I will retire this year at age 60 from middle school teaching, although I need/want to keep working until at least 65.

Julie McGovern, EdD

January 6,2023 at 5:36PM UTC

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I will retire this year at age 60 from middle school teaching, although I need/want to keep working until at least 65. I only taught for 18 years, but education right now is dragging me down too much to stay longer.

Before teaching I worked as a writer for a few companies and, then for 15 years, worked for myself as a freelancer. I have four degrees -- BA in journalism, MA in communications, MAT in education, and an EdD in Curriculum. I know I have good skills, but, as teaching retirement gets closer, my imposter syndrome is building rapidly.

I honestly don't know where to start looking. I'd love to go back to working for myself, since it would give me the flexibility I want, if it didn't mean selling myself all the time. I also hate networking and workplace politics. I also haven't reported to an office since I was 28 (plus school, of course), and reading some of the posts here scares me about what to expect.

Thanks for letting me put this out there. Maybe I just want the job everyone wants -- respect, flexible, remote hours, and good pay, lol. Any suggestions on where to start? And, at the very basic of my questions, what's the best current format for a resume?

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Barb HansenJanuary 6,2023 at 6:49PM UTC
Depending on what sort of job you want, many Ed Tech companies would be lucky to have someone with your experience as an Account Manager, Customer Service person, or content writer (just to name a few roles)
I won't let job titles throw you off reviewing a job description. You may have never worked as an Account Manager (after sales has finished with the client during a sales process, account managers is, generally, the first point of contact for that client besides customer service) but your experience as a teacher places in directly in the shoes of most clients for an Ed Tech company - you speak the client's language, so to speak.
Transitioning to a job in Ed Tech is only one option for you, and here's another option for you.
Your years of teaching experience could be valuable to companies that are in the corporate training industry.
Your skills would also be a great fit for non-profits.
Some non-profits also hire teachers (or teacher-like people) if their non-profit work intersects with schools or youth in general. A non-profit like The Boys and Girls Club hire staff that spend most of their time embedded in school helping underserved kids with social, leadership and financial skills. My DIL worked as a Program Manager for this non-profit for a few years and she was embedded in a high school where she lead a leadership and life-skills program.
If you want to get out of education completely, leaning into your writing skills might to a good option. check out job listings for Content Writers.
I'm not a career coach, I'm a woman in tech who pivoted into a technical career from a non-technical/non-business career. I'm always happy to chat and brain storm on options. DM me if you want to set something up.
Julie McGovern, EdDJanuary 8,2023 at 7:15PM UTC
I very much appreciate all the suggestions. This gives me a lot to go on. I am interested in so many different areas, and your comments help me to know I am not completely off-base to go after positions that might be great fits despite the job title. And thank you for your offer -- once I figure things out a little more, I may take you up on it.
AnonymousJanuary 6,2023 at 9:53PM UTC
It is difficult to find all of those items. Remote hours are possible if you are looking at the right job prospects for your qualifications. But if you aren't set on remote working, maybe try looking at smaller companies/offices and look for a good personality fit. If you like everyone and they like you - respect just kind of blossoms naturally in time. It's hard to find that but not impossible.
Sabrina CortesJanuary 7,2023 at 12:40AM UTC
Would you be interested in a VA type role?
Also, there are tons of jobs for online tutors, and usually, you can choose your hours, and you'd be working for yourself. From what I understand, they pay pretty well too. :)
Julie McGovern, EdDJanuary 8,2023 at 7:05PM UTC
I'm curious. What type of VA role?
Sabrina CortesJanuary 9,2023 at 1:30AM UTC
A Virtual Assistant (VA) or a remote Administrative/Executive Assitant role.
Mary PoolJanuary 8,2023 at 3:34PM UTC
Be sure you are not giving up significant retirement with only two years to go! Have you thought about special education? I have a friend who went from classroom teaching to special education (very small classes) and loved it. She was able to complete her 20 years for full retirement that way.
Julie McGovern, EdDJanuary 8,2023 at 7:11PM UTC
Thanks for your concern. I live in Illinois, but because I started teaching at 42 (second career), it would take me until I am into my late 70s to earn full retirement -- not happening! I did check with our pension system, and even if I stay 20, the difference is about $20 a month.
I am glad your friend was able to do it in special ed. Bless her! I am not certified to teach SPED, and I know our SPED teachers work their butts off with huge caseloads. Even if I had the certification, I know I would not do right by the kids.
Marina Z.January 9,2023 at 1:40PM UTC
Julie, sounds like you have a lot of amazing experience and qualifications- maybe consulting? I would think curriculum consulting would be a good fit. How many years are necessary for the pension/ retirement? Maybe a few more in a different capacity…
On a side note, where do you learn about pension and retirement for teachers?
Julie McGovern, EdDJanuary 9,2023 at 7:36PM UTC
I live in Illinois, and the public school teacher's pension system is at trsil.org Hope that helps!
Laurie Hollister, Career Coach, The MuseJanuary 8,2023 at 7:11PM UTC
You have many transferable skills to share w a new employer. A redesigned resume and a well-developed story about your career transition will help you land your next role. Consider working w a career coach and your imposter syndrome will turn to confidence.
Julie McGovern, EdDJanuary 8,2023 at 7:24PM UTC
Thank you! Any suggestions on how to find a good career coach?
Vanda LeeJanuary 8,2023 at 8:07PM UTC
I recommend Lesa Edwards - I found her on FGB & you can find her on LinkedIn. She's outstanding & will give you a free consult. Tell her I sent you!
Laurie Hollister, Career Coach, The MuseJanuary 8,2023 at 11:28PM UTC
? Check out TheMuse.com for lots of options
Julie McGovern, EdDJanuary 8,2023 at 7:22PM UTC
I'm sorry about your husband and how your teaching retirement benefits were affected.
As I mentioned in another reply, my benefits are not taking a bit hit -- I checked with the pension system -- but they're still way lower than if I had been teaching since I was 22. But even that extra year or two (because of accumulated sick time) would put me over the edge. It is a very difficult time to be a teacher, and I'm over the micromanagement and tendency to move toward scripted programs.
What you have created for yourself is just about what I want! I have one idea that would differentiate myself among consultants, and I am formulating a plan to request to try it in my school this spring. Thank you for giving me so much to think about.
AnonymousJanuary 8,2023 at 9:47PM UTC
You are so perfectly qualified for several careers, but especially for textbook and curriculum writing! Contact the educational companies and websites that you use in your classrooms!
Christi MillerJanuary 9,2023 at 1:47PM UTC
There are also corporate education programs that may be a perfect fit for you.
Marina Z.January 9,2023 at 2:49PM UTC
Is this considered an education consultant? Sounds like you have successfully transitioned your skills and then some! Congrats
AnonymousJanuary 9,2023 at 5:47PM UTC
Try customer service roles- perhaps remote and phone support. Also you could try freelance technical writing or some PR work- check agencies. Join some meetup groups in your local area and speak to people in those fields that can talk about a day in the life for those roles, you might just find your perfect passion project for chapter 2 that way.
Melanie CoggenJanuary 9,2023 at 6:17PM UTC
Maybe technical writer or media content writer.
AnonymousJanuary 9,2023 at 9:09PM UTC
I work for a publishing company and we are always look for people like you. You can be on staff or work as a freelancer. You can send a PM if this is of any interest to you.
Julie McGovern, EdDJanuary 10,2023 at 7:06PM UTC
I will definitely be in touch!
AnonymousJanuary 10,2023 at 12:08AM UTC
Speaking for myself, social media is the bane of my existence. I can't afford the hire a SM manager, content creator, or the like, so I've been doing it. The SEO trap is huge. Others will try to sell you SEO this, that, etc. These are the two biggest things, again, in my opinion, that you MUST be willing to learn, participate in, and have nailed to effectively market yourself in your own business. I wish you much success in whatever you decide to do.
Robyn McCabria KelsoJanuary 11,2023 at 1:20PM UTC
You might try looking into civil service. I pivoted from building level (school level) work at the height of the pandemic and landed a job working for my state education agency. Pay isn't great, but a lot of the same benefits apply and my stress level is ridiculously low now!
AnonymousJanuary 13,2023 at 9:23PM UTC
Have you thought about online teaching? It can be remote, some have more flexibility in hours, and you could still teach. It would be less stressful than being in a classroom. Some pay well, but others definitely do not. It could be worth checking out.
The other option I know that teachers in my area are doing and there has been a huge need for it is full time tutoring. So many children are struggling and scores everywhere have decreased. (I work for a school, so I can say it 100% is not the teacher's fault. Covid was hard on everyone.) In my area, the need for educated, experienced, and caring tutors is very much needed. We have had some teachers leave in our area to become full time tutors and are making more than they were teaching. The work can be done remotely, in a center, at someone's home, etc. The hours can be more flexible, and it is definitely in need.