Teachers in Transition

Teachers in Transition

"Teachers in Transition" offers advice, counsel, and information about teacher burnout, stress, and management strategies for teachers (or anyone feeling stressed and overwhelmed) along with career advice for those who want to leave the teaching profession. After leaving education, Vanessa Jackson worked in the IT staffing industry helping place candidates into jobs. Now she specializes in working with burnt-out teachers as a compassionate Career Transition and Job Search Coach. In addition to helping with career transition and job search strategies, Vanessa also holds certifications in nutrition coaching and personal training., and is almost finished with a certification in Sleep, Stress, and Recovery. Learn more about about Vanessa at https://teachersintransition.com. #careersforteachers #teachersintransition #careerchange #jobsearchforteachers #jobsearch #jobhuntingtips #careertransition

Episodes

May 7, 2025 25 mins

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In this episode, Vanessa talks with Jenny Long - former teacher turned professional artist.  Jenny details her journey from Covid to Long Covid through the grief of leaving teaching and how she has found a career she can love that meets her current needs.  Jenny talks about the process through which she learned and art, developed the infrastructure for the business side of things, and shares how the business has grown...

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In this episode, Vanessa talks with Ryan Hennessey about his journey out of the classroom, through self-discovery, and into entrepreneurship.  Ryan does adventure retreats, wellness coaching, and still does some math and science tutoring in collaborative sessions through his multi-faceted company. 

Connect with Ryan!

·         Check out his Substack at @IAmRyanHennessey

·         Navigate to his website and see what he o...

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Feeling buried in classroom chaos? In this episode, Vanessa tackles the teacher hoard, shares a clever space-creating hack, and breaks down how to spot toxic job red flags before saying yes to your next gig. It’s part spring cleaning, part soul-saving truth-telling. Take a breath, clear some space, and tune in.


 Episode Highlights:
Vanessa’s back (pollen and all!) with a three-part episode to help teachers fe...

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Feeling stuck in your career transition during this economic dumpster fire? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m breaking down five toxic myths that are holding job seekers—especially teachers and mid-career professionals—hostage in a broken system.

We’ll talk about:

  • Why now is still a good time to pivot
  • How “overqualified” is code for “we don’t know what to do with your brilliance”
  • Alternatives to the traditional 9...
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Feeling overwhelmed? You're not alone. In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa shares practical tools to combat stress, avoid burnout, and build your future—one pause at a time. Learn how to manage your energy, set boundaries, and prepare for career moves during uncertain times. Plus, don’t miss the announcement of two FREE workshops: one on resume writing (May 3) and one on optimizing your LinkedIn pr...

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This is just a quick update to let everyone know that we are moving our drop day from Saturday to Wednesday.   
 
 Also, mark those calendars!  On May 3rd, Vanessa will host a Resume Workshop and on May the 4th, she’ll host a workshop on LinkedIn Optimization.  Both workshops will be 2:00PM central and are absolutely free to attend!

Connect with Vanessa

                Vanessa@TeachersinTransition.com

           ...

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In this episode of Teachers in Transition, host Vanessa Jackson explores the concept of branching out rather than narrowing focus in career transitions. She reflects on how traditional education once encouraged broad exploration, whereas today’s systems push students toward early specialization. Vanessa emphasizes the importance of rediscovering curiosity, exploring new interests, and allowing career transitions to un...

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In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa Jackson dives into the challenges of gaslighting in the classroom, how unchecked behavior can escalate, and why teachers should trust their instincts. She also shares a powerful mindset shift: scheduling fun to avoid burnout and maintain well-being. Finally, Vanessa uses a gardening analogy to explore the patience required in a job search, emphasizing preparation, per...

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In this episode of Teachers in Transition, host Vanessa Jackson shares a humorous and insightful story about navigating mishaps as a musician—specifically, how a well-intentioned plan to play Handel’s Messiah on the organ went hilariously off the rails due to an unexpected tech glitch. With laughter and grace, Vanessa reminds listeners that when things go wrong in public, sometimes the best approach is to step back, a...

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In this episode of Teachers in Transition, host Vanessa Jackson explores the inspiring lessons we can learn from the Iditarod and how they relate to leadership, trust, and resilience—both in and out of the classroom. Vanessa reflects on the crucial role of lead dogs in a sled team and connects their responsibilities to the challenges faced by teachers navigating career transitions. She also discusses an exciting new f...

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In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa Jackson explores the themes of creativity, resilience, and unconventional problem-solving using cars as a metaphor for teamwork and thinking outside the box.

Vanessa also discusses the reality of career success, highlighting that it’s rarely a straight path. She emphasizes the importance of adapting to change, recognizing one’s value, and making small but impactful adj...

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In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa Jackson explores the power of perspective, resilience, and community in navigating the stress and overwhelm that comes with teaching—especially for those contemplating a career change.

She begins with a powerful story about how helping others can instantly boost our mood, sharing a real-life experience of lending a hand and seeing the positive impact firsthand. Then, s...

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In this episode, Vanessa talks with Donna King from 360BalanceLiving about her transformation and leap of faith in entrepreneurship.  Donna helps women in middle-age and beyond to feel good about themselves again through good food choices, movement, and working towards mental health.  Donna shares  how she works with her clients to accomplish that and has a great check-up tool for our listeners to see how they are doi...

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In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa Jackson explores the mindset of optimism and pessimism, how these perspectives shape our decisions, and how they influence career transitions. With a mix of humor, self-reflection, and insightful analysis, she shares personal anecdotes about her own tendencies, from hoarding supplies and skills to embracing lifelong learning.

Vanessa begins by discussing the nature of ...

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This week, Vanessa focuses on managing stress, understanding the impact of yelling, and keeping up with evolving resume trends. Designed for educators transitioning to new career paths, this episode provides actionable insights and practical tips.

In Our Segment on Stress Management: 

  •  Vanessa talks about how yelling, whether literal or metaphorical, can activate stress responses such as fight, flight, freeze, or fa...
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In the segment on stress management, Vanessa starts with a quote by Thich Nhat Hanh, using the metaphor of a leaf's journey to emphasize resilience, adaptability, and interconnectedness. We are leaves on the wind. 
 
 Our hack today is all about how phoning a friend can make things better using basic math principles. 

And in the segment on career transition and job search, Vanessa explores entrepreneurship...

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In this episode, Vanessa explores the top transferable skills that teachers already possess, making them highly competitive for jobs in 2025. These skills include emotional intelligence (EQ), data literacy, adaptability, project management, strong communication, and problem-solving. Vanessa explains how these abilities align with various career paths outside of education, such as project management, instructional desi...

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In this podcast episode, Vanessa mixes of storytelling, sci-fi references, and actionable advice to emphasize the transformative power of discomfort in personal and professional development. Inspired by Michael Easter’s quote, “Do not go too comfortably into 2025,” She shares actionable strategies and personal stories that demonstrate how stepping outside our comfort zones leads to meaningful growth.

Vanessa underscore...

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In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa Jackson reflects on the often underestimated impact educators have on their students and communities, even when the recognition doesn't come immediately. She shares a personal story of reconnecting with a former student, realizing the lasting effect her teaching had – even when it wasn’t best teaching. Vanessa encourages teachers to recognize their contributions ...

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Vanessa explores the fascinating philosophical question of identity through the lens of the Ship of Theseus, connecting it to modern-day concepts like biological renewal, trauma's lingering effects, and societal perceptions. Drawing on inspiration from Gretchen Rubin's "Little Happier" segment and Marvel's WandaVision, Vanessa argues that identity evolves while retaining its essence. She furth...

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