I Quit Teaching After 10 Years: My Journey as a Former Teacher
I quit teaching after ten years in the classroom, and today, I will share the good, the bad, and the ugly from my journey as a transitioning teacher and former teacher life.
Leaving teaching is a roller coaster ride; not only have I left myself, but I’ve coached hundreds of teachers on how to make the transition. At this point, I’ve seen just about everything.
How I Knew It Was Time to Leave Teaching
Like many of you, I had a dream of being a teacher from a young age. I played school in my basement well into middle school.
However, my dream was put on hold when I pursued my undergraduate degree in music. It wasn't until I worked in the education department of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra that my passion for teaching was reignited.
I went back to grad school to become a teacher, and soon enough, I found myself teaching 5th grade at McCormick Elementary School in Chicago. I loved every moment - creating lesson plans, seeing that light bulb moment in my students, and being part of their educational journey.
After eight years, I started feeling a sense of stagnation. I was doing a great job as a teacher, but I began questioning whether teaching would fulfill me for my entire career. I craved new challenges and personal growth.
It was a tough decision, but I knew it was time to leave teaching when I realized that staying would mean sacrificing my professional development.
I wanted a career that allowed me to continue making a difference in education while also providing opportunities for my own growth. So, I took a leap of faith and embarked on a new chapter in my life.
Leaving teaching wasn't easy, but it opened doors to exciting opportunities I never imagined.
Working in EdTech as a Former Teacher
The first thing I did after leaving teaching was to search for a role at an education company. I did informational interviews with various people I knew from previous teaching jobs and people I'd met at conferences and trainings.
I landed my first role at eSpark Learning as a Manager of Customer Success. The hardest part of the transition was getting through the grueling interview process. But I was prepared, confident, and most importantly, myself.
The first six months working at eSpark were the most challenging of my career. I had to adjust to the business terminology, learn new technologies, and fit into the startup culture. As a former teacher surrounded by high-achieving colleagues, it wasn't always easy. However, I was fortunate to have great mentors inside and outside the company who helped me navigate these situations.
After six months, everything changed when I was given the opportunity to handle the largest account in the company's history. This experience skyrocketed my career and proved that my teaching skills were highly transferable. My ability to manage large groups, communicate effectively with school district leadership, and problem-solve contributed to my success.
I spent three years at eSpark, starting as a School Partnership Manager, then becoming a Strategic Account Manager, and finally serving as the Director of Strategic Accounts. During my time there, I learned invaluable skills, laid the foundation for my future career at Discovery Education, and gained entrepreneurial knowledge that allowed me to create and grow my own successful business.
After my time at eSpark, I felt the need for new experiences and wanted to work in a larger education company. I was seeking new leadership, mentors, and an opportunity to further develop my skills. That's when I landed a role as the Director of Customer Success at Discovery Education.
During my year at Discovery Education, I had the privilege of working with some of the largest school districts in the country and collaborating with highly successful EdTech leaders. It was a dream role that allowed me to make an impact in education on a larger scale.
However, life has a way of shifting our paths unexpectedly. After six months at Discovery Ed, I experienced a devastating loss - the passing of my brother Kelly. This was the second brother I had lost in just five years. It was a profound moment that caused me to reevaluate my priorities and seek a higher calling.
Despite the immense grief, I continued to work at Discovery Education for another six months. But deep down, I felt an undeniable urge to get back on the ground and directly help teachers. It was a calling I couldn't ignore.
Life as a Former Teacher Turned Entrepreneur
That's when I made the life-changing decision to leave behind my role at Discovery Education and embark on my journey as an entrepreneur. It was a leap of faith, but it allowed me to follow my passion and create a positive impact in the education community.
I’ve since created educators2educators, a company to support current teachers with self-care practices and resources, and Classroom to Boardroom, to help transitioning educators feeling that same calling for more find fulfilling roles outside of the school setting.
Leaving behind the comfort of a stable job wasn't easy, but it led me to a path of personal fulfillment and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of teachers.
Leaving teaching has been the best career decision I have ever made - honestly, I’ve never looked back. I don’t feel guilty about the decision to leave - I feel pride for the years of my life that I gave everything to teaching. For me, it was simply time to move on.
