Step Away from the Classroom - Stories from Real Teachers Who Have Transitioned into New Careers

Elena Dickinson is a former teacher, current school psychologist, and now blogger with insights on how to leave the classroom for good. Originally from Houston, Elena started her career in education as a bilingual second grade teacher and worked in a Title 1 school for three years. She then worked in multiple school districts in the Houston area as a school psychologist employee and later launched her own business using her professional skill set. She has now also created her own blog titled “Elena Beatriz” to share insights on child development, motherhood, and so much more! Learn how Elena stepped away from the classroom and now works as a freelace school psychologist and blogger. Contact Elena Beatriz: Website: www.elenabeatriz.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/elena.schoolpsychmom/ Email: elenabeatrizblog@gmail.com Visit www.stepawayfromtheclassroom.com for more information, show notes, episode transcripts, and helpful career resources. Join our Step Away from the Classroom Facebook community to connect with other current and former teachers leveraging their skills to redefine and reimagine their work lives.

Dr. Kat Patrick now resides in her home state of Texas with her four children, all of whom have been homeschooled since birth. Since 2012, she has been running Dreaming Spires Home Learning, Inc., an American corporation that provides live, online courses for homeschooled teens all over the world. Before returning to Texas, she lived twenty years in England. Her background includes an MA and a teaching degree, both from the UK, while her PhD in literary history comes from University of Delaware. Alongside the four years of high school English she teaches for Dreaming Spires, she continues to grade the UK national English exams for teens. Her hobby is showing Toy Manchester Terriers, little black and tan dogs that are endangered worldwide. Learn how Kat stepped away from the classroom and created her own company delivering online courses to homeschooled teens. Contact Kat Patrick: Website: https://www.dreamingspireshomelearning.com/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/dreamingspireshomelearning IG: https://www.instagram.com/katpatrickonlinetutor/ Visit www.stepawayfromtheclassroom.com for more information, show notes, episode transcripts, and helpful career resources. Join our Step Away from the Classroom Facebook community to connect with other current and former teachers leveraging their skills to redefine and reimagine their work lives.

Kasey Hill is the founder of the financial literacy program called Growing Wealth From the Start. Kasey began her business when she was a stay-at-home mom. She decided to put her skills and experience in education, business, and finance into a family-focused financial program. Kasey wanted to develop a program focused on students having fun by exploring, experimenting, and developing positive ways to view finances in their lives. She networks with over 20 local businesses which open up their doors for students to explore the behind-the-scenes operations of business. Students not only build financial skills but communication and networking skills as well. Her unique program teaches hands-on, innovative, and creative methods in financial education. She teaches the importance of intention, philanthropy, creativity, teamwork, and community. Growing Wealth From the Start uses active learning and engages students using games, activities, technology, field trips, and discussion beyond the classroom. Kasey invites parents into the classroom as well as teaching parents how to continue to build on what their child has learned in class. Students leave with a plan for their money, confidence to build their skills in finance, and opportunities to support the community in which they live. Learn how Kasey stepped away from the classroom and into a position as a financial skills educator for kids. Visit www.stepawayfromtheclassroom.com for more information, show notes, episode transcripts, and helpful career resources. Join our Step Away from the Classroom Facebook community to connect with other current and former teachers leveraging their skills to redefine and reimagine their work lives.

Kristy Lash is a former teacher and certified athletic trainer. She graduated from Texas State University, San Marcos with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science in 2007. She worked as the head athletic trainer for an arena football team in Texas before moving back to Santa Barbara where she was born and raised. Kristy started a job at a local high school as an athletic trainer, caring for over 200 athletes each year. She was surprised at how much she enjoyed working at the high school level and pursued a teaching career. Kristy taught biology and anatomy/physiology for six years before making the tough decision to leave teaching and start the journey toward a nursing career. She will graduate in May of 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is hoping to work on the cardiac unit where she is currently employed and looking forward her future in nursing. Outside of work, Kristy enjoys hiking, travel, cooking, and family BBQs. Learn how Kristy stepped away from the classroom and into a position as a nurse. Visit www.stepawayfromtheclassroom.com for more information, show notes, episode transcripts, and helpful career resources. Join our Step Away from the Classroom Facebook community to connect with other current and former teachers leveraging their skills to redefine and reimagine their work lives.

In this inaugural episode, Lindsay Woodard shares her story of stepping away from the classroom three times during her twenty-year career as a classroom teachers. She shares the mission and goals of the Step Away from the Classroom podcast and offers hope and inspiration for teachers who would like transition into other careers, whether still in education or not. Visit www.stepawayfromtheclassroom.com for more information, show notes, episode transcripts, and helpful career resources. Join our Step Away from the Classroom Facebook community to connect with other current and former teachers leveraging their skills to redefine and reimagine their work lives.

Katie Quick, MA, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor, social emotional learning specialist, former classroom teacher, national speaker, and award-winning singer songwriter from Chicago. Learn how Katie stepped away from the classroom and into a position as an SEL specialist as well as how she founded Revolution Ed, a teacher support and advocacy organization. Visit www.stepawayfromtheclassroom.com for more information, show notes, episode transcripts, and helpful career resources. Join our Step Away from the Classroom Facebook community to connect with other current and former teachers leveraging their skills to redefine and reimagine their work lives.

Paula Holsberry is the founder and CEO of Tessera Virtual Business Solutions. She is dedicated to helping business owners grow their business by offering customized systems strategy and business management. Learn how Paula stepped away from the classroom and into a position as a virtual assistant and ultimately a business consultant. Visit www.stepawayfromtheclassroom.com for more information, show notes, episode transcripts, and helpful career resources. Join our Step Away from the Classroom Facebook community to connect with other current and former teachers leveraging their skills to redefine and reimagine their work lives.