The Adventures After Teaching Podcast

Joanne Howard

Sharing inspirational stories from teachers who have chosen to walk away from classroom to successfully transition to a new career. Advice, tips and ideas for exhausted teachers who know there's a difference between "giving up" and "having had enough". Join me to explore all things teacher burnout, career and business coaching and get plenty of ideas for your very own adventure after teaching.

  1. 4D AGO

    "They're Already Investing in Me": Finding a Role That Values Your Growth

    "I don’t miss the school holidays." After 25 years in the classroom, the last several as Head of Health and Social Care, Jessica reached a point of burnout and knew she no longer wanted to teach. A Google search led her to the Adventures After Teaching Academy, where she focused on rebuilding her self-esteem before even thinking about her next career move. Now an Employment Advisor for a private company, Jessica is helping others identify their own barriers and find their way back into work. With control over her own diary, genuine one-to-one connection with clients, and her evenings and weekends firmly back, Jessica is thriving in a role that feels both rewarding and sustainable. In this episode, we also talk about: Recognising burnout and giving yourself permission to slow downUsing the Academy community to rebuild confidenceCreating a "lifeboat" before you leapSearching for roles using job titles you hear in the communityThe power of a skills-based CVVariety and autonomy in a new roleLeaving work at work and what that actually feels likeFeeling valued and invested inWhy teachers shine in one-to-one settingsIf you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom!  Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨

    25 min

  2. FEB 17

    On Your Own Terms: Finding Flexibility and Family Time After Teaching

    " The biggest change for me is just noticing how much more energy I have for my children." Former teacher John-Paul reached a turning point during a difficult first term following a job move and the birth of his daughter. Knowing something had to change, he sought support from those around him and found the Adventures After Teaching community, giving him that reassurance that he wasn't alone in how he was feeling. Now a Bursar for an organisation he'd known for years, John-Paul is managing a Grade II listed estate, overseeing a significant budget and building strong relationships with contractors - all with the flexibility and autonomy to make the role work for his family life. In this episode, we also talk about: The value of a community that ‘gets it’Using transferable skills to frame your experienceFinding opportunities in your own networkThe variety in the day-to-day role of a bursarBudget management for teachers without financial experienceRelationship-building and working as part of a small teamWork-life balance and flexible, autonomous workingPersisting through the knockbacksTop tips for teachers moving into operations roles If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom!  Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨

    22 min

  3. FEB 10

    Choosing Yourself: Loving and Leaving Teaching

    "We underestimate how brilliant we are as teachers." Former primary teacher Rachel left the classroom when work-related stress began affecting her physical health. Despite loving the classroom, the long exhausting days and a particularly challenging final year made her decision clearer. After leaving at the end of August without a job lined up, Rachel took time to decompress before securing her current position. Now Head of Communities and Development at a charity, Rachel is enjoying the benefits of hybrid working and using her teaching skills in fundraising and development whilst finally experiencing what it's like to leave work on time. She's regained her evenings and weekends, and no longer feels that dreaded "Monday morning sick feeling." In this episode, we also talk about: Prioritising health as a catalyst for career changeColleague reactions to handing in your noticeTaking time to recover before job searchingThe power of a skills-based CVTransitioning teaching skills to fundraisingThe importance of community support from people who "get it"Timescales to exit the classroom Finding roles that align with your valuesTop tips for teachers considering the charity sector If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom!  Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨

    26 min

  4. FEB 3

    Reclaiming Flexibility: Building a Business on Your Own Terms

    “Everything I put in, I know I’m building something.” Sarah had always admired entrepreneurs but never imagined starting a business of her very own. After years in teaching and reaching a point where she knew she couldn't continue full-time in the classroom, she discovered Adventures After Teaching and found her path to becoming a Virtual Assistant (VA).  Now running her own VA business part-time alongside teaching, Sarah is enjoying the freedom to be her own boss, cherry-pick the creative work she loves, and build a future with genuine excitement - all while reclaiming some of the flexibility that teaching never offered. In this episode, we also talk about: Building a VA business alongside teachingSetting boundaries and choosing your prioritiesThe variety of work that VAs can doThe power of community support from other transitioning teachersAcquiring your first client through conversationOvercoming imposter syndrome when starting a businessThe "can do attitude" teachers bring to VA workFinancial planning and identifying your must-havesTop tips for teachers considering working for themselves Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨

    27 min

  5. JAN 27

    Breaking Through Burnout: A Headteacher's Journey to Charity Leadership

    "I definitely wouldn't have got there as quickly as I did without the support from the Academy.” After 18 years as a headteacher and over 30 years working in education, Kate found herself struggling with mental health and burnout. When off sick, she discovered Adventures After Teaching, taking part in our free ‘Stay or Go?’ event and then making the decision to invest in more support - a choice she describes as "absolutely worth it."  In an accelerated transition of just three months, Kate secured her current role as Deputy Diocesan Secretary and Director of Operational Support for the Diocese of York. Now she's coordinating operational support for churches, using her leadership experience in entirely new ways whilst maintaining the community engagement work she's passionate about. In this episode, we also talk about: Taking small intentional steps towards burnout recoveryFinding a safe space for senior leadersValues-led job hunting - a shift in perspectiveStanding out by narrowing your niche in the job marketTransferable headteacher (and class teacher) skills for charity rolesWorking strategically without interruptionsEnjoying more flexibility in working hoursManaging boundaries and catching old habits in a new roleWhy investing in yourself through the Academy is invaluableThe importance of peer support from other teachers in transition If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom!  Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨

    29 min

  6. JAN 20

    Full Circle: Rebuilding a Career on Your Own Terms

    "Don't be afraid to speak up and negotiate your terms." Former Deputy Head and SENDCO Catherine left a role she loved when burnout, wearing too many hats, and increasing expectations became unsustainable. Despite her specialised knowledge and passion for the work, she found herself physically, emotionally, and socially exhausted - struggling to perform her multiple roles as effectively as she wanted to.  After using the Academy's burnout recovery materials to heal and rebuild, Catherine embarked on a "squiggly journey" that included supply work, a remote Education Navigator role, redundancy, and ultimately a return to a school-based SENDCO position - but this time, completely on her own terms. Now working just two days in school and the rest from home, Catherine has reclaimed her boundaries whilst also venturing into consultancy work supporting families with special educational needs. In this episode, we also talk about: If I’m not this then who am I? The tipping point from passion to burnoutTaking time to explore a meaningful exitLearning from others in the community Navigating a non-linear career change pathSetting boundaries and negotiating terms in a new roleReturning to school - but with huge differencesRecognising and resisting self-inflicted pressureEnjoying renewed energy for other aspects of life Trusting your value and not being afraid to speak upOpening up opportunities by looking beyond role titles If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom!  Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨

    41 min

  7. JAN 13

    You Haven't Missed the Boat: Career Change at Any Stage

    “For the first time in my life I was very unsure about where I was headed and what I could do differently to teaching because I'd been doing it for so long.” Hannah, a primary school teacher for nine years, left the classroom seeking better work-life balance so she could be there more for her teenagers at home. Now a Youth Participation Advisor working globally to end malnutrition, she's enjoying flexibility around core hours, meaningful project work, travel opportunities, and the satisfaction of using her teaching skills in entirely new ways. With support from the Academy's resources and community, Hannah navigated the confusion of career transition, overcame imposter syndrome, and ultimately received two dream job offers on the same day. She now helps young people lead community dialogues that drive policy changes, creating resources and managing grants programmes that make a real difference. In this episode, we also talk about: Dealing with conflicting feelings over leavingGetting back on track with community supportProject management training and its real-world applicationsRedefining what success looks like outside teachingShaking off old ways of workingEnhanced transferable skills and renewed confidence Building your network through LinkedInOvercoming imposter syndrome and believing you haven't "missed the boat"Coping with rejection Tips for finding roles in charities and NGOs focused on youth work Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨

    27 min

  8. JAN 6

    Quality Time Over Crisis Management: Escaping the Stress Cycle

    "There is another side, and it's life-changing." Former Head of School, Sarah spent 13 years in teaching before deciding to listen to her inner voice and pivot towards a completely different path. Now an Employer Engagement Manager working in the not-for-profit sector, Sarah has found a role that utilises her communication and engagement skills across different audiences whilst offering the work-life balance and well-being she was missing in education. She's no longer in constant "crisis mode" and finally has quality time back for the things that matter. In this episode, we also talk about: Comfortable timelines for career transitionsTreating your job search like a strategic projectRecognising stress addiction and living in crisis modeWhy engagement roles are perfect for teachersHybrid working and reclaiming your eveningsThe difference between being tired and being mentally drainedSarah's only regret: not leaving soonerHugely transferable teacher skills Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨

    24 min
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5
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5 Ratings

About

Sharing inspirational stories from teachers who have chosen to walk away from classroom to successfully transition to a new career. Advice, tips and ideas for exhausted teachers who know there's a difference between "giving up" and "having had enough". Join me to explore all things teacher burnout, career and business coaching and get plenty of ideas for your very own adventure after teaching.

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