Wow

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imageI made the decision on Monday to share the fact that I have quit my job – Suzie81 Speaks was created nearly two years ago for the sole purpose of being able to write down my thoughts, opinions and life experiences – and I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t expecting some sort of reaction to my post after I had pressed the publish button. I’ve known certain bloggers within the WordPress community for nearly two years and in that time they have repeatedly proven to be wonderfully supportive, so I assumed that my revelation would have prompted a few comments from some of my closer online friends.

What I didn’t expect was 48 hours of wonderful chaos. Within minutes of the post going live, the comments and the tweets started to flood in from teaching staff and people involved in the education system. My stats rocketed. I started to receive Facebook and text messages from former colleagues and friends who had read about my decision, despite the fact that I hadn’t shared it on my Facebook page. I checked my email account to find a number of lovely messages from more bloggy friends… I’ve even been given a career suggestion by my friend Steve over at Steve Says – although I’m not sure how feasible that would be!

What has surprised me the most was just how many people feel the same way, and I’ve been utterly fascinated with the stories that people shared with me. It’s so sad that in a profession that was once respected and admired there are now so many people that are unhappy and are finding their physical and mental health being affected by such immense pressure. I found it really inspiring to see so many people who had found a way out and created a different path, particularly those who are now extremely happy in their new roles!

I wanted to say how appreciative I am of all of your support. I’m slowly working my way through all the comments, so please forgive me if I haven’t replied yet! It hasn’t quite sunk in yet, but I’m sure that I will certainly feel better once the Summer term is over. I’ve worked out that I have 60 working days left…

Now I just have to find a new job!

Thank you x

 

53 thoughts on “Wow”

  1. And you are amazed? So silly you. Now you know how much you are to people and how far your reach goes. Make a plan and make this reach work for you.

  5. And actually I believe that the new path will find YOU! Be open to your heart’s desires… You shall be divinely inspired, you’ll see.

  6. Getting the new job is the easy bit. A lot of the private sector recognises that ex-teachers are talented, hard-working professionals.

    Your thoughts absolutely echo mine when I left teaching a couple of years ago. I was 32, and since then my health has improved no end and I’ve lost a couple of stone as well.

  7. Ah I think I told you earlier this year there were some changes coming …….. exciting, isn’t it? It’s totally the right move for you. You did a great job and now it’s time to do something where your happiness is uppermost. You’ll be fine.

    • Thanks for your support as always my lovely! I’ve had so many beautiful comments, like yours, that have helped me to feel a bit more comfortable in my decision. Really appreciate it!

  10. Congratulations for taking a risk! I think a lot of us feel stuck, but we let our fear stop us from taking a chance on changing our circumstances. Good for you for doing what was right for your health and your happiness! 🙂

  12. Suzie,
    You will find a new passion and a new career, I have no doubt.
    Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the entire profession changed after reading this post? If parents sent to school kids who are expected to be respectful and do their own homework every night; if the administration supported its teachers with decent pay, fair conditions, and reasonable expectations; if school boards understood what they are actually supposed to do; and if the voting public realized that “free education” doesn’t mean that teachers will work backbreaking hours for almost no pay while producing exceptionally well prepared graduates.
    It’s no better on this side of the pond. Spoiled kids, lazy parents, ignorant people all around, and voting citizens who think they have the answers though they’ve never studied about educating kids.
    And who suffers? The kids who go to school prepared and will not get the education they deserve.
    Go for your heart, Suzie. We’re all cheering you on.
    Shari

    • I totally agree with you Sharon, and thanks for such a lovely comment, as always! I could write an entire book as to why the profession is in such a mess, but there are several that already exist and make no difference haha!

  15. Like most on here, I may have never met you, Suzie, but when it comes to surrounding a friend with positivity and care when they have taken a risk or made a huge life changing choice, I’ll always be there with everyone else for you. The world is your oyster, and in the little time I have got to know you through reading your posts, I know just how well you will go on and do because you are such a positive and caring person.

  17. I too, have made the decision to leave the job I love. I am taking early retirement but will still have to work to pay the mortgage. I’m hoping there will be supply work enough to keep me going. Good luck to you in your new adventure.

  18. You’re a brave, brave woman. I had been saying I wanted to quit my job for years. I didn’t for the longest time because I didn’t know what I can do it I wasn’t writing for television. So I did the ‘play it safe way’ and found another job first before quitting my old one. Good on you! Good luck with the job hunt! (PS: I found your blog via the Blog Pitch Party.)

    • Thank you, and thanks for visiting from the party! I am really pleased you were able to get another one before quitting! I’ve always had a job from the age of 16, so to leave one without having another to go to is quite scary!

  19. It’s exciting to consider the new possibilities and opportunities you can look clearly at. Congratulations on your leap. Here’s to an awesome journey ahead!

  20. I took a giant leap at about your age to leave university teaching and write full-time and could only do it because my spouse supported me financially and emotionally. It’s been a long haul to get to have published 25 books and be established. I’m back teaching though, years later, wiser, more experienced, and wildly more aware of how draining/exciting just one class a semester is: prep, reading, organizing, grading the papers, planning planning. Being in the classroom is a circus, a desert caravan, a space voyage, a hundred different things at one time and you have to stay incredibly focused. I don’t know anything else like it. I love it. I also love that I’m lucky as a guest writer to be only teaching one class. Once shift in schedules and I filled in for someone and taught two as a favor. It nearly did me in. There was no time for anything else in my life (or it felt that way), and I had to completely shelve working on a book. That won’t happen again. So, good luck, bon courage!

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