Beyond the Classroom with Lisa Harding

What if the hardest part of your career transition… is how long it takes?  For Sally Del Llano, the decision to leave teaching didn’t happen overnight. After nearly two decades in special education, she knew as early as 2016 that she couldn’t sustain the pace long-term. But it would take eight more years of planning, saving, and navigating real-life responsibilities before she was finally able to...

After spending 11 years in education, including roles as a kindergarten teacher, third grade teacher, instructional coach, and elementary principal–Amber Shields wasn't actively looking for a new job. But one unexpected phone call from a former colleague changed everything. Today, Amber serves as a Managing Director for a nonprofit organization, where she partners with school districts across...

After years of navigating an incredibly challenging classroom environment, Christina Howard reached a moment where everything came to a halt—physically, emotionally, and professionally.  After enduring some incredibly heavy moments during her teaching career, Christina reached a point where she knew she needed a different path forward.  But what came next wasn’t a clear plan or an easy transition....

Does your job search feel emotionally exhausting lately? In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m talking about why career transitions can feel so mentally and emotionally draining for teachers—and what you can do to make the process feel more manageable. We’ll talk about:  Why job searching can trigger overwhelm and burnout   The emotional weight of rejection and uncertainty   How overapplyin...

Do you feel stuck because you still don’t know exactly what career you want after teaching?  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m talking about one of the biggest things keeping teachers stuck during a career transition: the belief that you need complete clarity and confidence before you can move forward.  We’ll talk about:  Why uncertainty is a normal part of career transitions   The pres...

After 10 years teaching elementary school, Samantha Laca reached a breaking point. Like many educators, she loved teaching—but she no longer felt safe, supported, or able to focus on what she entered the profession to do. Increasing behavioral challenges, safety concerns, and growing frustration with the traditional school environment led her to explore an unexpected alternative. Today, Samantha w...

Feeling overwhelmed by everything you could be doing this summer for your career transition?  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m breaking down the 5 things I would focus on if I were transitioning out of teaching this summer—without trying to do everything at once or burning out in the process.  We’ll talk about:  Why career clarity should come before mass applying   How to start positio...

Summer can feel like your one chance to finally “figure out” your career transition…but what if putting that much pressure on yourself is actually making the process harder?  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding talks about how to create a summer transition plan that helps you move forward without turning your summer into another season of burnout. She shares practical advice for...

After 28 years of teaching, Christa Kaainoa hit what she describes as a “code red” moment where burnout wasn’t just emotional… it became physical. She couldn’t even picture herself walking back into the classroom. In this honest and deeply relatable conversation, Christa shares what it actually looks like to walk away from a long career without a clear plan and how she’s navigating the “messy midd...

In this first episode of the Messy Middle series, I’m joined by Academy member Scott King—a high school band director who’s taken different approach to his career transition than many of our members.   Instead of rushing to leave the classroom, Scott started planning his next chapter years in advance. And what makes his story so powerful is how he’s using that time intentionally—building skills, e...

This is the final episode in our One Small Step series for career-transitioning teachers. In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding tackles one of the hardest parts of a career transition: staying motivated when you’re not seeing obvious results yet. We’ll talk about why progress is often invisible early on, how teachers mistakenly measure success, and how to recognize real momentum—ev...

This is part four of our One Small Step series for career-transitioning teachers.  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding explains why so many teachers struggle with their resumes—and why the problem usually isn’t writing ability or experience. We’ll talk about why updating your resume too early can actually slow your progress, what clarity you need before you start writing, and how...

This is part three of our One Small Step series for career-transitioning teachers.  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding reframes networking through a growth-mindset lens and shows teachers how to approach conversations without feeling awkward, salesy, or like they’re asking for something they don’t deserve. You’ll learn why networking isn’t about getting a job, how to use curiosi...

This is part two of our One Small Step series for career-transitioning teachers.  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding walks through one of the most uncomfortable—but necessary—parts of a career transition: talking about yourself. We’ll explore why teachers struggle to describe their skills, how to move away from “teacher language” without losing authenticity, and how to practice...

This episode kicks off our One Small Step series—designed to help career-transitioning teachers move forward without overwhelm.  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding breaks down the very first practical step in a career transition: exploration. We’ll talk about why exploration does not equal commitment, why trying to research everything at once keeps teachers stuck, and how to app...

If you know you want to leave teaching—but it might be a year or two down the road—this episode will help you build a sustainable bridge to what’s next.  In this conversation, I’m joined by Tem Ezimokhai, a full-time teacher and host of the Helping Teachers Thrive podcast. Tem shares practical, real-life strategies for setting boundaries, protecting your time, and managing the guilt that comes wit...

This is the final episode in our growth mindset series for career-transitioning teachers. In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding shares what it actually looks like to practice a growth mindset week to week during a career transition—without overworking, spiraling, or putting your entire life on hold. You’ll learn how to shift from outcome-based thinking to learning-based progress, h...

This is part two of our growth mindset series for teachers navigating a career transition.  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding breaks down the most common mindset traps that quietly stall teachers during the job search—especially when they’re doing “all the right things” but still feel stuck. We’ll unpack why clarity often feels elusive, why comparison is so draining, and why wa...

You’ve heard the phrase growth mindset before—but what does it actually mean when you’re trying to leave the classroom?  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding breaks down the real research behind growth mindset, where the concept came from, and why it’s especially important for teachers navigating a career transition. We’ll talk about what growth mindset is (and what it isn’t), why...

If your teacher career transition has started to feel like a loop—research, resume tweaks, job board scrolling… and then nothing changes—this episode is the interrupt you need.  In Feeling Stuck? The 3-Step Teacher Career Transition Reset, I’m giving you a simple reset you can follow this week to get your momentum back without overthinking, overworking, or needing hours you don’t have. You’ll walk...

You’re not stuck because you’re unqualified—you’re stuck because you’ve been set up to follow the wrong path.  If you’ve updated your resume a dozen times, applied to jobs, heard crickets, and started thinking “maybe this won’t work for me”… this episode is your reset. I’m breaking down the 5 career change traps that quietly derail teachers—why they happen, what they look like, and the simple shif...

Feeling stuck isn’t a lack of talent—it’s often a lack of clarity about what actually motivates you.  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m joined by Mariamne Borden, co-founder of Passion Coaching, for a practical conversation about how teachers can use intrinsic motivation (not just “what jobs are out there”) to map a career path that actually fits.  We break down Passion Coaching’s appro...

If you’re a teacher who knows you want out of the classroom—but you’re stuck between “I’m ready” and “I have no idea what to do first”… this episode is for you. Before you update your resume or start applying, there are a few key decisions that can make your transition faster, clearer, and way less overwhelming. In this Coach Monologue, I’m walking you through 7 career change considerations that h...

What are hiring managers really thinking when they review your resume?   What makes you stand out—or miss the mark—in an interview?   In this episode, host Lisa Harding pulls back the curtain on what former teachers turned hiring managers shared in a recent panel discussion.   You’ll get real insights, practical tips, and encouraging advice to help you land your next job—plus an invite to see the...

Feeling stuck between your teaching job and the career you really want?  In this motivational episode, Lisa Harding shares why the beginning of the year is the perfect time to say yes to yourself—and how small actions can create big momentum in your career transition.  You’ll learn:  – Why saying yes doesn’t require total clarity (yet)  – Practical ways to start building momentum this week  – How...