High School Teacher Faces Career Crossroads: Weighing the Benefits of a New Role A California high school English teacher is grappling with a daunting decision: leave the classroom after 13 years to take on a part-time public relations role in the same school district. The teacher, who has grown to love their job, is considering a significant career change that would allow them to leverage their communication skills and experience in a new way. However, they are unsure if they are ready to trade in the rewards of teaching, including summers off and the chance to connect with students, for a role that would require them to spend less time in the classroom. The teacher's concerns are also fueled by financial considerations, as they note that their maximum salary as a teacher is significantly lower than their partner's income in the private sector. As the teacher weighs their options, they must consider what their new role would mean for their personal and professional fulfillment, as well as their long-term career goals.
Before I even say anything just let me say: I know that at the end of the day only I can make this decision. Still though, would love some advice. I have been a high school English teacher (mostly 11th grade) in CA for 13 years now. And truly, I love it. I’m good at it, I think, and I have fun doing it (most of the time). I’m at a school I like a lot with supportive admin. But I started teaching straight away out of undergrad, and I can’t help but think: “can I really do this for another 20+ years until retirement? Teaching the same required texts in the same classroom to new faces year after year?” There is certainly something romantic about it, being a lifer, but there’s also something sort of dreadful about it. And then I look at the salary schedule and think: “is that really where I want to be at financially as a 60 year old?” For perspective: the MAX on my salary schedule is 25k less per year than my partner (36yo) who works in the private sector makes now. I don’t mind at all that she makes more than me, and she doesn’t either, but like all teachers, I start to question how much my effort is valued. So these thoughts have popped in and out of my head the last few years, and as I was snooping around online I found that my district had a position open. It is essentially a PR role, where much of my job would be writing press releases and responding to emails, with the occasional coverage of events at schools in the district and attending board meetings. I applied and interviewed and somehow got offered the position. They want me to start right away and start going to my school site part time. Now that I am faced with the choice, I don’t know what to do. I think I could make the best out of this job and I think that there would be rewarding parts, but I know I would not like it as much as teaching. Not even close. I would miss my students and classroom and summers off. I have a one year old at home and summers would be so so wonderful to spend with him. But this job would make for a 20% pay increase. Not hyperbolic to say it would be a life changing amount of money for my family. Additionally, right now I spend so much of my “personal” time working. Grading papers all weekend, lesson planning, etc. I dream of a job where clocking out means clocking out. I can spend time with my son without feeling guilty about the work I’m not doing. Sorry for the long post, but would love to hear what y’all have to say. Would you take it? What would be your reasoning either way? Any perspective is helpful! submitted by /u/picklesquirtz [link] [comments]