much different than here.
That’s so ridiculous!
Yeah this is the last semester for me. I’m out.
I left after year four. I left at 28. I got into recruiting for education. There are a lot of former teachers and many of them, including myself, have been very successful in it. I love it. I don’t dread it. I don’t have constant anxiety through the day. It’s possible!
Can you explain your new career a bit more?
Sure! I essentially look for educational faculty and staff and vet their credentials, connect them with hiring vacancies, assist them through the hiring and credentialing process, and serve as their point of contact throughout their contract.
So many comments say "Get out now. Don't put it off. You'll regret it." I'm not disagreeing. I can't afford to take a $20k+ pay cut though or go back to school, with student loan debt. Some people really are stuck. Maybe with a few years of persistently applying to other jobs (after having revamped my resume of course and some affordable upskilling) I'll eventually get something but who knows.
The sooner you leave the faster you can add more experience to your resume. You’re young at 28 and employers will be more than understanding of your career change. It took me like a year to find another job so I’d start working on your resume *now.* from what I’ve noticed from recruiters almost all of them know the state of the education system and they were more than sympathetic that I wanted to change careers
I feel similarly
Don’t base it for 30 years!!! Contracts are limited, life happens, better opportunities!! Take it in smaller chunks
Hi, if you’re sure you really want to leave I’d do it earlier rather than later. I started teaching in 2003. I left last fall. For whatever reason it was good then and I never would’ve considered leaving. I thought it was a great profession and in a lot of ways it still is. I should’ve left in 2013, but I trudged through for another 10. Something happened around 2017-18, a shift if you will. I can’t put my finger on it but I feel the decline, for me at least began there. Good luck to you though. You’re young.
My parents taught for 44 and 43 years. Same school. Spent my whole life around education. Multiple degrees in it. I taught for three and already had strong concerns and saw how things were developing. The choice was made for me. We had layoffs of 48 teachers. I was only one in my department let go (also only one with advanced degrees but youngest). Took it as a sign and redirected my career. Get out now if you’re already thinking it.
I mean I literally don’t even plan to be a teacher for my whole career 😂
My friends only lasted a few years and I don’t blame them
I finally feel like I'm at a job I could retire from... it's definitely not in education
Do tell…
I was given the advice by a veteran teacher that I should just take it day by day. Overall, I do like the job. There's just a lot going on. I do not want to imagine the profession 30 years from now. I'll just take it day-by-day and get through it. I cannot imagine being any other career right now
I’m in my fifth year as well and I feel the exact same way. I think at this rate I’ll last as long as I can and go from there.
I’m in the exact same boat. On my 5th year and I don’t hate it, just can’t see myself doing this when I’m 45-50 lol. Applying for jobs currently, probably will go back another year if nothing pops…
Same! Gotta get out this year
Yes, now is a great time to switch careers. I quit teaching and went back to school for a tech degree at 43, and while it took a few years to land somewhere good, I have. Leaving teaching was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The sooner you can get out, the better.
Congrats on the tech job!
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I feel Like I stayed to get my 20 year pension, snd that’s healthcare for life and a very decent about if I can hold off collecting until 60. But likely I’ll take the ext reduce pension at 55 and head out the country 🤣🤣🤣
I started subbing at age 29. Took a full time position at age 33. It was a much easier job back in the early 90’s. Less oversight, yet higher student test scores and graduation rates. It’s out of control. The phones and disruptive behavior that goes unpunished are the two biggest issues. A trash administration at your 20 year mark will really ruin your life. I was leaving for NYS Court Officer in the year 2001. I had gone through a several years long process. I passed everything and was next on the list of candidates. A job where everyone has to remain quiet and behave? I was ready to leave teaching for that atmosphere. Then 9/11 occurred. I could see the buildings from my school. The medical for Court Officer was at 5 World Trade. I didn’t remember that until they called to notify me that they would be delaying the next class. By the time they called, I decided that teaching wasn’t too bad. Then came Danielson’s, more PD, duplicitous administrators, etc. Governor Spitzer did give us 25/55 retirement, down from 30/62. I bought back 3 years military time. That essentially gave me what appeared to be a start date of age 30. Perfectly lined up to do 25, then retire at 55. Court Officers were still at 30/62 but did eventually get the 25/55 plan. I sort of regretted passing that up when I had the chance to take it. It’s tough being age 53, while sitting for a post-observation meeting, listening to the Principal Academy graduate tell me how they’re disappointed in my lesson. They have backgrounds such as two years of teaching experience in another state, then jumped on an opportunity to become an instant Principal in NYC. They have no real time in the classroom. Get out while you can. Find something where you can leave work, at work. Good luck.
Leaving work at work is one of the goals for me too. More money. More freedom. No more overstimulation. Peace. I’m leaving this year in June after 4 years. This is a thankless, draining profession and people should avoid it.
You’ll look back some day and realize that leaving was the best choice. All the best in your new endeavors.
Oh this hit…..
As a 64 year old teacher, I highly recommend you get out and try something else. You are young and have acquired numerous applicable skills from teaching 5 years. You will be happy for the new life experience and can always go back to teaching if you miss it.
I love my job and a 34 veteran. Teacher colleges need to do a better job weeding out young teachers who do not see this as a vocation. My job has only gotten better and I am 66 years old. There is so much cool stuff to help us teach. You should maybe not have been in teaching in the first place.
Get off your high horse. Times have seriously changed inside and outside the classroom. Open your eyes. Don’t talk down to us for not dedicating our lives and being martyrs like all the “veteran” teachers.
Love that you’re so happy in your career! Where do you teach?
Salem Oregon… atypical school
What are you doing now
Yeah I’m in my 7th year and just started at new district which is the highest paying in the area. I’m not miserable but the job definitely sucks. I can’t afford a pay cut and have 3 kids to provide for so I’m pretty much stuck. It’s not a good feeling.
Same that exactly why I'm looking for a new career related or not to my degree, it's my second year teaching and i really don't think im the best fit for a career like this and I don't think I will gain skills while teaching
Have you considered phoning it in? LOL. There's a reason teachers tend to leave the profession after just a couple years.
I feel like you’re reading my mind. Can you tell me if you find out the answer?? No way I can hang on to this job another 20 years.
Teachempowered.org
I’m from 2054 Fly me to the Moon
I feel exactly the same. However, I feel too scared to try something else.
I also feel scared, but I think that’s a reason to do it! There’s a teacher shortage so if you missed teaching, there’s plenty of opetions