The Adventures After Teaching Podcast

“It wasn’t a choice anymore … I had to go.”

After 21 years of teaching in Secondary schools, Lucy found herself falling out of love with the job. Throughout her career she’d tried different role and different schools, but no longer felt the same passion for the profession that she once had. “I just didn’t feel like I was myself anymore,” she shares in this episode. 

Now a Teacher Resources Production Manager with OCR, Lucy has no regrets about embarking on her new adventure and is enjoying a life of hybrid working, renewed confidence, increased autonomy, and more quality time to spend with her own family. 

We’re also chatting:

• Struggling with self-confidence 
• Making the decision to leave
• Reflecting on personal skills through a different lens
• The feedback process of job hunting (refining and reflecting)
• Dealing with setbacks 
• Having a “helping hand” through career change
• Project management skills
• New professional development opportunities
• Choice, trust, and autonomy
• Embracing squiggly careers
• Getting a life outside of work! 🤩

Links:

1. Cambridge University Press & Assessment Careers 

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom! 

Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨   

“I can’t be in this position next year.”

Primary teacher Vicky loved so many things about teaching but, after 20 years in the classroom, she found that the scope of her role had increased so much from when she first started her career. Regularly working until 9pm just to feel prepared for the next day, she felt like she was missing out on being present with her own family and knew that it was time for a change. 

Now a Regional Trainer with Literacy company Lexonik, and also one of the Adventures After Teaching Academy’s Associate Coaches, Vicky is loving working in alignment with her values - enjoying travel, a supportive team, and continuing to have a positive impact on the world of education. A great episode for anyone who is interested in training roles, Vicky shares her expertise and advice with us.

In this episode, we’re chatting:

• Struggling with perfectionism in teaching 
• The experience of lone job hunting
• Feeling more confident with a career change plan
• Finding your ‘alternative staffroom’
• Refining the types of role that interest you
• Rebranding your experience with varied skills
• ‘Pinch me’ moments in a new role
• Enjoying travel and meeting new people
• Being valued and celebrated
• Returning to working in schools in a different capacity 🩵

Links:

1. Visit the Lexonik website

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom! 

Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨   

“I wouldn’t go back.”

Special school Assistant Head Clare was always taking care of others around her … not realising the impact that burnout was having on her own life. After finally giving herself permission to stop and being signed off sick from work, she started to explore other options outside of teaching - daring to dream of jobs that might combine both a healthy  work-life balance and align with her interests.

Now an EHC Coordinator for her local authority, Clare is enjoying still being a part of the education world in a role that offers “stimulation without stress”. Her supportive family have been with her every step of the way, and now she gets to spend more quality time with them than ever. 

In this episode, we cover:

• Guilt around being signed off from work 
• The pressure of teaching as vocation
• Struggling with a loss of identity
• Healing from burnout - giving it the time it needs
• Finding holistic support in the Academy
• Learning from interview feedback 
• Handling online interviews
• Grounding practices to shine with confidence
• Enjoying hybrid and flexible working - plus lunch breaks!
• Appreciation without unrealistic expectations 🙏

Content warning - this episode mentions self-injury. Please contact Samaritans for support dealing with difficult thoughts and feelings.

Resources:

1. Your Classroom Exit Plan ✨ free workshop

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom! 

Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨   

“I can’t do this anymore.”

Secondary Science teacher, Susanna, was done with the classroom - but not with teaching! Still with a great passion for learning and for her subject, it was the commute, the pressure, and all those extra duties that were really taking a toll and brought her to the realisation that it was time for something new. 

Now a STEM educator for neurodivergent learners with online alternative provision Gaia Learning, Susanna is embracing the opportunity to be creative, enjoy flexibility in her life, deliver future-focused education that puts the learner first, and be a part of an inspiring working culture that truly values her. 

In this episode, we’re chatting: 

• Feeling drained in the classroom
• Positive interview experiences
• Knowing when a company is a good fit for you
• Working from home and all its perks
• Digital tools and the future of learning
• Enjoying holidays and travel
• The importance of community
• Rebranding yourself with a skills-based CV
• Being open to new opportunities 🗺️

Links:

1. Susanna’s LinkedIn:

www.linkedin.com/in/adeolaosundiya

2. Gaia Learning: 

www.gaialearning.co.uk

3. Susanna's blog:

Thrive Beyond Labels – Learn. Grow. Thrive Beyond Labels

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom! 

Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨   

“I’m not prepared to give up any more of my personal life” 

After spending 12 years teaching in special needs schools, Assistant Head Rachel loved working with children and young people but found herself frustrated by the lack of resources available to support them and overwhelmed by the impact of teaching on her home life. 

Joining the Academy in April 2023, Rachel went on to land herself a part-time role with children’s charity Barnado’s, and poured her additional time and energy into setting up a business that aligned with her passions and specialist expertise. Now running a successful therapeutic yoga business working with young people, Rachel is loving a life of flexible working, the ‘best bits’ of teaching, and exciting plans for the future. 

In this episode, we’re exploring:

• Riding a roller-coaster of emotion
• Being signed-off sick (and attempting to return to the classroom)
• Battling feelings of ‘it must be me’
• Decision paralysis whilst burnt out 
• Enjoying collective support from people who understand the journey
• Seeking meaning in new career options
• Business-building security
• The practicalities of setting up a local business 
• Making worthwhile connections
• Term-time travel! ✈️

Links:

Rachel’s website:

https://www.discoveringcalm.co.uk/ 

Opportunities at Barnado’s:

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/jobs-at-barnardos 

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom! 

Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨   

One of our earliest Academy members, Laura joined Adventures After Teaching three years ago. After 17 years teaching Secondary Maths whilst also dealing with a chronic health condition, she enrolled in our free Stay or Go workshop and began to dream of new possibilities outside of the classroom. 

Laura landed herself a new role as a Digital Skills Trainer and embraced a life of remote working and flexible job perks, whilst still retaining all the aspects of teaching that she loved - relationship building and flexing those coaching and mentoring skills! In the last year, Laura has moved on to  establish her own business, empowering entrepreneurial mums with chronic illnesses. 

In this episode, we chat:

• Feeling stuck in teaching whilst dealing with health struggles
• Gaining perspective outside the school environment
• Illuminating transferable skills
• Negotiating better terms for a new job
• Remote work - does it get lonely?
• Grieving the loss of teacher identity
• Rediscovering yourself again
• Working on mindset - evolving and going with the flow!
• Coming ‘back to life’ ✨

Links and Resources:

1. Laura’s Community

2. Ill Health Retirement

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom! 

Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨   

“I do love teaching … but I do not like the system.”

Primary Teacher and Outdoor Learning Lead, Pauline was struggling with serious burnout. She tried a change of key stage and reduced hours but continued to feel like teaching was “just not the same anymore.”

Pauline’s new adventure started with an idea … gardening! Over the last year, she has turned this passion for outdoor learning into an everyday reality. Now a Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) Practitioner, she combines part-time charity work with growing her own business, connecting both children and adults with nature to support their wellbeing and learning. 

We also explore: 

• Accepting “it’s not me”
• Recognising the need for rest (getting signed-off sick)
• Embracing semi-retirement
• Doors opening through volunteering work
• Connecting with others again after experiencing burnout
• Enjoying a more relaxed and flexible working environment 
• Working with vulnerable groups
• Where to look if you’re interested in similar opportunities
• ‘Thinking big’ to build a business with love
• What success might look like

Links and Resources
 
1. Visit Pauline's LinkedIn profile

2. Explore Thrive training

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom! 

Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨   

Former History Teacher and Head of Sixth Form, Kirsty loved her school but was fed up with the constraints of teaching … working long evenings and regular weekends, as well as having no flexibility around holidays. 

Now working in Consultancy (with an epic job title that you won’t want to miss!), in this episode Kirsty details her journey out of the classroom, from “feeling my way around in the dark by myself” to using networking, work experience opportunities and the support of the Academy to help secure her new dream role. 

We also explore:

• Leaving before burnout 
• Dealing with the overwhelm of job hunting
• Taking ‘messy action’ to get started
• The benefits of finding a like-minded community 
• Being attracted to sales roles - creativity and reward!
• Braving phone calls
• The power of LinkedIn
• Different styles of interview
• Opportunities for Maths teachers in the actuarial space
• Enjoying continuous learning, freedom and her first holiday outside of term time!

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom! 

Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨   

With so much love for her school and all that she’d achieved in her teaching career, Co-Headteacher Charlotte made the difficult decision to pursue a career change after “feeling depleted rather than energised.” 

Now in a brand new (recently promoted!) role as ‘Assistant Director, Programme Leader’ for a leading educational CPD organisation, Charlotte shares her journey to experiencing joy and passion for a new sector. In this episode, she talks about finding a job that encompasses some of the ‘best bits’ of teaching, utilises all of her amazing leadership skills, and gives her so much more flexibility to enjoy time with her family. 

We also explore:

• Exiting from senior leadership roles - and the additional challenges this can present!
• Stepping away confidently
• Using supply as a ‘safety net’
• Networking to explore the reality of new roles
• Building an amazing CV and cover letter
• Trust and confidence in a new role 
• Working in a new way 
• Top tips for getting into programme management - from a hiring manager!
  
  

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom! 

Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨   

After losing her passion for teaching, Michala left her role as Head of Humanities and whole-school Teaching and Learning Lead to become a Training Programme Delivery Manager for a national charity. 

Rather than being triggered by one thing, Michala talks in this episode about a build up of lots of little struggles that eventually motivated her decision to walk away from teaching. Despite feeling stuck initially, she recalls her husband’s words: “you can become an expert in something else again”, as well as feeling validated and encouraged listening to other ex-teachers speaking on this podcast … now she’s back to share her own inspirational story! 

We also explore:

• Feeling unappreciated in the classroom
• Investing in yourself 
• The idea of choosing differently
• Balancing work and job searching 
• Breaking down the ‘gobbledygook’ of job descriptions
• Showcasing your USP through presentations
• Handy interview tips and techniques
• Getting used to new ways of working
• Managing the holidays with a family
• Looking forward to the future
  
  

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom! 

Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨