Beyond the Classroom with Lisa Harding

Teacher Career Transition Academy
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Have you ever wished you had an experienced mentor with over a decade of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring teachers for roles outside of the classroom whispering success secrets into your ear? That’s exactly what you’ll get when you tune into the Teacher Career Transition Podcast, with your host, former EdTech CEO turned certified teacher career cost, Lisa Harding. Her specialty? Helping teachers follow a proven 4-step method for leaving the classroom to find a career that brings them joy and happiness. Tune in, get inspired, and get ready to discover why thousands of teacher

  1. 1d ago

    #117: The Messy Middle: How Amy Chose Growth Over Staying Comfortable

    What if you don't hate teaching... but you know you're ready for something new?  After 19 years in education, Amy isn't running away from the classroom, she's searching for a career that challenges her in new ways while allowing her to use the skills she's spent years building.  In this Messy Middle conversation, Amy shares what it's really like to navigate the uncertainty of a career transition while still teaching full-time. From narrowing down career options and battling imposter syndrome to questioning whether AI should help write your resume, this episode is full of honest reflections and practical takeaways.  We talk about:  ✨ Why even experienced teachers can feel unqualified  ✨ How to use AI without losing your authentic voice  ✨ The surprising realization that remote work isn't always the best fit  ✨ Why taking action—even before you have all the answers—creates clarity If you've been waiting until you feel "ready" before taking the first step, this episode is your reminder that clarity doesn't come before action, it comes because of it.   Links from Episode:  » Connect with Amy:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-garner1/ » Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey.» Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

  2. Aug 18

    #116: How to Balance Teaching AND a Career Transition

    Trying to balance a full-time teaching job while also navigating a career transition can feel completely overwhelming.  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m talking about how to realistically manage both without burning yourself out in the process.  We’ll talk about:  Why trying to “do it all” usually backfires  How to create sustainable momentum during the school year  What actually deserves your limited time and energy  Why consistency matters more than intensity  Practical ways to protect your mental health during the transition process  How structure and support can make the process feel more manageable  If you’re trying to survive the school year while still working toward a career change, this episode will help you approach the process more strategically—and with a lot more grace for yourself.  Links from Episode:» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey.» Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

  3. Aug 11

    #115: What If You’re Going Back to School… But Still Want Out?

    Are you getting ready to head back to school… while still knowing deep down that you want a career change? In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m talking to the teachers who are carrying a mix of emotions right now—disappointment, frustration, exhaustion, uncertainty, and maybe even guilt for not having transitioned out yet.  We’ll talk about:  Why going back to school does NOT mean your transition failed  The emotional pressure teachers feel at the end of summer  How to stop comparing your timeline to everyone else’s  Why many successful transitions happen during the school year  How to approach this school year differently  Ways to protect your energy and maintain momentum without burning out  If you’re feeling discouraged because you’re returning to the classroom while still hoping for something different, this episode is for you.  Links from Episode:» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey.» Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

  4. Aug 4

    #114: The Messy Middle: How Kim Kept Moving Forward When Everything Changed 

    What happens when your life falls apart… at the same time you’re trying to rebuild it?  When Kim Reed left teaching, it wasn’t part of a carefully planned transition, it was a breaking point. After 14 years as a middle school band director, Kim found herself physically unable to keep going.  She didn’t have a plan. She didn’t have a safety net, and she had no idea what was next.  In this deeply honest Messy Middle conversation, Kim shares what it really looks like to walk away from everything you thought your life would be and rebuild from the ground up.  From taking microscopic steps forward… to navigating self-doubt and embarrassment… to discovering a career she didn’t even know existed.  Her story is a powerful reminder that progress doesn’t have to be perfect to be real and sometimes, the breakthrough comes when you least expect it.  In fact, between the time she signed up for this podcast and the day we recorded it, Kim received and accepted a full-time job offer as a Customer Success Manager.  We talk about:  ✨ What it feels like when your body tells you it’s time to leave  ✨ How to move forward when you have no plan  ✨ Why tiny steps actually matter ✨ And what it takes to rebuild confidence after walking away  If you’ve ever felt stuck or like you’re starting over, this is your reminder: you don’t have to have it all figured out—just keep going.  Links from Episode:  » Connect with Kim:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyreed2/» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey.» Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

  5. Jul 28

    #113: From Teacher to After School Programmer: A Career as a YMCA Multi-Site Coordinator with Jamie Bulva

    What if leaving the classroom didn’t mean leaving behind the parts of teaching you love? In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Megan Johnson talks with former elementary teacher Jamie Bulva about her transition into a multi-site coordinator role with the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. Jamie shares how she found a career that still allows her to work with children, support staff, and partner with schools—without carrying the same stress she experienced as a classroom teacher. You’ll learn: What a multi-site coordinator doesWhich job titles to search for in youth and after-school programmingHow Jamie positioned her teaching experience for a leadership roleWhich transferable skills helped her stand out to the hiring teamWhat she now looks for when reviewing resumes and interviewing candidatesWhy you don’t need to meet every qualification before applyingHow Jamie successfully negotiated her salary If you still love working with children but know the classroom is no longer the right fit, this episode will introduce you to a career path that may allow you to keep the parts of education you love while building a more sustainable professional life. Links from Episode:» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey. » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

  6. Jul 21

    #112: What Actually Helps Teachers Get Hired

    What actually helps teachers get hired during a career transition? In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m breaking down some of the biggest things that genuinely help former teachers gain traction during the job search process—from career clarity and transferable skills to networking, confidence, and becoming “recruiter-ready.” We’ll talk about:  Why clarity matters more than random applying  How to position your teaching experience strategically  The transferable skills employers are actually looking for  Why networking matters more than most teachers realize  What hiring managers are evaluating beyond your resume  How consistency and structure create momentum during a transition  If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or unsure how to stand out outside the classroom, this episode will help you focus on what actually moves the needle during a career transition.  Links from Episode:» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey. » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

  7. Jul 14

    #111: You Are Not Running Out of Time

    Feeling discouraged because summer is flying by and you still don’t have your career transition fully figured out? In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m talking about the pressure so many teachers feel in July—the panic that starts creeping in when school feels closer, timelines feel shorter, and it seems like everyone else has everything figured out.  We’ll talk about:  Why career transitions rarely happen overnight  The hidden progress teachers often overlook  How social media creates unrealistic expectations  Why you are NOT “behind” if you’re still figuring things out  The emotional pressure tied to the school-year calendar  How small, intentional momentum creates real change over time   If you’ve been feeling anxious, discouraged, or like you “wasted your summer” because you don’t have a new job yet, this episode is for you.  Links from Episode:» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey. » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

  8. Jul 7

    #110: The Messy Middle: How Sally Found Her New Path, One Step at a Time

    What if the hardest part of your career transition… is how long it takes?  For Sally Del Llano, the decision to leave teaching didn’t happen overnight. After nearly two decades in special education, she knew as early as 2016 that she couldn’t sustain the pace long-term. But it would take eight more years of planning, saving, and navigating real-life responsibilities before she was finally able to step away from the classroom.  In this Messy Middle conversation, Sally shares what it really looks like to transition careers over time and why a nonlinear path doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.  From discovering new interests during a sabbatical, to landing a part-time “bridge role” that helped clarify her direction, to learning entirely new skills in her late 40s—her journey is a powerful reminder that progress doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful.  We talk about:  ✨ Why career transitions often take longer than you expect  ✨ How to move forward without a perfectly mapped-out plan  ✨ The role of “bridge jobs” in building clarity and confidence  ✨ What it looks like to balance family, finances, and career change  ✨ And how to navigate the overwhelm of modern job searching  If you’ve ever felt stuck, behind, or unsure if you’re doing this “right”…. This episode will remind you that there’s no one path forward, only the one you keep choosing.  Links from Episode:  » Connect with Sally:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-del-llano  » Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey. » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

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Have you ever wished you had an experienced mentor with over a decade of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring teachers for roles outside of the classroom whispering success secrets into your ear? That’s exactly what you’ll get when you tune into the Teacher Career Transition Podcast, with your host, former EdTech CEO turned certified teacher career cost, Lisa Harding. Her specialty? Helping teachers follow a proven 4-step method for leaving the classroom to find a career that brings them joy and happiness. Tune in, get inspired, and get ready to discover why thousands of teacher

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