Brown trousers time (career change eeeek).

[Pikey]

I'll try not to make this read like one of those secret teacher articles from the Guardian, but I think I've bloody well had enough of being a teacher now and need to use you guys as a sounding board.

Ten years ago an eager young Pikey left zoo keeping (really, that is true) and joined the teaching profession. I really enjoyed it until about three years ago, but now what was once a respected profession helping youngsters to help themselves get the best start in their lives has become an endless treadmill of testing, assessment, marking, RAG rating pupils and changing the way we all teach, seemingly weekly to suit the latest think tank / quango fuelled crap... and repeat.

Nothing to do with helping young'uns progress and learn, just a drive to get the best results for senior management.

I've seen a massive increasing in the number of the pupils at the school with depression, school related anxiety and random sicknesses due to exams, testing and their workload. I'm really not sure I want to be a part of that any more.

I'm 98.32% of the way to sacking it, becoming a driving instructor (already interviewed) and financially me and Mrs P can house the career change, along with a bit of supply and private tutoring.

But I'm pooing my proverbial pants at the change, what do you learned folks think? Am I being a tool worrying about the change or a tool for changing careers in the first place?

 

[Gatters]

my daughters doing on the job teaching qualifications, when she qualifies and does the time they expect her to stay I'd like her to get out of it she has no life at all in that job!

 

[TVC]

Go for it, no point doing a job that may put you in an early grave.

Rotten world where teachers are not given the flexability to use their talents to nurture young people as individuals, but banking corporations are allowed to play fast and loose with entire economies.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Quite normal to be a bit anxious at change but if you are not happy as a teacher you should do something to alter that.

 

[Dave 123]

My brother went from adult education lecturer/trainer/college management about 10 years ago to driving instructor.
At first he was with a big concern (BSM I think?), worked for a couple of local multi car schools and now he has a good name, he's independent.

With no mortgage to pay he works a 4 day week mon-thurs, and isn't too keen on working into the evening, but he's got himself into a position finally that he can choose which hours to work.

He is a very good teacher, be it driving, literacy skills or whatever and I think he now gets the enjoyment of teaching people on his terms without all the crap that's involved with an education factory.

 

[graham bowers]

No point in doing a job you dislike.
Do you know any driving instructors well enough to fully understand the ups and downs of that job?

 

[itchybeard]

I almost left my job this year, must of been a new year rush of excitement, but changed my mind.
Working with people, children in your case is a full on role, one I would not wish to do.
I then thought about going part-time though I have to think about finances...maybe part one job, part another...
Its relevant to have good support, someone to talk to about these things and get external viewpoint from someone in your work. Is it the work or your approach to the work?!
Look at your out goings, don't get sky, multi-rooms, net flix, mulit-sim cards, direct debits un neaded etc then se if you can manage to leave the role.
You know what you want, all the best.

 

[redvision95]

Just do it.

I quit a job early this year that id been doing for 4 1/2 years. The last 6 months were miserable and when the boss came out of the office and said they were going to make cuts starting with the apprentices, I just said ill save you the bother and walked out there and then. Im now self employed, doing a bit of this and a bit of that and im happier for it. If you have a job lined up and you hate your current job. Just go. Pointless staying in a job you dont enjoy anymore.

 

[screenman]

I would say be very careful where you spend your money becoming a driving instructor, take your suggested earnings set by the schools with a large pinch of salt.

My eldest is a deputy head with his head teachers test passed he is now doing his SEN or whatever, he feels the 8 years he had with me 5 of them running his own business was at times more stressful than teaching.

 

[vernon]

@Pikey, I fully understand where you are coming from. What was a vocation has been reduced to assembly line work governed and inspected by the latest trends using data as the sole arbiter of quality.

I'm counting my blessing that I have only fifteen working days left before retiring from the profession and apart from the last five years of data driven tyranny I have no regrets.

There's nothing wrong with changing careers. Feeling anxious is a normal reaction to a change in direction of your life's 'flightpath'.

Go for it.

 

[screenman]

http://1stdrive.bmobilized.com/?ref...uthaboutbeingadrivinginstructor.htm&width=534

 

[Levo-Lon]

As above on the Driving School con..you wont earn the 30k carrot
being unhappy at work is a pitiful existence..so by all means try the new career..
you can go back to teaching ..if the DI job fails to pay..

good luck tho ,hope it works for you

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Pikey, I spent two decades as a driving instructor and though I enjoyed it I was glad to get out and would advise anyone to think twice about it. The hours are anti social and the job is unhealthy, sitting in a car all day without being able to relax takes it's toll. The money is ok but not great, certainly not good enough to fund a pension of any worth.

If I were young enough now to fancy a change I'd look to train as a locksmith. The courses are relatively short and they command a very good rate - as you'll find if you ever lock yourself out of home or car. Plenty of other choices of course, but I'd put ADI well below the top of the list.

 

[bozmandb9]

I'll try not to make this read like one of those secret teacher articles from the Guardian, but I think I've bloody well had enough of being a teacher now and need to use you guys as a sounding board.

Ten years ago an eager young Pikey left zoo keeping (really, that is true) and joined the teaching profession. I really enjoyed it until about three years ago, but now what was once a respected profession helping youngsters to help themselves get the best start in their lives has become an endless treadmill of testing, assessment, marking, RAG rating pupils and changing the way we all teach, seemingly weekly to suit the latest think tank / quango fuelled crap... and repeat.

Nothing to do with helping young'uns progress and learn, just a drive to get the best results for senior management.

I've seen a massive increasing in the number of the pupils at the school with depression, school related anxiety and random sicknesses due to exams, testing and their workload. I'm really not sure I want to be a part of that any more.

I'm 98.32% of the way to sacking it, becoming a driving instructor (already interviewed) and financially me and Mrs P can house the career change, along with a bit of supply and private tutoring.

But I'm pooing my proverbial pants at the change, what do you learned folks think? Am I being a tool worrying about the change or a tool for changing careers in the first place?

Pikey, I totally get where you're coming from, since my wife just became a teacher, and it's putting the whole family under massive stress. But it seems to me that it still has the potential to be a rewarding career, though probably only by going into private schools, where the resources will be better, the pupils easier, and the paperwork / treadmill much less.

Sad state of affairs. I know some people can go the state route, and find it fulfilling (and maybe even rewarding), but they must be a tiny minority now. I think most are holding out for the pension!

 

[subaqua]

@Pikey, I fully understand where you are coming from. What was a vocation has been reduced to assembly line work governed and inspected by the latest trends using data as the sole arbiter of quality.

I'm counting my blessing that I have only fifteen working days left before retiring from the profession and apart from the last five years of data driven tyranny I have no regrets.

There's nothing wrong with changing careers. Feeling anxious is a normal reaction to a change in direction of your life's 'flightpath'.

Go for it.

I clicked like, but its not really the best choice of word. Wifey is also disillusioned with teaching for the reasons you post. she does however still get some of the good moments , but nowhere near as much as she used to.

it is a sad state to be in . good luck for the future whatever it brings . you and the OP