Teacher considering transitioning out of the field...

Anonymous

January 31,2023 at 6:01PM UTC

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Teacher considering transitioning out of the field... ideas? Experiences to share?

Feeling stuck and curious about jobs in different industries that provide flexibility to working parents, and who are proponents of collaboration and respect the work experience and knowledge of the employee.

Interests and strengths - team collaboration, analyzing data, strong communicator, detail oriented, problem solver, multitasker, relationship building, conflict resolution

Pros: I am in a non-classroom teaching position making a decent salary ($80K). The hours are 8:15-3:15 and I work in the same town that I live in.

Cons: Scripted curriculum stifles creativity, large urban school district, administration expects you to put your head down and work, no collaboration or common preparation time with co-workers, extreme lack of communication cross-departmentally, administration does not acknowledge my role and it's importance, lack of flexibility/understanding for parents of young children.

Thanks in advance for any words of advice and sharing any experiences from the other side!

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AnonymousJanuary 31,2023 at 8:52PM UTC
Corporate and onboard training could be something you are well equipped for, especially if you are as interested in curriculum development as in teaching. This allows you to be creative and serve the greater good. Hospitals (along with anything else in the medical field) and banks are tightly regulated, so their onboard training is detailed and intense.
AnonymousJanuary 31,2023 at 9:13PM UTC
I transitioned out of high school counseling to non-profit management. I tailored all my volunteer "hats" and projects to match the job qualifications and applied. Definitely highlight the skills you have since most of them crossover well into non-profit and training.
AnonymousJanuary 31,2023 at 10:37PM UTC
I left my teaching job for work as an Education Director at a non-profit that is in the same field as my teaching content area. It is a much more flexible job for me and I get paid significantly more. It is also more dynamic and I get to design all the curriculum. I was surprised at how much of my various teaching experiences applied to the non-profit world.
I live in one of those states that grossly under-pays their public school teachers, so I was making less than half of what your current salary is at my old teaching job. That would be my biggest concern if you do go education/program director route at a non-profit since you are making a healthy salary that could be hard to match for a non-profit.
Bonnie CoventryFebruary 1,2023 at 2:39PM UTC
After you come to terms with a pay cut (atleast in the beginning) and year long active employment you have amazing multi-people leadership in your bucket. I've seen educators move to District manager positions with that in their skill toolbox. Good luck!