Hi Vanessa,

This week, I’m writing to you from a quiet spot in the part before it gets hot for the day here in Texas. (It's already too late for that!) School may be out, but reflection season is in full swing. If you've been navigating the "what's next?" questions lately, this one’s especially for you. If you have friends stuck in the same spot, please feel free to forward this to them.

I reflect on how different my life is from this time 2 years ago. To say that my life is different undersells it. Two years ago, my mom was still alive, I was still employed full time for a Fortune 500 company, and I still had easy access to the home I grew up in. It was stunning how quickly it all changed. I wasn't even done processing the first wave of grief when the layoffs happened.

It reinforced my belief that change is the only constant in life. I forget who said that initially. I've never been afraid of change - being a military spouse makes you accepting of change if not fully comfortable with it.

As a teacher, you have a natural well of resilience that you don't think much about - but believe me it's a deep well.

Quicksand, Career Change, and the Long Game of Resilience

There’s a moment in The Replacements—yes, the early-2000s Keanu Reeves football movie—where the coach says, "Greatness, no matter how brief, stays with a man." And when I heard it again while rewatching, I thought: this isn’t just about football. This is about teachers.

So many educators I talk to feel like they’ve missed their shot. They’re burned out, underpaid, and overwhelmed—and somewhere along the way, they’ve started to believe their career highlight reel is behind them. But this movie, goofy as it is, reminds us that greatness is about more than public recognition or fancy titles.

In the film, a team of misfit players gets called up when the pros go on strike. They’re not perfect. They’re not polished. But they care, they show up, and they fight for something bigger than themselves. Sound familiar?

Teachers do this every day. And when they decide to pivot careers, it’s not because they failed at being a teacher. It’s because they’re finally prioritizing themselves.

The film uses a metaphor of "quicksand" - the fear that pulls you under the more you fight alone - is hauntingly familiar. I’ve seen it in every client who’s second-guessed their skills or felt like they were sinking under the weight of expectation. We see it when we sink under the crushing weight of our teaching jobs.

But here’s the thing: just like Shane Falco, you’re allowed a second chance. You’re allowed to fail, get back up, and become something even better. More importantly - you deserve it.

So if you're questioning everything right now, ask yourself: How am I defining greatness? And is it time to give myself another shot?

If you want to talk more, feel free to Book a discovery call with me.

Quick Tips from The Replacements

Inspired by our movie breakdown, here are 5 takeaways you can use today:

Embrace the underdog mentality. You are more capable than you feel.
Name your fears. Fear loses power when it’s shared.
Stay open to surprise roles. They might be a perfect fit.
Learn from each stumble. Rejections are just redirections.
Build your team. You don’t have to do this alone.

Print that out and post it on the fridge.

Find the Movie

Want to watch The Replacements yourself? It’s currently available for rent on Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Apple TV. Or if you live nearby, I have it on DVD and I'm always happy to watch it again.

Podcast!

Teachers in Transition – Episode 256: From Quicksand to Comeback: A Pep Talk for Tired Teachers

🔗 Click here to listen on Buzzsprout

Connect With Me

📧 Email me at Vanessa@teachersintransition.com
📱 Leave a voicemail or text at 512-640-9099
📅 Schedule a free Discovery Session with Vanessa
🌐 Follow Vanessa on Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social
📷 Also find Vanessa on Threads and Instagram: @teachers.in.transition
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