Teachers in Transition: Career Change and Real Talk for Burned-Out Teachers

Send us Fan Mail What do stained glass, jousting, and Geoffrey Chaucer have to do with your next career move? More than you think. In this episode, Vanessa uses A Knight’s Tale to explore what it means to reinvent yourself without erasing who you’ve been. From burnout to “changing your stars,” we break down how hope, identity, and real-world strategy (hello, skills gap analysis!) can guide you out...

Send us Fan Mail In episode of Teachers in Transition , career coach and former middle school teacher Vanessa Jackson uses the cult classic Groundhog Day as a metaphor for the emotional and professional loop so many educators feel stuck in. Vanessa dissects the 5 stages of grief not only as they appear in Bill Murray’s iconic time-loop comedy, but as they show up in the lives of teachers contempla...

Send us Fan Mail Teachers in Transition – Episode 260: What School of Life Teaches Us About Time, Teaching, and Taking the Leap   What if the best career advice came from a forgotten 2005 TV movie starring Ryan Reynolds in red Chucks? In this episode, we unpack the under-the-radar gem School of Life —a story that holds unexpected wisdom about purpose, time, and finding joy in teaching. Why Mr. D’s...

Send us Fan Mail What can a 2004 sci-fi film teach us about modern AI—and our careers? In this episode, Vanessa Jackson breaks down I, Robot , explores the Two Wolves metaphor, and reveals how teachers can use AI ethically to reclaim time, clarity, and direction offering real-life ways to work with AI instead of fearing it. 💡 Not sure what your next step should be? Start with the DECIDE Workshop...

Send us Fan Mail Your Job Search as a Goonies Adventure This week, Vanessa dives into what The Goonies and your own nickname history can teach you about career pivots, found family, and the power of not doing it alone. If you’ve  In This Episode: Why some nicknames hit differently What the Goonies can teach us about teamwork, courage, and weirdness Thunderbolts as the grown-up, world-weary version...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Overview In this episode, Vanessa explores How to Train Your Dragon through a powerful lens: not just as a fantasy adventure, but as a roadmap for reclaiming agency, curiosity, and purpose in career transitions. The conversation covers how Hiccup from a collection of children’s books to a live-action movie, themes of belongings, the Huge different between ‘couldn’t’ and ‘w...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Teachers in Transition , we’re diving into one of Vanessa’s favorite underdog films— The Replacements —to explore what it really means to get a second chance. Spoiler: it’s not about parades or endorsement deals. It’s about the quiet, often-overlooked moments of greatness that shape who we are—and who we’re becoming. Vanessa breaks down how this lighthearted football...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Teachers in Transition , host Vanessa Jackson explores the heartwarming 2003 film Secondhand Lions and what it reveals about identity, respect, and rewriting your personal story. Through the lens of this quiet classic, Vanessa draws deep parallels between the character Walter’s journey and the experience of burned-out educators who are questioning their place in...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Teachers in Transition , Vanessa Jackson welcomes Dr. Shaun Woodly , award-winning educator, speaker, and founder of Teach Hustle Inspire . Dr. Woodly dives deep into the science of behavior , explaining how classroom challenges are often misunderstood signals —not personal failures. Together, they unpack: ·         The five survival drives that fuel student beh...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Teachers in Transition , Vanessa Jackson takes a fun dive into the 1987 movie The Secret of My Success , starring Michael J. Fox. Although it’s an 80s classic with some retro charm, the movie holds valuable lessons on networking, standing out, and navigating the grind of job hunting—lessons that can resonate deeply with teachers transitioning into new careers. L...

Send us Fan Mail In this buzz-tastic episode of Teachers in Transition , Vanessa explores what we can learn from bees about burnout, neglect, and leadership. She shares how long-term emotional neglect manifests for educators, how to begin reversing it with intentional self-care, and what transformation might look like when teachers are finally nourished the way they deserve. You’ll also hear a pra...

Send us Fan Mail In this empowering episode of Teachers in Transition , Vanessa delves into the transformative journey of recognizing and embracing your unique value, especially during career transitions. Drawing inspiration from Secretariat's legendary Triple Crown victory, we explore how traits perceived as different or even weird can be your greatest strengths. We also discuss the challeng...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Vanessa talks with Jenny Long - former teacher turned professional artist.  Jenny details her journey from Covid to Long Covid through the grief of leaving teaching and how she has found a career she can love that meets her current needs.  Jenny talks about the process through which she learned and art, developed the infrastructure for the business side of things,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Vanessa talks with Ryan Hennessey about his journey out of the classroom, through self-discovery, and into entrepreneurship.  Ryan does adventure retreats, wellness coaching, and still does some math and science tutoring in collaborative sessions through his multi-faceted company.  Connect with Ryan! ·         Check out his Substack at @IAmRyanHennessey ·         ...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling buried in classroom chaos? In this episode, Vanessa tackles the teacher hoard, shares a clever space-creating hack, and breaks down how to spot toxic job red flags before saying yes to your next gig. It’s part spring cleaning, part soul-saving truth-telling. Take a breath, clear some space, and tune in.   Episode Highlights: Vanessa’s back (pollen and all!) with a three-pa...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling stuck in your career transition during this economic dumpster fire? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m breaking down five toxic myths that are holding job seekers—especially teachers and mid-career professionals—hostage in a broken system. We’ll talk about: Why now is still a good time to pivot How “overqualified” is code for “we don’t know what to do with your brillia...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling overwhelmed? You're not alone. In this episode of Teachers in Transition , Vanessa shares practical tools to combat stress, avoid burnout, and build your future—one pause at a time. Learn how to manage your energy, set boundaries, and prepare for career moves during uncertain times. Plus, don’t miss the announcement of two FREE workshops: one on resume writing (May 3)...

Send us Fan Mail This is just a quick update to let everyone know that we are moving our drop day from Saturday to Wednesday.       Also, mark those calendars!  On May 3rd, Vanessa will host a Resume Workshop and on May the 4th, she’ll host a workshop on LinkedIn Optimization.  Both workshops will be 2:00PM central and are absolutely free to attend! Connect with Vanessa                 Vanessa@Tea...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Teachers in Transition , host Vanessa Jackson explores the concept of branching out rather than narrowing focus in career transitions. She reflects on how traditional education once encouraged broad exploration, whereas today’s systems push students toward early specialization. Vanessa emphasizes the importance of rediscovering curiosity, exploring new interests...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Teachers in Transition , Vanessa Jackson dives into the challenges of gaslighting in the classroom, how unchecked behavior can escalate, and why teachers should trust their instincts. She also shares a powerful mindset shift: scheduling fun to avoid burnout and maintain well-being. Finally, Vanessa uses a gardening analogy to explore the patience required in a j...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Teachers in Transition , host Vanessa Jackson shares a humorous and insightful story about navigating mishaps as a musician—specifically, how a well-intentioned plan to play Handel’s Messiah on the organ went hilariously off the rails due to an unexpected tech glitch. With laughter and grace, Vanessa reminds listeners that when things go wrong in public, sometim...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Teachers in Transition, host Vanessa Jackson explores the inspiring lessons we can learn from the Iditarod and how they relate to leadership, trust, and resilience—both in and out of the classroom. Vanessa reflects on the crucial role of lead dogs in a sled team and connects their responsibilities to the challenges faced by teachers navigating career transitions...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Teachers in Transition , Vanessa Jackson explores the themes of creativity, resilience, and unconventional problem-solving using cars as a metaphor for teamwork and thinking outside the box. Vanessa also discusses the reality of career success, highlighting that it’s rarely a straight path. She emphasizes the importance of adapting to change, recognizing one’s v...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Teachers in Transition , Vanessa Jackson explores the power of perspective, resilience, and community in navigating the stress and overwhelm that comes with teaching—especially for those contemplating a career change. She begins with a powerful story about how helping others can instantly boost our mood, sharing a real-life experience of lending a hand and seein...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Vanessa talks with Donna King from 360BalanceLiving about her transformation and leap of faith in entrepreneurship.  Donna helps women in middle-age and beyond to feel good about themselves again through good food choices, movement, and working towards mental health.  Donna shares  how she works with her clients to accomplish that and has a great check-up tool for...