Leaving Teaching After 20 Years in Education: Here’s What I’ve Learned
Advice & Reflections Ellen Galvez Advice & Reflections Ellen Galvez

Leaving Teaching After 20 Years in Education: Here’s What I’ve Learned

After 20 years in education, I need to leave teaching. Like so many other educators, I was tired. I was frustrated. I was overwhelmed. I hit the proverbial wall. My mental and physical health was nearing an all-time low. I no longer had the energy to beat back the constant roadblocks thrown up by the school system I was employed by to support and educate the parents and students enrolled in this broken system. 

As I sat at my desk, I wiped away tears, took some deep breaths and thought, “Okay, I’m not going to teach anymore. Now what?”

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Success Story: Evan Warnock, Teacher to Customer Success
Success Stories, Customer Success Carrie Conover Success Stories, Customer Success Carrie Conover

Success Story: Evan Warnock, Teacher to Customer Success

In this episode of the Classroom to Boardroom podcast, host Carrie Conover speaks with Evan Warnock, an academic success coach at Fev Tutor.

We discuss Evan's career transition from teaching to customer success, and how his skills as a teacher have translated to his current role. Evan shares his experience of leaving teaching, including the personal reasons that led to his decision, and the guilt he felt about leaving his students. We also dive into the importance of soft skills such as empathy and the ability to take feedback in customer success roles.

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10 Things Every Instructional Designer Should Have on a Portfolio Site
Instructional Design, Resume & Portfolio Carrie Conover Instructional Design, Resume & Portfolio Carrie Conover

10 Things Every Instructional Designer Should Have on a Portfolio Site

As an instructional designer, having a portfolio site that showcases your work is essential to your career growth. A portfolio site is a great way to demonstrate your skills, creativity and experience to potential clients or employers so they can trust hiring you.

Here are 10 things that every instructional designer should have on their portfolio site.

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Success Story: Anya Dudek, Teacher to Customer Success Manager
Success Stories, Customer Success Carrie Conover Success Stories, Customer Success Carrie Conover

Success Story: Anya Dudek, Teacher to Customer Success Manager

Having worked in my share of education technology roles, I have had the opportunity to meet countless talented and inspiring professionals along the way. And you know what a lot of us have in common? We’re former teachers. In a recent podcast interview, Anya shared her journey from teacher to customer success manager and offered advice for other teachers looking to make the switch.

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5 Myths That Prevent Teachers From Pursuing Careers in EdTech
Advice & Reflections Carrie Conover Advice & Reflections Carrie Conover

5 Myths That Prevent Teachers From Pursuing Careers in EdTech

Stop feeling intimidated by leaving teaching because it’s not as scary as you think, and you’re more prepared than you might believe.

When I left teaching many years ago, there wasn’t much discussion around leaving the classroom. These ideas nagged at me then, and I can’t believe they’re still being talked about today. As a soon-to-be former educator, you have so many unique qualities that make you valuable to an EdTech company.

Let’s talk through these teacher transition myths keeping you from your ideal career.

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A Quick Guide to LinkedIn Profiles for former Educators
LinkedIn Carrie Conover LinkedIn Carrie Conover

A Quick Guide to LinkedIn Profiles for former Educators

LinkedIn is a powerful platform for professionals to connect, network, and showcase their skills and experiences. As a former teacher, you have a unique set of skills that can make you stand out among other professionals on LinkedIn, especially when it comes to EdTech companies. Here are some tips on how to build a stand-out LinkedIn profile as a former teacher.

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Why EdTech Companies Want to Hire Teachers
Advice & Reflections Carrie Conover Advice & Reflections Carrie Conover

Why EdTech Companies Want to Hire Teachers

EdTech companies are increasingly looking to hire teachers to help them develop and promote their products. Without the voice of real teachers, how can an EdTech tool properly serve schools?

Teachers provide not only unique insights to tools, likely having used the tools themselves, but also many skills that you just can't find in someone not weathered by a classroom of tiny humans.

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3 Reasons You're Not Getting A Second Interview
Interviewing Carrie Conover Interviewing Carrie Conover

3 Reasons You're Not Getting A Second Interview

EdTech jobs for teachers can be difficult to come by let alone get hired for. Maybe you have had a few first-round interviews, but you just can't seem to get past the first round. I’m sharing three possible reasons why you’re not getting asked back for another round of interviews at your favorite EdTech company.

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Success Story: Donald Benson, From Teaching to Customer Success
Customer Success, Success Stories Carrie Conover Customer Success, Success Stories Carrie Conover

Success Story: Donald Benson, From Teaching to Customer Success

From the Classroom to the internet's largest and most heavily trafficked business-for-sale marketplace. Donald Benson decided to leave teaching after 10 years, leading him to join the Classroom to Board Course and land a role as a customer success representative at Biz Buy Sell.

Learn how Donald used his skills as a teacher and department leader to develop a promising future in the corporate world and discover his unique insights into the teacher transition journey.

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Customer support vs. customer success jobs: The key differences for transitioning educators
Customer Success, Customer Support Carrie Conover Customer Success, Customer Support Carrie Conover

Customer support vs. customer success jobs: The key differences for transitioning educators

While these two roles are similar in title and may work closely together on certain goals, there are a number of key differences between them. Customer support and customer success jobs are excellent positions for transitioning educators in the EdTech space, but it’s important to understand their unique functions.

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5 Things to Think About Before Leaving Teaching
Advice & Reflections Carrie Conover Advice & Reflections Carrie Conover

5 Things to Think About Before Leaving Teaching

Leaving teaching is a big decision. You know that. But are you putting on your thinking cap for this one?

According to Forbes, 48% of teachers have thought about leaving teaching in the last 30 days, and 34% of those teachers said they were considering leaving the profession entirely. If you're one of those teachers who is ready to make a change, there are some important things to consider before you make the leap.

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Success Story: Natalie Cataldo, Professional Learning Specialist
Success Stories, Instructional Design Carrie Conover Success Stories, Instructional Design Carrie Conover

Success Story: Natalie Cataldo, Professional Learning Specialist

Natalie Cataldo, former teacher turned professional learning specialist with Paper, emerged from the Classroom to Boardroom course in 2022 ready for her next step in her teacher transition.

In my latest podcast episode, I sat down with Natalie to recount her journey out of the classroom, through the course, and into her latest role in EdTech.

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Success Story: Cynthia Baldacchini, Curriculum Development
Instructional Design, Success Stories Carrie Conover Instructional Design, Success Stories Carrie Conover

Success Story: Cynthia Baldacchini, Curriculum Development

One of the first success stories to come out of the Classroom to Boardroom Course is Cynthia (Cindy) Baldacchini. She graduated in 2021 after teaching various sciences and tech courses to grades K-6. Her dedication to leaving teaching landed her a fulfilling role in curriculum development within the EdTech company Code HS.

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Classroom to Boardroom Community: A Community for Transitioning Educators
Advice & Reflections Carrie Conover Advice & Reflections Carrie Conover

Classroom to Boardroom Community: A Community for Transitioning Educators

I’ve been helping educators love their careers again by following new passions and desires for years now, but I’m beyond excited to finally offer you all a platform for learning, networking, opportunity chasing, and socializing at a price point for everyone. This transitioning educator community is a hub for successful job searching and skill building.

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The Importance of Community Building for Teachers Leaving the Classroom
Advice & Reflections Carrie Conover Advice & Reflections Carrie Conover

The Importance of Community Building for Teachers Leaving the Classroom

You are embarking on an exciting, challenging, and potentially lengthy journey to find your dream position. You should not have to do it alone. In fact, finding a community of like-minded educators, and receiving guidance and support along the way, can make it faster, easier, and less stressful to land the right job at an education company, or any company.

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Leaving Teaching? Now’s the Time to Make the Decision
Advice & Reflections Carrie Conover Advice & Reflections Carrie Conover

Leaving Teaching? Now’s the Time to Make the Decision

Once you’ve identified your skills and interests, it’s time to explore your options. There are many paths you can take – from freelancing to starting a business to working at an education company; the choices are endless.

But one thing you must consider is that the competition is fierce. Teachers are leaving the classroom in historical numbers, meaning you must decide and pick a lane quickly.

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