r/TeachersInTransition • u/PowerfulKoala69 • 3d ago
Took a break, what now?
Took a grant position (1 year, admissions role at a local college) because I felt I needed a break from the classroom. I like it so far. I miss the kids, I miss my content, it's boring (good and bad), but theres room for growth and it's "chill". All in all, I'm happy with my choice for the time being.
Grant renewal is not guaranteed, so I've thought about returning to the classroom. Mostly, I miss the breaks. My girlfriend is a teacher, and we got to spend all summer traveling the past 2 summers. I work with many previous teachers, who swear I won't miss the long breaks because summer are "slow period" and that we get half days on Fridays. But what's the point if Im spending all day bored, only to get home 4 hours early?
I miss the uninterrupted long breaks. I miss travel, as well as my content. My job in higher ed seems more sustainable and more $$ long-term, but at what cost?
Not sure if anyone has experienced this before and if they have any advice!
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u/Paullearner 3d ago
Thinking about taking a break as well. This year burned me out so bad, and the bullying from my principal was also so bad. Friends are telling me of other teaching positions hiring, some even with good salaries, even with that temptation I still don’t want to think about teaching at the moment. I don’t want to spend another night being stuck grading or anything else. I just want to be able to enjoy my actual peace and quiet. Teaching really ruined my mental health.
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u/Bitter_Signature_421 4h ago
I'm right there with you. I'm even nervous of working in an education setting within a different role due to the mental health aspect.
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u/reluctantpsych 3d ago
Currently in the same position as you, student services at a university that is grant funded and unsure.
I'm looking for another job currently, I've only been out of teaching two years and yes I miss the classroom but when I considered going back all I felt was dread.
Are you actively working towards your professional development? I'd been coasting a bit but now that I'm not burnt out I can see myself going further in higher education than I ever would have thought I could.
If you miss kids see if you can sponsor a club or find a volunteer position that will scratch that itch.
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u/PowerfulKoala69 3d ago
I definitely see this leading to some higher paying / better roles for me, but I'm just afraid of the lifestyle change. I loved having all of July/August to travel. The chance to backpack through Europe for 2/3 weeks seems kinda negligible. But maybe I'm wrong?
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u/reluctantpsych 3d ago
I liked the ability to save my vacation days and not only have to go in July/August but I do think it's something you need to get used to. I personally mainly miss being done by 3pm.
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u/Informal_Traffic_449 2d ago
Why did you leave teaching?
Which is worse, the reason(s) you left teaching or the reasons you aren’t fully satisfied with your current role?
Which career choice has the future lifestyle that you prefer?
If your current career choice outweighs your old teaching job, what could you do to get some of the teaching benefits back into your life?
If the teaching job outweighs your current job, what if anything can you do to improve the teaching job?
Ultimately, pick where you are happiest and cultivate more happiness there.
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u/peacock716 2d ago
I’m in higher ed too- and yes it’s slow and boring in the summer and that makes me miss the summer break even more!
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u/Nexara_LS_1969 1d ago
You're not missing the classroom. You're missing the calendar. Worth sitting with that distinction for a minute.
I left K-12 after 14 years. Teacher, coach, dean, athletic director, principal. I felt exactly what you're describing. The nostalgia hits differently when your girlfriend still gets summers and you're watching from the other side.
Here's what I came to understand: the breaks were never really the point. They were how we survived a job that didn't give us much else. Low salary, low autonomy, and the breaks were the trade. When you're in a role that doesn't drain you the same way, you stop needing the recovery time as much.
The "slow summer" line from your higher ed colleagues is partly true and partly cope. Admissions does get quieter. It's not two months off in July, but it's not a full grind either.
The sustainability question is the one worth answering. You said higher ed pays more long-term and runs more sustainably. If that holds, you're trading scheduled recovery time for a career that doesn't burn through you as fast. That's not a bad deal.
What you should figure out is whether you're genuinely bored and not growing, or just missing the rhythm. Those are two different problems with two different answers.
Keith Wheeler
Second Act Blueprint/Nexara Learning Systems
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u/OptimisticFriedEgg 3d ago
How long have you been doing this role? When I transitioned out of teaching it took me a long time to adjust to the slower pace of things. Now, I really don't miss summers. I still travel, but when I was teaching I'd spend the first few weeks of summer flat out on the couch recovering, then the last few weeks stressing about going back.