" The biggest change for me is just noticing how much more energy I have for my children."

Former teacher John-Paul reached a turning point during a difficult first term following a job move and the birth of his daughter. Knowing something had to change, he sought support from those around him and found the Adventures After Teaching community, giving him that reassurance that he wasn't alone in how he was feeling.

Now a Bursar for an organisation he'd known for years, John-Paul is managing a Grade II listed estate, overseeing a significant budget and building strong relationships with contractors - all with the flexibility and autonomy to make the role work for his family life.

In this episode, we also talk about:

• The value of a community that ‘gets it’
• Using transferable skills to frame your experience
• Finding opportunities in your own network
• The variety in the day-to-day role of a bursar
• Budget management for teachers without financial experience
• Relationship-building and working as part of a small team
• Work-life balance and flexible, autonomous working
• Persisting through the knockbacks
• Top tips for teachers moving into operations roles

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom!

Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨

"We underestimate how brilliant we are as teachers."

Former primary teacher Rachel left the classroom when work-related stress began affecting her physical health. Despite loving the classroom, the long exhausting days and a particularly challenging final year made her decision clearer. After leaving at the end of August without a job lined up, Rachel took time to decompress before securing her current position.

Now Head of Communities and Development at a charity, Rachel is enjoying the benefits of hybrid working and using her teaching skills in fundraising and development whilst finally experiencing what it's like to leave work on time. She's regained her evenings and weekends, and no longer feels that dreaded "Monday morning sick feeling."

In this episode, we also talk about:

• Prioritising health as a catalyst for career change
• Colleague reactions to handing in your notice
• Taking time to recover before job searching
• The power of a skills-based CV
• Transitioning teaching skills to fundraising
• The importance of community support from people who "get it"
• Timescales to exit the classroom
• Finding roles that align with your values
• Top tips for teachers considering the charity sector

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom!

Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨

“Everything I put in, I know I’m building something.”

Sarah had always admired entrepreneurs but never imagined starting a business of her very own. After years in teaching and reaching a point where she knew she couldn't continue full-time in the classroom, she discovered Adventures After Teaching and found her path to becoming a Virtual Assistant (VA).

Now running her own VA business part-time alongside teaching, Sarah is enjoying the freedom to be her own boss, cherry-pick the creative work she loves, and build a future with genuine excitement - all while reclaiming some of the flexibility that teaching never offered.

In this episode, we also talk about:

• Building a VA business alongside teaching
• Setting boundaries and choosing your priorities
• The variety of work that VAs can do
• The power of community support from other transitioning teachers
• Acquiring your first client through conversation
• Overcoming imposter syndrome when starting a business
• The "can do attitude" teachers bring to VA work
• Financial planning and identifying your must-haves
• Top tips for teachers considering working for themselves

Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨