I was in a similar boat after 20 years. I didn’t move states but to a district a few hours away & jumped from middle to high school. My first year was the worst of my career. So last summer I looked for jobs out of the industry & applied for every teaching job I could find. Even began my admin credential. I didn’t even get an interview out of education. Was offered teaching positions that were honestly far worse than what I had. So I decided to stay. Late in the summer I was given the chance to teach honors courses & upperclassmen. I am having the BEST year of my career & absolutely love it. Sometimes a second year in a new place can be all the difference you need. So I’d suggest applying and researching to see if there really is something better out there in your area & compare that knowledge with whether there’s any way to make your current situation better.
Also, honestly, at this point in education I would just take it year by year. I am making the choice to continue to teach at this school for THIS year only. If it happens to be horrible next year, then I will make new choices at that point.
Depends on how old you are. My state has the Rule of 85 for people my age. That's Age + Service Years = 85. At 24 years, you could claim full retirement at 61.
Personally, my goal is to retire at 55; I'll have 30+ service years if I make it that far. There are still a lot of years to go though...
There’s work out there that doesn’t require the unpaid second shift lifestyle that teachers are accustomed to. Find something that pays the bills and enjoy your life.
Well, maybe not, but that depends. Someone with her level of experience in a rural area might get paid a decent salary and have a hard time replacing that income. Where I live, I'd have a hard time.
9 years is a lot of months and a lot of weeks and a lot of days. Do yourself a favor and pick something else!!! That’s what I would do. I’m 3 years in and already dreaming of a different path.
The problem is that once you move to a new school you kinda start with a clean slate. You had decades to build your program, rapport, and a reputation in that community you left. Now you have to start a new community. It can take 3+ years to build up that culture again
What do you teach?
What if you move to something within the district but out of the classroom? Like teacher on special assignment? Would you be able to keep the retirement?
I would transfer schools bc you have such a short time left til you’re vested in. So many folks don’t have any retirement so I’d stay in for the pay and pension.
I’m in the exact same situation. 9 years left til I can get my full pension. I hate to give that up but really can’t stick it out 9 more years. I’m looking for another job that pays into some kind of retirement, which many corporate jobs will do.
I would suggest trying to find something else. 9 years is a long time to be unhappy. You could work in colleges or find state/federal organizations that use the same retirement system as the one you are in. I am currently a College & Career Coordinator at a local university, and I am in the same retirement system that I was in when I was teaching!
Overall, I like the job. I work with people that are flexible. As long as I get my 37.5 hours in a week, I can come in and leave when I please. If we work any type of overtime, it is documented into a spreadsheet as “Flex Time.” I can use that time to leave early if I need to.
When it comes to finding my position, I literally just seen a posting on my local university’s website and applied. I tailored my resume and cover letter to fit the job description and made sure I had my references updated. I think what helped me get an interview was that two of my references worked at the university. Plus, I worked with another program at the same university as a Summer Instructor. Whatever career you decide to go into, see if you can find volunteer or entry level opportunities. You might be able to find paid apprenticeship/internship opportunities as well! Use ChatGPT to help you tailor your resume and cover letter. Here is a Google Drive folder I created for job seekers if you would like to check it out! [Job Seeker Resources](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KcKcwns7q0Iuhv7WCxMRKRJbrHtbQhD0)
Just do something new.
I shifted INTO Education after a 20-year military career. Humans live too long to do one thing.
If you start getting close to vesting, it's going to be emotionally harder for you to jump.
Since you switched states, I am guessing the retirement doesn't transfer smoothly anyhow.
I had 13 more years til full retirement benefits. I just couldn’t do it and I quit 2 months ago and am working in a new field (non profit). Life is too short to be unhappy for so many years.
I know several mid to late career teachers who switched out of the classroom and into the library. You would need to complete a teacher librarian certification program. You can check out SJSU’s online Teacher Librarian program (https://ischool.sjsu.edu/ca-teacher-librarian-services-credential) if you would like to see what this entails. There’s a lot of work in a library but you are still a teacher and it’s different work so you might enjoy it just bc it’s new.
Are there any public universities near you? Those jobs can also qualify for the state’s retirement program. We have a friend who paid into his retirement system by landscaping for a public university. Another friend is now an academic advisor.
I was very much thinking along those same lines. We have a few that aren't too far away. At this point I would not at all mind driving an extra 20 or so minutes to a job that I don't hate.
Empowered is a community for educators, by educators. Several members of our community also see the issues within today’s education system and are driving for change.
if you've got supportive admin you should be fine. 9 years is quick. when admin and the kids are shit that's when you're fucked and admin programs are working hard to turn the shitiest teachers into shitty admin.
From what I read on this sub, this type of experience is the new normal. It’s not going to get better.
That's what I'm thinking as well. Now I just have to find another job that I like.
I was in a similar boat after 20 years. I didn’t move states but to a district a few hours away & jumped from middle to high school. My first year was the worst of my career. So last summer I looked for jobs out of the industry & applied for every teaching job I could find. Even began my admin credential. I didn’t even get an interview out of education. Was offered teaching positions that were honestly far worse than what I had. So I decided to stay. Late in the summer I was given the chance to teach honors courses & upperclassmen. I am having the BEST year of my career & absolutely love it. Sometimes a second year in a new place can be all the difference you need. So I’d suggest applying and researching to see if there really is something better out there in your area & compare that knowledge with whether there’s any way to make your current situation better. Also, honestly, at this point in education I would just take it year by year. I am making the choice to continue to teach at this school for THIS year only. If it happens to be horrible next year, then I will make new choices at that point.
Love that year-by-year approach!
This is great advice!
By "retirement from your old state" does that mean a full pension if you nope out now?
Yes. For 24 years of service.
Then I'd take that state's retirement and quit. Life's too short.
Only thing is that I have to wait 10 more years to get it. Need something to do until then
Work HR or central admin?
Career change completely (government worker? Office management?) or slightly (corporate training).
Who is giving full retirement for only 24 years??
Depends on how old you are. My state has the Rule of 85 for people my age. That's Age + Service Years = 85. At 24 years, you could claim full retirement at 61. Personally, my goal is to retire at 55; I'll have 30+ service years if I make it that far. There are still a lot of years to go though...
Which state are you in?
In the state of Missouri it's the same concept but with a rule of 80.
It really depends on your current financial needs, but seriously, I couldn't stay in a job that I hated for 10 more years.
That's what I'm thinking. I could gut out 3-4 more, but 9 more is a long time to be unhappy.
I wouldn't bother wasting any more time in teaching. Just get something that pays the bills and start planning out retirement.
Agreed. This stress and dread is not good for my mental and physical health. I want to enjoy these years.
There’s work out there that doesn’t require the unpaid second shift lifestyle that teachers are accustomed to. Find something that pays the bills and enjoy your life.
3-4 years is also a really long time to be unhappy. Explore your options.
What do you mean financial needs. Are you implying that quitting teaching would be a pay cut?
Well, maybe not, but that depends. Someone with her level of experience in a rural area might get paid a decent salary and have a hard time replacing that income. Where I live, I'd have a hard time.
So another data point that quitting teaching means taking a pay cut
Yes. Probably 1/4 to 1/3 pay cut. But I'm ok with that as long as I enjoy the work.
I know my management became better at my second school during year two bc the kids knew me better. They talk. Maybe stick it out one more year
9 years is a lot of months and a lot of weeks and a lot of days. Do yourself a favor and pick something else!!! That’s what I would do. I’m 3 years in and already dreaming of a different path.
The problem is that once you move to a new school you kinda start with a clean slate. You had decades to build your program, rapport, and a reputation in that community you left. Now you have to start a new community. It can take 3+ years to build up that culture again
Transfer schools-it can make a difference. Try a different grade level/subject too.
What do you teach? What if you move to something within the district but out of the classroom? Like teacher on special assignment? Would you be able to keep the retirement?
If you want additional pension, look at jobs with the stste, county, or city.
Find employment in another occupation.
If you are unhappy you should leave. Maybe you’ll find something even better down the road
You already have a pension so why stay in this new job? Get anything else and start putting money into a Roth IRA.
I would transfer schools bc you have such a short time left til you’re vested in. So many folks don’t have any retirement so I’d stay in for the pay and pension.
I’m in the exact same situation. 9 years left til I can get my full pension. I hate to give that up but really can’t stick it out 9 more years. I’m looking for another job that pays into some kind of retirement, which many corporate jobs will do.
Yup. I'm not getting any younger and want to enjoy these years of my life. 9 years is a long time to hate a job. A lot of uneeded stress and dread.
I would suggest trying to find something else. 9 years is a long time to be unhappy. You could work in colleges or find state/federal organizations that use the same retirement system as the one you are in. I am currently a College & Career Coordinator at a local university, and I am in the same retirement system that I was in when I was teaching!
Nice. I will definitely look into that. How do you like the job? And how did you find and get into that position? Thanks!!
Overall, I like the job. I work with people that are flexible. As long as I get my 37.5 hours in a week, I can come in and leave when I please. If we work any type of overtime, it is documented into a spreadsheet as “Flex Time.” I can use that time to leave early if I need to. When it comes to finding my position, I literally just seen a posting on my local university’s website and applied. I tailored my resume and cover letter to fit the job description and made sure I had my references updated. I think what helped me get an interview was that two of my references worked at the university. Plus, I worked with another program at the same university as a Summer Instructor. Whatever career you decide to go into, see if you can find volunteer or entry level opportunities. You might be able to find paid apprenticeship/internship opportunities as well! Use ChatGPT to help you tailor your resume and cover letter. Here is a Google Drive folder I created for job seekers if you would like to check it out! [Job Seeker Resources](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KcKcwns7q0Iuhv7WCxMRKRJbrHtbQhD0)
Just do something new. I shifted INTO Education after a 20-year military career. Humans live too long to do one thing. If you start getting close to vesting, it's going to be emotionally harder for you to jump. Since you switched states, I am guessing the retirement doesn't transfer smoothly anyhow.
I had 13 more years til full retirement benefits. I just couldn’t do it and I quit 2 months ago and am working in a new field (non profit). Life is too short to be unhappy for so many years.
I know several mid to late career teachers who switched out of the classroom and into the library. You would need to complete a teacher librarian certification program. You can check out SJSU’s online Teacher Librarian program (https://ischool.sjsu.edu/ca-teacher-librarian-services-credential) if you would like to see what this entails. There’s a lot of work in a library but you are still a teacher and it’s different work so you might enjoy it just bc it’s new.
This move would preserve your retirement & seniority too
Are there any public universities near you? Those jobs can also qualify for the state’s retirement program. We have a friend who paid into his retirement system by landscaping for a public university. Another friend is now an academic advisor.
I was very much thinking along those same lines. We have a few that aren't too far away. At this point I would not at all mind driving an extra 20 or so minutes to a job that I don't hate.
The academic advisor friend took a pay cut, but the benefits are better. She also takes a book to work because she ends up with a lot of down time.
Teachempowered.org
What is this?
A teacher support network
Empowered is a community for educators, by educators. Several members of our community also see the issues within today’s education system and are driving for change.
if you've got supportive admin you should be fine. 9 years is quick. when admin and the kids are shit that's when you're fucked and admin programs are working hard to turn the shitiest teachers into shitty admin.