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. 10h ago

    #107: Why Your Job Search Might Feel So Draining

    Does your job search feel emotionally exhausting lately?In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m talking about why career transitions can feel so mentally and emotionally draining for teachers—and what you can do to make the process feel more manageable. We’ll talk about:  Why job searching can trigger overwhelm and burnout  The emotional weight of rejection and uncertainty  How overapplying can actually make you feel more stuck  The hidden pressure teachers put on themselves during a transition  Why structure and focus matter more than constant hustle  Practical ways to protect your energy while still making progress  If you’ve been feeling discouraged, mentally exhausted, or like your transition is taking longer than expected, this episode will remind you that you’re not failing—you’re navigating a major life 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!

    12 min

  2. Jun 9

    #106: You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out Yet

    Do you feel stuck because you still don’t know exactly what career you want after teaching?  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m talking about one of the biggest things keeping teachers stuck during a career transition: the belief that you need complete clarity and confidence before you can move forward.  We’ll talk about:  Why uncertainty is a normal part of career transitions  The pressure teachers put on themselves to “figure it all out”  How perfectionism creates paralysis  Why confidence often comes after action—not before  The difference between needing certainty vs. needing direction  How to build momentum even when you don’t have all the answers yet  If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by too many options, afraid of making the “wrong” choice, or frustrated that you still don’t have your future perfectly mapped out… 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!

    11 min

  3. Jun 8

    #105: From Teacher to Prison Educator with Samantha Laca

    After 10 years teaching elementary school, Samantha Laca reached a breaking point.Like many educators, she loved teaching—but she no longer felt safe, supported, or able to focus on what she entered the profession to do. Increasing behavioral challenges, safety concerns, and growing frustration with the traditional school environment led her to explore an unexpected alternative. Today, Samantha works as an Adult Education Teacher inside a California correctional facility, helping incarcerated adults improve their literacy skills, prepare for the GED, and build opportunities for a different future. In this fascinating conversation, Teacher Career Transition Academy team member Meagan Johnson sits down with Samantha to discuss what prison education actually looks like and why she says she's safer, happier, and healthier than she was teaching elementary school. Together, they discuss: Why Samantha decided it was time to leave the traditional classroomHow she discovered prison education as a career optionWhat a typical day looks like teaching incarcerated adultsSafety, work-life balance, and salary expectationsHow her teaching skills transferred to this unique settingThe hiring process and requirements for prison education jobsWhy this role helped her rediscover her love of teachingWhether prison education is a path you'd consider for yourself or not, this episode is a powerful reminder that there are teaching opportunities beyond the traditional classroom—and sometimes the most fulfilling careers are the ones we never expected. Links from Episode:» Join our FREE Virtual Summit June 13th: https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/teacher-transition-career-event» 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!

    1h 18m

  4. May 26

    #104: The 5 Things I’d Focus On If I Were Transitioning This Summer

    Feeling overwhelmed by everything you could be doing this summer for your career transition?  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m breaking down the 5 things I would focus on if I were transitioning out of teaching this summer—without trying to do everything at once or burning out in the process.  We’ll talk about:  Why career clarity should come before mass applying  How to start positioning your teaching experience differently  The biggest mistake teachers make with resumes and LinkedIn  Why networking matters more than most teachers realize  How to make progress without turning summer into another full-time job  Practical ways to avoid overwhelm and stay focused  If you’ve been feeling pressure to “figure everything out” before the next school year starts, this episode will help you slow down, refocus, and move forward more strategically.  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!

    13 min

  5. May 19

    #103: Your Summer Career Transition Plan (Without Burning Yourself Out)

    Summer can feel like your one chance to finally “figure out” your career transition…but what if putting that much pressure on yourself is actually making the process harder?  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding talks about how to create a summer transition plan that helps you move forward without turning your summer into another season of burnout. She shares practical advice for balancing career momentum with intentional rest, recovery, and clarity—especially for teachers who are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or stuck.  You’ll learn:  Why summer can be a powerful season for career transition  The biggest mistakes teachers make during summer break  What actually moves the needle in a transition  Why clarity matters more than frantic job applications  How to balance progress with rest and recovery  A simple framework to help you focus your summer intentionally  If you’ve been feeling pressure to “fix your whole life” before August, this episode will help you take a deep breath, reset your expectations, and create a more realistic path 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!

    15 min

  6. May 12

    #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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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4.8
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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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