Alex’s Story: What it feels like to leave teaching after 30 years

After such a long career in the classroom, teaching had become more than just a job for Alex. As she began to think about leaving teaching after 30 years, it was impossible to separate her work from who she was. Like many experienced teachers, she had built her life, confidence and identity around her role in school.

But over time, something began to shift.

Alex found herself feeling worn down and unhappy in a profession she had once loved. The joy she used to feel in her work was harder to access, and the day-to-day demands of teaching were starting to take a toll. She wasn’t looking for a dramatic escape or a radical reinvention, she simply knew that something no longer felt right.

That feeling stayed with her.

A moment of possibility

On Christmas Day, while scrolling through Facebook, Alex came across an advert for Inventors & Makers.

She wasn’t actively searching for a new career. She wasn’t planning a big life change. But the advert made her pause.

There was something about it that caught her attention. Laura felt approachable and the enthusiasm behind the work came across clearly. And, perhaps most importantly, it looked like something she might be able to do - a new way of using her teaching skills, rather than walking away from them entirely.

Curiosity crept in, followed closely by doubt.

The doubts about leaving teaching that followed

Running a business felt daunting. Alex had never done anything like that before. The thought of stepping away from a steady income was unsettling, and the practicalities of banking, finances and admin felt especially intimidating.

There was also a quieter, more personal question underneath it all - whether she was too old to be learning so many new things at once.

As Alex later reflected:

“Before I started this process I felt excited by the idea but genuinely nervous about the business side of things. As a teacher, running my own business felt really out of my comfort zone and I worried about getting things wrong or not knowing where to start.”

Those doubts didn’t disappear overnight. But neither did the feeling that this opportunity had arrived at exactly the moment she needed it.

Alex has always believed in making her own luck, and in the idea that when you really need an answer, it sometimes presents itself. She also knew that if she didn’t explore this path, the question of “what if?” would stay with her.

So she took the leap.

Excitement, overwhelm, and a steep learning curve

Signing up felt exciting, overwhelming, and oddly relieving all at once. For the first time in a long time, Alex could see a way out of an environment that had been causing her stress.

The early days weren’t easy. The learning curve was steep, and there was a lot to take in, particularly around the systems and processes involved in running a business. At times, Alex worried she had bitten off more than she could chew. She felt she was making mistakes, especially on the admin side, and occasionally felt foolish for not knowing things straight away.

But she was never left to figure it out alone.

“From the very beginning the onboarding process was thorough and thoughtfully designed to set me up for success in running my own business. Everything was clearly explained and I never felt rushed or left to ‘figure things out’ on my own.”

A surprising moment of self-discovery after 30 years

As her onboarding progressed, Alex noticed something unexpected.

Whenever she was learning something new, she initially felt overwhelmed - almost swamped by information. But then, about a week later, everything would suddenly click. The knowledge would be there, internalised and usable.

What surprised her most was that she had never recognised this pattern in herself before, not in all her years of teaching.

This experience became a period of personal growth as much as professional change. Alex began to understand that overwhelm wasn’t a sign she couldn’t do something; it was simply part of how she processed and mastered new information.

That realisation brought confidence with it.

Feeling supported, not isolated

Whenever questions came up, Alex found the support around her consistent and human. Help was always available. Problems were talked through. Reassurance was freely given.

“Whenever questions came up the team was always approachable, responsive, genuinely supportive and nothing was too much trouble. There was always someone to help, to reassure and to problem solve when unexpected things arose and that support meant that I never felt isolated or too overwhelmed.”

Gradually, the worries became fewer. The systems became more familiar. And Alex's confidence grew.

Life now: teaching on her terms

Alex, building confidence in her new chapter outside the classroom.

Today, Alex feels confident, capable and empowered as she builds her own Inventors & Makers business.

She still teaches, but in a way that feels aligned with her values and energy.

Alongside running her business, she even continues to teach Forest School one day a week, another long-held passion that has also provided valuable income in the early stages of her journey.

It’s a balanced, sustainable way of working - one that allows her to keep doing what she loves, without the pressures that once made her feel so unhappy.

“Now I feel confident, capable and empowered to go out and make a success of the business that I am building.”

Alex’s advice to others considering the leap

Looking back, Alex is clear about what she would say to someone standing where she once stood:

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you can afford to do it, then go for it. It's a world away from the incredible stresses that come with being a class teacher. If you're prepared to work hard and be part of a great team of like-minded people, then this job is for you.”

Thinking about your own next step?

Alex’s story isn’t about rushing into change. It’s about listening when something no longer fits, and trusting that learning, growth and confidence don’t stop after a certain number of years in the classroom.

If her journey feels familiar, you can find out more about joining our team of Inventioneers and becoming an Inventors & Makers franchisee and download our brochure here: https://inventorsandmakers.com/inventioneers