Get Out of Teaching Podcast Season 3, Episode 3 Mary (An Explorer of a World Outside of Teaching)

After completing a degree in Environmental Science, Mary worked in a variety of jobs. Her love of travelling took her to South Korea where she worked as an English teacher. When she came back, she studied and became a primary school teacher. For the last fifteen years Mary has been teaching and in particular loved working with students from a refugee background where she felt, she truly made a difference.

Mary decided to get out of teaching because she felt the nature of teaching was changing from a community environment to a competitive one. As a teacher she felt devalued, deflated, defeated, demoralised, ‘de –everything’.

In January, Mary discovered Elizabeth’s podcasts and was inspired by listening to teacher’s stories and their journey into other careers. She is at the beginning of her coaching with Elizabeth and is working as a casual teacher while she discovers a world of other opportunities. 

Aired on April 7th  2021

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Transcript

Elizabeth Diacos  0:00  

Welcome to Season 3 of the Get Out of Teaching Podcast. I'm your host, Elizabeth Diacos. In each episode of this season, I'll be coaching a teacher around one aspect of their move out of Education, you'll have the privilege of listening in on the powerful coaching conversations that move people closer to a life they love. So come along for the ride as we get out of teaching. 

Episode 3. 

Hi, everyone, and welcome to the show. And I'm very pleased to have on today's show, Mary, who is from Sydney, Australia. Thanks for coming on the podcast today, Mary.

Mary    0:37  

Thank you for having me.

Elizabeth Diacos  0:40  

Mary, maybe you could just explain a little bit of your background and how we met. And then we'll, we'll get into the coaching call.

Mary    0:48  

Okay. Well, I came into teaching about 15 years ago, and I actually had other jobs before that, and came into it sort of by accident after teaching in South Korea for a year. And.... but I've been unhappy for about 10 years, I'd say, and well I haven't done anything about, I've thought about it, I've looked up jobs at the end of the year about it,  like what to do other than teaching, but I, I was in it, and it was hard to get out. So I found a group on Facebook called Get Out of Teaching. And I actually joined them back in April last year. But then got, you know, got, you know, in the life of school and forgot about it again, until the school holidays, or summer holidays just passed. 

And finally, I saw Elizabeth, you were on a live chat and realized that you had podcasts. So I went to listen to those podcasts about teachers getting out of teaching, and then and how they succeeded. And how, you know, I saw I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, basically, and I, you know, thought, "Okay, you do transition coaching, I should just get on board, why not have to give it a go? I have to do it now. Now I have to do what I've been thinking about it for 10 years." So I just called you up. And I thought you know what, let's do it. And we hit it off really well. I was like, this is something I have to do. Otherwise, I'll have regrets. I've been waiting too long. And I haven't had any regrets since. 

Elizabeth Diacos  2:15  

Oh, wow. We were talking about it just before we started recording it. You're one of only two people who've ever called me out of the blue on my mobile number. And so I was like, I don't even know this number. And, but I'm very brave. And I always answer it even if I don't know the, if I don't recognize the number. So I was delighted to find that it was someone who was actually not just looking to get out of teaching, but was you know, a bit of a fan as well. So that was pretty cool. So now we're actually working together. And I've invited some of my clients to come on the show as a, as a kind of a given example of what a coaching conversation could be like. 

And I've asked Mary to come up with a question or issue that - well, I told her it needs to be able to be resolved in 20 minutes, and I have a feeling we might not be able to do that entirely today, but we're gonna have a good crack at it. So do you want to tell us what your, your, your issue that you've brought to the table is today, Mary? 

Mary    3:17  

Okay, well, I'm, I've started looking at all the job websites, the job seeking websites to have an idea i'm looking in sort of a advocacy role. Whether it be me starting up my own business or something, or maybe doing something part time in an advocacy role, whether it be with children with, with people in hospital, I'm not really sure. But I had a look online, just on two websites, and I found it overwhelming. I found that it was taking a lot of my time. I didn't know where to go, I sort of was lost in, in the world of the job seeking website, and not knowing and sort of being a bit like, I don't know just where do I start? Where do I go? I don't know. I feel like I'm getting sidetracked here. 

So yeah, that's basically it. Just where do you start? I mean, I know all I know, is that what I don't want to do, and I know I want to work with people and in some sort of advocacy role. But yeah, you can find it overwhelmed. I found it overwhelming when I started looking at jobs. So I don't know what what steps to take. So I don't feel that way. And then I'm just going "Oh no, that is too much."

Elizabeth Diacos  4:24  

So the issue isn't that there's no jobs out there. The issue is that you're, you're feeling overwhelmed by the wealth of choice. Is that right? Or the possibilities?

Mary    4:38  

Yeah, the possibilities. And can I do this? Can I see myself doing this? I don't know. I look at the job descriptions and I'm not sure. I don't you know, which, do I start, I want to be thinking of starting my own business. I don't know. That's why I like... I think that's why I've got the back of my head. "I can do this on my own. I can build something up." Or shall I just take baby steps and just do another job for now? I don't. I mean, I'm doing three days now casual work teaching, not contractors day to day. And I'm willing to give that up if I found something, found something that was really interesting. And I could always go back. So I'm going to take that risk, I don't have to set like, I really don't know, I don't know where to start. I've sort of started but I feel lost in that world. The issue is, the issue is getting lost in the world of job seeking.

Elizabeth Diacos  5:31  

Okay, so it sounds like there's this real sense of overwhelm. And you're, there are lots of possible options. But it's, it seems to me that what you're saying is, you're worried that if you take one of these jobs, you might end up hating it as much as what you hate your current job? Is that, am I, is that part of the concern? 

Mary    5:54  

Not really. I'm not really worried, because I feel like I can leave. Like, now I feel like I've got that courage because I've lived teaching to leave. So it's not that it's not worried about it, it's just, I don't know, I suppose there are too many possibilities. And I don't know where to start. Like I don't, I'm not worried about starting in job and not liking it, and then leaving, because I think that might be part of the journey, which I've discovered through listening to other people. I'm not worried about that. I just don't know where to start, like, I know, my skills, communication, you know, working with people, all of that. We have all the transferable skills, but I just, you know I want to do an advocate advocacy role. I just, I don't know, I don't know, if I should just start straight to try to create my own thing. Or do a job? And then see?

Elizabeth Diacos  6:45  

Would you feel like you could, if you were going to do your own thing, what would that look like?

Mary    6:51  

Well, I was thinking of something like advocating for patients who come out of hospital, get them, like if someone has gone through a trauma, physical or mental health trauma. And just to follow up on that. I mean, I know as myself, I've had issues, I've had to look for groups on Facebook, when I've had health issues, and connect with them, but help those people connect with. Whether it be a psychologist and other you know, group that, you know, that's gone through the same thing, another person, what they can do, whether it be nutrition, I don't know, that's one of my ideas. 

Elizabeth Diacos  7:31  

Okay. 

Mary    7:32  

To advocate for people coming out of hospital, linking them up with different services. Same thing, maybe with, I was thinking also working with people with disabilities, and how they get lost in the NDIS world as well. Something like that. I don't know if it already exists. So that's what I was looking online for.

Elizabeth Diacos  7:53  

Is that the kind of job like, say, for the patient one, is that the kind of thing that hospitals would normally provide? That kind of service?

Mary    8:02  

I had a look and some of them are like nurses and social workers. I had a quick look at that. But it seems to be while they're in the hospital, more so than when they're out of the hospital. 

Elizabeth Diacos  8:14  

Yeah. Okay. 

Mary    8:15  

So I don't feel like that. I don't know. I mean, I haven't had a really, really good look. But what I've seen so far.

Elizabeth Diacos  8:21  

And I wonder if, maybe if health insurance companies, because they want to make sure that people get back to work.

Mary    8:30  

Yes. 

Elizabeth Diacos  8:31  

That they all would like income protection, maybe. So in that insurance sector, maybe they have that kind of role, because they want people to get back into the workforce. And if they're not being looked after, as they leave hospital after you know, something's happened to them, it might be that they need support to get, you know, back on track. I wonder if they'd be roles with a company, you know, insurance or health.

Mary    8:55  

Rehabilitation, or something like they do for WorkCover? I know they have that for WorkCover - people rehabilitation or, I guess, mediate someone to link them up with psychologists and things like that. But it's more. I don't know, I really don't know. It's...

Elizabeth Diacos  8:56  

So, it would work. Like if you looked for jobs with WorkCover, and you found something would that interest you at least to invest?

Mary    8:58  

Maybe, maybe I'll have a look at that. I'll just write that down. Also, like I enjoyed working in my job. As a teacher, I worked a lot with refugee children. This is what I mean, I'm getting pulled in different directions. I work with refugee children. And I enjoyed that. And I, and if I could advocate in some way or help in some way with refugees, not just children, even parents or the refugee community, I have worked in that sort of environment before even teaching I worked in an, I have worked in nonprofit organization.

Elizabeth Diacos  9:52  

Right. And you said, would you consider going back into the nonprofit, not for profit sector?

Mary    9:58  

Yes. I really, at the time, when I did it, I did, I did enjoy it. Yes, I would look at I looked at pro bono job, I think pro bono jobs Australia and ethical jobs Australia to look at jobs like that. That's what I mean, I keep getting distracted, I should I do this? Should I do that? Should I just start with one thing, and then have a look and apply? Maybe even for a part time job or like, if it's really that great, full time job? I'm not sure. I'm really not sure. I mean, I have a lot of interest. That's the thing as well. (Laughs)

Elizabeth Diacos  10:36  

So it sounds like what you're kind of caught up now in this indecision. And then, and then because of that, because of the choices, you're not taking any action. So I'm going to give you some homework.

Mary    10:49  

Okay. I've got my pen and paper ready.

Elizabeth Diacos  10:52  

Like, so you and I are going to be on a call again in a few days time.

Mary    10:56  

Yes, yes.

Elizabeth Diacos  10:56  

Because you're part of my group coaching program. So I'm going to say to you, your homework, and I know it's the weekend coming up, and it might not be the best funnest way to spend the weekend. But your homework is to write an application for two jobs. I was gonna say three, but you've actually only got two days. So, I'm gonna make it two.

Mary    11:16  

Oh my God.

Elizabeth Diacos  11:18  

I'll say let's say two, and I know you're working on Monday. So...

Mary    11:21  

My resume is not up to date at all.

Elizabeth Diacos  11:25  

That's okay. Don't worry about your resume, write the application. Because even if you don't end up using it, it'll probably be useful for something else. Even if it's not, even if you decide to set up your own business, the language of the application will be helpful for your publicity or something else, you're going to use this, this, these words. Okay, so it won't be wasted. But part of the, I talked to lots of people about overcoming fear. And part of the best way to overcome fear is to take the action that you're afraid of. Because once you like, when I first started my very first zoom call, I was petrified. I'm like, "Oh my gosh, I don't know how to work all this software." This is pre-COVID, well before COVID, so no one, you know, it wasn't common.

And then I had to do my first group call. And I was like, "Oh my gosh, I don't know how to set up a group call. I don't know what to do." You know, panic, panic. The more I do it, the less hassle it is now I'm like, "Okay, what else have you got world? I can take anything," because I'm, I'm getting used to take facing challenges and taking action and overcoming them. And the only way to do that is to just do it. And so you've got the added bonus, and I'm here going "Yay, go Mary! You can do this!" You know, I'm your cheerleader. And I know that you're perfectly capable of writing a job application. And I, my first application for teaching took me 16 hours to write. 

By the time I was ready to go, I could knock one out in 45 minutes. Like because I was trying to get jobs in other schools as well before I left because I just wanted to get out of the environment I was in. And actually one one time, I got a call from someone saying we've got a position that you might be interested in, could you send us a resume and a cover letter, and I actually had to wait about half an hour, so that they didn't know how fast I could get it ready, because I had all the work. You know, I had all these paragraphs and I've just cut, paste, cut, paste, and it was done in a few minutes. And I waited longer than it took me just because so they didn't think that I just thrown together in five minutes. 

Because I was so ready to leave. I had all that information at my fingertips. So, how long do you reckon it would take you to write an application for one of those jobs? If they got...

Mary    13:58  

I really don't know because I haven't written a job application except for teaching in, you know, a while I've only done, you know, expressions of interest for teaching jobs.

Elizabeth Diacos  14:06  

Yeah. 

Mary    14:06  

But I haven't you know, I could say I haven't written application for over 15 years. Like I haven't, you know, I did all the time before. That's a funny thing. Like I've had other jobs that I've gotten them and before that I...

Elizabeth Diacos  14:20  

I have you got, I guess you probably don't have them on a computer or anything?

Mary    14:24  

No, I don't. I don't have them on me now actually. But no, I don't have to go and dig up in my old, my old folder with all the... like, I've only got job jobs, applications for teaching. 

Elizabeth Diacos  14:42  

Okay. Let's start with those because that still got a lot of stuff, you know, in there. It's got to load information that that might, you know, cross across, go across nicely. And then you can you know, if you had to tweak it a little bit, but if you don't start you're never going to get a job because the only way you're going to get another job is to either someone offers it to you out of the blue, you create one for yourself, or you apply for one and get an interview. And you promised, I promise you, you won't get an interview if you don't apply for the job.

Mary    15:15  

So I mean, I don't know which jobs to apply for, that's the problem, just pick any.

Elizabeth Diacos  15:20  

Well pick one that you think you might want to do, obviously, then maybe find something around advocacy for kids or refugees, something that feels a bit familiar, that you you've done that work before, and just start.

Mary    15:37  

Okay. All right, I think...

Elizabeth Diacos  15:39  

It's not fun is it? I can tell that you're not excited. 

Mary    15:41  

On my face. Ah. 

Elizabeth Diacos  15:43  

But that's okay. I, I'm not asking you to be excited. I'm saying push yourself now. Because otherwise, in a year's time, nothing will have changed.

Mary    15:54  

You're right. And I've tried looking before to do a resume. And like, you know, a few years back, I tried fixing a resume and I went to a friend who's really good at writing jobs. But the problem was, I didn't know what to write for. I didn't know like, how to do the resume because I didn't know what I was applying for. And the way that she was writing a resume was different to the way that I was taught to write a resume for, for a school.

Elizabeth Diacos  16:22  

So part of the difficulty with actually writing a resume is that until you've got the job in, you can't tailor it. And so like I did an interview, actually, on the podcast about this. So the person I interviewed Courtney was saying that she helps people write a resume, but only when they've got a job that they're applying for. Because otherwise it's, it's not that helpful, you know. 

Mary    16:48  

Yes, yes.

Elizabeth Diacos  16:49  

And you really do need to tailor it or have, have a few different ones that are that are ready to go that you could tweak a little bit for, for a particular job. And leave out, change with the breeze, and that kind of stuff.

Mary    17:03  

Yes. And so you're like, ah, you should write an application before you do the resume?

Elizabeth Diacos  17:11  

I would. Yeah. Because then you, you know, what you're writing to and what you're, you know, what are their criteria, what are they sort of looking for what they're interested in? And then you can... take stuff, it's usually taking stuff out, isn't it out of your resume, the things that are irrelevant, or that are not going to serve you? I mean, I don't put you know that I used to work in a bakery when I was 15.

Mary    17:34  

(Laughs) 

Elizabeth Diacos  17:35  

On my resume because it's just not relevant. But if I was going to get a bakery job, or if I was going to get a job in hospitality, and they said, "Have you had any experience?" "Well, actually, yes, I have in the food services industry." And so even though it was you know, 100 years ago, but at least I know what it is, you know, so I'm not planning to do that. So I don't know, probably never gonna use that. And also, I don't think my referees are around anymore. But, but, you know, I think that the biggest hurdle here is, is just getting started. It's like, you know, when you're, I can't think of the it's, it's inertia, when you're, when you're stationary, it takes a lot more force to get you -

Like, if you've got to pull out a car out of the mud, and the cars stuck there. You got to exert a lot of force to dislodge it from the mud and get it rolling. But once it's rolling, it's easy to pull it along. So where you are right now is like you're you're stuck in that place of inertia. And the force that's required to, to start motion is much greater than it will be once you started.

Mary    18:48  

Yeah, I get it. I get it. Yeah.

Elizabeth Diacos  18:50  

And so that second application might only take you six hours. And this one might take you three, and then the fourth one might take you two, and then you know you'll get quicker and quicker at it. 

Mary    19:01  

Yeah.

Elizabeth Diacos  19:02  

You might even get an interview as well. That'll be fun. 

Mary    19:05  

That's another thing.

Elizabeth Diacos  19:06  

And if you get an interview, you'll know that your applications a good one, and it's got your point. The other thing I do when, well I haven't had to do it for a while now, but when I was trying to get out I, I would ring people beforehand and say, "Look, I'm thinking of applying for this position. This is my background. What do you think? Do you think it's worth me applying?" 

Mary    19:29  

Okay.

Elizabeth Diacos  19:30  

And then that that does two things, it tells you a little bit of information about the company because they usually tell you something along in that conversation. And it also you get a sense of do they actually need a new person from outside of the organization? Or have they already got somebody in the role who's going to be reapplying and it's already their job. And so, I would even ask that question, "Do you already? Is there someone already in this role, who will be reapplying?" You can ask it like that. And if they say something like, "Oh, we do, but but you know, feel free to apply," you can kind of go, "Okay, they're getting that job." 

But if they say, "There has been someone in the role but we are actively looking for, you know, some new some new people in our organization," then that says, "Well, maybe they're about to retire, or maybe they they're not happy with them" or whatever. And so you've got to read between the lines a little bit in those conversations, and then, yeah, then you can. And then the other advantage is that, once you've had that conversation, and ask, "Who should I address the application to?" if it doesn't tell you on the on the, you know, the criteria list? You can, you've got a connection there in the organization, someone who will advocate for you, when the application comes in, you've already met them. 

So I, for instance, I applied for a job, it was with an organization that helped kids who come out of foster care. And when they were 18, and they provided a sort of a halfway house for them, so that they could then, you know, get their own accommodation and find a job and all that sort of stuff, when they were, you know, between 18 and 21. When they're still really not, you know, fully, you know, they're still little fledglings, you know, they're not ready quite to leave the nest, but the foster care system doesn't allow for them to stay longer, or at least, I'm not sure exactly how it works. But in any case, there were there was a situation where people needed support. 

And I thought, "Wow, that would be a great fit for me, because that's the age that my kids are at. And I'm kind of familiar with that process of what, how to help them." But anyway, I didn't end up getting the job. But I'd had such a lovely conversation with the guy who was, you know, the who was the headhunter for that particular role. He actually called me back and explained to me why I didn't get the job. He said, "You know, I'm really grateful for your application, we were actually looking for a social worker for that role. And it wasn't quite what we needed. But I just wanted to say, thank you so much for applying. And, you know, I really wish you every success." 

And I just, I mean, that was almost as good as actually getting the job for me, because it was a lovely interaction. And it was so gracious from, from him. And, and very thoughtful, you know, I'm really pleased that I'd had that conversation with him. And I, you know, in another in another world, we could have actually made colleagues or friends. So I just think it's worth it. It's, every time I've done it, I've got an interview.

Mary    22:43  

Wow, okay.

Elizabeth Diacos  22:45  

So it's definitely worth it. If you actually want the job, I think it's worthwhile, it means you have to put yourself out there a little bit. And that can be a bit scary. But you know, you're gonna go and get a new job anyway. So you're going to have to meet these people at some point. 

Mary    22:58  

Yup, yeah.

Elizabeth Diacos  22:58  

And if you're worried about that conversation, write yourself a little script, you know, say, you know, "Hi, I'm Mary. I'm considering applying for this position," etc, you know. And so that way, it takes away some of the anxiety around having that, you know, cold call, which is what it is. So, what do you get from that?

Mary    23:24  

No, that's, that's good advice. That's good. I'll just, I'll try, I'll try to. I dunno if I'll do by this weekend. I'll try my best to do at least one by this weekend. But I'm...

Elizabeth Diacos  23:34  

In the past, Mary when you've had a situation like this where you've had to overcome a hurdle, or you're feeling like you, you're embarking on something new. And it's a bit scary for you, how have you managed that yourself? What, what, what strategies do you employ to get yourself through that?

Mary    23:52  

I remember what I've done in the past, then I can do it, that I just that I've done it before. And I can do it now. Because I've had other jobs or other situations where I've gotten myself out of, and, yeah, this that will give me the confidence to think, you know, I've been I mean, I was a beginning teacher, but I've also had other jobs. I mean, I, you know, I was at the start of something and I, you know, got over it, I got the confidence and managed to survive and keep reminding myself I lived overseas and I went you know, I didn't know that the language when I went to South Korea and know what I was I wasn't even a teacher and I taught English. 

So I overcame the fear and did it, just did it. Like you said, once you just do it, you know, you'd learn on your feet. Pretty much. And that gives you confidence. So I just have to go back into my past that the stronger Mary and be less I think I was more fearless when I was younger. I think I told the group that before. I mean, just try and if I don't fail, just keep going. If I fail get up, try again. And it doesn't matter. I'll get there eventually.

Elizabeth Diacos  25:04  

Yeah.

Mary    25:05  

I've done it in the past, I can do it now. And I'm in and I'm started like, I've started doing it. So I'm on my...

Elizabeth Diacos  25:13  

You have. You've already, you've already knocked back a, an ongoing contract. 

Mary    25:18  

Yes. 

Elizabeth Diacos  25:18  

Because you knew that it wasn't going to be a good location for you. And you knew that it wasn't actually what you wanted out of your life anymore. That's a great transitional step, because it's already your you've got to take on the fear of all that. "What if I don't get enough work" and all the rest of the, you know, the things that, that jump into your head when you're taking a risk. So you're already a risk taker.

Mary    25:44  

Yeah. 

Elizabeth Diacos  25:45  

Now, you just gonna go one more step and apply for another job.

Mary    25:49  

Yeah, yeah. No. And I've, I feel like it should be I mean, I know I can do it, is just trying to sort out the muddle in my head. And because I haven't done it for so long, I haven't applied for a non teaching job for such a long time. But I have had the advantage that I have had other jobs before teaching. Now I've had lots of different experiences. And I can, I can take that. Not just my teaching job, but also that experience.

Elizabeth Diacos  26:19  

You also don't need to start completely from scratch, there's lots of sample applications on the internet, like, hundreds. 

Mary    26:28  

Yeah. 

Elizabeth Diacos  26:29  

So you could, you know, you could look at those and get some ideas from those. But I think it's just that first step. So maybe write a cover letter first. That's easy, right? 

Mary    26:39  

Yes. 

Elizabeth Diacos  26:40  

If they ask for that, or if there's one criteria that that you think, "Oh actually I do know how to answer that one." Start with that one. Because it'll boost your confidence. 

Mary    26:49  

Yes, yes. 

Elizabeth Diacos  26:49  

Then you'll be able to keep going.

Mary    26:52  

No, no, that sounds good. That sounds good. But one thing that's at the back of my mind is that I mean, I also have ideas of starting something new. So do I pursue that? Or do I just? I don't know, do I research that? Or? I don't know.

Elizabeth Diacos  27:09  

Well, you could do both? 

Mary    27:12  

Yeah, well, I could do both. You're right, I can do both.

Elizabeth Diacos  27:15  

I mean, I started out, I was coaching high school kids. And then I realized, well, this is a tough gig, I have to convince the kid and their parents to work. 

Mary    27:24  

(Laughs)

Elizabeth Diacos  27:27  

That's two sales, that I didn't really want to have to do and also then I discovered the kids didn't really want to, they wanted me to do the work for them. And I that was not what I signed up for. So then I started working with some academics. So I people who are doing post grad studies and to help them write manage their time and stuff. And someone said to me, "Why aren't you working with teachers?" And I'm like, "Yeah, actually, it is a really good fit for me." So I didn't just jump straight into what I'm doing now. I had this, you know, and because I didn't really know when I left, what I was going to do next, I just knew I was going to get out. You know, it took me a little while to kind of work, work out what I should do next.

Mary    28:09  

And I think that's the I think that's the problem with not just me, but a lot of teachers, they don't know what they want to do next. And so they get this and then and then all that, you know, just the job requires so much mental and physical energy, it drains you that you don't even have the time or energy to think of what you can do. So you get stuck in it. 

Elizabeth Diacos  28:31  

Yeah. 

Mary    28:31  

So like me, I got stuck with an extra 10 years.

Elizabeth Diacos  28:35  

10 years is a long time when you could potentially solve it just by applying for a job.

Yes, you're right, you're right, you're right. Just like when you put it like that, it just sounds so simple. But when you're in the, you know, in the mixed muddle, muddle of it all, it's hard. 

Mm.

Mary    28:55  

But I think like I have to remind myself that I have taken that one step of getting out. I'm doing casualty thing, I'm not in contracts, I don't have to stay back there to go to any professional learning things, just get it, you know, finish the day and leave it and do the other day is spent thinking about what I want to do. So that's a good start for me.

Elizabeth Diacos  29:18  

So you've actually got, you've got time because you're not giving everything you've got to your teaching role. 

Mary    29:25  

That's right.

Elizabeth Diacos  29:25  

So spend an hour or an hour and a half in the afternoon after work, even though you might be tired. I actually, actually used to do it in the morning, like to get up in the morning while I was still fresh, because I'm just generally nicer in the mornings. And I would do it then. And in fact, sometimes I would go in early to work and sit it in the art room with my computer facing so that no one could see like what I was actually working on. And I'd be writing job applications while you know, the principal would walk past and the deputy would walk past. I was actually writing applications for a job at another school. 

That was when I was trying to just change schools, so that was kind of my pathway, I tried to change schools, that didn't work. And then I, you know, eventually I got a job in the nonprofit sector like you, I worked for refugee service. And then I worked for Teach for Australia for a short contract filling in for someone. And then at the end of that contract, I said to my husband, "Even if I don't get another contract renewed, I still would rather just leave teaching, I don't want to go back to my teaching job." And he said, "Oh, yes, please stop whining. Just don't go back." So you know, it wasn't just a jump out for me either. It took me a little while to kind of find my path. 

So I think that's pretty normal. And, and it pays to I mean, it's great that you've got, you still got a job, you still gonna income. You're not desperate, you've got time, you can breathe. 

Mary    30:52  

Yes.

Elizabeth Diacos  30:53  

But if you if you really do want to get out like this, this episode will go to air in early April. April 2022, where would you love to be?

Mary    31:02  

I would have to be doing a job where I just feel I have more independence. You know, freeing my mind of stress. I'm not afraid of working hard, but just, you know, having a life outside of work. I think we discussed it the other day on the call, the ideal day, for me would be being able to have time with my family and friends, time for myself, and also time to do a job that I enjoy. Where I can, where I'm not trapped between halls, and alarms and bells, and whatever you may call it, music. Just, you know, my days being different. A different day, not necessarily a different place. But you know, having, doing different things. Yeah, just meeting different people. Because that's my ideal day. 

And I think I'm kind of, you know, I can envision it now. I can see that day, I can see that day where, and I'm starting that already now by just having more time for myself, like doing casual work, I've allowed myself to meet up with friends after work, and go for a walk the other day, I went for a walk with a friend after school, and then we had dinner. In the past, I wouldn't have that time. Maybe the next day, or you know, staying back and had you know, just getting home to having no energy. So I have started that life already. Not a complete picture of that life yet, but I'm getting there. So I am happy. Like I am happy with that. My life has changed a bit even though I'm still doing casual teaching.

Elizabeth Diacos  32:43  

Yeah, good. So what I'm hearing is that we need to look at, when you're looking at those jobs and the possibilities for those jobs. 

Mary    32:54  

Yes. 

Elizabeth Diacos  32:55  

Which one is going to be most closely aligned to that?

Mary    32:59  

Yes, I'll have to write that down. That's a good point. I'm gonna write that's a good one. Firstly, aligned to my ideal day. 

Elizabeth Diacos  33:09  

Yes. 

Mary    33:12  

Yeah, that's actually really important that I keep that in mind. Because I don't want work to take overtake my mind and my energy. Life is not just work. Life is other things. And suppose the more you get older, you realize that as people pass on, and you know, that are close to you, you realize that you want to spend time, quality time thinking about other things, not just work.

Elizabeth Diacos  33:40  

Right? Well, we might wrap it up there, that was a perfect night. And thanks so much for your your willingness to share your story today, Mary and also for your, for your willingness to, you know, have that coaching process happen in a kind of public forum, I really appreciate that.

Mary    33:57  

You are more than welcome. And it's been great. And I'm so excited for like, and for my future. And it's been it's been exciting so far, and a real learning experience, which is still you know, I'm sure there's a lot more to come. So I'm, thank you for giving me this opportunity as well. I think it's a really good experience, but not just me. And hopefully for other teachers out there who wanted to want to give it a go. Get out.

Elizabeth Diacos  34:24  

Just want to say a big thank you to Mary for plucking up her courage. She was pretty nervous about doing that, that call today. And and I just wanted to thank her because we spoke afterwards. And she said how she had felt really hesitant to do it, but that she knew the benefit that she'd gained herself from listening in on the podcast. And I think we ended it beautifully that she's she's going to test every opportunity against that ideal day. And I think that's a really great beginning on working out your exit strategy. So I hope you've all found that helpful as well. And I look forward to seeing you again on the next show, take care.

If this is the kind of conversation you'd like to have, here's some ways we can make that happen. You can connect with me via my website, larksong.com.au or join the Get Out of Teaching Facebook group, or send me a message. You don't need to stay stuck in a job that makes you miserable. I offer a free 10 minute triage call to people who are ready to explore possibilities for the future, so let's have a chat. You've been listening to the Get Out of Teaching podcast please share it with your teacher buddies and for show notes and other resources visit larksong.com.au/podcast

Transcribed by https://otter.ai