If you are a teacher, chances are you’ve had that nagging thought: Maybe there’s a better way. Maybe the better way is a different teaching role or a different school. Maybe it’s a completely different career. Maybe it’s stepping away from the classroom for good.
And then, without warning, another thought creeps in: Maybe what I have is good enough. The pupils who still light up when they get it. The moments of laughter. The real, soul-level work that not everyone gets to do. Maybe leaving would mean losing something you can’t replace.
This push and pull is exhausting and real. If you’re feeling it, you’re not broken. You’re standing at a true crossroads, and it’s normal to feel torn.
The lure of a “better way” is powerful because, truth be told, sometimes it is better. Outside of teaching, you might find better pay, less stress, more personal time, even a fresh sense of purpose. It’s okay to admit that. It’s okay to want more for your life than endless assessment, impossible expectations, and systems that sometimes feel designed to burn you out.
But “good enough” also deserves its voice. Because for you, as it is for most of us, teaching isn’t just a job. It’s deeply woven into who you are. It’s the reason you see potential in everyone. It’s the way you’ve shaped lives, day after day, even when nobody is cheering you on. Staying doesn’t necessarily mean you’re stuck — it might mean you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be for right now.
The truth is, neither path — leaving or staying — is the “right” one. There’s no universal map for this journey. You’re not weak if you stay. You’re not selfish if you go. You’re just a human being who deserves a full, rich, sustainable life.
Here’s something I wish more people said out loud: You’re allowed to want more. And you’re allowed to stay if you find enough meaning here.
Maybe this year, you stay, but with new boundaries. Maybe you leave but bring the heart of a teacher into a whole new world. Maybe you find ways to make your current life better without torching your soul to get there. The decision doesn’t have to be permanent. It just has to be honest.
If you’re searching for a better way, honour that feeling — it’s trying to tell you something important. If you’re recognising that what you have is still worth fighting for, honour that instead.
You’re not trapped. You’re not failing. You’re navigating one of the hardest and most important phases of your life. You are simply at a crossroads. Look in all directions. What’s working, what’s not, and what’s possible? Your career should feel sustainable, meaningful, and aligned with who you truly are — whether that keeps you in the classroom, leads you into a new role within education, or inspires you to take a completely different road. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there is a path that suits you.
Photo by Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash