How to Transition Out of Teaching
© Robyn Shulman, M.Ed., Chicago, 2016
This excerpt is taken from my book, You Can Change Your Career. Read on to understand what it looks like to transition from classroom teaching into new, fulfilling work. The original booklet—30 pages in length—represents four years of experiences and reflection. Here I share practical strategies I used to reshape my professional life.
When teachers are unhappy, students feel it. A teacher’s mood sets the tone for the learning environment and can influence student engagement, learning outcomes, and the broader school community. That ripple effect extends beyond individual classrooms and affects families and communities.
I changed my career, and you can too. Today I work as Editorial Director for MindRocket Media Group, I write about education for major outlets, and I contribute to the professional conversation about education and education technology on LinkedIn. I remain a teacher at heart and wrote this guide to help educators who want to leave the classroom while honoring their commitment to students.
Over the past several years I’ve talked with thousands of teachers about their careers and goals. Many are overwhelmed or burned out; the reality is that large numbers of talented teachers leave the profession in the first five years. There’s strong interest among educators in exploring alternatives to classroom teaching—my article “Alternatives to Teaching: 20 Companies that Hire Teachers” draws nearly 100,000 page views a month and has fostered a community of nearly 10,000 educators seeking guidance.
Although many teachers want to change careers, they often don’t know where to begin. This book presents the most important lessons I learned while reinventing my career: mindset shifts, networking tactics, professional branding, and concrete ways to use LinkedIn to find opportunities. Teachers already possess many marketable skills—this guide helps translate classroom expertise into roles outside education. By following these steps and taking action, you can begin to share your talents in new ways.
What this book covers
Prologue: Why I wrote this book
Chapter One: Why you should learn from my experience
Chapter Two: My story and its lessons
Chapter Three: How I took action and the first steps I recommend
Chapter Four: Making changes and committing to action
Chapter Five: Clean up your digital footprint and protect your professional image online
Chapter Six: Build a daily plan for job search and skill growth
Chapter Seven: Getting started with LinkedIn and online networking
Chapter Eight: How to set up a LinkedIn profile that attracts recruiters
Chapter Nine: Practical activities and exercises to clarify your goals
Chapter Ten: Why companies value teachers and how to demonstrate that value
Chapter Eleven: What to expect in the corporate or nonprofit work world
About Robyn Shulman and how to connect via social networks
Coming soon — Part Two previews
Research: Where to begin investigating career options
Your Brand: How to define, create, and manage your professional brand
Get your name out there: Where, who, when, and how to promote yourself
Connection: The importance of networking both online and offline
LinkedIn mastery: How to use LinkedIn effectively and consistently
Networking strategies: How helping others will help you build momentum
Preface: Why I wrote this book about teachers leaving the profession
I wrote this guide because I heard from thousands of teachers seeking direction. If you’ve visited ED News Daily, signed up for updates, or joined our teacher forum, you know how many educators are asking for practical help to leave the classroom without losing their professional purpose. Thank you for reaching out and for having the courage to consider change.
The reasons for leaving the classroom vary and your experience is unique. Classrooms today present different challenges than they did when I began teaching in 1998. Many teachers are frustrated by workload, policy shifts, or a mismatch between daily realities and their expectations.
Reading about my journey will help you reflect on your own. I still miss teaching, and I believe teaching remains a noble profession. But if your work is harming your well-being or diminishing student outcomes, it may be time to explore other career paths. This book aims to help you clarify your goals so you can make informed choices for yourself and your family.
You will have many questions as you read. Write them down, reflect on your priorities, and reach out to trusted colleagues or mentors. I will try to offer guidance where I can.
As you read, keep these practical realities in mind:
- You must be willing to engage in honest self-reflection and step outside your comfort zone.
- Resilience and perseverance are essential; transitions take time and effort.
- The job search now emphasizes digital presence and networking more than traditional resumes.
- Be open to changing how you define your professional identity and to learning new skills; many free courses are available online.
- Patience is important—career pivots rarely happen overnight.
- You’ll need to adopt new strategies to find work and follow through consistently.
- The corporate and nonprofit worlds operate differently than schools; expect cultural differences.
- Clarify your passions, purpose, and a realistic plan for the transition.
- Assess your financial needs and family responsibilities before making major changes.
- Maintain a positive, open mindset while being realistic about challenges.
And remember: there are no guarantees.
Are you ready to discover who you are beyond the classroom and take concrete steps toward new work? If so, you are ready to begin. Take small, steady steps, use your transferable skills, and stay connected to supportive peers as you navigate this transition.
Teachers leaving the profession
If you want more information about alternative careers for teachers, consider subscribing to ED News Daily or joining a teacher forum for discussion and job resources. There are many articles and research reports that explore teacher turnover and career alternatives; reviewing national reports and practical job lists can help you plan your next steps.