Leaving teaching career

I haven thought of quitting, but that was only when I was in a really bad situation my first year, and then only teaching part time for the few years after that.

If you've already made up your mind then go for it, you have to do what is best for you. Then you have to decide where to go next. Do you want to teach but only upper levels? Try to move on to college? I've had professors advise against going for a PhD just because it's so much work, and so expensive, and then you may just end up teaching at some tiny community or junior college in Montana because it's the only job available. I'm sure it's different for your path because you can go into administration or any of the other paths you described, so honestly I wouldn't worry about finding another job. The teacher I replaced told me once "If you're willing to move anywhere, you'll never be out of work.

If I were you, I'd look into work where you described, in tech or publishing or nonprofits first. You're pretty well qualified and could probably get a job without the extra work of committing 4-5 years of your life and $1000's, you just need to look for it.

I wish I could offer more advice, but I'm sticking it out in teaching for now myself. Good luck!

I quit my job after 5 years to pursue a PhD (like you, I also already had a Masters). When I decided to leave, I had a very clear vision of the career I ultimately wanted, and getting a PhD was the only way I could accomplish that goal.

Unless you know what you want to do once you leave your current job, AND unless you NEED a PhD to make whatever that dream is happen - my advice would be don't do it. It's 4-7 years (depending on what system you're in), and the odds are very good that you'll be broke, overworked, and undersupported.

That said, even with these inevitable stressors, I love being in grad school again and love my research and wouldn't trade it for anything - I'm four years in and I have absolutely no regrets. I know it's getting me closer to my goal, so it's easy(er) for me to cope with the downsides of what is otherwise an incredible experience.

The other side of the coin is this: I've seen too many people start graduate degrees simply because they couldn't think of anything else do to/felt like they had no alternatives. These people tend to burn out quickly, often quit, and are generally pretty disgruntled about the whole thing if they do manage to graduate.

Grad school is awesome, but make sure you're doing it for the right reasons

this is my 10th and probably last year working in a school. I spent 6 years teaching technology as a prep/specialist/elective teacher and the past 4 as an educational technology coordinator in a different school. even on the administrative side, schools are political, personality driven and tough to navigate. have a plan to extract yourself. there are lots of consultant opportunities and startup companies who need people with classroom experience. good luck finding your next calling!

In honesty, I worked in a school for 5 months this year and that's it - but every day I miss my students so much.