Ed tech has become an alternative for teachers who feel overworked and overwhelmed. With issues such as long hours, low pay, lack of resources, and a high turnover rate, teachers are looking for a way out. Ed tech offers former educators an escape from the stress of the classroom while still being involved in the education industry. However, the work isn’t without its challenges. Ed tech employees face managers and senior leaders, understaffing, and strict deadlines. The joys and consolations of the classroom are replaced by rows of data, and the weight of producing content that can be easily consumed by millions of students. Despite these challenges, many teachers choose to work in ed tech. They enjoy a work-life balance and the opportunity to pursue hobbies outside of work while still making a positive difference in the lives of teachers and students. Teachers considering a career shift are encouraged to explore all their options and make informed decisions.
Leaving Teaching for Ed Tech: What You Need to Know (Opinion)
Leaving a teaching career for another path can be a tough decision. A science teacher from Boston public schools shares her experience and insights.
In 2019, after contemplating for years, a part-time science teacher in Boston submitted her resignation from the public school system. Though she loved her students, the constant stress, lack of sleep, and late-night lesson planning had taken a toll. Many other teachers, too, felt the crisis looming in their profession even before the pandemic hit. Low pay, lack of resources, parental hostility, and contentious laws have driven many to leave, resulting in high turnover rates and attrition among senior educators.
For those who leave teaching, ed tech can be a promising alternative. Escaping the pressure from students, parents, and administrators to solve every problem plaguing education and to be a caregiver, ed tech offers a chance to focus on one’s well-being. It also allows former teachers to respond to education problems in different ways.
The teacher mentioned above found relief in ed tech. She no longer has to worry about the healing of her traumatized students while dealing with her own triggers as an immigrant. Instead, she has time for herself, her friends, hobbies, and even cooking dinner every night. However, the problems that led her to leave the classroom still exist. Therefore, she encourages an honest conversation about the other side of ed tech.
While she appreciates her current job, she admits that leaving teaching is not a complete solution. Rather, it is a different form of education with its own set of problems. She hopes that her experience will help other educators considering a career shift to ed tech clarify their expectations.
Leaving Teaching for Ed Tech: A Teacher’s Experience (Opinion)
A former science teacher shares her experience of leaving K-12 classroom teaching to work in ed tech.
Teaching can be a challenging profession, with demands from administrators, parents, and paperwork. However, as a teacher, one can find joy and satisfaction in the classroom. Unfortunately, the pressure can become overwhelming, leading some to seek alternatives. Ed tech can be a promising option, as it offers the chance to focus on one’s well-being, work with peers who understand the challenges of teaching, and make a positive difference in the lives of teachers and students.
However, leaving the classroom does not mean leaving all the problems behind. Ed tech still has its own set of issues, such as long hours, resource shortages, impossible deadlines, and understaffing. Former teachers can also miss the consolations and joys of the classroom, such as watching students learn and grow. Instead, they may spend hours on data analytics and managing spreadsheets.
However, despite these challenges, the former teacher who now works in ed tech would not go back to teaching K-12 classroom science. Ed tech allows her to turn off her laptop at the end of the day and live her life. She has time for herself, sees friends regularly, cooks dinner every night, and pursues hobbies. Moreover, her salary reflects her many years of experience and advanced degree, and she can afford healthcare appointments. While leaving the classroom may not be a complete solution, ed tech provides an opportunity to make a difference in education in a different way.
In summary, ed tech offers a different approach to education for former teachers, and while it has its own set of challenges, it provides an opportunity to focus on one’s well-being and make a difference in education.
Leaving Teaching: Considering Ed Tech and Other Options (Opinion)
For teachers considering a career shift, there are many options to explore. While ed tech can be a promising alternative to the classroom, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of any new career path.
Many teachers face stress, low pay, lack of resources, and contentious laws. These challenges have led to high turnover and attrition among senior educators. As a former part-time science teacher in Boston, the author had to put herself first after years of late-night lesson planning, stress, and lack of sleep. While she loved her students, the demands of the profession took a toll.
Ed tech offers a chance for former teachers to escape the expectations of solving every problem in education and being caregivers. For the author, working in ed tech meant no longer having to help students heal from trauma while dealing with her own triggers. However, the problems that led her to leave the classroom have not disappeared entirely. Working in ed tech still involves responding to education problems, albeit in a different form.
Leaving the classroom is not a total solution. However, ed tech offers a different approach to education. At the end of the day, the author turns off her laptop and has time for herself, friends, hobbies, and cooking dinner. Her salary reflects her experience and advanced degree, and she can afford healthcare appointments.
Overall, it’s important for teachers considering a career shift to explore all options and make decisions with open eyes, an open mind, and an open heart. Ed tech can be a promising alternative, but it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of any new career path.
From Teaching to Ed Tech: A New Career Journey
As a former K-12 teacher, I am all too familiar with the challenges that come with the job. The long hours spent completing paperwork, reports, and dealing with administrators’ demands can be overwhelming. And while I may have left the classroom, my new career in education technology has presented its own set of challenges.
As an ed tech professional, I have shifted from dealing with administrators to working with managers and senior leaders. While my day-to-day tasks may be different, I still navigate long hours, resource shortages, impossible deadlines, and understaffing. I often find myself blocking time on my calendar just to ensure I have time for basic necessities like a restroom break. And there are times when I sit through meetings that could have been resolved in a quick email.
Losing the Joys of the Classroom
As a teacher, I found joy in my students’ laughter and curiosity. But now, my “students” are rows in a never-ending spreadsheet. While I occasionally imagine what it would be like to have a specific student in my class, it’s not the same as the real thing. And the weight of the millions of students who use our technology is heavier than ever before.
New Challenges
A New Path
Despite these challenges, I don’t regret my decision to leave the classroom. Ed tech is filled with former educators, and I find solace in knowing that my peers and co-workers understand my struggles. We share stories of our past experiences, both good and bad, and find joy in our work. And at the end of the day, I have time for myself, my friends, and my hobbies. My salary reflects my experience and education, and I have the resources to take care of my mental and physical health.
Conclusion
If you’re a teacher considering a career shift, I encourage you to explore all of your options. Leaving the classroom is not a total solution, and ed tech comes with its own set of challenges. But it’s also a rewarding career path that can offer a positive impact on the lives of teachers and students. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make, but make it with an open mind and heart, and know what you are giving up and what you are gaining in any new career.
For teachers contemplating a change in career, it’s vital to consider all of the possibilities, rather than solely focusing on ed tech as the only option. It’s important to weigh the potential gains and losses of any new career path and make informed decisions with an open mind, heart, and eyes.
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