Success Story: Dana Blumberg, Student Counseling to Sales
In this episode of the Classroom to Boardroom podcast, host Carrie Conover speaks with former teacher Dana Blumberg on her journey to working in sales for Amplify Learning.
We discuss Dana’s career transition from teaching to sales, and how her skills as a teacher have translated to her current role. Dana shares her experience of leaving teaching, including the toxic work situation that led to her transition. We also dive into the hard and soft skills that were crucial to Dana landing her first role outside of the classroom and seeing success on the job.
How to Use Your Network to Make a Career Change
Changing careers can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be done alone. It actually shouldn’t be done alone! Your personal and professional networks can be incredibly valuable resources as you navigate your way through a career transition. You might even discover roles you never knew existed.
Here are some tips for using your new and existing network to make a successful career change.
Transitioning Educators: Think Before You Write Online
We often have conversations with children and teens about how they behave online. We remind them to be good digital citizens, protect their online reputation, and be careful what they post because anything can be screenshotted and shared. Well, these lessons apply to you, too. You probably know better than to post certain pictures and say unsavory things, but there’s more to how you present yourself.
The EdTech space is a tiny world. And let me tell you, people in the industry talk. It is a tight circle.
Tools You Need to Know to Get a Job in Learning Design
Think of your students’ favorite online tool. Think of the lessons they go through - they’re engaging, they’re standards-based, they’re well-crafted. Well, it takes a learning design team to create those fun and educational lessons and games.
If you’re a transitioning educator wondering how you can land a learning design job at an EdTech company, here are some of the tools you should know.
Everywhere You Need to Look for a Job in EdTech - Job Boards & Recruiters
If Indeed and LinkedIn Jobs just isn’t cutting it for you, you need to be looking at job boards specific to EdTech. Targeting and narrowing your job search can easily help you stop wasting time - spend that time on LinkedIn or taking a course in an industry skill.
As an EdTech recruiter and career coach, it’s literally my full-time job to know what jobs for teachers are available. How do I do that?
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?”
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.
Success Story: Alyssa Kovatchis, From Teacher to Sales Expert
Today, we are joined by Alyssa, a former fourth-grade teacher turned sales expert for an EdTech company. Alyssa shared her teacher transition journey, including the steps she took to make the career change. She also discussed the guilt she felt about leaving teaching and how she overcame it.
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.
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.
5 Benefits of Part-time and Contract Roles For Former Educators
In today's job market, many people are opting for part-time and contract roles as a way to gain experience. While these types of roles may not offer the same salary and benefits as full-time positions, there are tons of benefits to consider.
Gaining industry experience is an obvious benefit, but let’s dive into a few more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.