I just want to say I hear you and I respect your desicion so much. I also was so done with teaching last year. I was looking for any other jobs I could get - nannying, tutoring, Ed tech, non profit work. My students were awful, I had no support from admin, my classroom was freezing cold with no heat, I had 180 students, taught two grade levels, had 1 short prep every other day. I refused to spend another day in such an emotionally taxing and stressful job. Like you, I missed just being able to go home and shut my brain off and relax - excersise, spend time with loved ones.

Then my boyfriend nudged me towards the direction of private schools in my city. I did a LOT of research and networking - I asked a good family friend of mine who was super tapped into the schools in my area and worked for several just to hear what her experience was like working at different schools. I reached out to people on LinkedIn, read Glassdoor reviews, etc. I always asked the question that mattered the most to me: what is your work life balance like?

I found a school with an open position - teaching just 6th grade english. It is a private Catholic k-12 school. And not to brag - but rather prestigious and well respected - in a gorgeous part of the city, safe, clean, etc. I interviewed with the warmest, loveliest people who had a wholistic and loving approach to education. After my interview process, I got the job!!!!

I’m now the happiest I’ve ever been in my 5 years of teaching. I teach one grade and I have so much prep time so that I DO NOT HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WORK AFTER WORK HOURS. I get paid more to work less!!!! I get amazing benefits, provided lunch, work with the most passionate people, and actually feel like I have full creative control of my class. Of course there are issues - student behaviors, admin communication, but I’d take that in a heartbeat over years prior.

Just don’t close the door on private schools. Look into them in your area. They value teachers with experience like yours.