How to quit a teaching job in the middle of the year.

Research your work contract.

Some potential costs and consequences for breaking your teaching contract will vary from state to state and district to district. This is a question with many answers that will be specific to your state, school district, and the contract itself. You will need to do the research and be very clear about what consequences, if any, will apply in your situation.

Keep in mind that even when there are no repercussions written into your contract, don't be surprised if you are asked to continue teaching until your position can be filled. This is a common expectation for teachers breaking contracts near the beginning of the year or quitting mid-year.

Notify your dean and students.

The first step is to notify your supervisor as soon as possible. Explain the reasons for your resignation and the date of your last day of work. Ideally, you should give at least two weeks' notice, but if your situation requires you to leave sooner, communicate that to your supervisor as well. If your students are old enough, you should also let them know that you are leaving.

You need to have an official letter of resignation to submit to your dean and to keep on file for HR. Perhaps you're leaving because it's an extremely toxic work environment or you can't stand the bureaucracy of the school system or maybe you found a better job. For the sake of your teaching contract and to not burn any bridges there are only a handful of acceptable reasons to leave mid-school year.

• Physical health concerns. If you have a physical health concern that is hindering your ability to do your job, you might be eligible for some form of medical leave. This type of leave may allow you to break your contract--even mid-year.

• Mental health concerns. There's no doubt that workplace stress can affect your mental health. Depending on the severity of the situation and the recommendation of your doctor, your mental health could lead to approval for a leave of absence or release from your contract.

• Family needs. Whether you have to care for a sick family member or provide your own childcare, family needs are important. Most districts are understanding of these circumstances. You might even be eligible for some form of leave.

• Help with your transition.

If nothing else, you want to make sure that the transition to the students and quality of education is not adversely impacted by your leaving mid-year. Firstly, make sure to tie up any loose ends, such as grading and administrative tasks. Also, communicate clearly and professionally with your administrators and colleagues about your decision to leave, and offer to assist with finding and training a replacement. Additionally, consider leaving personalized notes or letters for your students, providing them with encouragement and resources for their continued success.

• Create a detailed lesson plan.

This will help ensure that the new teacher taking over your class can easily pick up where you left off and continue providing quality instruction to your students. A detailed lesson plan should include learning objectives, instructional strategies, assessment methods, and a timeline for each lesson. It may also be helpful to include additional resources and materials, such as handouts, worksheets, and presentations, to support the new teacher in their transition.

In the end, to make a teacher's midyear departure less "testing", it is important to create a detailed lesson plan, communicate clearly with administrators and colleagues, provide personalized notes for students, tie up loose ends, and "school" the new teacher on classroom procedures, all to ensure a "classy" and "educational" handoff.