Daughter urgently in need of direction

Perhaps Local Authority work would suit. There is little pressure compared to the private sector. LA often employ less qualified staff.
Could she use her teaching experience in the Mental Health area eg. School refusers or tutoring in hospital or mental health hospitals. Her teaching skills are her strength and transferable.
Good luck x

If changing from one kind of job to something different is as difficult to get a chance to do in the UK, where I presume you live, as in Denmark, she has very little chance of suceeding at the age of 31.

A publishing house specialising in school books might just want her, but it would doubtless be easier for her to get a job teaching adults.

Was it trying to keep dicipline in the classroom that got her down? If so, teaching adults is usually much easier than teaching schoolchildren.

Museums or other cultural organisations as already suggested might be a possiblitiy, but they are probably overflowing with historians already.

Your daughter needs to sit down and think long and hard about what she wants to do for the rest of her working life, which after all is something in the region of forty years, as her generation will probably be forced to work until they are 75 or so.

If she has neither husband nor children or any intention of trying to have a family, going back to Dubai, where she was probably making a very good salary for the next five to ten years and banking as much money as she can is probably her best bet. That way she should be able to retire early and live off her savings.

Another possiblity is advertising either in the rich Arab oil countries or in Switzerland for a position as a nanny or governess (private teacher). There are still a certain amount of rich families where the parents travel so much for work that they need a person they can trust, and whom they pay a good salary looking after their children round the clock.

Apart from her teaching qualifications, she will need to be able not only to drive, but to drive to the standard of a security trained chauffeur and have good skills in self-defence. A working knowledge of French and German, Italian or Spanish (at least two languages over and above English) would be a selling point too.

Everyone seems so obsessed that this lady should stay in education. Why? she has skills and aptitudes that could qualify her for all kinds of different jobs in so many ifferent professions. Why get stuck in a sector that has brought her grief.

She cpuld retrain to do something entirely different. DD did an OU degree in her 30s and since then has powered her way through three different employment sectors. She moved first into background support for a research centre, then into managment consultancy and having learnt another new skill while with the management consultants is moving on to a senior role with one of those companies providing services to banks that they cannot do without. Before this she had worked 20 years in the media. She is in her 50s and proving that age is no bar.

There is nothing to stop this lady doing something similar. It doesn't have to be an OU degree they are expensive, but any kind of training course. Several of DD's friends, all graduates, one a teacher have made these sort of career changes several times in their lives.

The world is this woman's oyste, it is open to her to be anything she likes, if education doesn't suit her forget it. Do something else.

I would also suggest thinking about independent schools, teaching roles there are clearly defined and she is unlikely to end up being "volunteered" for work outside her remit. The problem about admin roles in education is that the hours suit mothers so there is a lot of competition. Also jobs often go to parents within the school.
Others have suggested Local Authority and Department of Education roles but again jobs here are also highly sought after so very competitive.
There are loads of PA type jobs about in many other fields, they're reasonably well paid and, provided she has good computer literacy, she shouldn't need to retrain. Once she has experience and good references she could move into Education admin or into another field if she wanted to.

I think she should look at her local authority and Department of Education to use her education background in these areas. So sad to see someone who clearly cares coming out of the profession. Or how about independent schools or tutoring??

I’m going to ask a strange question (and you can dismiss it if it’s not relevant) - how is her love life?

Clearly she’s disenchanted by her chosen profession. Too stressful (and it IS becoming more so at every level.) Time for a change. She young and can pursue anything she wants. (I completely changed course at the age of 53 going into healthcare, for 20 yrs). Change sometimes is what’s needed.)

With her education and experience it can open many doors. She needs to explore. I hope she’s not getting any outside influence from a partner or friend… that’s why I asked. (I’ve seen that happen.) But then again having a trusted friend, confidant can be encouraging. She’s wavering.

She’ll be okay, and in years to come her credentials can take her back to education. Many go through this. Good luck to her.

DD2 has just taken on an ex teacher in a junior role and it seems to be working well for them and DD2's team are very supportive of getting the ex teacher up to speed with this very different job role.

In about 12 -18 months there is a prospect of promotion to a senior role and the industry has a shortage of suitably qualified and experienced people os there are prospects away from teaching out there.

I don't blame her for leaving it was bad enough when I was working and I only worked with adults on a professional qualification.

As others have suggested look on Government sites, it isn't only the Civil Service that might suit you DD.

Also, as someone has already said, I'd asking myself and her if theres a chance she's becoming depressed. It would be understandable in the circumstances.

Good luck to you both.

I do not know how anyone copes with teaching these days
Poor young woman could do with some counselling to understand what happened to her and understand herself
Restore her self esteem
She is lucky to have a helpful mum but obviously putting pressure would be counterproductive

Alongside a teaching role in a school I often assisted the head teacher in many different ways, as needed, when the ‘to do’ list became unmanageable. It was towards the end of my career, but with an intelligent and practical approach, a younger person could have performed much of that role. I wish her well as she seeks employment

Sounds like depression leading to a ‘crisis of confidence’ …try to get her to see a doctor .

She has no ties, so why not explore the world a bit? She could teach in a British School in China, or get a quickie TEFL qualification and stay closer to home, perhaps a year in Rome or Madrid, where she could indulge her love of History? Maybe if she wants to stay in the UK, look at the National Trust or English Heritage, they might have jobs which appeal? Another thought that came to me was the Hospital School at Great Ormond St, they must have a bank of teachers.

Has she given a thought to perhaps working as an Ofsted inspector. With a teaching background she would be perfect

Evangeline, my highly educated daughter took her PGCE (against the advice of many teachers we know!) after her degree and initially loved her profession. However, within six years she became extremely demoralised with small things such as paying for paper and materials from her own pocket but most of all, the overwhelming bureaucracy. My daughter entered the Civil Service where she is happy but is undertaking the jobs of several people as they are so short-staffed (Government cuts etc.). The pressure is still there but she enjoys it and feels that she is contributing to the country and being useful.

Perhaps this is a route your daughter could consider?

Sorry, Meant to say it's better that your daughter

I just want to add that I lived in Dubai for 4 years, returned to U.K. in 2022. It is almost impossible for a woman looking for a long term partner over there. The men in Dubai have an unlimited amount of lovely,bright,attractive women, looking to be in a long term relationship! The men don't commit, they have too much choice. It's better for our daughter left there. Wishing her all the happiness, she will find her way.

You tell us about your daughter's education and previous jobs were but don't say what actually interests her or what her hobbies are. Sometimes, being honest about what you actually like doing is a good starting point for s big change in jobs and may lead to job satisfaction in the end. My daughter loved sports and is a real people person, so during Covid, she re-trained as a personal trainer and now works for herself. She no longer has the company car and has to work hard for her income, but she enjoys it and is happy,

I was talking to a teacher in a cafe today. She said that after years running a classroom she was delighted and relieved to be working now as a supply teacher. At the end of the day you don't take half your work home with you - it's done and you're free. Might that be an option?

2) Tefl.com ( perhaps a position as an assistant director of studies which includes training) or English teacher for foreigners at International House - the oldest language academy since 1953 .. They are located worldwide

I was going to suggest this too, FrenchgalinSpain.
She could take a TEFL or CELTA course as teaching English as a foreign language would be to mainly young adults who are keen to learn. There are language schools worldwide and teaching can be done online as well as in the classroom.

Students will be at various levels from beginners to those needing to learn business, scientific or academic English etc.

There is, of curse, regular administrative work to do as well, lesson planning, reports etc.

Evangaline - you answered your own question. We never stop being a parent, and are always there for our grown up children. Don’t beat yourself up because your daughter has become disillusioned with teaching. It’s hardly surprising, what with the amount of paperwork etc. which is expected of teachers, plus Ofsted inspections as well as a class of 20+ (probably nearer 30) children to be responsible for. I do hope she finds a job that she thoroughly enjoys and can move on with her life. 💐

TinSoldier

What's her subject?

At 31, with only six years of teaching experience, what other work has she done?

Firstly she should place her Curriculum Vitae (it is free) on:

1) Linkedin.com

2) Tefl.com ( perhaps a position as an assistant director of studies which includes training) or English teacher for foreigners at International House - the oldest language academy since 1953 .. They are located worldwide.

There are other jobsites however, they are predominately for I.T. Technicians, Engineers and Medical ..

All my best wishes.

Larger secondary schools have a lot of admin jobs. I am sure there would be opportunities for your daughter in admin roles at a lower grade than PA to the head.
I know someone who had several years at home with children and is now doing admin at a school. She has had a promotion after a year or so, despite no previous experience in education.

The first thing she should do is get a job so she has an income any job, waitress, super market checkout, anything. There is nothing humiliating about earning your living doing what ever is available.

The second thing she should do is turn her work experience in to a range of skills.
For example a teacher will be a) a good communicator 2) good at working with large groups 3) Able to work independently and not need constant supervision. 4) Resilient and so on.

Then she should cruise the job sites and see the jobs advertised and apply for any that interst her. Although she shuld remember tht she needs to start at a lower level than she now at.

She should then analyse the job that interests her and what skills it requires and then show in her application how the skills she has gained as a teacher are a perfect fit for the skills required for the job.

Here is a link to a university site which has been drawn up for graduates looking for their first job, There is a link in the first couple of paragraphs to a 'Skills Audit' that she could fill in to get a feel for what she has to offer. myport.port.ac.uk/guidance-and-support/careers-support/your-options/identifying-your-skills

Here is a link to a bovernment site that may be of use
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/identifying-skills-and-upskilling

It is perfectly possible for someone in her position to change career, lots of people do it, but she has got to put a lot of effort in, be open to anything, enthusiastic and curious.

However, if she left teaching at Christmas suffering from burnout. She may well need several months to recover, both physically and mentally - so give her a bit of space fr a couple of months and then she should be encouraged to get a job, any job, to keep her in funds and stop her getting demotivate and depressed while she looks at the many various opportunities there are out there

for example she was “ volunteered “ to be head of science!
Last in, got the job no-one else wanted!

When does parenting end? Never, surely

I think you have to be a good listener, not offer advice, although you could suggest options, and help them work out what they themselves want to do.

NotTooOld

I agree, and being PA to a Head Teacher today would probably be very stressful as many schools are Academies, are run like businesses and often several schools are joined together in a Federation.
All of that without the longer holidays that the teaching profession gets.

It's not a job for someone who is suffering from stress and feeling burnt out.

Thank you all so much for recounting your experiences and sharing your opinions.She was in a smaller school when she returned from Dubai and couldn’t take it for more than one term- for example she was “ volunteered “ to be head of science! And very little if any support for SEN students in her class etc etc.
I will certainly share all your views with her and follow up some excellent suggestions.
When does parenting end? Never, surely. You do what you think is right for your daughters ( private education, university, promoting independence and self-worth) with the hope they will find contentment and be fulfilled. That never ends.
Thank you all so much