You don’t need another list of jobs for ex-teachers.
You need someone to tell you the truth.

Because leaving teaching isn’t just about polishing your CV or scrolling Indeed late at night.
It’s about unravelling an identity. Rebuilding self-trust.
And realising that your next chapter doesn’t have to be a downgrade, it can be a complete transformation.

But in the middle of the exhaustion, urgency and doubt, it’s easy to make rushed decisions.

Here are the 5 most common mistakes I see teachers make when planning their exit and what to do instead.

⚠️ Mistake 1: Rushing to Apply for the First Job That Isn’t Teaching

When the exhaustion hits its peak, you want out.
So you start applying for admin roles, NHS support jobs, corporate training posts, anything with regular hours and no classroom.

But rushing often leads to the same cycle in a new outfit:
low pay, limited freedom and very little joy.

Instead:
Get crystal clear on what you don’t want and then even clearer on what you do.
Before you job hunt, ask:

• What kind of freedom do I want: time, location, creative, emotional?

• What are my non-negotiables?

• What would make me proud in a year’s time?

⚠️ Mistake 2: Believing You’re Starting from Zero

Teachers often say to me, “But I don’t have any experience outside the classroom.”

Here’s what I say back:
You’ve led.
You’ve explained complex things in simple ways.
You’ve read people’s emotions like radar.
You’ve adapted on the fly, handled conflict, inspired reluctant learners and met relentless deadlines.

That’s not nothing. That’s premium experience in disguise.

Instead:
Start documenting what you already do, but in the language of business or personal growth:

• You plan lessons → You design learning experiences.

• You mark work → You give high-quality, tailored feedback.

• You manage a class → You lead, mediate, motivate and perform.

You’re not starting over. You’re repositioning.

⚠️ Mistake 3: Waiting for the Perfect Plan Before Taking Action

Teachers are trained to follow schemes of work.
We want the full map before we begin.
But the truth? Your exit won’t come with a syllabus.

And waiting for 100% certainty often leads to paralysis.

Instead:
Start messy. Start small. Start now.

• DM someone who’s done it.

• Offer a free mini session or workshop.

• Say out loud: “I’m exploring other paths.”

You don’t need a five-year plan.
You need one brave step and then another.

⚠️ Mistake 4: Failing to Build an Exit Strategy

It’s tempting to fantasise about storming out of your classroom with dramatic music playing in the background.

But reality? Leaving teaching is a logistical puzzle as much as an emotional one.

Instead:
Give yourself the respect of a runway.

Plan it like you would a unit of work:

• Timeline your exit (3, 6, or 12 months)

• Explore side income streams

• Build savings if needed

• Upskill on your terms

That’s not indulgent. That’s intelligent.

You wouldn’t ask your students to jump into something complex without scaffolding.
So why expect it from yourself?

⚠️ Mistake 5: Letting Your Old Identity Decide Your Future

This one’s deep and personal.
For years, you’ve been “Miss,” “Sir,” or “the teacher.”
It’s become your shorthand. Your social currency. Your sense of meaning.

So when you think about leaving, you don’t just feel lost - you feel invisible.

Instead:
Grieve the identity and then write a new one.

You’re allowed to evolve.
You’re allowed to love what teaching gave you and still walk away.
You’re allowed to believe in a version of yourself that isn’t defined by lanyards or lesson plans.

This is not a failure.
This is an awakening.

Final Thoughts

Your next chapter doesn’t have to be a plan B.
It can be the bravest, most exciting thing you’ve ever done.

You already know how to lead, adapt, communicate, inspire, hold space and change lives.

Now it’s time to do it on your terms.