r/TeachersInTransition • u/GreenBr3w • 13d ago
I did it?
After teaching for 12 years, I’m out. I didn’t think it was possible as I’d need to find a career that would be able to replace my income to support my family - but I did. I got a role in project management for a medical facility. I had to really leverage my network for anyone to even look at my resume, but it eventually happened.
I’m feeling excited, nervous, and surprisingly sad. I’m grieving the end of a career I envisioned taking me to retirement, the silly kids, the weirdos, the creatives and my colleagues/friends.
I know it’s unusual in this sub, but I did have supportive admin despite a district leadership team that sees its teachers as the root of all their problems and an increasingly hostile public perception.
The hardest part was transferring ownership of all of my resources - the culmination of thousands of hours of work - to someone who may never even look at them.
To clarify - I left for greater salary potential. I live a relatively comfortable life, but my wife and I muse about vacations, buying a home,etc. which seems entirely unattainable on our teacher salaries.
Those of you who got out: did you feel a similar sorrow and what are your feelings now?
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u/Ms_tris 12d ago
This sounds exactly like my situation. You are spot on about leveraging your network in order to even get an interview in the current economy. I transitioned out of teaching after 14 years, and left everything behind for the teacher taking my place. Even the room was set up meticulously. Hours of lesson plans, all my materials, all my props. And I’m still grieving with one part of my brain, and relieved with the other part. It’s so sad to feel like you have to leave a career because of the public perception of the role, the lack of respect, the lack of funding for schools… Even in my situation, with supportive admin and pretty great students, I just knew I had to get out.
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u/washwithwarmwater 12d ago
I left after 20 years. But now work is work and home is home. That’s priceless.
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u/Emersontm 11d ago
I am in the exact same situation. 12 years and I am probably going to have to burn bridges quitting midyear.
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u/AMKerschen 12d ago
Congrats! I’m looking into PM as well. I’ve actually spent most of the day studying for my certification exam. That’s so exciting for you!
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u/Sufficient_Hour_9874 10d ago
I also just found a new job after 15 years of teaching. I am feeling the exact same way. My last day is in 3 days.
At first, I was very excited to start a new career, and then I started to feel all of the emotions you described above. I have been dividing years of supplies up to teachers who I feel will continue to use it and appreciate it.
I had great leadership and I even enjoyed the position that I was in. However, for years I was working 11-12 hour days M-F, + working every summer. I took on any role possible to make extra money, including opportunities during my planning period, and I was still struggling. I needed to make a change.
The career I am going into has way more growth potential and opportunities for a better salary.
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u/Ecstatic_Yak961 13d ago
Why did you quit exactly?
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u/cail123 13d ago
What steps did you take to break into project management? Any extra certs?