How to Leave Teaching

Teachers aren't just burned out — they're trained to give until there's nothing left, and called "good" for it. In this episode, I break down identity capture: the mechanism that turns your best traits — self-sacrifice, niceness, compliance, perfectionism — into free labor. I taught for 9 years — 4 in a Title I high school, 5 at a public university — and I left both feeling u...

On this week's episode I talk to Mike Kaufman, MSW, PhD, Author of Doing Good & Doing Well . Mike challenges the traditional idea that top leadership roles are best filled by individuals with business degrees. Instead, he advocates for the unique perspectives and skills that helping professionals—such as educators, social workers, and community organizers—bring to leadership positions, par...

Today I talk to Dr. Jordan B. Smith! We talk about: How to stay connected to teaching after leaving the classroom Things to think about before you retire Understanding your benefits How he gets his consulting gigs His process for writing and publishing education books Jordan B. Smith Jr. is a dedicated educator and advocate who has significantly impacted the lives of students through his work as a...

This week I talk to veteran teacher Shannon Hazel , author of the new book New Teacher Confidential: What They Didn’t Tell You About Being a Teacher . We talk all things teacher burnout including steps to sustain you if you’ve given all you’ve got in the tank.  Shannon Hazel is a recently-retired public school teacher and the author of the upcoming book New Teacher Confidential: What They Didn’t T...

Today we're talking all things trainings, certifications, upskilling, and reskilling with Tai Nehisi of Organizely , an A.I.- supported digital marketplace for today's workforce supporting upskilling + reskilling for all adult learners. Connect directly with employers who want to hire former teachers with Goldendelicious https://www.goldendelicious.ai Free networking guide for transitionin...

Has silence 🦗🦗 or a slew of rejections got you feeling less-than-motivated? This quickie episode is for you. I talk about: Tracking progress and celebrating wins Treating the job hunt as data collection Separating feelings from action Using rejection as a sign of taking action Reconsidering metrics for evaluating if your succeeding in your job search Gaining perspective through community Managin...

This week I was on the Educator Forever podcast . Please check out the Educator Forever network to discover how to apply your teaching skills in careers outside of the classroom but still in the education space. _____________________ Julie Packett is a former K-12 teacher who navigated the journey from the classroom to a flourishing career in data science. Recognizing the hurdles educators face wh...

Spring is in the air, and while many of us used to count down to those coveted school breaks, there’s something refreshing about finding balance and rejuvenation all year round. In today’s episode, we dive into my top three free online resources that can radically simplify and illuminate the path for educators looking for a career change. Resource #1: O*Net Online What it offers : The O*Net Intere...

In this heartfelt episode, our host shares the personal and profound journey of leaving the teaching profession, a decision fraught with emotion but ultimately led to self-discovery and new beginnings. From confronting the guilt and fear associated with leaving a career in education to discussing the systemic issues that plague the profession, this episode delves into the reasons behind the diffic...

In this episode, I talk about GUILT, a major factor keeping teachers stuck in teaching long after they've wanted to change careers. I also talk about guilt and: Protecting Your Wellbeing: Prioritizing personal health and well-being over staying in a profession out of obligation. Challenges in the Current Education System: A look at the systemic issues within education, including the empowermen...

Meet Jacqueline B: A Teacher's Journey to Thriving Entrepreneurship In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Jacqueline Butler , a former teacher who embarked on a remarkable journey of transformation and entrepreneurship. Jacqueline's story is a testament to the endless possibilities that exist for educators seeking fulfillment and success beyond the classroom. Jacqueline's ba...

Ever felt that your teaching experience limits your job prospects? Think again! In this episode, we tackle the crucial topic: 'Leveraging Your Current Teaching Role for Your Next Career Move.' Teachers, your classroom isn't just a space to impart knowledge; it's your training ground for diverse roles out there! Ever scanned a job posting and thought, "I don’t have those skills...

Andrea Hanson is a former teacher turned boutique owner + landlord + business mentor. In 2016, she retired as a teacher to focus full time on her first online business and since then she's started *3* more successful businesses which led her to launching RAE (ReAligned Entrepreneurs). With RAE she pours her love for small business into women who feel the nudge for more. Andrea says she's l...

This week we talk to Jen Widerberg, also known as Financial Services Tech Recruiter . Jen has been in recruiting for over 15 years, and she's also a friend of mine who talks candidly about how teachers should approach a transition out of education. In this episode, we cover: The difference between internal recruiters and agency recruiters Roles that are great for teachers looking to pivot What...

Eric James Stephens: A beacon for those considering a teacher career transition. Having personally navigated the choppy waters of leaving the teaching profession, he's emerged as a key figure in advocating alternative career options for teachers. In this episode we talk about just how he pivoted into the world of data during the global pandemic (whew!) with no background in analytics. He start...

Ever wondered how one transitions from teaching to tapping into the booming "Online Course Consultant" space? On today's episode, we sit down with Cindy from Course Magic Designs, who took her final bow in the classroom in May 2023 and embarked on a new adventure. With two years of side-hustling under her belt before the big leap, Cindy now enjoys the liberty of working from anywhere...

This episode is for my listeners who think networking is slimy, sleazy, or awkward. If just thinking about networking as a teacher job changer gives you anxiety (or maybe you just need a little information to get your started), this episode is for you!  In this episode, I talk: How to find people on LinkedIn to network with EXACTLY what to say when you're networking Why it's ESSENTIAL for wom...

So excited to have Dr. Sharon Martin, LCSW on the pod today for part II of our talk on *~*~*~boundaries*~*~* for teachers.  Dr. Martin began her career working in community mental health programs serving her community members in need. She's done it all -- counseling, therapy, and clinical supervision in programs serving adolescents, the homeless, juvenile offenders, veterans, and individuals...

This week we talk BOUNDARIES!  If you are trying to make a teacher career transition and leave the teaching profession, it's probably because you're in a toxic school or district OR you are being overworked and you're burning out.  My best career advice for teacher career changers is my best career advice for anyone in any industry: put boundaries in place.  So often, teachers face...

Coming at you with a solo pod today! I give you my top 5 tips for writing your resume as a teacher job changer.  In this week's episode, I went back and surveyed my brain...what I wish I knew back then, when I was still a classroom teacher, that I know now, about resumes.  Before you spend time writing the wrong kind of resume in the wrong kind of format with the wrong kinds of bullets,...

From high school teacher to badass entrepreneur! With an undergraduate degree in English from Fairfield University and a graduate degree in Educational Leadership from Western Governors University, Angela Gentile traded in her decade long public school teaching career to launch a business helping folks change their body, mindset and life through movement, meditation and mental health coaching. She...

Get 50% off the Digital Portfolio course using the code JULIE https://george-couros-school.teachabl... George Couros invites Julie Warner Packett back to The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast! As a repeat guest, Warner Packett shares some great insights about why she left the teacher profession to take on a role with the federal government of the United States and how she began a new venture called What...

This week I talk to my longtime friend Ashley J who after 10 years teaching high school left for the tech sector. We talk about how she approached her career transition resume, moving across the country at the same time as a major career change, finding the confidence to leave, how to leverage a bridge position to move into your next career after teaching, and more.

You asked for it -- an episode on confidence as a transitioning teacher.  In this episode I cover a number of strategies and some mindset shifts to help you push past fear and self-doubt so that you can apply for jobs (yes, even stretch jobs) and feel strong!  Things I talk about in this episode:  How teaching and the way the profession is structured can ding your self-confidence&nb...

In this episode, I interview my former colleague and friend Andy Boyle, Director of iTeach -- a service unit within a college of education that supports ed tech and instructional technology integration.  Andy talks about what it's like going from the classroom to working at the university level, how he thinks about hiring for his organization and what he looks for, his advice for teachers loo...