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. 5D AGO

    #102: The Messy Middle: How Christa Is Redefining Who She Is After Teaching

    After 28 years of teaching, Christa Kaainoa hit what she describes as a “code red” moment where burnout wasn’t just emotional… it became physical. She couldn’t even picture herself walking back into the classroom. In this honest and deeply relatable conversation, Christa shares what it actually looks like to walk away from a long career without a clear plan and how she’s navigating the “messy middle” in real time.  We talk about:  ✨ What happens when your body forces you to listen  ✨ The identity crisis no one prepares you for  ✨ Why you don’t need a perfect plan to move forward  ✨ How small, imperfect steps are creating real momentum  ✨ And what it looks like to reconnect with yourself after years of putting others first  If you’ve ever thought: “I know I can’t keep doing this… but I have no idea what comes next”. This episode will remind you that you’re not alone and more importantly, you’re not stuck.   Links from Episode:» Connect with Christa:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/christa-kaainoa-1152348/ » 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!

    46 min

  2. MAY 5

    #101: The Messy Middle: How Scott is Building His Exit Strategy Years in Advance

    In this first episode of the Messy Middle series, I’m joined by Academy member Scott King—a high school band director who’s taken different approach to his career transition than many of our members.   Instead of rushing to leave the classroom, Scott started planning his next chapter years in advance. And what makes his story so powerful is how he’s using that time intentionally—building skills, exploring career paths, and even applying concepts like project management and scrum inside his current role.  In this conversation, we talk about:  ✨ What it looks like to start your transition early  ✨ How Scott is building momentum while still teaching full-time  ✨ The power of LinkedIn, networking, and “coffee chats”  ✨ How he’s translating his teaching experience into corporate language ✨ And why you don’t have to wait until you’re burnt out to begin  If you’ve ever thought, “I know I want something different… but I don’t have to rush,” this episode will show you what’s possible when you take a strategic, steady approach.  Links from Episode:» Connect with Scott:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdking02/   » 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!

    26 min

  3. APR 28

    #100: One Small Step: Measuring Progress During a Teacher Career Transition

    This is the final episode in our One Small Step series for career-transitioning teachers. In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding tackles one of the hardest parts of a career transition: staying motivated when you’re not seeing obvious results yet. We’ll talk about why progress is often invisible early on, how teachers mistakenly measure success, and how to recognize real momentum—even when you don’t have interviews or job offers.  If you’ve been wondering, “Am I actually getting anywhere?” this episode will help you see your progress more clearly and keep moving forward with confidence.  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!

    9 min

  4. APR 21

    #099: One Small Step: What Career-Transitioning Teachers Should Do Before Touching Their Resume

    This is part four of our One Small Step series for career-transitioning teachers.  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding explains why so many teachers struggle with their resumes—and why the problem usually isn’t writing ability or experience. We’ll talk about why updating your resume too early can actually slow your progress, what clarity you need before you start writing, and how to approach your resume as part of a bigger career transition strategy.  If you’ve been staring at a blank document—or endlessly tweaking bullet points—this episode will help you reset and move forward with confidence.  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 min

  5. APR 14

    #098: One Small Step: Networking Without the Pressure for Career Transitioning Teachers

    This is part three of our One Small Step series for career-transitioning teachers.  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding reframes networking through a growth-mindset lens and shows teachers how to approach conversations without feeling awkward, salesy, or like they’re asking for something they don’t deserve. You’ll learn why networking isn’t about getting a job, how to use curiosity instead of confidence, and how one conversation at a time can build real momentum. If the word “networking” makes you want to opt out completely, 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 min

  6. APR 7

    #097: One Small Step: How to Talk About Yourself Without Feeling Awkward

    This is part two of our One Small Step series for career-transitioning teachers.  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding walks through one of the most uncomfortable—but necessary—parts of a career transition: talking about yourself. We’ll explore why teachers struggle to describe their skills, how to move away from “teacher language” without losing authenticity, and how to practice talking about your experience in a way that feels natural, not salesy.  If you freeze when someone asks, “So what do you want to do next?” this episode will help you take one grounded step forward. 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 min

  7. MAR 31

    #096: One Small Step: Career Exploration Without Overwhelm

    This episode kicks off our One Small Step series—designed to help career-transitioning teachers move forward without overwhelm.  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding breaks down the very first practical step in a career transition: exploration. We’ll talk about why exploration does not equal commitment, why trying to research everything at once keeps teachers stuck, and how to approach career exploration in a way that builds clarity instead of anxiety.  If you’ve been thinking “I don’t even know where to start,” this episode will help you take one grounded step forward.  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 min

  8. MAR 24

    #095: Stop Pouring From an Empty Cup: Tem Ezimokhai on Time, Energy, and Teacher Burnout

    If you know you want to leave teaching—but it might be a year or two down the road—this episode will help you build a sustainable bridge to what’s next.  In this conversation, I’m joined by Tem Ezimokhai, a full-time teacher and host of the Helping Teachers Thrive podcast. Tem shares practical, real-life strategies for setting boundaries, protecting your time, and managing the guilt that comes with saying “no”—especially when you’ve spent years believing that being a great teacher means always doing more.  We also talk about how to stay motivated and show up for your students when you already know the classroom isn’t your forever path, and why having something meaningful outside of school—whether it’s a project, plan, or passion—can bring back that “fire in your belly” while you transition.  You’ll walk away with a grounded mindset shift, tangible boundary ideas, and encouragement for the messy middle—whether you’re teetering, staying, or planning your exit with intention.  Links from Episode: ≫Helping Teachers Thrive Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/helping-teachers-thrive/id1681843058  ≫ Tem's Linedin: linkedin.com/in/tem-ezimokhai-23306a263   ≫ 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!

    31 min
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About

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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