How to Transition Out of Teaching

Working as a classroom teacher can be both incredible and beyond exhausting. If you feel like you’re ready for a change, it can feel overwhelming to know how to transition out of teaching. 

But don’t let that stop you! Let yourself get clear on what you want, then make a solid plan for when you’ll leave teaching and what your next career move might be. While it’s never easy to leave teaching for a new career, there are so many opportunities and alternative careers for teachers today.

Follow these tips to make a smooth transition from being a classroom teacher to the next phase in your career. 

How to Transition Out of Teaching in 4 Steps

Decide on a Timeline to Leave Teaching

It’s one thing to say we’re ready to leave the classroom. It’s another to actually do it. Hold yourself accountable by deciding on a timeline for your transition. You could decide to leave tomorrow, at the end of the school year, in three years, etc. The time frame matters less than sticking to whatever you decide. 

Once you lock in a date, you can start moving forward and figuring out how to transition out of teaching in a way that works for you. Instead of just thinking “someday,” you’ll be able to plan for the actual day that you’ll start the next chapter of your professional life. Having a concrete timeline is also a great way to keep yourself motivated and ensure you achieve your goal to leave teaching.

Make an Exit Plan (& Find Jobs for Teachers Who Leave Teaching)

If you have time before you leave the classroom, think about what you can do now to set yourself up for success. This is especially important if you’re planning to leave teaching for a new career.

For example, maybe you want to leave teaching at the end of the school year and then transition into instructional coaching. While you’re still teaching, you could offer to mentor a new teacher or take on a student teacher to build your coaching experience. Or let’s say you want to find work as a curriculum designer. While in the classroom, you could take on a few contract projects on the side. 

Though it can seem overwhelming to take on even more things when you’re already struggling with teacher burnout, gaining strategic experience now can set you up for future success in alternative careers for teachers.

Process Your Feelings About Leaving Teaching

When I decided to leave the classroom, I felt all the feels. I had been researching how to transition out of teaching for months. And I was excited to have more time to spend with my newborn. But I was also so sad to leave my students. I longed to find flexible jobs for teachers that were fulfilling, but worried I wouldn’t be able to. 

If you’re feeling like you’re ready to transition out of teaching, it’s completely normal to feel a wide range of emotions. If it feels right to you, give yourself time to grieve your former identity as a teacher. Or maybe you feel like popping champagne and celebrating. Whatever you’re feeling about your decision to leave the teaching profession, give yourself time to process what comes up for you. 

Boost Your Confidence

Trying new things is hard. That’s ok! Normalize feeling uncomfortable. Then focus on boosting your confidence. Figuring out how to transition out of teaching almost always comes down to confidence. 

Lean into all the amazing skills you have developed as a teacher. Get clear on what makes you unique and how you can best position your unique teaching expertise to land you the roles you desire. Remember that teachers are amazing at learning new things. Because you can learn anything, you truly can do anything. It just takes direction, perseverance, and the desire to make a difference. You’ve got this! 

How to Transition Out of Teaching More Confidently

One of the hardest parts about leaving teaching is that it can feel a little isolating. If you’re like many teachers, you probably dreamed about working in the classroom for years. You worked hard to earn an education degree and land a good teaching job. You probably also made many friendships and built strong support systems with other teachers in your school.

Now that you’re wondering how to transition out of teaching, you may be feeling like you need some extra support with this next step. That’s where our Educator Forever Network course and community come in. If you want to find flexible work beyond the classroom, the Beyond the Classroom course (part of the Network) and the inspiring community of the Network can help you get there.

Want to start your own education business? Join the Education Business Foundations Program to get the support you need.