Teachers Transitions Podcast

summary In this episode, Nikki Buyna, an experienced educator with over 25 years in K-12 and higher education, shares insights on career transitions, supporting teachers, and the importance of adaptability in education. She discusses her journey from classroom teaching to university leadership, the role of social media in teacher support, and strategies for navigating burnout and career changes. K...

In this inspiring interview, Courtney McKay shares her journey from classroom teacher to content creator and corporate professional. She discusses the challenges of teaching, the importance of mental health, and strategies for successful career transitions, emphasizing authenticity, relationship-building, and self-care.keywordsteacher transition, mental health, career change, relationship building...

In this insightful interview, Alan Whitehead shares his journey from music educator to tech entrepreneur, offering practical advice for teachers considering career transitions into technology and leadership. Discover strategies for overcoming fears, leveraging classroom skills, and building a successful new career. keywordsteacher career transition, tech industry, resume tips, networking, resilien...

In this insightful interview, Dr. Ratliff shares her journey from classroom teacher to educational leader, emphasizing the importance of relationships, real-world skills, and mentorship in leadership development. She discusses her Executive Leadership Academy, designed to prepare aspiring principals for success, and offers practical advice for navigating career transitions, interviews, and crisis...

In this insightful interview, Erin Johnson, founder of Chalk to CEO, shares her journey from classroom teaching to transforming educators into successful career changers. Discover practical strategies for resume building, navigating career transitions, and leveraging your teaching experience for new opportunities. Key topics: Teacher career transition strategies Resume optimization for educators L...

In this insightful interview, Lola Paul shares her journey from educator to successful entrepreneur, highlighting the transferable skills from teaching to project management and business development. She offers practical advice for educators considering career transitions, emphasizing resilience, strategic planning, and leveraging AI tools.keywordscareer transition, educators, project management,...

In this insightful interview, Diana Hinojosa shares her journey from teaching to becoming a financial advisor, offering valuable advice on retirement planning, misconceptions about TRS, and how teachers can leverage social media for additional income streams.keywordsTeacher retirement, TRS, financial planning, side income, social media, retirement misconceptions, Texas teachers, insurance, financi...

In this inspiring interview, Anayla Lachelle shares her journey from criminal justice to teaching and social work, highlighting the importance of authenticity, community service, and the freedom to pivot in your career. Discover her insights on navigating challenges as a young teacher, embracing change, and leveraging social media for impact.keywordsteaching, career transition, social work, educat...

In this episode of Teachers Transitions Podcast , host Alex Kirton sits down with veteran music educator, clinician, and leader Kristin Vogt for a rich conversation about purpose, passion, and growth in education. Kristin shares her unexpected journey from oboe performance and music theory into elementary music education, revealing how she found her true calling in the classroom. With more than 23...

In this powerful and entertaining episode of Teachers Transition Podcast , host Alex Kirton sits down with rising educator and content creator Keldric Holmes—a third-grade teacher whose humor, honesty, and authenticity have captivated audiences across TikTok, Instagram, and beyond. Known for sharing the real, unfiltered moments of classroom life, Keldric opens up about his unexpected journey into...

🎙 Teachers Transition Podcast – Season 2 From Classroom to Copywriter: Meredith Cooley’s 17-Year Journey to Freedom In this powerful episode of Teachers Transition Podcast , Alex Kirton sits down with Meredith Cooley, a former classroom teacher of 17 years who made the courageous leap from education into entrepreneurship. Meredith shares her honest, behind-the-scenes story of quietly building a fr...

In this powerful and personal episode of the Teachers Transition Podcast , host Alexander Kirton sits down with a very special guest—his wife, Keyla Kirton, an experienced HR leader turned consultant and CEO. Keyla shares her unconventional journey from journalism and producing for 60 Minutes , to higher education leadership, to overseeing HR operations in large school systems, and ultimately tran...

🔥 Episode Summary In this powerful and personal episode of the Teachers Transition Podcast , Alex sits down with a very special guest—his wife and business partner, Keyla Kirton . With a unique journey spanning journalism, higher education, K-12 leadership, and HR consulting, Keyla offers an inside look at what it truly takes to pivot your career with confidence. From producing with 60 Minutes to...

In this conversation, Jeffrey Bradbury discusses the essential role of teachers, likening their responsibilities to that of a conductor. He emphasizes that the primary job of a teacher is to inspire students, regardless of their age or setting, to unite towards a common vision and goal.takeaways You have one job as a teacher. A teacher's role is similar to that of a conductor. Inspiration is key i...

In this episode of the Teachers Transition Podcast, host Alex Kirton speaks with Jeff Patterson, CEO of Gaggle, about the evolution of educational technology and its impact on student safety. They discuss the importance of balancing technology with human judgment, the need for mental health support in schools, and the challenges of navigating privacy concerns. Jeff shares success stories from Gagg...

In this episode of the Teachers Transition Podcast, Alexander Kirton speaks with social worker Gordon Gooding about the challenges educators face, including burnout, mental health, and the impact of technology on students. They discuss the importance of connection, deliberate intentions in mental health, and the role of leadership in supporting teachers. Gordon shares his personal journey from soc...

Summary In this episode of Teachers Transition, host Alexander Kirton speaks with Kathy Kuddes, a respected figure in music education, about her journey from teacher to administrator, the impact of the Kodály philosophy, and the importance of folk songs in music education. They discuss the challenges and rewards of teacher training, the design of the Robbie Lenore Robinson Fine Arts Center, and th...

In this episode of the Teachers Transition Podcast, Dr. Deborah Wortham shares her remarkable journey from a determined student in Chicago to a transformative leader in education. With heartfelt stories and powerful insights, Dr. Wortham discusses the importance of belief, resilience, and intentional leadership. Her experiences as a superintendent and educator highlight the impact of creating syst...

In this powerful finale of her trilogy on Teachers Transition Podcast, Kendall Askins shares her journey as an educator, mom, and entrepreneur. From starting as a math teacher to becoming a principal, CEO of Stemulating Minds , and director at the Da Vinci Science Center, Kendall reveals how she manages her time, balances multiple roles, and prioritizes what truly matters. Key takeaways: Time Mana...

In this heartfelt episode of Teachers Transition Podcast , host Alexander Kirton welcomes his longtime friend, colleague, and mentor Rick Magnani . With over 26 years of experience teaching music in Baldwin, NY—and an even longer career full of diverse jobs—Rick shares lessons learned about resilience, parent communication, and thriving in education despite challenges. From his early days at Berkl...

In this inspiring episode, host Alexander Kirton sits down with longtime friend and seasoned educator LaTisha Elliott to explore her remarkable journey from teaching assistant to classroom teacher, school administrator, and ultimately successful entrepreneur. LaTisha shares how a psychology degree and an initial role as a teaching assistant opened unexpected doors in education. Encouraged by mento...

In this episode of the Teachers Transition Podcast , host Alex Kirton sits down with Andy Rettke to explore his unique journey from being a high school teacher and wrestling coach in Plano, Texas, to running his own successful construction company, Sonova Construction. Andy shares how his experiences as a teacher, coach, and athlete shaped his resilience, problem-solving skills, and ability to man...

In this continuation of Cherise Irons’ inspiring journey, she dives into how her personal health challenges became a catalyst for advocacy and entrepreneurship. Cherise candidly shares how frequent medical appointments and breakdowns in communication with doctors led her to discover a deeper calling: bridging the gap between patients and medical professionals. A key turning point came when a physi...

In this inspiring episode of Teachers Transition Podcast , Alex Kirton sits down with Cherise Irons to explore her unconventional journey through education, leadership, and life transitions. Cherise candidly shares how she entered teaching unexpectedly after a career in broadcast journalism was interrupted by motherhood. What began as a practical decision quickly evolved into a deep passion for ed...

Kendal Askins—former middle school principal, Director of the DaVinci Science program for the Allentown School District, and CEO of Stemulating Minds—shares her experiences and leadership lessons. These lessons have guided her success both in the public school system and as the leader of a thriving tutoring company. Her insights offer valuable guidance for current and aspiring leaders.