If the past couple of years have left you tempted to quit your teaching job, you’re not alone. Earlier this year, we surveyed thousands of educators from right around Australia and found that almost half of all teachers that responded were planning on leaving the industry in the next 5 years.
While the majority of those who responded listed an unmanageable workload as the major factor for them leaving the teaching profession, there’s many reasons leading educators around the country to quit their teaching jobs. If you are thinking about moving to another teaching role, there’s some things you should consider before you take the leap. To give you some answers on the best way to quit a teaching role—and what to do next, we asked Matt from Teacher Application Services Australia to weigh in.
What is the “right” amount of time to spend in a teaching role?
The role of a teacher is an interesting and often misunderstood one. And as you probably know, particularly for those in more traditional 9-5 type roles, the misconception that teachers only work from 9-3 and take all school holidays off is widespread. Regardless of how the industry is perceived from outside, teaching can be an especially intensive job and the experience you can gain in even a few years can be far greater than that in other industries. So what is the right time to spend in a teaching role?
Well, considering the current state of the education industry in Australia where as many as half of all education graduates quit teaching in their first five years, it can be tough finding the average period a teacher spends in a role. We asked Matt from Teacher Application Services Australia if he had a magic number for the time a teacher should stay in their role. Here’s what he had to say:
“The right amount of time to spend in a teaching role really depends on the goals and career aspirations of that teacher. They say 7 years is the magic number for the length of time you should spend gaining experience in a role before moving on, but if you find yourself continually progressing at your current school, it may make sense to stay longer.”
How do you know when it’s time to quit a teaching role?
Like with any job, your decision to stay in or quit teaching will come down to a few different things. While this list is by no means exhaustive, here are some factors that lead to happiness at work and, if unmet, can be a sign that it’s time to look for a new job.
Relationships
One thing that the pandemic taught the world was the importance of relationships. With teachers right around the country thrust from the classroom into their homes with barely a moment to process it all, the shift in the relationships that are cultivated at school was one of the most noticeable changes.
For many teachers, it’s the relationships that they develop at their workplace, with other teachers, their students, parents, and other staff that can make a teaching role special. The absence of these relationships can have a big impact on an educator and can be a contributing factor to looking for a new job.
Career objectives
Because no two teachers are alike, every educator has different objectives and goals for their career. While some may be eager to progress into a school leadership position, others may be more focused on continuing to develop their craft in the classroom so they can be the best teacher they can be. At the same time, other educators may be more focused on stability and seek out the teaching role that’s most likely to provide a regular pay cheque so they can focus on their life outside of school. All of these career objectives are normal, and it’s perfectly understandable to seek a new role if you aren’t able to achieve them in your current job.
On the topic of career objectives, many teachers have found themselves sticking it out in roles they may not stay in otherwise to gain experience. We asked Matt if that’s a good idea for educators.
“Not usually, but it also depends on your overall career goal. E.g., If you are a classroom teacher, getting experience as a relieving head of department, well if you’re ultimately goal is to gain leadership experience and eventually move up, you might stick it out if it’s for a short period, but if you aren’t happy then clearly you wouldn’t stay long term. So do yourself a favour.”
Fulfilment
Like every person walking this earth, all teachers want to lead a fulfilling life. And, since a big chunk of our lives are spent working, it makes sense that many people want to feel fulfilled in their work. The factors that lead to fulfilment are deeply personal, so there’s an element of soul searching that’s involved in figuring out what it will take for you. If you do reach a point where you don’t feel it’s possible to get fulfilment from your current role, it may be time to make a change.
Here’s what one teacher said about the tipping point when they knew it was time to leave their current teaching role:
“At a certain point I just realised it was too much. I had my hands full trying to meet the needs of individual students, but each week we were having a staff meeting that would constantly add more to our workload.”
What’s the best way to quit a teaching job you’re not happy in?
So, you’ve decided to quit your current teaching role. Maybe you’ve already been offered an exciting new role, or you’ve just decided that now is the right time to go—what should you do first? Here’s what Matt has to say:
“When you feel like you’re ready to move on from your current teaching role, it’s important to plant the seed. Have conversations early on with your direct supervisor, your HT admin and DP and/or principal. Ensure you keep lines of communication open and everyone in the loop with as much notice as possible. At the same time ensure you consult your principal if you intend to apply for other jobs and try to keep everyone happy.”
Here are some things to keep in mind to ensure that your time in your teaching role after quitting is as smooth as possible.
Consider your obligations
For many people, making the decision to quit a teaching job is the hardest part. Getting over that mental hurdle can be tough, so don’t beat yourself up if it takes you some time to get there. Once you’ve got to this point, your next step should be to check what’s required of you when it comes to your school. Digging up your contract and giving it a once over is a good place to start and will give you a better idea of the notice period you are required to give, as well as any other obligations you have to your employer. Failing that, check the resources from the department in your state if you work for a public school. This will help you prepare for your next teaching role and ensure you leave in the best circumstances possible.
Don’t burn bridges
This should go without saying, but wherever possible, do your best to leave on a high and ensure you maintain a good relationship with your school leadership and fellow teachers. As well as making the remaining time in your role as pleasant as possible for yourself and those around you, it will improve your job prospects into the future. Education is a small world after all, and you never know when you will run into someone again.
Put yourself first
Teachers are known to instinctively put the needs of students above their own. While this does have its benefits when it comes to ultimate learning outcomes and student success, when it comes to identifying when you aren’t happy in a role and deciding to do something about it, it’s important to put yourself first.
How to handle leaving a teaching job on bad terms
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, there’s just no way to leave a job on good terms. Whether there has always been friction in the workplace or things sour once you hand in your notice, ensuring that you fulfil your obligations to the school and your students is the most important thing, so you shouldn’t waste more energy on the situation than is necessary. We get that that is easier said than done, however, so we asked Matt for his advice to any teachers that find themselves in this situation.
“This sort of situation is unfortunate and can be really uncomfortable for the teacher involved. If you ever find yourself here, the best thing to do is to try and identify your allies at school, not only to provide a positive reference for you, but to lend an ear and give some moral support.”
Should you mention the job in future interviews?
If you leave a job on bad terms, you may find yourself wondering how to approach it when interviewing for a new role. While there’s no hard and fast rules here, it’s generally a good idea to include the teaching job on your CV, particularly if you have been in the role for a significant period of time. Fast forward to the interview—how do you approach the topic of your previous role, particularly if you are unable to use your formal principal as a reference? Here’s Matt’s advice.
“Unless you are asked directly, there’s really no need to mention leaving a former teaching role on bad terms. If you are asked, honesty is the best policy. Explain the situation but keep it brief and do your best to keep emotion out of it.”
Interviewing for a new job? Here’s Matt’s tips on preparing for an interview for a teaching role.
Applying for a new teaching job
Whether you have already quit your teaching job and are actively looking for a new role or just want to put the feelers out there and test the market, make ClassCover your first stop. Our jobs portal is updated daily with fresh full-time, part-time, and contract education roles right around Australia. Rather than spending hours wading through irrelevant job posts, use the filters on ClassCover jobs to filter by job type, school type, subject, job title, post code, and more to make sure you’re only finding the teaching jobs you want.
Claim your free teacher profile on ClassCover and start your job search.