A Note from Vanessa

Hi, Vanessa, The results from that survey in the last newsletter was a TIE!  So I am offering both a Resume & a LinkedIn Workshop.  Scroll down for the details!  

In this wild economy, one of the things we can do to help is to buy local and support small business.  To that end, if you know other teachers who are stressed, overwhelmed, burnout out and seeking something new, please share the Teachers in Transition Podcast with them.  It's an easy way to support them and to support Teachers in Transition.  And if there are topics you'd like to see addressed on the podcast, which now drops on Wednesdays like it used to, please email me and let me know!  I want to cover what you want to know about. 

 This weeks' podcast is episode 247: The Job Market is Trash so It’s Time to Take out the Garbage of Limiting Beliefs!

What ELSE Can You Do -  Rediscovering Your Hidden Talents

When teachers think about transitioning out of the classroom, the first career paths that come to mind are often curriculum design or corporate training. Makes sense—we’ve got lesson planning, delivery, and engagement down to a science. But what happens when those job markets are oversaturated?

Cue the question: What else can I do?

Maybe you’re the teacher who coached, ran after-school clubs, or launched a side hustle with a Cricut machine. Maybe you fell in love with photography, dog training, or designing classroom decor—and now you’re wondering if those passions can be something more.

Spoiler: They can.

The beauty of teaching is that it forces you to wear every hat in the building. That means you’ve likely picked up skills in leadership, creativity, organization, problem-solving, and more. The tricky part? Narrowing it all down to fit a job application.

This week’s episode dives into the joy (and challenge) of having too many interests and how to make that work for you. You can pivot out of teaching—and you might even discover a dream you didn’t know you had.

Ask yourself:  What’s something you’ve always loved doing that you haven’t allowed yourself to explore professionally?

Taking Out the Trash In This Messy Job Market

Let’s be real: the job market right now is a dumpster fire, especially if you’re mid-career and pivoting from education. You’re ghosted after interviews, overlooked despite qualifications, or applying to jobs with laughably low pay. It’s brutal.

But here's your reminder: The system may be broken, but YOU are not.

This week, we rolled up our sleeves and took out five metaphorical garbage bags:

  1. The Myth of Perfect Timing – There's no perfect time. The best time to pivot is when you decide you're ready.

  2. The “Overqualified” Label – Don’t shrink to fit someone else’s comfort zone. Reframe your expertise.

  3. The Full-Time Fallacy – Contracting, freelancing, and side gigs are valid paths. Every job is a temp job.

  4. Job Board Tunnel Vision – Tap into the hidden job market through networking and curiosity conversations.

  5. The “Just a Teacher” Lie – You are a high-capacity, adaptable, problem-solving machine. Start owning it.

🎯 Pro tip: The only way forward is through. So give yourself permission to evolve, adapt, and create your own definition of success.

Cool Resource 

🎥 Encanto’s “What Else Can I Do?” Song – Watch Here
This Disney anthem might just become your career change theme song. When you’re feeling boxed in by expectations, let this jam remind you that your other talents matter—and they might be the key to your next chapter.

📅 Upcoming Events

 Free Workshops from Teachers in Transition
Crafting a Results-Focused Resume
Date: May 3, 2025
Time: 2 PM CST (ends at 3:30)
💡 Learn how to format for ATS, write bullet points, and showcase skills that hiring managers want.

LinkedIn Optimization Made Easy
Date: May 4, 2025
Time: 2 PM CST (ends at 3:30)
💡 Build a profile that works for you, speaks your new career language, and gets noticed.

📝 Register now at teachersintransition.com/events

If you are busy at that time, you can register anyway and a link to the video will be sent to you after a few days after event and you will also receive access to all the resources offered in the video.   If this isn't something you need, Vanessa, but you think a friend would, please feel free to forward it to them.  I want to help as many teachers as I can to relive stress, overwhelm and burnout.  And if they want to leave the classroom, I want to help them make that transition as smooth as possible. 

 



I'D LOVE TO CONNECT!  

      Vanessa@TeachersinTransition.com 

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