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. 4d ago

    LinkedIn for Teachers in 2026: The World's Largest Rolodex

    Send us Fan Mail LinkedIn isn't just a job board anymore. In this episode, Vanessa Jackson explains why LinkedIn has become the world's largest professional Rolodex and what teachers need to do differently in 2026 to be found by recruiters and hiring managers.  In the Perspective Pivot, Vanessa answers the question no one was a asking: What does a Sharpie marker have to do with healing, stress, and teacher burnout? More than you might think. Learn why your nervous system may still be reacting to old experiences and how new experiences can help create new patterns. In the Teacher Hack, Vanessa revisits a listener-favorite teacher hack: Dawn dish soap. From laundry stains to mystery messes, this magical blue liquid has earned a permanent place under her sink. Plus, discover professional stain-removal resources and hear the story of a Labrador retriever who developed a very unconventional carpet-cleaning strategy. And in the Career Transition & Job Search segment, Vanessa discusses one of the biggest changes in today's job market: LinkedIn is no longer just a place to apply for jobs. It has become the world's largest professional Rolodex. Learn how recruiters use LinkedIn in 2026, why translation matters for teachers changing careers, and how to make your experience understandable to employers outside education. In This Episode What a Sharpie marker can teach us about healing and stressWhy teachers often remain in "survival mode"The difference between prediction and reality in managing anxietyHow accountability can help create lasting changeWhy Dawn dish soap remains a teacher favoriteProfessional stain-removal resources worth bookmarkingThe surprising evolution of LinkedInWhy LinkedIn is the world's largest professional RolodexHow recruiters search for candidates in 2026Why teachers don't have a skills problem—they have a translation problemLinkedIn engagement strategies that actually matterHow to make your profile easier for employers to understand    Resources Mentioned Teacher in Transition Podcast Episode 19: LinkedIn and So Much More  https://www.buzzsprout.com/277608/episodes/14703125 LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com American Cleaning Institute Stain Removal Guide:  https://www.cleaninginstitute.org The Spruce Stain Removal Guide:  https://www.thespruce.com Keywords Teacher Career Change, Teacher Burnout, Career Transition for Teachers, Teacher Resume Help, LinkedIn for Teachers, Teacher Career Coach, Teacher Transferable Skills, Teacher Job Search, Teacher Networking, Teacher Career Coaching, Resume Writing, LinkedIn Profile Optimization, Teacher Career Change Podcast, Education to Corporate, Career Transition Strategy, Professional Networking   Support the Podcast If you enjoy this independent podcast, please consider: sharing the episode with a teacher friendleaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotifysupporting the show financially starting at just $3/month Support Teachers in Transition    Connect with Vanessa Jackson 💌 Email: Vanessa@teachersintransition.com📱 Call or Text: 512-640-9099📅 Book a Free Discovery Call: teachersintransition.com/calendar🧭 LinkedIn: 🔗 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social📸 Instagram & Threads: @teachers.in.transition👍 Facebook: Teachers in Transition🐦 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategyBottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzsprout   Support the show

    22 min
  2. May 27

    Locked Doors and Other Nonsense in May | Why Teachers Are So Tired

    Send us Fan Mail This week on Teachers in Transition, Vanessa Jackson explores the exhaustion that comes from navigating modern educational systems — from locked doors and “performative safety” to Teacher Incentive Allotment frustrations, burnout, networking, and why so many teachers feel emotionally depleted by May. What begins as a bizarre experience trying to enter a secured school campus turns into a broader conversation about hypervigilance, bureaucratic friction, teacher burnout, career transition, and the hidden emotional cost of constant monitoring and compliance. Vanessa also discusses the Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), the growing frustration surrounding how those funds are distributed, and why highly accomplished educators often underestimate the sophistication of their own transferable skills. And yes… this week’s Teacher Hack is simple, rebellious, and probably necessary: Go take a nap. In This Episode Locked school doors and “performative safety”Why teachers are exhausted in MayHypervigilance and nervous system fatigue“Move forward, take fire”Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) frustrationsWhy teachers underestimate their professional valueNetworking as the “inside key” to career transitionWhy relationships matter more than online applications aloneRest as resistance to burnout    Mentioned in This Episode A Night at the Opera The Marx Brothers comedy routine referenced in the episode:  “Two Hard-Boiled Eggs” scene from A Night at the Opera “Move Forward, Take Fire” Taken from the book Dear Madam President: An Open Letter to the Women Who Will Run the World by Jennifer Palmieri Teacher Incentive Allotment (Texas) Official Texas Education Agency information:  Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) Information View the letter sent to a teacher about their TIA here O*NET Online Career research and transferable skills exploration:  O*NET Online Career Transition Reminder Teachers already possess highly transferable skills: communicationleadershipcrisis managementorganizationrelationship buildingproject coordinationtraining and developmentadaptabilitystrategic thinking    Sometimes the problem isn’t your ability. Sometimes the problem is simply that nobody has shown you where the side entrance is yet. Support the Podcast If you enjoy this scrappy little indie podcast, please consider: sharing the episode with a teacher friendleaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotifysupporting the show financially starting at just $3/month Support Teachers in Transition    Connect with Vanessa Jackson 💌 Email: Vanessa@teachersintransition.com📱 Call or Text: 512-640-9099📅 Book a Free Discovery Call: teachersintransition.com/calendar🧭 LinkedIn: 🔗 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social📸 Instagram & Threads: @teachers.in.transition👍 Facebook: Teachers in Transition🐦 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategyBottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzsprout Support the show

    24 min
  3. May 20

    The Job Search Equivalent of Taking the Back Roads and Saving Time

    Send us Fan Mail What do traffic jams, poker strategy, and applicant tracking systems have in common? More than you’d think. In this episode, Vanessa unpacks decision-making under uncertainty—why the “fastest” route isn’t always the best one, and how both life and job searches can punish us for not being able to predict the future. We talk GPS stress, Annie Duke’s poker-based decision framework, nervous system regulation (Maslow before Bloom, always), and a real-world job search story that proves something important: Humans still hire humans—even when algorithms try to pretend otherwise. In This Episode, We Cover Why GPS (and life) makes “best guesses,” not promises How teachers get stuck outcome-shaming themselves (“If it went badly, I must be wrong…”) What poker psychology teaches us about uncertainty and decision quality A Teacher Hack for protecting your nervous system: take the scenic route The truth about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and why resumes vanish A behind-the-scenes story of navigating hiring systems by reintroducing human connection How to spot culture red flags before you accept the job Why “optimized” doesn’t always mean “healthy”     Links Mentioned Jack Palance “one-armed push-ups” clip (referenced in episode): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGxL5AFzzMY Teachers in Transition podcast homepage: https://teachersintransition.buzzsprout.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565671792885 Website: https://TeachersinTransition.com  Optional: Support the Podcast 💙 Teachers in Transition is independently produced. If the show has helped you feel less alone or gain clarity, you now have the option to support the podcast for as little as $3/month. Support is completely optional and helps cover production costs so this resource can remain accessible. Whether you support financially, share with others, or simply keep listening, I’m grateful you’re here.    Support the podcast here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/277608/support Keywords  teacher burnout, leaving teaching, career transition, teacher skills, decision making, nervous system regulation, stress management, applicant tracking system, ATS, job search strategy, networking for introverts, teacher identity, life after teaching, educator mental health, transferable skills Connect with Vanessa Jackson 💌 Email: Vanessa@teachersintransition.com📱 Call or Text: 512-640-9099📅 Book a Free Discovery Call: teachersintransition.com/calendar🧭 LinkedIn: 🔗 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social📸 Instagram & Threads: @teachers.in.transition👍 Facebook: Teachers in Transition🐦 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategy  Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzsprout Support the show

    25 min
  4. May 13

    What Your Life Has Been Trying to Tell You: The Warning Signs Teachers Ignore

    Send us Fan Mail This week on Teachers in Transition, Vanessa Jackson explores the warning signs teachers learn to ignore — in our bodies, our stress levels, and our careers. What started as a routine dental cleaning turned into an unexpected root canal… and a much bigger realization about burnout, chronic stress, and how educators become experts at functioning while damaged. Vanessa shares the surprising moment her Garmin stress watch revealed that her body had been “keeping score” long before she consciously realized something was wrong. Then in the Career Transition & Job Search segment, Vanessa tackles a major modern job-search question: Do resumes still matter in the age of AI? Short answer: Yes.  But differently. In this episode: Why resumes still matter in an AI-driven job market How Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) filter resumes Why tailoring your resume matters more than ever How to use AI strategically without sounding fake Why LinkedIn is better for networking than passive “Easy Apply” applications The powerful framework:  “The job description is the question. Your resume is the answer.” This episode is part burnout conversation, part career strategy session, and part reminder that functioning is not the same thing as fine. Mentioned in This Episode Teachers in Transition Schedule a Discovery Call Find Your Bearings  Helpful Prompt: “Use this job description and tailor my master resume to meet this job description. Do not exaggerate my experience. Do not invent skills I don’t possess. Rewrite my experience using the language and priorities of the job description while maintaining honesty and accuracy.Connect with Vanessa Jackson 💌 Email: Vanessa@teachersintransition.com📱 Call or Text: 512-640-9099📅 Book a Free Discovery Call: teachersintransition.com/calendar🧭 LinkedIn: 🔗 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social📸 Instagram & Threads: @teachers.in.transition👍 Facebook: Teachers in Transition🐦 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategyFunctioning isn’t the same thing as fine.   Don’t ignore the warning lights just because you’ve learned how to drive with them on. The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzsprout Support the show

    21 min
  5. May 6

    Beyond Pizza & Puns: What Teachers Really Need This Appreciation Week

    Send us Fan Mail Teacher Appreciation Week is here… but what do teachers actually need? In this episode of Teachers in Transition, we go beyond pizza parties, jeans passes, and “heroes work here” posters to have a real conversation about appreciation vs. value. If you’ve ever felt seen for a week but stretched thin the rest of the year, this one is for you. We break down: Why “Teachers are heroes” can be both true and problematic The difference between appreciation, compensation, and real support How the Guilt Economy keeps teachers overextended The truth about teacher workload vs. the 2,080-hour “full-time” benchmark Why salary ≠ unlimited access to your time A hilarious (and useful) teacher duty hack that could save your sanity  Plus, Vanessa introduces a new tongue-in-cheek “Superhero Toolkit” for teachers—including the now-iconic Bracelets of Deflection, the Lasso of Constructive Honesty, and the Utility Belt of Prepared Responses.   If Teacher Appreciation Week feels a little bittersweet… this episode will help you understand why—and what to do about it. 🔑 Key Takeaways Appreciation is meaningful—but appreciation without support is incomplete Teachers are often expected to perform multiple roles beyond their job description The Guilt Economy uses emotion to extract unpaid labor “Salaried” does NOT mean unlimited work Many teachers exceed a traditional 2,080-hour workload in a compressed calendar Your skills absolutely transfer beyond the classroom  🚀 Career Transition Insight If you’ve ever thought: “I can’t afford to leave teaching” “My skills don’t transfer” “This is just how it is”  This episode challenges that thinking.  Teachers bring high-value skills like: leadership training & development project coordination operations management communication crisis response You are not “just a teacher.” You are highly skilled.   🔗 Resources & Mentions 🧠 Career research tool: https://www.onetonline.org 🎙️ Check out the back catalog of podcasts: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/277608/episodes❤️ Support the Podcast If this episode resonated with you: Follow the show Leave a rating & review (especially on Apple Podcasts!) Share this episode with a fellow educator You can even  support the show financially for as little as $3/month to help keep this independent podcast going.   👉 Support link is: https://www.buzzsprout.com/277608/support 🌟 Final Thought Appreciation is nice.  Support is nicer.Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form  The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzsprout Support the show

    24 min
  6. Apr 29

    The Testing Tax: Why Teachers Are So Tired Right Now

    Send us Fan Mail This week, Vanessa talks about a tax no one warns teachers about: the hidden toll of testing season. If you are extra tired right now, emotionally thin, strangely drained, or wondering why you still feel exhausted after a weekend, this episode is for you. She also shares a practical Teacher Hack for tired humans and explains why many educators who find this show are already in the Decide stage of career transition long before they realize it. In This Episode  The Testing Tax Standardized testing season often costs more than anyone admits. Teachers are asked to hold everything together while schedules shift, technology misbehaves, students feel pressure, and everyone pretends this is normal. Vanessa explores why that kind of hyper-vigilance creates a very real toll on your body, brain, and nervous system. Sometimes you are not lazy. You are taxed.  Teacher Hack: Fajita Surprise When you are bone-deep tired and cannot make one more decision, dinner needs to get simpler. Because simplification is not failure. It is strategy.  Career Transition: The Decide Stage Most people assume career change starts with resumes and job boards. Vanessa explains why many educators actually begin in the Decide stage first — the moment when you start noticing the cost of staying more clearly than you used to. Questions like: Why am I this tired every year?Why does every break feel like recovery instead of rest?Why do I keep saying “one more year”?Those are Decide-stage questions.  A Powerful Reminder You may be at the fork in the road called Decide. Good news: that is not a dead end. That is where you stop settling and start choosing the bigger life. Mentioned in This Episode Teachers in Transition — https://teachersintransition.comPodcast Home — https://teachersintransition.buzzsprout.comJim Gaffigan on “same ingredients, different meal” energy: Jim Gaffigan - Mexican Food (1996)Support the podcast directly through the Buzzsprout support link in the episode player. (youtube.com) Support the Show If this episode helped you, made you laugh, or made you feel a little less alone: Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyLeave a rating or reviewShare this episode with a fellow teacherKeep listeningWant to support this scrappy little indie podcast financially? You can do that for as little as $3/month through the support link in the show notes  Work With Vanessa If you know something needs to change but you are not sure what, Vanessa helps educators navigate that fork in the road. Visit Teachers in Transition at https://teachersintransition.com to learn more and book a conversation.  Share This Episode Know a teacher who is exhausted right now and wondering why? Send them this episode. Sometimes the kindest thing we can offer another educator is language for what they’re carrying.  The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzsprout Support the show

    22 min
  7. Apr 22

    You’re Not Starting Over: How Teachers Actually Transition Careers

    Send us Fan Mail If you’re a teacher thinking about leaving the classroom but feeling stuck because you “don’t know what you would do,” this episode is for you.     In this episode, Vanessa breaks down one of the biggest myths in career transition—that teachers don’t have transferable skills—and explains why the real issue isn’t a lack of skills… it’s a lack of visibility.   You’ll also get a simple, practical way to reconnect with your own story (and your strengths), plus a very real conversation about why networking—not just applying—is what actually gets you hired.   And yes… there’s even a little The West Wing reference in there for those of you who are fans.   What You’ll Learn Why teachers do have highly transferable skills (even if it doesn’t feel like it)The difference between a skills problem and a visibility problemHow your everyday classroom experience translates into corporate languageA simple “story-based” hack to uncover your strengthsWhy networking drives most job opportunitiesHow to start networking in a way that feels natural—not awkward  Teacher Hack of the Week  Reach out to someone you haven’t talked to in a while—no agenda, no job ask. Reconnect. Share stories. Laugh a little.  Reconnection is good for mental health.    Career Transition Insight: Networking, Networking, Networking If you take one thing from this episode, let it be this: Most jobs are not coming from online applications.  They’re coming from conversations. Networking isn’t about using people. It’s about: staying connectedhaving real conversationsand letting people know where you are and where you want to go  You already have a network. The shift is learning how to activate it. Start simple:  “Hey, I’m exploring something new—can I ask you a few questions?” That one sentence can open more doors than dozens of applications.   Ready to Take the Next Step? If you’re ready to start connecting the dots between your teaching experience and your next career:   👉 Book a free discovery call:  https://teachersintransition.com/calendar 👉 Learn more about SCOUT (the story-based skills tool):  https://teachersintransition.com 💛 Support the podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/277608/support   CONNECT WITH TEACHERS IN TRANSITION     Website: https://teachersintransition.com Email: Vanessa@Teachersintransition.com Leave a voicemail message! (512) 640-9099 Follow on Facebook: Teachers in Transition   Final Thought You’re not starting over. You’re translating. Top of Form   Bottom of Form  The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzsprout Support the show

    22 min
  8. Apr 15

    Should You Leave Teaching This Year? What to Know First

    Send us Fan Mail Teachers are more valuable than you’ve been told, and if you feel like you’ve lost your sparkle, it might not be you… it might just be the lighting.  This week, Vanessa shares a story about Llanite, one of the rarest rocks on Earth (found only near Llano, Texas), and why it’s the perfect metaphor for teachers whose skills have been overlooked for so long they’ve started to overlook themselves. You’ll also get a ridiculously simple grounding reset (no “wellness routine” required): step outside for 2–5 minutes and look up. When “Small Human meets Big Sky,” your nervous system settles and your perspective widens. Then we get practical about the big question that shows up during testing season/end-of-year chaos: “Is this the year I leave?” Vanessa explains why this is often the worst time to make the final decision and the best time to start preparing, because the rest of the working world does not run on a school calendar. In this episode: The Llanite lesson: rare value is easy to miss when it’s “always been there” Why teachers underestimate their own skills (and others do too) The fast grounding hack: change your environment, change your state Why constant evaluation can disconnect you from your own worth The guilt economy (“stay for the kids”) and why guilt is a terrible career strategy Vanessa’s transition framework: Decide → Clarify → Build → Refine → Attract Job search reality: it often takes 6–12 months, so planning matters Teacher Hack of the Week Go outside. Two minutes is enough to shift your breathing, your vision, and your brain. Change the lighting—then see what you notice.   Links to Resources Your one-stop link for the calendar, the podcast, and anything else: https://teachersintransition.com Ep. 290 (Fear, Burnout, and a Smarter Job Strategy): https://www.buzzsprout.com/277608/episodes/18785109     Support the podcast (optional, but always appreciated to offset production costs!): https://www.buzzsprout.com/277608/support Until next time… take a moment, look up at the sky, and remember: you are amazing.  CONNECT WITH TEACHERS IN TRANSITION  Website: https://teachersintransition.com Email: Vanessa@Teachersintransition.com Leave a voicemail message! (512) 640-9099 Follow on Facebook: Teachers in Transition  The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzsprout Support the show

    20 min
4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

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

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