There is always an alternative. The trouble is that you may only realise what is was, years later.

I once worked in a school, which was so hated by the staff - they formed an escape committee, like in Colditz. A jokey thing - but very black humour.

Personally I got out of teaching because my wife was ill and I had to take care of her.. As I remember there was no concern for my plight expressed by my union at the time - no interest in my situation. You are very much alone. When your career drops off in your hands like a broken door handle - you, yourself; have to sort out the mess - no one else.

In retrospect - thirty years later, I would urge the following:-

1) do your qualifications partially qualify you for something else - or entry into some other kind of training.
2) as a teacher, you have worked with far more independence than most other workers - that is a really rare quality. Look for it in your new employment.
3) What do you want to do?
4) What are you good at? If you want to be something you haven't the qualities to be, look further.
5) Most important of the lot. Don't close your mind to ANYTHING. Its better to have a go at something, when you have a bit of choice in the matter - rather than having to try something when you HAVE to succeed. But don't use that bit of slack you have to be lazy. Try different things - you may surprise yourself . I did - by becoming a successful old peoples entertainer. Something I would never have guessed in a hundred years that I could do.
6) Open up some lines of credit now, while your credit rating is good - who knows whats going to break down. Get credit cards with BIG credit ratings.
7) Try doing some things to earn money in your a spare time. Learn about yourself - what jobs you like doing. If the teaching suffers - to hell with it - they broke your heart first!
8) Join Friends Reunited - have a few leisurely dinners with old college friends. See if they've made better career calls that you have - be prepared to listen and to learn.

best of luck mate!