Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa explores how the books we loved when we were young helped shape what we notice, value, question, and carry into adulthood AND how our own stories can help us write a better resume. From Erma Bombeck and Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple to Nancy Drew, The Boxcar Children, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, The Hunger Games, Divergent, and more, this episode looks at the “childhood bookshelf” as more than nostalgia. Those early stories may have taught us how to solve problems, recognize patterns, seek belonging, survive broken systems, resist being reduced to one role, and remember who we were before burnout took over. Vanessa also talks about reading with children and teens, the difference between censorship and conversation, and why the books young people choose can give us clues about what they are trying to understand. In the Career Transition and Job Search segment, Vanessa moves into resume basics for teachers leaving the classroom. She explains why a modern resume is not your whole life story, why skills should be shown through evidence-rich bullet points instead of a disconnected skills section, and how teachers can begin turning real classroom stories into quantifiable resume accomplishments. You’ll also hear about the “Everything Resume” — a master resume template that holds your stories, accomplishments, projects, leadership roles, certifications, data stories, communication wins, and more — so you have raw material ready when it is time to tailor a resume for a specific job posting. Episode highlights: Why childhood books may still hold clues about who we areHow Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z reading experiences shaped different kinds of courageWhy “stories matter” does not mean censorship is the answerHow rereading old favorites can help reconnect us with ourselvesWhy teachers need targeted resumes, not one perfect resume for every jobHow to turn teaching stories into resume bullet pointsWhy quantifiable resume metrics matterWhat an Everything Resume is and why teachers should build oneHow SCOUT helps Vanessa’s clients explore career direction and translate teaching experienceMentioned in this episode: Erma Bombeck — Aunt Erma’s Cope Book and other humor collections Carolyn Keene — Nancy Drew series Franklin W. Dixon — The Hardy Boys series Agatha Christie — Miss Marple mysteries Robert B. Parker — Spenser novels Gertrude Chandler Warner — The Boxcar Children series Ann M. Martin — The Baby-Sitters Club series Francine Pascal — Sweet Valley High series O. T. Nelson — The Girl Who Owned a City Roald Dahl — Matilda J. K. Rowling — Harry Potter series Rick Riordan — Percy Jackson and the Olympians series; Tres Navarre mysteries, including Big Red Tequila Stephenie Meyer — Twilight series Suzanne Collins — The Hunger Games series Veronica Roth — Divergent series James Dashner — The Maze Runner series Pittacus Lore — I Am Number Four / Lorien Legacies series Diana Gabaldon — Outlander series Kurt Vonnegut — Mother Night If this episode made you think of a book Vanessa forgot, come join the conversation and tell her. If this podcast supports you, encourages you, or helps you feel a little less alone in the transition process, please follow or subscribe, leave a review, or share the episode with a teacher friend who needs perspective, hope, and maybe a few more books. Learn more about Vanessa’s programs, workshops, and coaching options at https://TeachersinTransition.com 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
