Alternative Careers for Teachers
As the landscape of the education sector evolves (again), many educators find themselves contemplating a career change. If this is you, and you'd like to learn more about the type of roles others are stepping into after leaving teaching, then read on.
The decision to leave a teaching job is often fueled by various factors, including burnout, limited career progression, and the pursuit of new opportunities. For early years specialist teachers, it can often be because the school has chosen to formalise learning too soon, which doesn't align with their values and beliefs around the merits and importance of play based learning. Lack of support, both in terms of staff ratios and also finances for resources, can have a huge impact on the physical and mental health of teachers who simply want to do their best for the pupils but are unable to do so due to issues outside of their control. The ever increasing cost of living means that many teachers can no longer afford to pay for resources out of their own pockets (as so many do) which makes teaching experiences limited and difficult. Many teachers, after starting a family, come to realise that the profession is not 'family friendly' in terms of hours, and the salaries of teachers simply don't cover the cost of childcare needed to undertake the role fully. This article explores alternative careers for teachers, highlighting the motivations behind their career transitions and the valuable skills they bring to new roles. It also includes a list of positions that real-life former teachers have moved into.