Any former [Math] Teachers Change Careers?

[JLong06]

I'm in my 14th year teaching high school math and I've gotten the itch to move on to something different. Variety of reasons, but really just looking for something different/change of pace. Wondering if any former teachers have any advice about making a change? Math or otherwise is fine.

I've started taking boot-camps to learn SQL and am currently working through Google's Intro to Data Analysis (also plan to learn R and Tableau). I'm definitely interested in that career. I'm just nervous making a change from something I've done since I graduated college. Complicating my anxiety is that I do have a young family with financial responsibilities so I just can't up and start over.

Any thoughts are appreciated If anyone is a current data analyst - any thoughts about training paths would be welcome.

 

[cmarsh31]

Curious as well. I'm at 22 years and counting, but I took an 8-year break to stay home with my kids. I'd love a job with more flexibility and the potential to work park-time. Cramming my entire life outside of school into school vacations is going to get difficult as my kids head for college and we have all different winter & spring breaks.

 

[KittyKitty]

Have you looked into your school district's, state's retirement program? This might give you a goal date to change careers.

 

[PrincesCJM]

I'm 17 years into teaching high school math as well and I'm not sure I can make it another 22 until I can retire. I have thought about switching careers at some point but while my kids are still young (9&5), it's not a move I'll make yet. But pandemic teaching is very hard so who knows.

 

[JLong06]

Have you looked into your school district's, state's retirement program? This might give you a goal date to change careers.

Yep, I’m already vested

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I know someone who was a high school math teacher who switched to financial planning. Did very well.

 

[JLong06]

I'm 17 years into teaching high school math as well and I'm not sure I can make it another 22 until I can retire. I have thought about switching careers at some point but while my kids are still young (9&5), it's not a move I'll make yet. But pandemic teaching is very hard so who knows.

Same ages for my kids. That’s really the hardest part. Other than some very unique situations, I know I could have a reliable income (with a set pay scale) if I stay with what I’m doing. I’m not a big risk taker at all and I’m having a hard time justifying “why do this” if I know I could provide for my family just fine with what I’m doing.

This would truly be a “me” decision and even if that’s a good thing, my brain isn’t wired to do that.

 

[MamaMermaid]

What about tutoring math or SAT? I know many math teachers who have quit and tutored. They make TONS. Of course, I live in an affluent area where parents can afford to pay for tutoring so this may not be as viable elsewhere.

 

[KittyKitty]

Research the pay for Data Analysis. Research how hard to get a job, what the hours expected to work, training needed(you are doing that), need to move, live on the wages.
I am a retired math teacher, so I know you do your research. I think you should get all the info you can about the new career( like you're doing). Us math ppl tend not to like the unknown. But change can be good for your well being, which is good for your family.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

One of the quality assurance engieers for the software company I work for, which is a company that makes K-12 education administrative software used to be a Math teacher. Not only did she have the math background to help find errors in GPA calculations and whatnot, but she also had the teaching background to provide feedback on the software we make specifically for teachers.

 

[GreatLakes]

A good friend of mine taught math for 3 years after college and hated the politics. He went to a medical insurance company working as an actuary and loves it.

 

[sarahaksen]

Many teachers change careers. Teaching is not a stable or lucrative profession, and many teachers find other opportunities in their field of interest.

 

[clh2]

Definitely check out being an actuary. My daughter is one, one of her coworkers is a former math teacher.

 

[emer95]

I’m a teacher (elementary school) and I’ve considered doing something different because I’ve had some health problems (debilitating migraines). Working from home would be ideal. But in 2.5 years I will make a huge jump in my salary so I’m hoping to hang on for a while. I sincerely love my job and my students. I just worry about being at my best. My students deserve better than what I’ve been giving this year.

 

[Cheburashka]

Same ages for my kids. That’s really the hardest part. Other than some very unique situations, I know I could have a reliable income (with a set pay scale) if I stay with what I’m doing. I’m not a big risk taker at all and I’m having a hard time justifying “why do this” if I know I could provide for my family just fine with what I’m doing.

This would truly be a “me” decision and even if that’s a good thing, my brain isn’t wired to do that.

I recommend that you get a graduate degree in something that will let you take a higher paying and different type of position in your school district. Data analysts are certainly needed at district level, and there are a variety of administrative positions out there. Look into well-paying, non-teaching assignments, then find out what type of advanced education is needed to get those jobs.

Several years ago, after leaving a school I had a bad experience at, I contemplated leaving education entirely. I'm a single mother, so it really wasn't in the cards to do that. Now I'm getting my masters in Educational Administration, so that I can eventually become an administrator. I actually really like teaching my students, but all of the other stuff (I don't have to tell you, I'm sure) gets tiresome, and the pay just isn't enough. I wish I'd made this move all of those years ago, instead of building castles in the sand about maybe going into an entirely different field, which realistically just wasn't an option for me as a single mom with no support.

If you're married to a wife who works, you might have more of a cushion to change careers. A teacher at my school is actually leaving this week for a position outside of the education field. But he's young, has no kids, etc.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I was not a math teacher, I was a language arts teacher for 20 years. I left teaching after some family drama/divorce yadda yadda....

I got into banking and seem to have found my niche. I started out at the bottom as a teller and worked my way into the lending department. It is so funny that I work in banking but I am so terrible at math. I don't make quite as much money as I did teaching, but at least I feel better about myself and about what I do. I do not come home each day feeling like I have been through some kind of battle. I feel more competent and confident in my 5th year of this than I did of my 20th year of teaching.

 

[Cheburashka]

Many teachers change careers. Teaching is not a stable or lucrative profession, and many teachers find other opportunities in their field of interest.

I can't agree with most of that. I've been a teacher for over 20 years, and haven't known many experienced teachers to change careers. I've seen plenty retire, or quit to stay at home with their children, or switch to different roles in education, but full career changes to a non-education field once you're established as a teacher (more than 5 years in) is pretty rare. Teacher retirement systems are typically designed in a way to strongly incentivize teachers to stay in education, so retirement is one thing that keeps experienced teachers (like the OP) from leaving the field.

Teaching is also quite a stable job, as long as you're good at it. Teachers are always needed and there are schools everywhere. If I were to get laid off tomorrow, I guarantee you that I'd have a quality replacement position by next fall. I agree that it isn't lucrative, though. I'd never advise anyone to take it on as a career, simply due to the high demands combined with low pay.

 

[WDWJDS]

RN for 35 years here and I’m about to change careers completely by going into college admissions . COVID and staffing issues have put me over the edge (although I was contemplating changing well before that). Just put in applications at two separate colleges. I don’t want the rest of my working years to be miserable. I’m not going out like that

 

[disny_luvr]

I’m a middle school teacher, and I’m about at my wits end. I’ve been teaching for 17 years and just don’t know how many years I have left in me. Pandemic teaching has been rough. I think about leaving, but my boys are both going to college in two years, and while teaching isn’t very lucrative, it’s a stable job with decent pay and I honestly don’t know what else I’d do.

Good luck on your decision and keep us updated.

 

[JLong06]

Hello again everyone. I want to say I really appreciate everyone that chimed in with thoughts, suggestions, encouragement, etc.

To update: I ended up taking a job as a data analyst. I'll be leaving a job that I've had for 14 years (it's scary!), but I'll be receiving a bigger pay raise than my past 14 years combined (woot woot!). I'll be starting in a month. Wish me luck!