Lane Switch Podcast

In this episode, I sat down with Matt Barton who went from California to North Carolina as a Bilingual Teacher. He speaks about his move across the country and his feelings and reasons on why he decided to leave the classroom for good. Matt now finds himself as an Academic Designer for McGraw Hill!

Teachers, if you’ve ever felt mentally drained, stuck, or ready for something new, this episode is for you! I sat down with Courtney White, a former 4th and 2nd-grade teacher who took control of her career path and landed a corporate role at Honeywell as a Sr. Subcontracts Specialist. After teaching in both public and private schools, Courtney realized she needed a real change—one that aligned wit...

I sat down and spoke with Emily Richardson, a former Elementary Teacher turned Math Curriculum Designer, who took the leap into a Customer Success Manager role at Imagine Learning—where she’s already been promoted to Senior CSM! Emily shares her journey of realizing that career progression didn’t have to mean staying in the classroom. She opens up about the challenges of stepping into a new indust...

I sat down and spoke with Beatrice Kyle who was a former 1st Grade and KG Teacher with her first year of teaching being Covid. She highlights her navigation through virtual learning, changing from first grade to Kindergarten, and then finally decided to leave the classroom and tackle the job search process. She then landed in a recruiter role in her first job outside of education. Now, Beatrice is...

I sat down and spoke with Crystal Chilcott, a former ESL-teacher who transformed her life by leaving the classroom and launching her own business. Crystal now helps burnt-out teachers and employees how to achieve freedom through high-ticket affiliate marketing. Tune in to hear how she built a thriving business, overcame challenges, and empowers others to take control of their careers and lives. If...

I sat down to speak with Sydney Cady who was a former 1st-grade teacher for 2 different schools of over 6-years around the Charlotte area. She highlights speaking with a friend who encouraged her to step outside the classroom to pursue a new career. She speaks about how the interview process was first humbling, but something she worked to improve upon to land her in her new role. Sydney is now an...

I sat down and spoke with Olivia Moorehead who was a former High School History Teacher for 6-years before leaving the classroom. She highlights the importance of her journey was when she took a step back to "reframe her brain" as a way to figure out her skills she's acquired in the classroom and how those can translate into a new role outside education. After networking and hitting the job market...

I sat down to discuss some of the reasons why teachers feel imposture syndrome when leaving the classroom and what action steps you should take to help you overcome some of those fears to move into the careers of your dreams!

I sat down and spoke with Dr. Meg Waldron who highlights her extensive experience with over 13-years working as an English and Journalism teacher before leaving the classroom. She began her own tutoring business while teaching which she still runs today, Smart Solutions Tutoring. She highlights some of the changes to policy and the need for a better work-life balance as to why she left the classro...

I sat down and spoke with Holly Strand who started as a Special Education Teacher to then working her way to a Lead K-5 ESL Teacher before deciding to leave education. She leveraged her classroom experience and her passions to now find herself as a Language Consultant for Extempore.

I sat down and spoke with Sydney Reiners who was a music teacher back in her hometown for 2-years. She highlights a big move, her mental health, and some other key reasons as to why she left the classroom. She now finds herself in a newly promoted role for the same company, Amergis Healthcare Staffing, as a Business Development Manager.

I sat down and spoke with Karl Lippa who was a former math teacher and coach of over 14-years before leaving the classroom. He highlights the importance of knowing your why and your worth when deciding on leaving the classroom. At the age of 35, Karl decided to take the leap of faith into a new career stemmed from a previous coaching connection. He now finds himself in a newly promoted role as a S...

I sat down and spoke with Meghan Moore who was a former English and Journalism Teacher for over 12-years before making the move into education. She explains her teaching experiences and the importance of mental health and how that impacted her move out of the classroom. She now finds herself as a People Experience Manager for Super Radiator Coils.

I sat down and spoke with Manal Ahmed who was a former 5th grade teacher for 2-years in Illinois. She highlights various reasons and how she navigated the job market to find herself into a new career. Manal is now a Student & Diversity Outreach Specialist at the Illinois CPA Society.

I sat down and spoke with Brittany Sober and she discusses her teaching experience in two different states, Nevada and Michigan, of over 4-years before deciding to leave the classroom. She is now succeeding in a new roles as a Training Coordinator for Fast Enterprises LLC.

I sat down and spoke with Erin Tucker who speaks about her unique professional experience outside of the classroom, before transitioning into teaching, and then back out of the classroom. Erin now finds herself in a new fulfilling role as an Instructional System Designer for Integration Innovation, Inc.

I sat down and spoke with Angela Holstedt who speaks about her time as a special education teacher for over 9-years before leaving the classroom. She speaks about her unique experience with contract work and where she is now as a Professional Learning Specialist for Amplify.

I sat down and spoke with Laurie Kaiser who was a 3rd-grade teacher for over 6-years within an inner-city school. She highlights the importance of mental health and family - being able to be available and pour into her daughter was a big reason as to why she left education. Laurie now finds herself as a Jr. Front End Web Developer for Indiana University Foundation.

I sat down and spoke with Caitlin Barnes who highlights her experience working as both a Catholic school and public school teacher at various districts. She talks about how she thought the moving of districts would help solve some of the discipline and behavioral issues she was previously facing. After finally deciding to leave the classroom Caitlin finds herself as a Risk Management Education for...

I sat down and spoke with Marissa Miller who speaks about her experience as a Special Education teacher within various Title 1 schools. She talks about burnout and also how the system of education with inexperienced teachers and leadership were some main reasons of why she left education. Marissa now finds herself as an Account Manager for Bridgemark Insurance Group.

I sat down and spoke with Amanda Knappe, a former Charter School Elementary teacher for 4-years. She highlights the behavioral issues and lack of support as a few reasons why she left education. She now finds herself in a new role as a Transition Specialist Representative for Paycom.

I sat down and spoke with Tiffany Vietinghoff, a former middle school math teacher for over 9-years. She speaks about starting a family and the need for a work-life balance, highlight a few reasons why she wanted to change careers. She now finds herself in a new role as a Learning Management Systems Administrator and Micro-Learning Designer for Goodwill Industries International.

I sat down and spoke with Deborah Napoleon, who was a former Elementary and Middle School teacher for 7+ years before she transitioned into an EdTech Sales role. She speaks about the different transferrable skills she gained while at various schools throughout the DMV that finally led her to enter a role as an Account Manager for Lexia Learning.

I sat down and spoke with Emily Yisa, who speaks about her experience as a Special Education Teacher in Texas and her decision to leave the classroom twice before finding herself in a new fulfilling role as a Sr. Administrative Assistant for MD Anderson Cancer Center.

I sat down and spoke with Valerie McCrea who describes her unique journey from starting out as a Lead Teacher for Teach For America before leaving a first time to become a Customer Success Manager. She then found herself back in the classroom where she stayed for over 7-years before exiting a final time. Valerie now finds herself as a Marketing Integration Lead for Motion Recruitment.