How to Leave a Teaching Career

Educating young people can be a rewarding career choice, but sometimes there comes a time when it is necessary to try something new. Changing careers or leaving one career behind is challenging unless you know the steps to transition your skills into a new career or hobby. If you are retiring, changing careers, deciding to stay at home, or starting a new business or hobby, you can use the following steps to leave a teaching career.

Things You'll Need

• Pen Paper Boxes

Instructions

1. List your strengths and weaknesses. As a teacher, you are a good communicator and easily able to explain complex topics, breaking them down into simpler terms. You may be able to make decisions quickly, and most teachers are patient. List skills that you have that are related to teaching and that are also related to whichever other career or hobby that interests you.

2. Begin searching for a job or a hobby related to your listed skills. For example, if you are a good communicator and you enjoy writing or public speaking, you should search for a job in public relations or freelance writing. If you listed that your strengths are that you are caring and patient, you may want to train as a nurse or work with senior citizens in a retirement center.

3. Send your letter of resignation or tell your principal that you are retiring. Since you are most likely on a contract with your school, you need to send a written statement detailing that this is your final year at the school. If you have already signed the contract for the next school year, ask the principal if you can rescind it.

4. Announce that you are not returning. Tell students and colleagues that you are leaving. Students will want to know if they will see you next year, even if you will not be their teacher. Humans are creatures of habit and like familiar people around them. Your students and coworkers will want to know if they will see you when they return from the summer. Be positive and friendly, but tell them the truth.

5. Pack up your classroom. You may be given a checklist of things to do to for the end of the school year. Complete the tasks and bring plenty of boxes to move your personal belongings home.

6. Begin your new career or work on your hobby.

Tips & Warnings

• Never discuss your resignation with students or coworkers before alerting your principal.

References

• Jobs for Teachers