Hello all! It's been a while since I posted on here, but here goes. It's long-winded and I'm sorry. I have a Master's Degree in Sports Medicine and worked in that field for 15 years and loved every minute of it. Decided it was time for a change when the long hours interfered with my own kids' sports. I got my teaching license (apprentice license) in Career Technical Education - teaching Anatomy, Health Science, and other medical classes. Thought this would suit me to a "T" and it would give me much needed time off (summer, fall, spring, etc). Although, it turns out that time off consists of me working most of the time on lesson planning, going to professional development, etc. It's not really time off!
I was diagnosed in November 2011, just months after taking the teaching job. I pushed through flare-ups and created curriculum, did lesson plans, and have continued to do so. This school year, I took another teaching job (new classes, much more responsibility with student club, etc) at the same school. Only a few weeks into it, I was crying nearly every night, feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Had another big flare-up.....I have now approached one of my former employers (a medical office) and they have made me an offer. The offer is less pay, benefits are not very good, including insurance, but there is basically no stress with this job. I can go to work and come home and be done. Not have to sit up all hours planning and grading papers. Also, I truly feel like Sports Medicine is my "calling", what I am genuinely good at. Teaching, I am good at it, but definitely don't love it and have even found myself being short and unkind to my students lately. (Lately being since all the responsibiities have been piled on). I have even been having panic attacks and major anxiety, always worried about school and my classes. It even wakes me up in the middle of the night!
Am I crazy to walk away from a job with such great benefits and even a pension for a job with much less stress, but less pay and benefits? I won't get the "breaks" like I did in teaching, but I also won't be working 12-14 hour days. Thinking I may need to request scheduling accommodations which I am confident they will do. I need serious advice, feel like I am losing my mind! Thank you in advance for your help!
I was diagnosed in November 2011, just months after taking the teaching job. I pushed through flare-ups and created curriculum, did lesson plans, and have continued to do so. This school year, I took another teaching job (new classes, much more responsibility with student club, etc) at the same school. Only a few weeks into it, I was crying nearly every night, feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Had another big flare-up.....I have now approached one of my former employers (a medical office) and they have made me an offer. The offer is less pay, benefits are not very good, including insurance, but there is basically no stress with this job. I can go to work and come home and be done. Not have to sit up all hours planning and grading papers. Also, I truly feel like Sports Medicine is my "calling", what I am genuinely good at. Teaching, I am good at it, but definitely don't love it and have even found myself being short and unkind to my students lately. (Lately being since all the responsibiities have been piled on). I have even been having panic attacks and major anxiety, always worried about school and my classes. It even wakes me up in the middle of the night!
Am I crazy to walk away from a job with such great benefits and even a pension for a job with much less stress, but less pay and benefits? I won't get the "breaks" like I did in teaching, but I also won't be working 12-14 hour days. Thinking I may need to request scheduling accommodations which I am confident they will do. I need serious advice, feel like I am losing my mind! Thank you in advance for your help!
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