Putting the ‘Life’ Back into Work-Life Balance Artwork

The Adventures After Teaching Podcast

Sharing inspirational stories from teachers who have chosen to walk away from classroom to successfully transition to a new career. Advice, tips and ideas for exhausted teachers who know there's a difference between "giving up" and "having had enough". Join me to explore all things teacher burnout, career and business coaching and get plenty of ideas for your very own adventure after teaching.

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The Adventures After Teaching Podcast

Putting the ‘Life’ Back into Work-Life Balance

April 01, 2025 • Joanne Howard • Season 5 • Episode 7

“It was fantastic until it wasn’t so fantastic anymore”

Primary Deputy Head Giselle took a lot of positives from her teaching career, spending 23 years working in the same school with a “lovely team and a lovely community”. But, as a self-confessed people-pleaser, she eventually found herself wearing too many hats and, with increasing classroom commitments, the workload became unsustainable.

Now an Operations Manager and Employability Lead for a CIC (Community Interest Company), Giselle is experiencing joy and fulfillment once again in this education-adjacent role. Enjoying relaxed mornings, time-freedom, and new opportunities for development in her unicorn role, she’s feeling like “a weight’s been lifted.”

In this episode, we also cover:

Ripping off the bandaid through decision-making
Reflecting on career achievements, strengths and skills
Staying open-minded about new opportunities
The importance of calling about a role before applying
Completing a video application
“The nerves were gone” - preparing for an interview
Escaping free-time guilt
Top tips for operations roles
Term-time holiday plans!
A blossoming CV 🌺

Links:

1. Sign up for ‘Stay or Go?’ 2025

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 successfully you leave the classroom!