The Show Notes
You’ve thought about it. Maybe you’ve even talked about it with people you trust. Perhaps you’ve even gotten super close to… quitting, but you haven’t been able to pull the trigger.
I work with teachers all the time who are stuck in the trenches of this important decision making process. There are lots of variables that can go into this decision making process but I’ve discovered three of the most common reasons why teachers head back to school in the fall, even when they don’t want to.
1. You’re trying to make important decisions with a limited mindset.
You can take the teacher out of the classroom, but you can’t take the classroom out of the teacher. Cheesiness aside, humor me for a moment and let’s play a little “Looks Like, Feels Like, Sounds Like” when we’re talking about a limited mindset as it pertains to exploring what opportunities might await you beyond the classroom.
It looks like:
- Not even exploring what other opportunities are out there
It sounds like:
- “I’m not qualified to do anything else. My degree is in teaching.”
- “No one hires teachers.”
It feels like:
- Restricted, stuck, trapped. Ultimately, it feels like a dead-end
How do I know this? Because all of this described me when I first started questioning: Was I really fulfilled as a classroom teacher? Could I stay here indefinitely with no clear track for advancement? It can be overwhelming to sift through these thoughts, but if you’re serious about making a breakthrough in this department, there are some things you can do.
See your skills:
First, break down your teaching day into fifteen minute intervals. Next to those, make a little t-chart of your soft skills and hard skills. For each of these intervals, write down each of the soft skills you use at this time. These are all the ways you are interacting with people whether its students, parents, colleagues, or administration. Then, list out all the hard skills you have. These are learned, measurable abilities you have.
List companies/roles needing those skills:
Then I want you to ask yourself: what are some scenarios or companies that would hire people with these skills? What opportunities could those open? See what bubbles up. Write it down!
2. You’re paralyzed without the perfect plan.
The majority of teachers by nature are amazing at making plans. We know how to start with an objective and work backwards to break it down into smaller, actionable steps. This is such an amazing skill….until we refuse to move if just one of those steps is unknown.
It looks like:
- Taking years to make a move or change
- Waiting too long or waiting until you’re not in a “good place” anymore
- Not actually exploring other opportunities
- Not applying to a job when you don’t match every bullet point in a job description
It sounds like:
- “I can’t do this until I have a perfect plan.”
- “I can’t do this until I have a degree.”
- “I can’t do this until I am ‘qualified’, ‘legitimate because of a degree,’ or ‘worthy’.”
- “I can’t apply to this if I don’t match every bullet point in the job description.”
So what can you do if this is where you’re getting stuck?
First, acknowledge that your strengths are a gift-and a gift that not everyone possesses. Trust that you’re skilled and excellent in your abilities, even when you’re asked to do something at a moment’s notice. Believe me when I say, you don’t need a piece of paper (aka degree or certificate) that tells you that you are qualified and have valuable skills. You don’t need permission to apply to a job. And can I also add… let the hiring manager decide if you’re the right fit for the position. Don’t decide for them by not even applying!
3. You’re getting stuck in the fear of the unknown, aka the “what if” zone.
One of the most common areas of pushback people ask me about is trying to navigate life without insurance. Or maybe you’ve got tenure and amazing benefits. What would you do without those? Another fear teachers face is not knowing if they will have a predictable pay scale in a different job.
These are really important questions. The answers to these questions have a big impact on not only you, but your family too. But there are some things to think about if these types of questions are holding you back from pursuing opportunities beyond the classroom.
Did you know that you can create your own Roth IRA or 401k account before you leave your current position? Then you can also easily roll everything into the new account when it’s time. And it’s not a tricky process! The same is true for a 401K. If these are the kinds of issues you are worried about, your homework is to do the research. Call a financial advisor today and find out what’s possible! If you are concerned about the cost of insurance, your homework is to call up an insurance company and find out what the cost would be if a future employer didn’t cover that for you.
Regardless of where you are getting stuck, I want you to consider one more thing:
What is the cost of not allowing yourself the freedom to think and brainstorm these opportunities beyond the classroom? You may be paying in the form of stress, anxiety, or a lack of sleep. Are you missing out on needed time with your family or the ability to have a flexible schedule? Not everything is a financial cost.
If you’re letting your fear determine your future, then it’s time to determine where that fear is coming from. Only then can you make a plan to take action and empower yourself to explore the possibilities that are waiting for you without guilt or pressure!
Which one of these things is keeping you stuck?
In this episode, we’ll explore
- The 3 things that can prevent you from moving beyond the classroom
- How your biggest strengths can transform into your biggest roadblocks
- Why staying in an unfulfilling career can cost you more than just money
If you enjoyed this episode I invite you to take a screenshot and tag me on your Instagram stories @teachertransition and tell me your biggest takeaway!
Want to know what other work opportunities you might love beyond the classroom? Click here to get the FREE Top Jobs for Teachers download.
