Get out of Teaching

Adventurous world traveller and job-hopper Stephanie Hunt shares the joys and challenges of living a no-holds barred life.

If you're poised for change, this episode will both inspire you and give you a reality check!

From Natalie herself:

I left teaching in schools after almost 30 years to start my own business... I'm now using my teaching skills and experience to help adults nurture their mental health by developing a more creative lifestyle. I like to share my story because, I learned the hard way, that if you feel trapped in a job you don't enjoy, it can contribute to a decline in your mental health.

My husband was proud of being known as a workaholic and perfectionist, even though he didn't even like his job and in 2009 he lost his will to live. I, on the other hand, had a dream job, in a school I loved.

Now I'm doing what I can to help adults change their lives and get their priorities right.   Life is too short to not pursue your dreams!

For enquiries: [email protected]
https://www.studioyellow.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/studioyellowaustralia/

In this slightly uncouth episode, comedian Ben Knight shares his views on Education, his journey out of Education and what life is like as a stage performer in the middle of a global pandemic. It's lots of fun, with some laughs and a touching insight into what drives him at the end. 

Here's a song Ben recently wrote for people who are considering "popping out a kid"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvwB3xpzeYM

From Andrea herself:

While I always knew I wouldn’t be in the classroom forever, I didn’t know it would only take 17 short years to come to the conclusion that I needed to get out of teaching.  I thought maybe 20 years and then transition to an administrative role- it was a solid plan until the stress of the classroom started to cash in on my health and personal life.  

The journey out of teaching took much longer than I thought.  How would I make enough money to support my family? How would I honor all the time and resources I had put in to mastering my craft?  How would I do not being with the middle school aged kids I had grown to love?  I was lost and frustrated.  That was when I found the Get out of Teaching Facebook group.  It didn’t take me long to sign up for a clarity call with Elizabeth.  During the call, she helped me to see that there were ways that I could stretch my wings while still teaching - exactly what I needed to make all my ends meet.  After some time, and some trial and error, I landed my non-teaching role.  

Currently I am working on education, though not in the classroom.  Instead I provide consultation to schools in the State of Maine on how to maximize their resources for student supports.  This new role is my “day job” and now at night I have time to work on my side gig, Learn Lead Exceed - helping school leaders thrive in the waters of school administration.  I am so thankful that I found Get out of Teaching group, and for Elizabeth’s coaching and insight.

From Amber herself:
I started teaching instrumental music fresh out of college at the age of 22. I knew I loved music, loved kids, and was good at teaching, but I had no idea exactly what being a teacher would require. I would often put in 60-70 hour work weeks, staying at school until 10:00 pm some nights. I had no life outside of teaching at all. 

My physical and mental health suffered, and I ended up having to go on medication because of that. After 4 1/2 years at two different schools, I decided that I was never going to be able to live any sort of healthy, balanced life while being a teacher, and despite many obstacles, I left.

Months later, I am now in a new job as a supervisor for a behavioural health company that provides support to students in schools. I work with a wonderful team and am able to utilise many of the strengths and skills I developed as a teacher in this new position. My mental and physical health have exponentially improved, and I am no longer on any medication at all! I am so blessed to have been able to transition out of teaching and into a life that I am learning to love. I want to express my gratitude to Elizabeth for having me on her podcast and giving me a platform to share my story! It was a pleasure! 

In this Season 1 Finale, Elizabeth interviews ex-teacher turned writer, Gabbie Stroud.

Gabbie Stroud is a freelance writer, novelist and recovering teacher. After years of jjuggling the demands of the primary classroom, she became disenchanted and
disillusioned, eventually making the painful decision to leave the profession she had loved. 

In 2016, her critical commentary of Australia's education system was published
in Griffith Review's Edition 51 Fixing the System, which went on to be shortlisted for a Walkley Award. 

Off the back of that recognition, Gabbie wrote her smash-hit memoir Teacher which was not only shortlisted for Biography Book of the Year at the 2018 ABIA Awards but also significantly contributed to the national dialogue on Education. 

Gabbie lives on the far south coast of New South Wales, where she co-parents her totally awesome girls - Olivia and Sophie.

Anna is a kiwi, who's spent 10 years living and working around the world. Starting out in Television as a Camera Operator and Floor manager, then travelling extensively. She worked on Superyachts for 8 years in the deck department as a Bosun. 

When she went to leave the Superyacht industry she struggled to know where to go or what to do, and had a bit of an internal crisis 'Do I work as a professional varnisher' or 'Should I be going back to what I did before?', 'What do I do, and where do I go?'

Working 1:1 with a coach she got clear on what she loved in life - helping others grow and develop, doing things that were different and exciting, exploration and being creative. She could see these things tied into all the best aspects of her previous careers and life. So she decided to step into a space where there was a desperate need for help.

'The industry always had so many people helping you to get in, helping you along the way, then when you go to leave, as in Education, it's like jumping off a cliff into the unknown...'

She said 'I saw so many others failing in their attempts to exit because they didn't truly know who they were or where they wanted to go, so they tried to replicate their current jobs on the outside world, and in turn finding it didn't work, and they came back to yachting. So I really wanted to stop this cycle'.

She now runs APetchell Coaching where she is the Yachting Exit Strategy Coach, helping yacht crew to get clear on who they are, and where they 'actually want to go' with their futures. 

Anna works with people who are struggling with finding out how to use their skills in a different industry and marketplace. She loves helping people get really clear on their internal compass and discovering who they are, alongside exploring options and possibilities, and then putting these into practice.

You can find Anna here:
https://www.facebook.com/APetchellCoaching/
https://www.instagram.com/apetchellcoaching/
www.apetchellcoaching.com

In this no-holds-barred episode, Ally Forbes shares the joy she had in her Education career and the devastating turn it took when she was forced out of the profession due to the relentless bullying of her colleagues.

Hear how, in spite of the ongoing mental health challenges facing her now that she has left teaching, Ally has begun to work on a plan for living her best life beyond the classroom. 

Like many teachers, Ally is a true creative at heart and has begun a small business as a designer and maker of bespoke knitted beanies.

You can find her work at https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/JellyBeaniesAU

"I decided to take my biggest passion of education and combine it with my #1 hobby in skincare. I knew that because I had no qualifications that no one would be interested in me, so while in Emergency Teaching I started an Instagram page called @the.girl.who.loves.cosmetics. I got rejected, rejected and rejected from beauty positions, even though my page did well from day 1.

Then I got offered an interview for one of the biggest cosmetic retails worldwide and excitedly the night before the interview my Instagram trended from one post - yay. I went for the interview and explained I was self taught, with no prior experience in the cosmetic retail industry, had no beauty qualifications but a successful and now trending Instagram page. I also exaggerated that teachers have so many skills that other professions don't: negotiation, strong communication, ability to talk in front of crowds, can cater to all learning styles, speak clearly, explain things easily to others etc.

They obviously took that on board and the lady who pushed for me to work in her store as her full timer was a previous teacher too who knew how capable teachers are to a business and asked me for to be placed with her. I have never had such an incredibly positive, supportive and insightful boss. We understand each other due to our teaching background that no one else in our business or store can relate to in the same way.

I had too much skincare knowledge for this job, more than required and so within 3 months I became the Skincare Expert at my store. I educated my staff, the state and the customers I serve on a daily basis through education, training, providing resources and providing feedback.

I have now been in this position for 3 years, I love it but like any jobs there are things I would like to alter and change. I was at home one day when a friend of mine of 15 years inspired me on Facebook, I reached out, asked questions and within days I signed up to a program that has helped me start my online skincare business. I analysed the positives and opportunities of my current situation - life and profession and thought "if I could make my dream life, what would it be and how can I get it to come true?"

Now it is happening every single day in front of my very eyes. I joined the program and have been working with the same highly capable and incredible team since. I waited until the isolation period began and haven't stopped work on this venture since. I am loving every single second of what I have created so far. I wanted a promotion, I didn't want what was available to me and so I created my own bigger and better dream."

I cannot wait to see where this takes me! ~Lauren Sporle

To find Lauren, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/lauren.sporle or @the.girl.who.loves.cosmetics

Having worked as a nurse and a nurse educator, Ged found herself in the challenging and exciting world of politics in her forties, while raising a young family. Now working as an advocate for local communities of the disenfranchised and vulnerable, Ged is making a massive impact in her local community and at the federal level. 

In this inspiring episode, she shares her journey and offers insight, advice and support for anyone who is considering a career in politics.