Part 3-
Life After Teaching
Are you considering life after teaching? It’s not surprising that many teachers who leave the profession side-step into lecturing, project planning or learning and development roles which utilise the transferable skills they have mastered in the classroom. Nonetheless, leaving a career can feel daunting.
You may be wanting a clean break, fresh start and the chance to explore a completely new venture, or you might be like me – nervous about too much change and worrying that your career to date might feel wasted. Yet, just as we tell students that their academic progress will not follow a straightforward, upward trajectory, a career journey requires the same mindset.
Celebrate The Journey
I was lucky enough to find a position that allows me to continue to work with other education professionals, design curriculums, research pedagogy and have an impact on how learning is shaped – aspects of previous roles that I thoroughly enjoyed. On reflection, I can now see that, rather than starting again, I have just adjusted my trajectory. Ditch the semantics associated with ‘giving up’, ‘starting over’ or ‘quitting’, and recognise that your learning to date will continue to have a significant impact on your future. Remember to celebrate your journey.
Teachers, Find Your New Fulfilment
For many teachers, their motivation comes from the visible impact that they have on their students, from the shortest of corridor chats to larger achievements over a key stage. There is a common view among teachers and ex-teachers that this instant impact, feedback and reward is one of the many pleasures of teaching, and that there is no greater tonic than daily contact with characters who astound us with their wisdom, charm us with their naivety and captivate us with their wit.
Whilst some things might be hard to replicate in other careers, fulfilment is always possible if you have aligned your role with your values and your passions. It just might come from a different source.
I am early into my new pathway but I have thoroughly enjoyed the diversity it has offered and the learning that I have done so far. Throughout my job search, it was important that I found a role and a company that I firmly believed in, so that I’d feel intrinsically motivated to keep challenging myself and produce work of a quality that I can be proud of. In working for a not-for-profit education trust, there is a tangible impact as a result of the global work we do.
Teachers’ Work Is Never Done – Take Time To Adjust To Autonomy
The pace and the interaction of the school timetable means that there is little breathing space between the hours of 8am and 4pm, and it is no secret that a teacher’s work is never done. After 17 years as a teacher, on top of my own education, I didn’t realise how routine dependent I had become, or how overwhelming an autonomous working life might be.
Despite this, the freedom to prioritise and organise my own calendar and workload has now offered something that teaching never could. A greater degree of control has provided a far superior sense of wellness and, conversely, a powerful awareness of purpose. Terms of employment will differ by role but it is likely your routine will change beyond recognition, or disappear altogether. Try to embrace the opportunity to work in a different way and find your new purpose.
Contemplating Career Change After Teaching
I began my reflections by comparing my career change to climbing out of the swimming pool but perhaps travel is a more appropriate metaphor. I am now 18 years into my career and, according to my pension statement, I am still only mid-flight! To those contemplating a career change, I would urge you to indulge in your mid-flight options. It may not entertain you for long and you may decide to continue onwards on your journey; alternatively, you might just find a different route with a more appealing view from the cockpit.
For most of us, this is a long-haul journey but we have the privilege of being the pilot.
Thank you so much Laura for your inspiring blogs, it’s lovely to hear about your journey from teaching into a new career and I hope other teachers can learn from your experience.
Laura spent 17 years as an English, Media and Drama teacher in secondary schools, progressing from teacher to Assistant Headteacher. She is now a curriculum and pedagogy specialist, working as a Learning and Implementation Advisor for the Education Development Trust.
If you need help with your career journey, please visit Our Courses page, where you will find online and live workshops written by career change experts.
Laura also appeared as a guest on our panel, you can watch the video here if you are considering life after teaching:
