Hello all...

I was a teacher and coach for 13 years. I've decided to give it up due to inability to focus for a full year and all the BS attached. I used to always start the year off excited/motivated and by October basically give-up. Now I have zero excitement at the beginning of the year and feel like Im robbing the kids from a teacher who is balanced and gives it their best the majority of the time.

This year I took off to write and try my hand at business which is looking like its going to fail.

I've been racking my brain as to what I could do and I can come up with nothing. Even though Im broke I have family support which keeps me off the streets. I was thinking of going back for an MBA or maybe something new.

I have a BS in criminal justice and a Master in Ed. and they look like they are both useless at this point.

Im bipolar to my core. Super creative when in mania and useless when depressed. Im on meds now and finding my balance, but get depressed due to my lack of success with career and being broko at 42..

Anyone make any interesting transitions from teaching here??

[Mrs. Mania]

If it helps, i'm the same age and also have zilch. I have worked for 30 years & applied today for a dishwasher job which I don't think I 'll get.

[BipolaRNurse]

Also if it helps: I'm a nurse who can't nurse anymore and am about a month away from being homeless. I have NO idea what I want to do, or even can do since I have physical disabilities along with my mental disability. If anyone has any pointers, the above posters and I could sure use them.

Mrs. and Nurse good luck with your search too, seems like quite the puzzle...

The most enjoyable jobs Ive had were ones were I was on my own like delivering pizzas, but now I dont even own a car .

[Sad&Bipolar]

I was a teacher when I had a severe melt down. I retrained as a Mental Health Worker after spending 7 years in treatment and in the mental health community. It felt like a perfect fit for me, being able to help others (a lot like teaching) who were going through the pain of various mental health issues. I never returned to work full time, however. I am married and we became a one-income family with Disability as a supplement.

You can go back to the college you attended and ask them to help you in looking for possible new career choices. There are inventories that assess your strengths, and offer a list of possible careers. Teaching lends itself to many types of jobs and careers. You are still young, so I am sure you will find something that will help you get back to work and feeling good about yourself. Try also networking with people in your circles (church is a good place if you belong to one). Talking to a therapist can also be helpful when you are trying to make a life decision. I wish you the best. Viv.

Hi Viv, I was looking into being a counselor of some type, but when I've done the research I just dont get excited about studying it.

I went to school in a far away state that was a teacher college.

Im leaning on taking a few business classes at a community college to see if this something I may want to pursue before I plunge into a costly MBA program. I love everything about business and have a few years invested in a failed online based business. I had creative success, but couldn't get the proper traction.

I meet with a therapist and will be talking about this tomorrow.

As of now my plan is to take my recovery very serious as I was doxed ten years ago and never took the process 100% seriously besides taking meds. So Im going to take this year to address my bipolar as first priority and figure-out my career as a secondary goal.

As for networking, Im in a new area (where my parents live) and don't know anyone so I'm starting everything new (I was out of the country for almost 7 years).

[Swanny]

Doome I can totally relate, I am a teacher right now and it has really been a challenge balancing work and life.

So here is my advice for the short term: As a teacher you may be able to find tutoring jobs in your area of expertise. Tutors typically charge $40 an hour and your schedule could be VERY flexible. Just an idea to help.

Also, you mentioned you were a coach, private coaching lessons are another way you could make some cash at least for the short term. You could put up flyers at your local recreation centers (if your a baseball coach advertise at a little league field for example).

Substitute teaching is also something you could consider, again at least for the short term.

I would love to get out of teaching, my doctor has advised me to do so as she feels it exacerbates my condition. The second I can figure out a way out, I'm gone.

Hi Swanny,

I thought about the subbing before and if I go back to study I may use that as an option for sure for a flexible cash option. I just need to do some research on the credential. I have a California multiple subject so probably would work in Illinois.

I never though about the tutoring and that it paid that much .

Ill be for sure doing research on that tomorrow ...

I was a girls basketball coach for really small schools and not sure if I would feel confident getting involved with that in Chicago, where the balling is top-notch.

For me I taught years in the States and the BP was an issue. I went the last 7 at international schools and it was not nearly as much as a problem as the kids were so much better, but it meant having to teach at higher standards and I was just so done with putting a massive effort into it, I just wanted out.

Hope you enjoy your summer and figure out your direction soon ...

Had a good talk with my doc, family and few other people that are in my life.

Im happy to say Im getting support in my decision to push forth with my dream to pursue my business dreams. I will continue to work on my online biz, while I explore the option of returning to school in late August. I have a few options for the direction, but need to crunch some info.

I will use my teaching background in subbing or tutoring if I need to generate some cash.

I for sure will not be returning to the classroom FT and its a relief knowing I will not going back into that cycle this August.

Thanks for your support, Im looking forward for the challenges ahead of me.