Teachers in Transition: Career Change and Real Talk for Burned-Out Teachers
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
Episodes
Stop Saying “Someday” + Teacher Career Transition Tips from Knight and Day
Ever notice how “someday” sounds like a plan… until it becomes your excuse?
This week, I’m diving into the utterly bananas spy movie Knight and Day—and pulling out some surprisingly relevant lessons for teachers on the edge of burnout. Between Tom Cruise’s calm chaos and Cameron Diaz’s underestimated genius, there’s a message every teacher-in-tra...
Hey friend, this one's personal.
If you’ve ever said, “Maybe I’ll just stick it out one more year,” this episode is your invitation to something different. Not a lecture. Not a pitch. A real workshop. A pause. A chance to breathe.
In this short episode, I’m sharing:
- What I mean by the “Invisible Backpack” and why it keeps you stuck
- The truth about “just one more year” (hint: it’s still a decision)
- The 5Ps Fr...
What does a ridiculous comedy bout dodgeball have in common with the emotional rollercoaster of being a burned-out teacher? More than you think.
In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa uses Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story to explore the hidden truth behind teacher burnout, resilience, and identity loss. From flying wrenches and Globo Gym gaslighting to career pivots and Average Joe’s community, this metapho...
To Live Would Be an Awfully Big Adventure (Especially After Teaching)
In this heartfelt episode, we head to Neverland, but this isn’t just a nostalgia trip. It’s a wake-up call for teachers who feel like they’ve become someone they don’t recognize.
We unpack the 1991 film Hook and its surprising resonance for burned-out educators, creative souls, and those contemplating a career transition.
From the chilling mo...
What can a sci-fi comedy teach us about burnout, imposter syndrome, and teacher career transitions? A lot, actually. In this episode, Vanessa Jackson—former educator turned career transition coach—dives into Galaxy Quest to explore how pretending can lead to reality, why martyrdom in teaching needs to end, and how your “teacher skills” translate far beyond the classroom.
This episode is for every educator who’s ever fe...
What do stained glass, jousting, and Geoffrey Chaucer have to do with your next career move? More than you think.
In this episode, Vanessa uses A Knight’s Tale to explore what it means to reinvent yourself without erasing who you’ve been. From burnout to “changing your stars,” we break down how hope, identity, and real-world strategy (hello, skills gap analysis!) can guide you out of survival mode and into something th...
In episode of Teachers in Transition, career coach and former middle school teacher Vanessa Jackson uses the cult classic Groundhog Day as a metaphor for the emotional and professional loop so many educators feel stuck in. Vanessa dissects the 5 stages of grief not only as they appear in Bill Murray’s iconic time-loop comedy, but as they show up in the lives of teachers contemplating an exit from education.
Listeners ...
Teachers in Transition – Episode 260: What School of Life Teaches Us About Time, Teaching, and Taking the Leap
What if the best career advice came from a forgotten 2005 TV movie starring Ryan Reynolds in red Chucks?
In this episode, we unpack the under-the-radar gem School of Life—a story that holds unexpected wisdom about purpose, time, and finding joy in teaching.
- Why Mr. D’s lessons hit harder than any PD you’ve ...
What can a 2004 sci-fi film teach us about modern AI—and our careers? In this episode, Vanessa Jackson breaks down I, Robot, explores the Two Wolves metaphor, and reveals how teachers can use AI ethically to reclaim time, clarity, and direction offering real-life ways to work with AI instead of fearing it.
💡 Not sure what your next step should be? Start with the DECIDE Workshop.
👉 https://teachersintransition.c...
Your Job Search as a Goonies Adventure
This week, Vanessa dives into what The Goonies and your own nickname history can teach you about career pivots, found family, and the power of not doing it alone. If you’ve
In This Episode:
- Why some nicknames hit differently
- What the Goonies can teach us about teamwork, courage, and weirdness
- Thunderbolts as the grown-up, world-weary version of the same journey
- How to find y...
Episode Overview
In this episode, Vanessa explores How to Train Your Dragon through a powerful lens: not just as a fantasy adventure, but as a roadmap for reclaiming agency, curiosity, and purpose in career transitions. The conversation covers how Hiccup from a collection of children’s books to a live-action movie, themes of belongings, the Huge different between ‘couldn’t’ and ‘wouldn’t’, and finally some career trans...
This week on Teachers in Transition, we’re diving into one of Vanessa’s favorite underdog films—The Replacements—to explore what it really means to get a second chance. Spoiler: it’s not about parades or endorsement deals. It’s about the quiet, often-overlooked moments of greatness that shape who we are—and who we’re becoming.
Vanessa breaks down how this lighthearted football flick offers surprisingly deep insights on...
In this episode of Teachers in Transition, host Vanessa Jackson explores the heartwarming 2003 film Secondhand Lions and what it reveals about identity, respect, and rewriting your personal story. Through the lens of this quiet classic, Vanessa draws deep parallels between the character Walter’s journey and the experience of burned-out educators who are questioning their place in the classroom.
Vanessa encourages teach...
In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa Jackson welcomes Dr. Shaun Woodly, award-winning educator, speaker, and founder of Teach Hustle Inspire. Dr. Woodly dives deep into the science of behavior, explaining how classroom challenges are often misunderstood signals—not personal failures.
Together, they unpack:
· The five survival drives that fuel student behavior
· Why fear-based classroom manag...
In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa Jackson takes a fun dive into the 1987 movie The Secret of My Success, starring Michael J. Fox. Although it’s an 80s classic with some retro charm, the movie holds valuable lessons on networking, standing out, and navigating the grind of job hunting—lessons that can resonate deeply with teachers transitioning into new careers. Listen in as Vanessa breaks down key them...
In this buzz-tastic episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa explores what we can learn from bees about burnout, neglect, and leadership. She shares how long-term emotional neglect manifests for educators, how to begin reversing it with intentional self-care, and what transformation might look like when teachers are finally nourished the way they deserve.
You’ll also hear a practical, soul-nurturing hack for “sharpen...
In this empowering episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa delves into the transformative journey of recognizing and embracing your unique value, especially during career transitions. Drawing inspiration from Secretariat's legendary Triple Crown victory, we explore how traits perceived as different or even weird can be your greatest strengths. We also discuss the challenges teachers face in valuing their worth...
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...
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
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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