Leaving a school I love. how do I know I’ve made the right decision?
I’m a post-primary teacher in the west and I’ve accepted a new post for next year. Keeping details vague for obvious reasons.
I’m currently in a school where I’ve been for the first part of my teaching career. It’s a place where I’ve felt really settled and supported, and I’ve built good relationships with staff and students. Since people found out I’m leaving, a few have been very kind and said they’re sad to see me go, which has made me feel emotional and guilty.
The main reason I looked elsewhere was sustainability. My current commute has been very demanding over time, and the new post should make day-to-day life more manageable. On paper, the move makes sense.
The hard part is that I’m not leaving because I dislike my current school. I really value it, and it has shaped me a lot as a teacher. Now that leaving feels real, I’m second-guessing myself and wondering whether the sadness means I’ve made the wrong decision, or whether this is just a normal part of leaving somewhere that mattered.
For anyone who has left a school they genuinely liked: how did you know you were making the right decision? Did you feel guilty or unsettled after accepting a new job? How long did it take for the sadness to settle?
I’d appreciate advice from other teachers who have been through something similar.