I Quit My Dream Job / why i quit teaching at 23

OPEN ME FOR MORE !!

Thanks for watching !!x

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SOCIAL MEDIA
Teaching Instagram - missmcraesclass
Personal Instagram - holliemcrae

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Disclaimer - This video is not sponsored and all opinions are my own

[AC-tnhg]

I wish you all the best, Hollie. I totally understand your reasons, which resonate with many teachers. We feel totally dispensable because they are hiring so many probationers who are £20, 000 cheaper to pay compared to a tenured teachers. They wear them out and replace them. Teachers near retirement are holding on to their jobs for a few more years because of their pensions, and don't know anything else so just stay. But again, they are being replaced by younger probationers/ECTs. The cycle then repeats....

I also resonate with your feelings on not being valued. I didn't have a good probationary experience. I felt like I was being watched and judged because they place so much weight on observations - even thought they are little snapshots of your teaching, or other members of staff coming in to do 'snap' learning walks. In a way, I didn't feel trusted to teach... Parent's and staff in the same building didn't feel like they were on my side, and in some ways it felt like they were working against me... (Horrible feeling).

The council have an agenda and people at the top (SLT) who run any school don't necessarily know what it is like this decade to teach in Scotland, because those who manage the school have not taught for many years, well before the pandemic. Schools can also turn a blind eye to behaviour problems or staff wellbeing because they care more about results and pandering to pupil/parent needs, but not so much fulfilling staff needs with workload, mental health, huge changes in expectations since COVID (online learning, etc).

To some teachers, this is their life - they get up, go to work, plan lessons, teach them, stay behind till 5 or 6 o'clock to do marking/paperwork, meetings etc, then they go home. Just because you work all the time does not mean you are working effectively.

Teaching is not your life! We have so many things we would like to do and achieve in life. Life is not so linear nowadays. Jumping from degree to teaching and staying in this profession for life no longer applies.

I'm staying on for another year, but I'm not sure how long. It would be great if most of my working life will be spent in this sector, but because of the way it is being run I don't know if it's sustainable. I might try gaining some experience then working abroad to get change.

Go out there and explore the world, because before you know it 30 years can pass by and you will regret how much you have missed.

[AmberWoodMusicx]

I’m so glad you listened to your own needs and didn’t live with regret. I wish you the best with whatever you choose to do and when 💜

[isolaviola]

Oh Hollie, I feel for you so much. This is such an exciting start of a new journey! You have such a good foundation to work off of now, looking forward to see your new path :) Can totally relate to wanting to live life first before settling down. I'm starting my path this September, moving from England to Scotland to study at UoA and your university videos were such a calming presence during the stress and self-doubt I had about moving to another country and city 500 miles away. It feels weirdly fitting that you are starting a new journey as I start mine. Wishing you all the best in the future :)

[emilywatt]

Well done Hollie! You are very brave to listen to your heart and embrace your positive ”what if?” I have loved your videos discussing primary teaching and showing your experiences. I hope you do continue to record your journey, whatever it is you decide to do, and continue to share it with us.
I have just gotten into my dream primary teaching course and am so excited to start my journey! Good luck 🤍

[catherinestewart]

Good luck with your next chapter, you are very excited about your plans. Fingers crossed all goes to plan for you, looking forward to seeing your adventures x

[jesshunter-brady]

Hollie you don't need to owe us an explanation, you need to put yourself and your wants/needs first #proud of you for doing this.
I'm currently a 2nd year student teacher in New Zealand and found your channel at the start of last year and they helped me get through my degree so far so Thank you Hollie

[winter]

This is so awesome! Enjoy your travels. What a fun adventure that lies ahead. Teaching will always be there <3

[jessmain]

I just want to say thank you. I first started watching your videos during your uni years. I was considering going to uni but was scared and confused about it all. Watching your videos inspired me and gave me the final push to apply. I’m going into my second of uni in September and it was the best decision. I can’t thank you enough, your videos helped me make sense of it all and helped me through the application process, freshers events and placement. I even went to an open day and applied for Aberdeen because i liked to so much. (Didn’t get in though lmao) I can’t wait to see what happens next! ❤

[CarrieLouise]

You Are Amazing! Huge Inspiration to others absoultely and good luck to all your future endeavours, it sounds your on an incredable journey and i wish you all the best xx

[melissafanion]

You are very brave. I've been teaching for 28 years and need a change. Still trying to figure it out.

[rebeccatysom]

I found your channel back when i was having doubts whether i wanted to be a teacher. I am on the university course at the minute and i feel exactly the same. I can honestly say that this is my dream job but cant see myself doing this the rest of my life. I’m so glad that o have found someone who feels the same. Although it is sad that you are leaving i am so glad that you are doing something which i going to make u happy. So excitied to see what the future hods for you. Xx

[TheCarDiaries]

Well done Hollie! It’s a big change, but needs to be done and would ultimately be something you would always regret if you didn’t go for it. Exciting times ahead!
If you ever fancy doing any automotive/motorsport with us then we would be delighted to work with you :)

[carax.]

Hi Hollie, I totally related to this video. I just had to comment! I'm 23 and graduated from uni last August doing a sports teaching degree. I felt the exact same way as you, feeling in limbo, stuck in Scotland due to covid and needing more in life. Craving travel, new experiences and taking on new challenges is how I felt too. So, I decided to do exactly that. I'm now 6 months into a 1-year ESL Teaching job in South Korea and I'm finally feeding all the cravings I had. I came across your videos because now that I am returning next year, I want to get my qualification in teaching. It sounds like our experiences/situation are similar, but the timeline is swapped lol! You're totally doing the right thing for yourself. Forget the what ifs! Once you get all the life adventures and experiences you need, you’ll feel like a totally new person. I wish you the best of luck, you've got an amazing journey ahead 😊!

[emmajohnson]

So exciting! Totally get how you feel, I did a gap year travelling after uni and it truly was the best thing I ever did, also have just changed career at 32, like you I can’t see myself doing the same thing for the rest of my life. I think if you have these thoughts and don’t act on them you will always wonder ‘what if’. Good luck, I know you will have the best time!

[byeteaching]

Your video provides valuable guidance and encouragement. Keep up the excellent work!

[lesterclaypool]

Hi Hollie. I've just found your channel after seeing the BBC Knockhill article. I used to teach you guitar many years ago in school!
As a former teacher, I absolutely condone your decision to take time out. I started teaching while at Uni & never managed to make the break, always thinking a good time would come but became a slave to the wage (albeit a rather low one !). I now bitterly regret not being able to travel the world & do all the things that I wanted to. Friends of mine that did manage to do it never looked back. So I say, live the life that you want & DO IT ALL!! Best wishes, Dave.

[TheBoatmad]

Hope it is going well? I have just finished after 32 years and am going back to being a self employed carpenter. The first 15 were good but I wish I had left at least ten years ago. It has changed so much in recent years and the pressure is through the roof and if your life isn’t 100% teaching (to the exclusion of family and interests) you are not good enough!!! Hope it has been a good year. Happy Christmas!

[RandomGuyyy]

Came to this channel from the Dirtfish rally video and there I assumed you were a journalist/vlogger type and was surprised that you weren't in that type of youtuber freelance content creator role. Great to hear that you won't settle for the ordinary nine to five situation but are reaching for bigger, better experiences.

[kmyxdqp]

Nothing wrong with a career break, especially when you're still young!! I'm the opposite- currently on a "gap year", but hoping to return to the classroom in September!

[MTT]

Get how you feel Hollie! Been on a bit of a “gap year” after graduating in physics last year with no clue what to do with myself! Was up in the air for a bit until i started a customer service job, really wasn’t for me but quit a couple of weeks ago, since then i applied to some courses for next year (including teaching!) and have an offer for an environmental management course next year. Definitely feels scary making a huge change but i’m sure that you wont regret going for it!