I’m considering leaving teaching, or possibly request teaching part time. In addition to the myriad of reasons other teachers are leaving, I also have a neurological condition (complex migraine and possibly functional neurological disorder) and a mental illness (bipolar 1)that make some of the basic duties of teaching very difficult. I have managed to be successful in the classroom even though these health issues, and have glowing evaluations and a good reputation in the community. However, I’m frequently absent (went over my leave days by a week) and sometimes have difficulty with speech, walking, my vision, mood and energy shifts, and fatigue and weakness even after treatment. Loud noise, stress, and bright lights, and computer screens are all triggers but seem unavoidable in a school setting. It’s hard to teach when I’m constantly forgetting words mid lecture or suddenly have slowed speech or trouble walking and balancing. Kids will ask “why are you talking like that?” or “what happened to your legs?” If I have to walk with a cane for a few days. I’m in my 30s so they don’t get why a young person has problems like an older person. I have been offered a job in auto retail that will likely lead to a management position in 9-12 months. For now though I’d take a pay cut from $42,000 as a teacher with 7 years experience to 28,000. I can make 50,000+ as a manager, but not until I have experience with the company. I’m not sure if I should take the job, or speak with admin about teaching part time. I’m not sure if this is possible, but since I teach an elective in an elementary school it might work. If I only taught and had a planning period with no morning or afternoon duties I might be able to reduce my workload some and have more time to rest and slow flare ups of symptoms. For context, I live in a rural area with very few job opportunities and low pay. I’m a single mom of 3 with geographical restrictions in a divorce decree so relocating is not an option. What would you do in my position? I’m really struggling making a decision with so many considerations to juggle.