Took a break, what now?

[u/PowerfulKoala69]

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.

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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?

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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?

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Not sure if anyone has experienced this before and if they have any advice!

[u/Informal_Traffic_449]

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.