Why are you still teaching? You’re finding the hours are too much, the workload is mounting up and you’re not being supported to do your job. The thought of leaving has crossed your mind – regularly. However, have you handed in your notice? I suspect not!
Well, you’re certainly not alone.
Out of everyone we surveyed a large majority hadn’t plucked up the courage to hand in their notice, yet it was clear they wanted to leave. There were various different reasons for this which we detail below. Which one is your biggest hurdle?
(Side note, if you’re not a teacher and you’ve read the last blog (the Top 5 Reasons Teachers Leave the Profession) you’re probably wondering why on earth anyone is still teaching! Read on to find out …)
We asked teachers the following questions:
“Do you think there are better opportunities elsewhere? For example offering better pay, benefits, or working conditions?
“Yes – literally everywhere! As long as it’s not public sector.”
“I hope so! I’m trying to match what I currently have in terms of pay and holidays etc and getting a balance of putting myself first and a match that works for everyone.”
“Within education not sure, but there has to be!”
It seems teachers knew (or hoped) there had to be something better out there – but they just weren’t sure what! Well, we’ve got a whole blog on what you can do after teaching. However, for a small minority, they had something in mind. They had an idea of what they could do, but they hadn’t taken the leap. Why not?
Some mentioned the stability and reliability of income as a key factor and having a regular monthly salary. Some mentioned their own lack of self-esteem or confidence which has been knocked over throughout decades in the education sector. Some explained they had no idea where to start with their CV or what transferable skills they had.
The good news is that there are solutions to all of these! There are free mental health programmes that can increase your self-worth, free CV writing workshops and best of all a money calculator. It turns out that when you’re paying to commute to and from school each day, you’re paying for own teaching resources and you’re regularly buying breakfast/lunch/dinner on the way to or from school (since you’re short on time), it adds up. Just think how much money you’d save if you stopped commuting every day. How much money you’d save if you had the time to prepare your meals at home? How much money you’d save if you could go on holiday during TERM TIME – and not just during extortionate half term or summer holidays? Turns out, it’s a lot (you can read more about that here … )
If you don’t know what to do next, then we’re here to help! Check out our blog on “What teachers do next”