The Adventures After Teaching Podcast
Episodes
110 episodes
"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 ...
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway: Finding Balance as an Apprenticeship Coach
"If all these people are able to get jobs, I'm able to get a job."Former teacher Rich had been in the profession for a long time when the stress and lack of sleep began taking a physical toll. Despite working at a school he love...
From Classroom to Consultancy: Still Making an Impact
"I definitely felt loaded with more tools and belief in myself."Secondary English teacher and Head of KS3, Camilla left teaching a few years ago, seeking different ways to make an impact outside of the classroom whilst still taking the b...
Overcoming the Anxiety of 'What's Next?'
“I just knew that I had to make that change.”In a supportive school but with her own changing priorities, Primary and Early Years Teacher Georgia was tired of missing out on quality family time and feeling exhausted by the demands of tea...
Getting Your Life Back: New Possibilities After Maternity Leave
“If they can do it, I can do it.”Former Primary Deputy Head Natalie was on her second maternity leave when she decided to explore her career options outside of teaching. With creeping anxiety about returning to work and worries about not...
Lots to Love in a New Career: Exploring Transferable Skills for Product Management
“It’s about the right role at the right time.”After spending 14 years teaching mostly in Further Education, Head of Faculty Gareth left the classroom to pursue new opportunities. Whilst he found his time in education both valuable and en...
A World of Difference: The Journey to a Community Education Role
This week, we hear from the wonderful Selini, a former primary school teacher who has made an inspiring transition to become a Community Education Coordinator for a large international charity. Selini shares her journey out of the classroom and...
A New Pace in the Civil Service: Challenge, Enjoyment and Opportunity
“What’s the worst that could happen?”Former Primary Headteacher Adam, loved the job but wanted to move on before he reached the point of burnout. Securing an interesting ‘lifeboat job’, he quickly realised how valuable his skills could b...