I quit teaching to work at Costco and I'm much happier. I never thought I'd leave my dream job, but these 5 things drove me out.

Tech Insider
a woman sitting in front of tulips
Janelle Schuurman.

Courtesy of Janelle Schuurman

A teacher who took a pay cut of over $80,000 after moving from California to Florida explains the struggles teachers face, and what she wishes people knew about the job

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy
Teacher and students in a classroom
Sarah, not pictured and a pseudonym, wishes parents knew how hard the job can be.

manonallard/Getty Images

I moved to Texas from California. I was nervous to live here, but the people are friendlier than I expected.

Tech Insider
a woman talks a selfie in front of the ocean
Brianna Mckiddy.

Courtesy of Brianna Mckiddy

I moved to a tiny Alaskan village and worked as a teacher to 5 students. I was able to save $1,000 a month, see the Northern Lights, and walk on glaciers.

Tech Insider : Travel
Taryn in front of a mountain background.
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Courtesy of Taryn Williams

I quit my job as a newspaper columnist and became a high school teacher

Tech Insider

Lucy Kellaway carrying books whilst wearing a white shirt and glasses
Lucy Kellaway now teaches business studies and economics.

Lucy Kellaway

'I quit teaching because we do so much unpaid work outside of working hours': Former teachers share the jobs they got after burning out

Tech Insider
Former teachers.
These former educators left teaching for jobs that offered more resources and support.

Insider

Idaho's Teacher of the Year fled the state after conservative parents attacked her for being an LGBTQ+ ally

Tech Insider
An empty classroom.
An empty classroom.

Getty Images.

I moved to Japan to teach on a US military base. The whole experience cost me thousands when the job didn't work out.

Tech Insider
a woman stands next to a rainbow sign that says Okinawa on a beach
Brianna Stultz in Okinawa, Japan.

Courtesy of Brianna Stultz

Teacher transitions from the classroom to a major accounting firm — and reminds others 'you haven't just taught'

Tech Insider
michael sanders wearing a white polo and jeans standing in front of a pwc printed background under an arch of orange and red balloons
Michael Sanders is now a CEO Action for Racial Equity Fellow at PwC.

Courtesy of Michael Sanders

I left teaching after 5 years because the long hours, low pay, and constant stress were unsustainable. I finally feel like I have my life back again.

Tech Insider
Mahala Kuehne
Mahala Kuehne says she still experiences her favorite parts of teaching in her current job at a nonprofit, just without the stress and burnout.

Mahala Kuehne

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