What to do when you are done with being a teacher?

Written by Dan

Even the most passionate and dedicated teachers can reach a point where they feel burnt out and ready to move on from the profession. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s essential to take some time to reflect on what you want before making any decisions. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the options available to teachers who are done with teaching. This will help you figure out what’s next for you. Thank you for reading!

Retire from teaching

Retiring from teaching can be a bittersweet experience. After years of devoting time and energy to educating students and making countless lasting memories, there is much to celebrate and much to grieve about leaving.

The sadness of going behind this important service gives way to an exciting new chapter in a life filled with opportunities and adventures. Retirement can represent a chance to explore a different career path, relax, and pursue your favourite hobbies. Although it can be difficult, the rewards often make it worthwhile.

Get a job in another field away from teaching.

If you’re a teacher who is considering getting a job in another field, it can be exciting and daunting at the same time. It’s important to remember that this is an excellent opportunity for personal growth and to find new avenues for using your skills.

There are endless paths for educators to explore when looking into other kinds of jobs, from positions in administration or sales to roles in research or health care.

With the right attitude and determination, you could use many of the abilities you’ve honed as a teacher to get work in an entirely different field. Taking on new challenges can have its own rewards, and with the world of possibilities open to you, you may find yourself thriving in ways that only come with trying something different.

Start your own tutoring business.

Starting your own tutoring business can be the perfect solution for teachers who want a change from their everyday classroom routine. It is an exciting opportunity to channel knowledge and teaching skills into a new kind of enterprise, one with the potential to give more flexibility, creativity and independence.

Moreover, you can begin as your own boss, and the experience of being in a classroom daily allows individuals to focus on areas they enjoy and build upon. By being your own boss, you will control the hours worked, what you teach, how much you charge, where the tutoring happens and who you work with.

Tutors have insight that no one else can offer: A better understanding of the subject material than most other tutors and all the skills needed to help students learn. Creating a profitable tutoring business provides many beautiful rewards, and there is no better time than now to take that initiative!

Go back to school

Going back to school after quitting my teaching career was one of the best decisions I have ever made. After years in the classroom, I wanted to gain a fresh perspective and new skills.

So I enrolled in a postgraduate course, and while it was challenging at times, it offered me many opportunities to learn and grow. As a result, I now feel more confident in making meaningful contributions to education.

I look forward to passing on my knowledge and experience to the next generation of teachers.

Volunteer in your community

Finding ways to give back to your community is an enriching experience, which is why volunteering can be a great idea when you are finished teaching. It’s an excellent way to stay connected while still getting the satisfaction of helping others in need. You could help by encouraging students, working with community support initiatives, or becoming a mentor to children.

Whatever route you choose, volunteering allows you to use your skills and experiences from teaching and life that have been imparted to you to help repair gaps and build pathways for those needing them.

Travel the world

Teaching is a fulfilling profession that allows you to share your knowledge and experience with others. However, after years of teaching, travelling the world can be an enriching way to end your teaching career.

Visiting countries across the globe will open up new perspectives and inspire cultural growth while also providing teachers with much-needed breaks from their everyday life.

Many teachers create lifelong memories by travelling around the world with their families as they move toward retirement. Through global exploration, former teachers can unwind and explore potential sources of new inspiration while reaping the rewards of a well-done job.

Sell Teaching Resources

If teaching is no longer the career you want to pursue but is looking for a way to make some extra money, selling teaching resources on websites like TES and Teachers Pay Teachers might be your solution.

Not only can you generate some income with this endeavour, but it also helps other educators find quality resources to use in their classrooms. Creating high-quality lessons takes time and effort, and by monetizing your skills and talents, you can earn a good living doing what you love.

Additionally, offering your work to a larger audience opens more doors to further opportunities that you may never have thought of before. All in all, selling teaching resources is an effective way of generating income while achieving personal satisfaction from providing others with valuable educational materials.

Try out Sports Coaching

Sports coaching is a great option to explore when you’re looking to switch careers and leave the teaching world. While the salary package may be less lucrative, this profession has many advantages.

For one, sports coaches get the opportunity to shape young minds and bring joy into their lives through regular practice. Additionally, coaches will find that they can work with various age demographics – from young kids to teens and all the way up to adults who want to stay competitive in extra-curricular activities.

Perhaps the most rewarding for budding coaches is that they determine their own hours and can better manage personal/professional commitments. Ultimately, it’s a good career path for those with solid aptitudes for sports and a desire for autonomy in their professional life.

The best thing you can do after teaching is to take some time for yourself. Consider what you want to do next and make a plan. Many options are available to you, so choose something that feels right. You’ve earned it! Thanks for everything, teachers.

About The Author

I'm Dan Higgins, one of the faces behind The Teaching Couple. With 15 years in the education sector and a decade as a teacher, I've witnessed the highs and lows of school life. Over the years, my passion for supporting fellow teachers and making school more bearable has grown. The Teaching Couple is my platform to share strategies, tips, and insights from my journey. Together, we can shape a better school experience for all.

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