Teacher Shift

Have you ever heard someone else say that you’re JUST a teacher? Maybe you’ve even caught yourself saying something similar. If so, this week’s episode with veteran educator Ryan Pelkey is for you! Ali, JoDee, and Ryan sit down to talk about breaking free from the word “just,” debunking certain narratives about teachers, and ways in which schools and districts can put teachers first.  Connect with...

Today, Ali and JoDee are chatting with Rachel Watanabe Tate, a learning specialist with a focus on autism and behavior. She has over 12 years experience working in both public and private school systems. In this episode, they will be discussing ways in which school systems can retain teachers, how teacher pay is a localized issue, and transitioning from the classroom to different careers. Connect...

This week Ali and JoDee sit down with Elizabeth Peterson, a veteran educator who empowers teachers with creative social-emotional strategies while easing teacher burnout through SEAL: Social-Emotional, Artistic Learning. Together, they will discuss what Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and SEAL are, how to effectively use these concepts within the classroom, and the role of the teacher in today&apo...

This week Ali and JoDee sit down with Sage Salvo, the founder and CEO at Words Liive and a tech policy fellow at the Aspen Institute. Together, they will discuss what Words Liive is, how educators can fit into the ed tech space, and the unique skill set that benefits educators in positions outside of the classroom.   Connect with Sage: Instagram: https://instagram.com/sagesalvo   https://www.insta...

It’s that time of year when everyone is going back to school! While this can be exciting for some, for others it can lead to the back to school scaries. Today, Ali and JoDee dive into what the back to school scaries are, what perpetuates them, and how you overcome the back to school scaries.  Screen Deep A podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world. Listen on: Apple Podcasts &nb...

Today, Ali and JoDee sit down with Dr. Sharon Blumenthal-Cohen, an educator with over 25 years of experience teaching writing and literature to students from grade school through graduate school. She is also an educational consultant who supports schools with training, evaluation, mentoring and professional development. Together, they will talk about growing and reinventing yourself as an educator...

This week on the podcast, Ali and JoDee are chatting with Annabelle Allen. Annabelle, affectionately known as La Maestra Loca, is a teacher in New Orleans who also runs a successful side business inspiring world language teachers with the joy of teaching and acquiring language through acquisition driven instruction. Together, we will talk about the power of saying no, setting effective boundaries...

Today Ali and JoDee sit down and chat with Alicia Hess, a former teacher and elementary school administrator who recently made her great resignation. We’ll talk about what led Alicia to resign, the expectations versus reality in education, and the unwritten responsibilities some assistant principals experience in their role.  Connect with Alicia: LinkedIn: Alicia Hess Instagram: https://www.instag...

This week Ali and JoDee chat with Franny Wooler, an educator who has worked in the public school system for the last two decades and is now an assistant  principal. Together we’ll talk about expanding your network outside of your school, tips for getting your resume noticed for the jobs you want and other jobs within your district that you may not currently know about.  Connect with Franny: Email:...

Today, Ali and JoDee chat with Stef Hogan! Stef has 8 years of experience as a scrum master who now works as an agile and delivery lead at GoCart. In this episode, the women discuss what a scrum master and agile are, Stef’s best advice for an educator looking to get into this field, and the empathy she has for teachers.  Connect with Stef: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestef23/ LinkedIn:...

This week Ali and JoDee chat with Marissa Conway, former teacher turned Operations Research Analyst at NASA. Together, they’ll discuss the very relatable reasons that caused Marissa to leave teaching (hint: not burnout!), how she landed her current position, and perks of working for the government.  Sites mentioned in this episode: www.usajobs.gov Connect with Marissa: LinkedIn: https://www.linked...

Today Ali and JoDee welcome back Adam McLean. Adam joins them to talk about making the switch from teaching to instructional design, tips for setting up your resume or LinkedIn profile for these types of roles, and the best places to look for job opportunities in instructional design. Links mentioned in this episode: Online Learning Consortium: https://onlinelearningconsortium.org/ Inside Higher E...

This week Ali and JoDee chat with Cecily Williams-Blijd,  an educational leader in K-12, higher education, and at the corporate level. Together they discuss the classroom to corporate transition and the ways to tell you need a change. They'll unpack the benefits of modeling career change for not just you and your teacher peers, but your students as well.  Connect with Cecily: Twitter: @CWBLIJ...

This week Ali and JoDee chat with Vicky Weber, a former elementary teacher and successful author. Together they’ll discuss how being a teacher shaped Vicky’s path to becoming an author, the transition from teacher to full-time author, and the journey from self publishing to being published by Disney and Penguin Random House.  Connect with Vicky: Website: https://www.athomeauthor.com Instagram: htt...

This week Ali and JoDee are joined by Camile Lofters, a teacher turned manager and representative for a school photography company after making her great resignation. They’ll discuss how teaching not only prepared her for a new role, but also  helped her land her a new job. And as someone who has an Instagram following of over 12,000 and has had a Reel go viral, Camile will also share her best tip...

In this episode, Ali and JoDee talk with Carrie Rohrbach Meyers, a former French educator and the founder of Empowering Educator. Together they will discuss how Carrie found herself helping other teachers to get back to themselves, the signs of an unwell teacher, and the ripple effect that can happen when teachers are taking care of their personal well-being.  Want to join in on Empowering Educato...

This week Ali and JoDee chat with Taylor Smith, a former teacher and the current CEO and Co-Owner of Studio Sisters. We’ll discuss Taylor’s path from teacher to business owner, two big life lessons she has learned along the way, and how to capitalize on your classroom skills.  Connect with Taylor: Website: https://shopstudiosisters.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopstudiosisters/ Podcas...

Ali and JoDee talk with Eric Friedman, Director of Digital Learning at the Kennedy Center. They explore the qualifications of teachers and why leaders, hiring committees, and managers should advocate for an educators resume. And stay tuned to the end when they even share their favorite Kool-Aid flavor, because - hey, why not? LinkedIn 💼 Eric Paul Friedman Connect with Ali and JoDee: Instagram: ht...

This week Ali and JoDee chat with Andrea Olatunji, a children’s author and educator. We'll explore her jump to authorship, professional development, and how your teacher brain can help you connect from a different angle. Andrea's Website 📕 Cuenta Cuentos Instagram @andreaolatunji Facebook Andrea Olatunji Connect with Ali and JoDee: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachershift Faceb...

This week Ali and JoDee are joined by Dr. Bradley Ekwerekwu, CEO of Learning Community - Douglas and Sarpy Counties. We’ll discuss the new skills and knowledge teachers gained during the pandemic and how to transfer that expertise into a social impact role. LinkedIn 💼 Dr. Bradley Ekwerekwu   Connect with Ali and JoDee: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachershift Facebook: https://www.facebo...

This week Ali and JoDee tackle the underappreciated teacher in our communities, the workplace, and within hiring committees. They discuss strategies for recognizing the source of why you are feeling underappreciated and options for making a change. LinkedIn 💼 Alexandra Simon 💼 JoDee Scissors Connect with Ali and JoDee: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachershift Facebook: https://www.faceb...

This Week Ali and JoDee speak with Ashley and Adam McLean, former classroom teachers and TGTR listeners. We’ll discuss how prioritizing their family and dreams impacted their decisions to leave the classroom. Connect with Ali and JoDee: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachershift Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teachershift Teacher Shift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/teacher-...

This week Ali and JoDee chat with Alycia Trotter, a teacher turned entrepreneur and CEO of A Joyful Mess Art Studio. We’ll discuss the commonalities between being the CEO of your classroom to being the CEO of your own business. For more on Alycia's studio: Website A Joyful Mess Art Studio Facebook @ajoyfulmess Instagram @ajoyfulmessartstudio Connect with Ali and JoDee: Instagram: https://www....

This week Ali and JoDee  speak with Erik Garcia, a Certified Financial Planner, Behavioral Financial Advisor, and podcast host of @stuffaboutmoney_. We'll discuss the role of financial guilt, fear, and even greed as teachers consider their next career move. Erik also talks us through the importance of personalized  plans to meet individual financial needs.  Did we mention he's married to...

This week Ali and JoDee talk with guest Crystal Gross to examine feelings around guilt when leaving the classroom. They discuss the guilt of abandoning one's calling and the financial guilt of losing a stable income. In addition, they share guilt related to leaving students and colleagues behind in pursuit of personal wellbeing.  Connect with Ali and JoDee: Instagram: https://www.instagram.co...