Has anyone with a Visual Arts and/or Design Technology background left teaching? And if so what careers have you taken up?
I know there are a lot of posts on here asking about career changes for burnt out teachers, but I don't think I've seen any that were specifically Visual Arts/Design tech based so I thought I'd ask. Context; I do actually enjoy teaching still, unfortunately, I had some serious health issues pop up about a year ago that has left me with severe chronic pain and I am now classified as moderately disabled. As such I am only able to work 0.5 currently. I had hoped with income insurance it would buy me some more time to hopefully heal, but as time has gone on this is looking less likely. Additionally, my income insurance will only top me up to 70% of my average income for the year prior to becoming disabled. With the increased cost of living crisis and interest rates going up, I don't know if it will be a viable option for me to continue to teaching for much longer. I personally teach Art, Design Tech, Architecture, Photography, Textiles and I previously taught woodwork, but am no longer able to due to my disability. I was wondering if anyone from my learning areas had made a career change? and if so what to? I hadn't ever intended to change careers previously so I'm not really sure where to start. Thank you.