Life Beyond Teaching
Helping Retired Teachers find fulfilment
After a long well earned rest many retired teachers often find themselves
missing the camaraderie of the staff room, the challenge of working with
young people and the chance to make a difference. They look to fill a
void left by a lifetime's teaching.
Sometimes this is easier said than done. Back packing round the world
doesn't last forever and sometimes health problems, family commitments
and restricted income clip all but the most determined travellers' wings.
Life beyond teaching offers different things to different people: some
write books, others paint or take up fundraising. The choice is yours!
Send us your stories to inspire others to look for new directions and interests in retirement and tell us how you have adjusted to life after teaching.
Retired teachers
"I joined a music society and became the treasurer. Also I sing with two choirs. Now I'm able to go with them on trips abroad which I could never do in term-time."
"I thought I'd really miss the salary but I manage better than I thought. I joined a reading group at the local library which is great - and I don't have to buy any books. I hadn't been to the library for years but now I'm always down there. I enjoy the discussions and meeting a whole new group of people."
"I have spent the last three years writing my autobiography. I joined a writers' group. Had some poems published and write book reviews. I was asked to tutor a neighbour's child for some exams and it took off from there. There's a lot of tutoring work out there. People like going on recommendation best."
"I was at a loose end for the first year. I started an Art class and aerobics at the local gym but I didn't really feel I belonged anywhere. I missed the company at school much more than I thought I would. I got involved with voluntary work at a local hospice two days a week and joined a ramblers' group. I've now met friends and have a new identity. Some of the ramblers and I have booked to go to Spain on a walking holiday in the summer. I kept saying I couldn't afford it to retire. I would carry on for a few more years. I went down from three to two days a week but my heart wasn't in it any more. I'd seen too many changes. My pension is small but now my husband's retired I know I've done the right thing. People keep asking me, what am I going to do, but I don't feel like doing anything to tell the truth. I feel I've earned this. We've done some travelling and there's another grandchild on the way. If I'd left teaching ten years ago I would have retrained for another career but I haven't the energy. Perhaps I'll feel different once I've had some time to myself but at the moment it's like I'm playing truant and I'm really enjoying it."
"I went from full-time class teacher to being a full-time grandmother. My granddaughter has special needs so I feel the need to be involved and be supportive in any way I can. I was dreading leaving my job but that isn't an issue any more. I haven't had time to think about it."
"I admit I went a bit mad at first - I booked a cruise round the Mediterranean and started having all sorts of spa treatments. I even bought a designer handbag as a trophy. I started to learn reflexology and slowly built up my own practice at home once I'd qualified. After years of working with children I really appreciated a different environment and being my own boss."
"I started editing the church newsletter and learnt a lot about desk-top publishing in the meantime."
"I became a volunteer guide in a museum twice a week. There are lots of perks and I like being part of a big institution again. Also dressing smartly -I missed that when I retired."
Anderson Internet
| Life Beyond Teaching offers help and support but is unable to take responsibility for individual results |