Annie chats with Joe Matot about his journey from teaching social studies to launching a woodshop program. Joe shares how he gained community support and confidently built a new elective from the ground up.

(00:00) Why He Chose Woodshop
(01:41) Convincing Admin to Say Yes
(05:54) Transferring Skills Between Subjects
(06:58) Biggest Challenges (and What He Learned)
(09:19) The Most Rewarding Highlights
(12:42) Advice for Teachers Nervous to Pivot
(20:10) Real Wins: Student Projects & Community Impact

What You’ll Learn:
✅ How to know when it’s time to make a teaching change
✅ Steps to take before approaching administration
✅ Tips for launching a brand-new elective
✅ How to navigate unexpected challenges with confidence
✅ The rewards of teaching something you truly love

Packed with inspiration, practical advice, and real-world examples, this episode will help educators considering a subject shift or new teaching opportunity take their next step with confidence.

#TeacherCareerChange #ElectiveTeaching #WoodshopEducation #EducatorUniversity #TeacherGrowth #CareerPivot