A couple of weeks ago, having looked into the finances of it, I decided to take the plunge and opt for retirement from teaching at the end of this month instead of slogging it out until summer. So, this time, I'm doing it properly. When I finish my current contract in three weeks time, I shall say good-bye to teaching and concentrate on counselling as well as having time for all the other things I really want to do but don't have time for at the moment.
I have already taken a pile of books into school to be adopted by anyone who wants to give them a good home - what a good feeling that was!
There is still a degree of sadness that I feel so pleased at the prospect of finally leaving teaching but I've given it my best shot. When yet another new initiative, the Primary strategy, officially comes on board next September, this time,
I shan't be worrying about it.
10 comments:
I don't know how you've managed to keep at it this long. 10 years was enough for me.
Do enjoy those last three weeks though won't you.
Is this 'Kiwi' Greg? If so, it's lovely to hear from you again and I hope things are going well for you. If not, welcome anyway. :)
As I have said before you deserve a medal! If people only knew the shit that we teachers have had to endure over many years - initiative after initiative - the lucrative inspection bandwagon and the general derision with which teachers are met in drama, newspapers and pub talk... Speaking for myself, if I had my time again I would most definitely not take the teacher path. Take me today - Sunday afternoon - marking books, correcting another teacher's reports, preparing for tomorrow night's LEA "book look" meeting. I should be playing my guitar, walking in the rain, visiting the cinema, decorating our bedroom. I am heartily sick of it all and immensely envious of you.
'Correcting another teacher's reports' - what's that all about???
I am really sorry for your situation. I imagine you have thought through possible alternatives? If it's any consolation, I felt like that for several years before I got the chance of redundancy from my 'full-time' job and wouldn't have been able to leave before then anyway because of financial commitments. Like you, it's not a career I would choose if I had my time over again.
Jenny, I am delighted to hear this ! Well done on making this decision, which I know wasn't an easy one for you to make.
I know you will be extremely successful in your future career and aspirations - and you thoroughly deserve it :O)
Hi Jenny. I'm posting this from Colleen's computer.
Brilliant decision, I say. Like YP, I too am sick to death of my job. I can't wait to retire from the abuse and stupidity that seems so commonplace now at work. And like Yorkie, I'm jealous as hell.
WTG, Girl!!!
Teaching has changed so much over the years and although rewarding it is extremely demanding nowadays.
I think you are doing the right thing and wish you all the best.
Thanks for your good wishes, folks. :)
Well done! and lots of good luck with the counselling. Mrs BW has had to give up teaching through ill health and she is into the second year of a counselling diploma. (She is also writing short stories) Teaching just seems to grind people down especially supply teaching so I reckon that you have done the right thing.
Thanks for your comment, BW and good luck to Mrs BW. Teaching does indeed seem to totally exhaust people, which is very sad.
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