Teachers in Transition: Career Change and Real Talk for Burned-Out Teachers

Vanessa Jackson

Burned out in the classroom? You’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. Teachers in Transition: Career Change and Real Talk for Burned-Out Teachers is the podcast for educators who’ve given everything to their students—and now need to give something back to themselves. Hosted by Vanessa Jackson, a former teacher who transitioned into the staffing and hiring industry, this show blends honest conversations, practical strategy, and deep emotional support. Vanessa knows exactly how burned-out educators can reposition themselves and stand out to recruiters because she’s been on both sides of the hiring table. Each episode offers real talk and real tools to help you explore what’s next—whether that’s a new job, a new identity, or a new sense of peace. 💼 Career advice for teachers leaving education 💡 Practical job search tips, resume help, and mindset shifts 🧠 Real talk about burnout, grief, and rebuilding You’ve given enough. It’s time to build a life that gives back. 👉 Learn more at https://teachersintransition.com

  1. 1D AGO

    Why Teachers Get Called “Difficult” — And Why That Might Be a Good Thing

    Send a text What if being labeled “difficult” wasn’t a flaw — but a sign that you refused to walk away from your integrity? In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa continues her anti-shame crusade with a powerful conversation about boundaries, conviction, and why educators who speak up are often misunderstood. Inspired by Toby Ziegler from The West Wing, this episode explores how integrity can look uncomfortable — and why real change doesn’t always come from being warm and fuzzy. You’ll also get a practical AI productivity hack to help reclaim your brain space, plus a deep dive into the myth of the perfect resume and how to navigate the modern job search like a journey across different terrains — from jungle-like application systems to endurance-based government hiring processes. If you’ve been feeling unsettled, protective, or quietly questioning systems that once felt safe… you are not alone.   Ready for More? If this episode resonated and you’re realizing you might need a guide as you move through unfamiliar professional terrain: Book a Discovery Session:  https://teachersintransition.com/calendar No pressure — just clarity, strategy, and support from someone who’s been there before and knows the way out.   Keywords (SEO Tags) teacher career transition, leaving teaching, teacher burnout recovery, job search strategy, ATS systems explained, USAJobs resume tips, AI productivity for teachers, career coaching for educators, Toby Ziegler West Wing leadership, anti-shame coaching, boundaries for teachers, resume myth, corporate transition for teachers     If This Episode Helped You… Follow, rate, and share with another educator who needs to hear: You’re not difficult.  You’re dedicated.   CONNECT WITH VANESSA 💌 Email: Vanessa@teachersintransition.com📱 Call or Text: 512-640-9099📅 Book a Free Discovery Call: teachersintransition.com/calendar🔗 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social📸 Instagram & Threads: @teachers.in.transition👍 Facebook: Teachers in Transition  The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzsprout   Support the show

    24 min
  2. FEB 11

    When Burnout Isn’t the Full Story: CPTSD and Chronic Stress in Teaching

    Send a text Many teachers don’t leave the classroom and instantly feel better—because your nervous system doesn’t clock out just because you did. In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa unpacks Complex PTSD (CPTSD) in a practical, non-diagnostic way: how chronic stress, constant vigilance, emotional suppression, boundary erosion, perfectionism, and moral injury can train your body to stay on high alert for years. And how those patterns can follow you into career transition—showing up as overthinking, fear of visibility, people-pleasing in interviews, and a brutal inner critic. Then we shift into action: how AI is changing the job search, why networking matters more than ever, and one simple AI prompt to decode job descriptions in plain English so you can apply with clarity (not panic). If you’ve been telling yourself “I left… why don’t I feel better?” — this episode is a must-listen.  In this episode, we cover: What CPTSD is (and why it’s about chronic stress over time—not “worse trauma”)How the classroom can normalize hypervigilance and nervous-system overdriveWhy survival adaptations can stick around after you leave teachingHow CPTSD-style patterns can show up in job search: over-preparing, shame spirals, people-pleasing, fear of visibilityAI as a thinking partner in your search (translation, pattern-spotting, interview prep)The plain-English AI prompt that makes job descriptions instantly clearer  Keywords  CPTSD, teacher burnout, nervous system, hypervigilance, moral injury, leaving teaching, career transition, teacher career change, job search anxiety, AI job search CONNECT WITH VANESSA 💌 Email: Vanessa@teachersintransition.com📱 Call or Text: 512-640-9099📅 Book a Free Discovery Call: teachersintransition.com/calendar🔗 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social📸 Instagram & Threads: @teachers.in.transition👍 Facebook: Teachers in Transition🐦 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategy     The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzsprout Support the show

    18 min
  3. FEB 4

    On a Scale of 1–10: How Bad Is Your Teaching Pain Right Now?

    Send us a text Are you a teacher who feels constantly stressed, exhausted, or overwhelmed—but can’t quite explain why it feels so heavy?   In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa Jackson uses a familiar question—“On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is your pain?”—to explore how teachers slowly normalize burnout, emotional overload, and chronic stress without realizing how much it’s costing them.   Drawing from her own post-surgical experience and decades in education, Vanessa explains why constant strain distorts perception, why “familiar” doesn’t mean “fine,” and how teachers often minimize both their pain and their professional value.   This episode gives language to what teachers are experiencing to help them think clearly, reclaim energy, and make informed decisions about what comes next.   In this episode, we discuss: Why chronic stress and burnout are hard to quantify—especially for teachersHow constant emotional and cognitive load shifts your internal “pain scale”The Energy Tax Check: a simple question to identify what’s draining you now and laterWhy teachers unconsciously subtract from their own experience and accomplishmentsHow to “add the two points back” when describing your work on a resume or in interviewsWhat it really means to seek a role with sustainable workload and room for growth  Whether you’re actively job searching, quietly exploring career options outside the classroom, or simply trying to survive another semester, this episode will help you stop second-guessing yourself and start trusting your internal data again. Because living with something every day doesn’t make it small; it makes it familiar. And familiarity is not the same thing as fit.   🔑 Keywords & Topics Teacher burnout • career change for teachers • leaving teaching • teacher stress • education burnout • teacher career transition • transferable skills for teachers • job search for educators • emotional exhaustion • work-life balance in teaching   CONNECT WITH VANESSA 💌 Email: Vanessa@teachersintransition.com📱 Call or Text: 512-640-9099📅 Book a Free Discovery Call: teachersintransition.com/calendar🔗 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social📸 Instagram & Threads: @teachers.in.transition👍 Facebook: Teachers in Transition🐦 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategy     The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzsprout Support the show

    17 min
  4. JAN 28

    Career Clarity for Teachers: The Carrie Fisher Method - Encore Presentation

    Send us a text Boundaries, Burnout, and Why You Shouldn’t Write Scripted Lesson Plans at Home” Are you a teacher on the edge of burnout, wondering if your skills have value outside the classroom? You're not alone—and this encore episode is for you. In this encore presentation, Vanessa Jackson dives into lessons we can learn from the late, great Carrie Fisher (yes, General Leia), especially around boundaries, mental health, and not working for free. You'll also hear: ✨ A teacher hack to reclaim your brain space (goodbye, mental clutter)  📋 A practical DIY skills gap analysis for your career pivot  🚫 A real-talk boundary moment around unreasonable school demands  💪 A reminder that your worth isn’t defined by what administrators say This episode blends empowerment with strategy to help you move from burnout to breakthrough. Topics Covered: Teacher burnout recovery strategiesHow to transition from teaching to a new careerSkills inventory tips using job descriptions and ChatGPTMental health and boundaries for educatorsPop culture meets career coaching: lessons from Carrie FisherTime-saving teacher hacks to reduce overwhelm    Links + Resources Mentioned: ✨ “Be Like Carrie” LinkedIn Article📚 Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher (Amazon link)🛠️ Udemy for career skill-building🎯 Tamara McLemore's PMP Bootcamp🎙️ Listen to More Episodes on Buzzsprout    Let’s Connect: 📅 Book a free Discovery Call: TeachersinTransition.com/calendar 💌 Email: Vanessa@teachersintransition.com 📱 Text/Voicemail: 512-640-9099 📣 Facebook: Teachers in Transition Podcast Club 📸 Instagram & Threads: @teachers.in.transition 💼 LinkedIn: Vanessa Jackson 🐦 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategy 🟦 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social The transcript of this podcast can be found on the podcasts’ homepage at Buzzsprout.    Support the show

    23 min
  5. JAN 21

    You’re Not Lazy. You’re Exhausted. (Encore Presentation)

    Send us a text Originally aired in May 2024, this encore episode might just be more relevant now in January 2026. If your New Year energy already feels like it’s running on fumes, take this as your permission slip to pause. Vanessa explores the emotional and physical exhaustion teachers face—and how lack of sleep, overcommitment, and guilt get tangled together. She shares a powerful metaphor about “big rocks” and challenges you to re-evaluate how you’re spending your time vs. what actually matters to you. You’ll hear: Why sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a survival needWhat “big rocks” really mean and how to identify yoursA teacher hack to boost student confidence (and your own)A guided reflection exercise from Finding Your Element by Sir Ken RobinsonThree guiding principles to start clarifying who you are beyond the classroom    Whether you’re in the middle of burnout, questioning your next move, or just trying to reclaim your sanity—this episode is a compassionate nudge back to yourself.   Keywords: Teacher burnout recovery, leaving teaching, teacher exhaustion, self-care for teachers, time management for educators, career clarity, Ken Robinson Finding Your Element, big rocks metaphor, prioritizing what matters, teacher stress relief, post-burnout career paths, Vanessa Jackson podcast, Teachers in Transition   Ready to take the next step? Vanessa helps burned-out teachers transition into new careers with clarity and confidence. If you're ready to explore your options, schedule a free Discovery Session here: 👉 www.teachersintransition.com/calendar   📲 Stay Connected! 📧 Vanessa@TeachersinTransition.com 📱 Text/Voicemail: 512-640-9099 🔗 Follow on Instagram + Threads @teachers.in.transition 📘 Facebook: Teachers in Transition 👥 Join the Podcast Club Facebook Group 🔗 LinkedIn: Vanessa Jackson 🐦 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategy 🟦 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social The transcript of this podcast can be found on the podcasts’ homepage at Buzzsprout.  Support the show

    21 min
  6. JAN 7

    Don’t Stall Out: The Hope-Habit Combo That Keeps You Moving in 2026

    Send us a text What if your job search had an engine—and you just needed to spark it? In this episode of Teachers in Transition, host Vanessa Jackson (former middle school teacher turned career transition coach) breaks down the power of hope, the weight of shame, and the five career hacks every burned-out educator needs right now.    Whether you're exploring new paths or rewriting your résumé mid-meltdown, this episode will help you jumpstart momentum and reclaim your agency.   ✨ In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why hope is your starter, momentum is your engine, and habits are your alternatorVanessa goes on a crusade against shame and secrecyPermission to call out medical gaslightingWhy your résumé isn’t landing—and exactly how to fix itThe 20-minute trick that kickstarts your job pivotA power paragraph that makes your LinkedIn and cover letters sparkleHow to answer “Why did you leave teaching?” without the trauma dumpWhy LinkedIn isn’t a stage—it’s a hallway (and how to walk it with confidence)  🎯 This episode is especially for: Teachers exploring career transitions beyond the classroomEducators dealing with burnout, shame, or medical dismissalWomen navigating midlife health challenges while still showing up for othersAnyone feeling stuck and ready for a small but powerful next step  CONNECT WITH VANESSA 💌 Email: Vanessa@teachersintransition.com📱 Call or Text: 512-640-9099📅 Book a Free Discovery Call: teachersintransition.com/calendar🔗 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social📸 Instagram & Threads: @teachers.in.transition👍 Facebook: Teachers in Transition🐦 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategy  Programming Note from Vanessa’s Assistant: Vanessa will be off the mic for the next few weeks while recovering from surgery. Tune in to some replayed favorites, and know she’ll be back soon—with updates, real talk, and new resources to keep your momentum going. You’ve given enough. It’s time to build a future that gives back. Teachers in Transition is an independently produced podcast created to support educators navigating burnout, change, and what comes next. If this podcast has been helpful to you, you now have the option to support the show financially. Contributions are completely optional and help cover production costs so this resource can remain accessible. Whether you choose to support or simply keep listening, thank you for being part of this community. keywords:  Teachers, Career Change, burnout, hope, habits, New Year's Resolutions, shame, women's health, teachers in transition    Support the show

    20 min
  7. 12/31/2025

    The Power of One Word: A Teacher’s Guide to Building Momentum After Burnout

    Send us a text Are you standing at the edge of a new year wondering which way to go and how far you'll go? In this Teachers in Transition episode, Vanessa Jackson invites teachers, career changers, and dream‑seekers to discover their Word of the Year — a guiding compass that turns hope into directional momentum. Vanessa shares her word of the year and her 26-in-26 goals. This episode helps you find clarity and purpose for 2026, with real stories, practical goal‑setting tools, and a little pop culture wisdom. 🎯 Whether you’re thinking about leaving toxic school environments, redefining your life direction, or simply seeking deeper fulfillment, Vanessa shows you how to turn hope into movement — and movement into lasting change. 📬 Find your guiding word. Build the tools that help you get where you’re going. 📍 Resources Mentioned 🎙 Word of the Year Podcast Reference 👉 Happier with Gretchen Rubin Episode 563 – Need a One‑Word Theme for Next Year? Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-563-need-a-one-word-theme-for-next-year-we/id969519520?i=1000739465433 💡 Word Discovery Tools • MyIntent Word Finder – pick your guiding word: https://myintent.org/pages/word-finder • MyIntent “What’s Your Word?” Quiz – guided discovery: https://myintent.org/pages/whatsyourwordquiz 🎥 Pop Culture Inspiration Moana — How Far I’ll Go (Official DisneyMusicVEVO) 🎥 https://youtu.be/cPAbx5kgCJo Rush — Wish Them Well 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF7ihyprGtk (YouTube) 📣 Next Steps Tell Vanessa your Word for 2026! 1.  Send a voice message or email to Vanessa@TeachersinTransition.com 2.  Schedule a free Discovery Call: 👋 CONNECT WITH VANESSA 💌 Email: Vanessa@teachersintransition.com📱 Call or Text: 512-640-9099📅 Book a Free Discovery Call: teachersintransition.com/calendar🔗 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social📸 Instagram, Threads & TikTok: @teachers.in.transition👍 Facebook: Teachers in Transition🐦 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategy  Keywords  Teacher burnout • teacher career transition • Word of the Year • goal setting • vision + momentum • hope + direction • career coaching • teacher purpose • intentional living •     The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzsprout

    25 min

About

Burned out in the classroom? You’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. Teachers in Transition: Career Change and Real Talk for Burned-Out Teachers is the podcast for educators who’ve given everything to their students—and now need to give something back to themselves. Hosted by Vanessa Jackson, a former teacher who transitioned into the staffing and hiring industry, this show blends honest conversations, practical strategy, and deep emotional support. Vanessa knows exactly how burned-out educators can reposition themselves and stand out to recruiters because she’s been on both sides of the hiring table. Each episode offers real talk and real tools to help you explore what’s next—whether that’s a new job, a new identity, or a new sense of peace. 💼 Career advice for teachers leaving education 💡 Practical job search tips, resume help, and mindset shifts 🧠 Real talk about burnout, grief, and rebuilding You’ve given enough. It’s time to build a life that gives back. 👉 Learn more at https://teachersintransition.com