I Left My Classroom Behind, Now What Can I Do?

Last week I wrapped up the highlight reel of my teacher transition story and I was so excited to begin diving into all of the other topics that have swirled around in my brain these last few weeks but before we kick off this party, I want to hear from you all. What brings you to this space? Tell me! Shoot me a message in the "Contact Me" space of this website. How can I serve you?

If you found your way to this space already more than likely it was because you saw a post I made in a Facebook group talking about this blog but the subject of that post was all about transitioning out of the classroom. I felt the need to let people know in that group about this therapy session of mine because I had been seeing several members post about their thoughts of walking away from their own classrooms as well. I wanted them to know that they weren't alone in those feelings, that the thoughts they were having were normal and that they shouldn't feel guilty about the idea of leaving it behind if that's what is best for them.

One part of my teacher transition story that I failed to mention was that while I was looking for a new job, a position opened up with the National Association of Agricultural Educators. I applied for the position, got an interview, completed the interview, then cried like a baby when my husband asked me how it went. This position sounded like a dream job...for someone else. It would have been a dream job for pre-burnt out Shelby. But this particular position was all about recruiting and retaining agriculture teachers. I bombed this interview and I knew it was happening. How could I feel the way I was feeling about being a teacher and then move into a position where my main job was recruiting and retaining those in the profession that I had started to loathe? I was in a horrible head space during this time of my life and I knew that the only way I was going to get out of it was to distance myself from all things "classroom".

Now if you've seen my posts on Facebook then you know I have found my way back to some aspects of the classroom and I can't wait to share more about that later on but for me, I just needed a break. I needed time to heal, I needed time to try something new. No, I'm not going back into teaching in the traditional sense because it doesn't fit the life that I have right now and the life I'm wanting to have in the future. And that's ok because I know there will always be other careers that I'm a great fit for that will help me provide the life that I want for my family.

There are so many other things teachers can do instead of working in the classroom:

• Educational Consultant: Provide expertise to educational institutions or businesses. Offer guidance on curriculum development and instructional strategies.

• Curriculum Developer: Design educational materials for companies, publishers, or online platforms. Create content for textbooks, e-learning modules, or educational software.

• Corporate Trainer:

  • Train employees in various industries on specific skills or professional development.

  • Utilize teaching skills to enhance workforce performance.

• Instructional Designer:

  • Develop and design instructional materials for online courses or training programs.

  • Combine educational theory with technology for effective learning experiences.

• Education Writer/Author:

  • Write educational content for textbooks, workbooks, or educational websites.

  • Contribute articles on education-related topics to blogs or magazines.

• Tutoring Services:

  • Offer private tutoring services to students in specific subjects.

  • Specialize in test preparation for standardized exams.

• Online Course Instructor:

  • Teach courses on platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or Skillshare.

  • Share expertise in a specific subject area with a global audience.

• Education Technology Specialist:

  • Work with companies that develop educational technology tools.

  • Provide training and support to educators on integrating technology into the classroom.

• Museum Educator:

  • Develop educational programs and activities for museums.

  • Facilitate tours and workshops to enhance visitors' learning experiences.

• Librarian:

  • Manage and organize library resources.

  • Assist patrons in finding information and promote literacy programs.

• Adult Education Instructor:

  • Teach adult learners in community colleges, adult education centers, or vocational schools.

  • Offer courses in areas such as language skills, computer literacy, or vocational training.

• Educational Nonprofit Work:

  • Join a nonprofit organization focused on education advocacy or community outreach.

  • Contribute to initiatives that promote access to quality education.

• Education Policy Analyst:

  • Work for government agencies or think tanks analyzing and shaping education policies.

  • Advocate for improvements in the education system at a systemic level.

• Textbook Editor:

  • Edit and review educational materials for publishing companies.

  • Ensure content aligns with curriculum standards and is engaging for students.

• Learning and Development Specialist:

  • Design and implement training programs for businesses.

  • Focus on employee skill development and performance improvement.

If I had never trusted God when I was offered an Operations Training Manager role then I don't think I would have ever really believed someone when they said that being a teacher makes you great at so many other jobs. I had so many transferable skills from the classroom and I know you do too.

Some of those skills may be:

Communication Skills: Articulate ideas clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.

Adapt communication style for different age groups and learning levels.

Adaptability: Adjust teaching methods based on individual and group needs.

Handle unexpected changes in the classroom environment with flexibility.

Organizational Skills: Manage and prioritize tasks efficiently.

Create and implement lesson plans, keeping track of student progress and assessments.

Leadership Abilities: Guide and inspire students to achieve their potential.

Collaborate with colleagues, parents, and administrators to achieve common goals.

Problem-Solving: Identify challenges and find creative solutions to address them.

Analyze student performance data to tailor instructional approaches.

Time Management: Juggle multiple responsibilities and deadlines.

Plan lessons and activities effectively to maximize instructional time.

Patience and Empathy: Demonstrate understanding and patience with diverse student needs and backgrounds.

Provide emotional support and encouragement to help students overcome challenges.

Collaboration: Work effectively with colleagues in a team-oriented environment.

Foster a sense of community within the classroom and school.

Adaptation to Technology: Integrate technology into teaching methods.

Utilize educational software and tools for enhanced learning experiences.

Critical Thinking: Encourage students to think critically and solve problems.

Evaluate and improve instructional strategies based on student outcomes.

Creativity: Develop engaging and interactive lesson plans.

Foster a creative and stimulating learning environment.

Assessment and Evaluation: Design and implement various assessment methods.

Use data to assess student progress and inform instructional decisions.

Cultural Competence: Work with students from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Foster an inclusive and respectful classroom environment.

Public Speaking:

Conduct lectures, presentations, and parent-teacher conferences.

Engage and captivate an audience with effective communication.

Motivational Skills:

Inspire and motivate students to learn and succeed.

Recognize and celebrate achievements to boost morale.

But despite all my talk about leaving my classroom, it's true when they say you can take the teacher out of the classroom but you can't take the classroom out of the teacher. Even though I don't have the four walls of my own classroom anymore that doesn't mean that my teaching days are behind me. There is a way to have both so hopefully you will continue hanging out with me in this online space so we can be on this journey together!

Talk to you next week!