The Emotional Side of Leaving Teaching – And How to Navigate It 

No one really talks about the grief.

When you decide to leave teaching, people will ask you what you’re going to do next. They’ll want to know if you’ve got a plan, a job lined up, a backup option. Some will cheer you on. Others might look confused—or quietly judgemental. But few will talk to you about the emotional weight of it all.

Because stepping away from teaching isn’t just a career change. It’s an identity shift. And that’s big.  I left the classroom behind after 20 years of working in education.  I knew I was going off to set up my own business.  I was excited about the future but was also concerned about who I was outside of the classroom.  My identity for the whole of my adult life had been wrapped up in education.

If you’re navigating this right now, know that you’re not alone—and that everything you’re feeling is valid.

You Were Never Just Doing a Job

Let’s be honest—teaching isn’t like most other professions.

You probably didn’t clock in and out at set times. You brought work home. You thought about your pupils in the middle of the night. You worried about the child who was struggling, the parent who didn’t turn up, the colleague who needed support. You didn’t just teach. You cared.

So when you leave, you’re not just walking away from a role. You’re leaving behind a community, a sense of purpose and an identity that’s been woven into the fabric of your everyday life.

That hurts. And it’s allowed to.

The Guilt Hits Hard

You might feel guilty—about the pupils you’re ‘leaving behind’, about colleagues who are still there, about walking away from something that others see as a ‘calling’.

You might hear a voice in your head whispering, “Am I giving up?” or “Does this mean I failed?”

Let’s be clear: it doesn’t.

Wanting a healthier life, more balance, or simply something different is not selfish. It’s human. You’ve given so much. You’re allowed to choose yourself now.

Loss Comes in Many Forms

You might miss the daily interactions. The classroom buzz. The familiarity of a routine you knew inside out. The tiny moments—laughter with your form group, a pupil saying thank you, a lesson that just clicked.  I struggled with the lack of a coherent timetable and I had to be quite strict with myself at the beginning to make sure that I actually got something productive done in my day.

Those moments are real, and it’s OK to grieve them. Change brings loss, even when it’s chosen.

At the same time, you might also feel a sense of relief—and that, too, can be confusing. You can feel both sadness and freedom. You can honour what was and look forward to what’s next.

Your Identity Is Evolving—Not Disappearing

For many teachers, the question, “If I’m not a teacher, who am I?” runs deep.

But your identity isn’t tied to one job title. The skills, values and passion that made you a great teacher—empathy, communication, resilience, creativity—are still with you. They’re part of who you are, not just what you did.

Leaving the classroom doesn’t erase that. It expands it.  I have proven to myself since leaving the classroom just how much I am capable of.  I’ve pushed beyond boundaries that I didn’t even know I had and have take on so many challenges and opportunities that wouldn’t have come my way had I have stayed in teaching.

How to Navigate the Emotional Side of Leaving

💬 Talk about it.

Whether it’s a coach, trusted friend, or fellow teacher-turned-career-changer, find people who get it. You don’t have to carry this alone.

📝 Reflect and reframe.

Write down what teaching gave you. Then, write down what you’re ready to leave behind. This helps separate your identity from the job itself.

🧭 Redefine your purpose.

Teaching may have given you a sense of meaning—but it’s not the only path to fulfilment. What matters to you now? What lights you up? Let that guide your next steps.

🧡 Be kind to yourself.

There’s no ‘right’ way to leave teaching. Some people feel empowered immediately. Others feel adrift. Both are normal. Give yourself permission to feel it all.

It’s OK to Mourn—and Still Move Forward

Leaving teaching is brave. It’s emotional. And it’s often not talked about enough.

But here’s what I want you to know: your decision to leave doesn’t undo the years you gave, the lives you changed, or the impact you made.

You can honour your past as an educator while building a future that serves you, too.

You are not lost. You are evolving.

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