The Adventures After Teaching Podcast
Episodes
117 episodes
Making a Difference in a Different Way: Life as a Learner Success Coach
"I can't continue like this where my entire identity is wrapped up in being a teacher." After nearly 18 years in primary education, Rhonda had known for a while that something needed to change. She still loved teaching - it...
Slowing Down to Speed Up: A New Chapter in the Heritage Sector
"There are lots of jobs out there for people with the skills that we have as very experienced teachers." After 30 years in teaching - working across EYFS, KS1, forest school leadership and running pre-schools - Anne had lov...
Ready for Something New: Leaving Teaching Well
"I wouldn’t have known how to even get going.”After 15 years teaching reception Hannah loved the job but found herself craving a new challenge. Ready for a breath of fresh air, she just didn’t know what that next step might look...
Off the Indecision Roundabout: A New Life in Learning and Development
"I can have an impact on hundreds (of children) through the teachers I train and develop." After seven years in teaching - including several as Head of Maths - Becca reached a familiar tipping point: a passion that had quie...
The Penny-Drop Moment: Realising You Don't Have to Be a Teacher
"It's really hopeful, it's really positive - and it's so much better than teaching." After 11 years in the same secondary school - training as an RE teacher before moving through humanities and eventually leading PSHE - R...
Two Loves, One Role: From Classroom to the Creative Industries
After years as a primary class teacher and PE leader, Lauren knew it was time to leave. The decision came down to her health and wellbeing, and stepping away from teaching meant stepping into real uncertainty - trying different things, juggling...
The Grief and the Relief: From Classroom to L&D Adviser
"Two emotions can exist at the same time. The grief can exist with the relief."Bex went into teaching straight out of university with her identity firmly attached to it. Quickly finding the environment ‘all-consuming’ and ‘energ...
"You've Got Your Confidence Back": Life as a Learning Designer
"I don't think I would have been out of teaching by now had I not joined.”After 20 years in the classroom - 13 in secondary and 7 in primary - Steph had reached a point where she was really ready for a change. She felt stuck, an...
Lost, Not Broken: Finding Your Way Out of the Classroom
"I just think you're not trapped. You have options." Kate left teaching after 23 years in the secondary English classroom - not with a plan, but with the certainty that something had to change. Long-term supply work gave he...
Finding Purpose After Burnout: Head of Programmes & Impact
"Once I'd made that decision, I just felt like a weight had been lifted."After 13 years in primary education - taking on the roles of phase leader, assistant head, and eventually acting head - Iain hit a wall. The workload becam...
"All The Stars Aligning": Civil Service Project Support Officer for UEFA Euro 2028
"I feel like a nicer partner, a nicer mum, a better friend." After 17 years teaching PE at the same school, Lucy had begun to feel the weight of an environment she describes as an "exams factory" - constantly performing, ...
"They're Already Investing in Me": Finding a Role That Values Your Growth
"I don’t miss the school holidays."After 25 years in the classroom, the last several as Head of Health and Social Care, Jessica reached a point of burnout and knew she no longer wanted to teach. A Google search led her to the Ad...
On Your Own Terms: Finding Flexibility and Family Time After Teaching
" 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...
Choosing Yourself: Loving and Leaving Teaching
"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 part...
Reclaiming Flexibility: Building a Business on Your Own Terms
“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 continu...
Breaking Through Burnout: A Headteacher's Journey to Charity Leadership
"I definitely wouldn't have got there as quickly as I did without the support from the Academy.”After 18 years as a headteacher and over 30 years working in education, Kate found herself struggling with mental health and burnout...
Full Circle: Rebuilding a Career on Your Own Terms
"Don't be afraid to speak up and negotiate your terms."Former Deputy Head and SENDCO Catherine left a role she loved when burnout, wearing too many hats, and increasing expectations became unsustainable. Despite her specialised ...
You Haven't Missed the Boat: Career Change at Any Stage
“For the first time in my life I was very unsure about where I was headed and what I could do differently to teaching because I'd been doing it for so long.”Hannah, a primary school teacher for nine years, left the classroom see...
Quality Time Over Crisis Management: Escaping the Stress Cycle
"There is another side, and it's life-changing."Former Head of School, Sarah spent 13 years in teaching before deciding to listen to her inner voice and pivot towards a completely different path.Now an Employer Engagement...
Laying the Groundwork: Why Starting Early Matters in Career Transition
“I do not feel that sheer tiredness that I did when I was finishing a school day.”Former Early Years Teacher Tina spent 13 years in the classroom, working as both an Early Years Lead and Forest School Lead, before making the dec...
Finding Presence Beyond the Classroom in a Programme Officer Role
"Life is far too short."Former primary school teacher Emma spent 10 years in the classroom before making the leap to a Programme Officer role at a university. While she knew early on teaching wasn't her "forever career," the dec...
Taking Back Evenings: Autonomy and Purpose in a Grants Officer Role
“It’s the best feeling when you’ve made that decision … it took a weight off my shoulders when I said ‘I’m gonna do this.’”Former primary school teacher Barbara spent 12 years in the classroom, mostly teaching years five and six...
From Burnout to Balance: Life as an Employability Team Leader
"There is light at the end of the tunnel."Former secondary school French teacher in Scotland, Laura left the profession after five years, having experienced burnout due to staffing crises and increasing workload pressures. As th...
From Teaching to Curriculum Writing: A Journey Made Together
The right role at the right time for the right people.Two former primary teachers, Emma and Victoria, share their inspiring journey of leaving the classroom together - though they'd never met before! After teaching for 12 years ...
Community, Confidence and Career Change: Moving into Project Management
"I've never had so many people literally bending over backwards to support me with anything that I want to do." Former secondary science teacher Jen left the profession after 23 years, feeling lonely and lost about what to ...