Until as recently as a few years ago, most people began a career after college and pretty much stuck to it until retirement. Sure, they may have changed companies, moved to another city, or switched roles within a specific industry. But a complete turnaround was considered terrifying and reserved for the incredibly brave or reckless.

Teachers were no different. In fact, they were probably even more likely to stay in the game until retirement. Why? Well, for some reason, teachers tend to believe that that is all they are good for – teaching. Yet teaching is such a multi-layered profession, and our skills go so much deeper than we give ourselves credit for. And these skills are precious in the world outside the classroom. 

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The Great Resignation

And then came 2020. The pandemic was a weird time that forced us to reevaluate our priorities. As a result, many people decided to leave their jobs in what experts call the Great Resignation. And many of them did so without having another job to go to. Working during an unprecedented crisis highlighted how their employers valued them as human beings.

In many cases, they were left disappointed. People realized they want more emphasis on flexibility, work-life balance, and support for mental health from their employers. Burnout has become a big challenge for companies trying to keep their best employees. In August 2021, 4.3 million people in the US voluntarily left their jobs. So did I.

I taught 4th and 5th grade for nearly 20 years. The last eight were in a special private school for gifted children, many of whom had high-functioning autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and hundreds of other little quirks and anxieties that made it an incredibly enriching and eye-opening experience. I loved teaching and never thought I would ever find a reason to leave.

But COVID turned my comfortable little world on its head. Of course, there was the shift to online teaching, which was a massive learning curve. But on its own, I could have dealt with that if I knew it wasn’t forever. But when we returned to school my days went from enriching young minds, creating exciting hands-on lessons, and building lasting relationships to reminding kids to pull up their masks, repeating ‘keep your distance’ and ‘sanitize your hands’ forty times a day and trying to come to terms with the extreme shift in our kids approach to school and learning that we will only see the true fall out from in years to come. I was exhausted, burnt out, and for the first time in my career, I just didn’t want to anymore.

So What Then?

I was one of the lucky ones. My next opportunity came to me organically. I had always been told I had a way with words and should consider writing. I had also walked a challenging road raising my son, who has high-functioning autism. Between him and my experience in my specialized school, I had a lot to write about. However, that was not enough to give me the courage to take the leap. But then I met my partner. A wonderful, supportive, and talented man who happened to be a freelance writer. After a few months of watching me struggle with anxiety and seeing my mental health suffer, we sat down and decided to join forces and become a writing team. His existing client base would be a buffer while I branched out to find ways to use my experience to forge a niche. It’s been 18 months, and I have never looked back.

Was it scary? Absolutely. But it inspired a lot of colleagues and friends who wanted a way out and didn’t know where to start. Teachers are multiskilled superheroes who haven’t always got the recognition they deserve for the parts of the job description that aren’t necessarily listed for the role. But they are no less essential. 

So, What Are Our Superpowers?

We already know that teachers wear many hats. We are not only curriculum facilitators but also designers, amateur psychologists, nurses, stand-in parents, data capturers, writers, administrators, client services specialists, and, and, and. And those are just the obvious ones. But have you ever actually sat down and listed your skills? You’d be surprised how wide the range of hidden or undervalued skills is that contributes significantly to your effectiveness in the classroom and beyond.

Teachers often have a degree of emotional intelligence that can be measured on the Richter scale. We wouldn’t be able to do our job if we didn’t. We need to see past the smile on the face of an unhappy child, know when a parent needs a gentle touch or an assertive approach, and manage our own emotions too. We can’t let the argument we had with a family member or the anger we felt at a guy who cut us off in traffic affect how we relate to the kids.

Anyone who taught through the pandemic will raise a glass and chant ‘hear, hear’ when I mention how adaptable teachers are. Without warning, we were thrust into the world of Google Classroom or similar platforms. We had to teach children how to use it while not being in the same room and completely reinvented how we plan, create, and deliver lessons in a matter of weeks. And all this while dealing with the occasional parent trying to backseat teach, dads in their underwear, and making way too many requests for kids to mute their mics. 

We are also super-resilient in the face of challenges, such as budget constraints, difficult students, or an ever-changing curriculum. Teachers are also skilled at conflict resolution. Whether it’s bickering students, competing parents, or stressed-out colleagues, we usually know exactly what to say and do to put out small fires.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Teachers excel at prioritizing tasks, managing their time efficiently, and balancing multiple responsibilities, such as lesson planning, grading, and professional development. We take multitasking to a whole new level and have the organizational skills of a drill sergeant while maintaining a calm and kind demeanor. We are active listeners, public speakers, and mentors and are extremely sensitive and accommodating of cultural diversity. 

That’s All Great, But What Can We Do With It?

With some creativity, teachers can find rewarding careers that align with their interests and skills. Believe it or not, the possibilities are truly endless. If you’re a former teacher exploring new career paths, consider taking time to reflect on your strengths, interests, and goals. Then, research opportunities that align with your values and skills. Networking with professionals in your desired field can also help you find job opportunities and gain insights into the industry. Remember, your experience as a teacher is valuable and can be applied in many different ways. With the right mindset and determination, you can find a fulfilling career outside the traditional classroom.

Here Are Some Career Ideas For Teachers Who Want To Leave The Classroom:

Instructional Design

You are an expert in curriculum development and lesson planning – as you should be. It makes sense that you are the ideal candidate for instructional design roles. Instructional designers create educational materials for various industries, including e-learning courses, workshops, and training manuals.

Curriculum Writing

This is something you can do in your sleep. You may just tweak the content and the audience, but the skills are the same. Teachers can use their expertise to write educational materials, such as textbooks and workbooks, for publishers. Curriculum writers work closely with editors and subject matter experts to develop engaging and effective learning materials for all sorts of topics and levels.

Child Therapists/Counselors

Although this one may need you to spend some time furthering your qualifications, years in the classroom have given you a unique insight into how children think and how issues in their personal life affect the bigger picture. Child therapists use different methods like playing games or talking to children to understand their feelings and find ways to help them cope with past or current problems. They can also work with families to improve communication and support for the child’s recovery. Sound familiar? Precisely. You’ve been doing that for years anyway.

Content Creation

With the rise of online learning, there is a growing demand for quality educational content. Leverage your experience and knowledge to create content for educational websites, YouTube channels, and other digital platforms.

Training And Development

As a corporate trainer, you’ll facilitate professional development by teaching various skills, such as soft skills or computer programs within a company. Corporate trainers use tried and tested teaching methods to explain essential skills, create lesson plans, conduct training sessions, and help employees grow and align with the company’s mission, values, and culture. So its basically Middle School for corporates, 

Nonprofit Work

Many nonprofits work to improve educational opportunities for children and adults. Use your skills and expertise to work for foundations, charities, and advocacy groups. Plenty of different roles are available, so lay out your skills and interests, put together a fantastic resume, and approach one that speaks to something you are passionate about.

Tutor Or Academic Coach

If you have the specialized knowledge of a high school subject or are an expert in teaching the fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic, you have everything it takes to tutor or coach full-time! Parents are more than willing to pay for your time and services to provide their children with one-on-one guidance. Test Prep Coaching is another alternative to consider. Use your knowledge of test taking and the curriculum to help students prepare for the SAT, ACT, or GRE exams.

Museum Educator

As a museum educator, you’d be responsible for designing, developing, and delivering educational programs and activities for museum visitors. Museum educators typically work closely with curators and exhibit designers to create educational content based on the displays. They also collaborate with teachers, schools, and community groups to develop outreach programs that extend the museum’s educational resources beyond its physical walls.

Grant Writer

If you are looking for a rewarding career that could make a real difference in the lives of many, consider becoming a grant writer. You can bring much-needed support to organizations and initiatives with good causes through your writing. As a grant writer, you create and submit grant applications for your company or organization. Grants are generously donated funds gifted by public and private organizations for charity, research, or product development. 

Education Policy Analyst

Nobody understands the flaws in education policy as well as teachers do. We often spend our days trying to be effective teachers despite it, not because of it. So who better to get involved in making it better? Education policy analysts delve into educational systems, studying their outcomes, laws, rules, and regulations to transform them and make them more valuable.

Take The Plunge

If you have been looking for a change but don’t know where to start, it’s time to make things happen. The key is identifying which of your skills and interests are transferable to other industries that pique your curiosity. It is still possible to stay true to your innate passion without staying in the classroom for the rest of your days. It just takes courage and a small dash of luck to get you started. 

Be persistent, be confident when you list your skills, and, most importantly, keep at it. Send your resume out to a thousand places if you have to. Trawl the internet. Look for forums and groups with people who have done the same thing. And never forget the incredible network you built over the years without even knowing it. Parents of the children you have taught will be well aware of your worth. Many of them may have opportunities and connections that could take you to your new career quicker than you imagined.