#108: The Messy Middle: How Christina’s Faith Carried Her Through a Career Breaking Point

#108: The Messy Middle: How Christina’s Faith Carried Her Through a Career Breaking Point

After years of navigating an incredibly challenging classroom environment, Christina Howard reached a moment where everything came to a halt—physically, emotionally, and professionally.  After enduring some incredibly heavy moments during her teaching career, Christina reached a point where she knew she needed a different path forward.  But what came next wasn’t a clear plan or an easy transition. It was uncertainty, fear, and a decision to keep moving forward one step at a time.  In this powerful Messy Middle conversation, Christina shares how her faith became the foundation that carried her through one of the hardest seasons of her life and how she began rebuilding from the ground up.  We talk about:  ✨ What it looks like to reach a true breaking point in your career  ✨ How to take action when you don’t know what’s next  ✨ The unexpected opportunities that can change everything  ✨ Why your skills are more transferable than you think ✨ And how faith, support, and resilience can help you keep moving forward   If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to take that next step…  This episode will remind you that you don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward.  Sometimes, you just need the courage to take the next step and something to lean on along the way.  Links from Episode:  » Connect with Christina:  www.linkedin.com/in/christina-e-howard [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-e-howard]  » Check out Christina's Book:  https://a.co/d/02QKRF6b [https://a.co/d/02QKRF6b]  » Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey. [https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/masterclass-registration] » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy [https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/home3] » Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/learnworld/?mibextid=oMANbw] » Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers. [http://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/directory] » “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-classroom/id1741667553], scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. » Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-classroom/id1741667553]!

#107: Why Your Job Search Might Feel So Draining

Does your job search feel emotionally exhausting lately? In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m talking about why career transitions can feel so mentally and emotionally draining for teachers—and what you can do to make the process feel more manageable. We’ll talk about:  * Why job searching can trigger overwhelm and burnout   * The emotional weight of rejection and uncertainty   * How overapplying can actually make you feel more stuck   * The hidden pressure teachers put on themselves during a transition   * Why structure and focus matter more than constant hustle   * Practical ways to protect your energy while still making progress   If you’ve been feeling discouraged, mentally exhausted, or like your transition is taking longer than expected, this episode will remind you that you’re not failing—you’re navigating a major life transition.  Links from Episode: » Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey. [https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/masterclass-registration] » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy [https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/home3] » Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/learnworld/?mibextid=oMANbw] » Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers. [http://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/directory] » “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-classroom/id1741667553], scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. » Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-classroom/id1741667553]!

#106: You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out Yet

Do you feel stuck because you still don’t know exactly what career you want after teaching?  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m talking about one of the biggest things keeping teachers stuck during a career transition: the belief that you need complete clarity and confidence before you can move forward.  We’ll talk about:  * Why uncertainty is a normal part of career transitions   * The pressure teachers put on themselves to “figure it all out”   * How perfectionism creates paralysis   * Why confidence often comes after action—not before   * The difference between needing certainty vs. needing direction   * How to build momentum even when you don’t have all the answers yet   If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by too many options, afraid of making the “wrong” choice, or frustrated that you still don’t have your future perfectly mapped out… this episode is for you.  Links from Episode: » Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey. [https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/masterclass-registration] » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy [https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/home3] » Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/learnworld/?mibextid=oMANbw] » Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers. [http://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/directory] » “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-classroom/id1741667553], scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. » Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-classroom/id1741667553]!

#105: From Teacher to Prison Educator with Samantha Laca

After 10 years teaching elementary school, Samantha Laca reached a breaking point. Like many educators, she loved teaching—but she no longer felt safe, supported, or able to focus on what she entered the profession to do. Increasing behavioral challenges, safety concerns, and growing frustration with the traditional school environment led her to explore an unexpected alternative. Today, Samantha works as an Adult Education Teacher inside a California correctional facility, helping incarcerated adults improve their literacy skills, prepare for the GED, and build opportunities for a different future. In this fascinating conversation, Teacher Career Transition Academy team member Meagan Johnson sits down with Samantha to discuss what prison education actually looks like and why she says she's safer, happier, and healthier than she was teaching elementary school. Together, they discuss: * Why Samantha decided it was time to leave the traditional classroom * How she discovered prison education as a career option * What a typical day looks like teaching incarcerated adults * Safety, work-life balance, and salary expectations * How her teaching skills transferred to this unique setting * The hiring process and requirements for prison education jobs * Why this role helped her rediscover her love of teaching Whether prison education is a path you'd consider for yourself or not, this episode is a powerful reminder that there are teaching opportunities beyond the traditional classroom—and sometimes the most fulfilling careers are the ones we never expected. Links from Episode: » Join our FREE Virtual Summit June 13th: https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/teacher-transition-career-event [https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/teacher-transition-career-event] » Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey. [https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/masterclass-registration] » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy [https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/home3] » Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/learnworld/?mibextid=oMANbw] » Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers. [http://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/directory] » “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-classroom/id1741667553], scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. » Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-classroom/id1741667553]!

#104: The 5 Things I’d Focus On If I Were Transitioning This Summer

Feeling overwhelmed by everything you could be doing this summer for your career transition?  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m breaking down the 5 things I would focus on if I were transitioning out of teaching this summer—without trying to do everything at once or burning out in the process.  We’ll talk about:  * Why career clarity should come before mass applying   * How to start positioning your teaching experience differently   * The biggest mistake teachers make with resumes and LinkedIn   * Why networking matters more than most teachers realize   * How to make progress without turning summer into another full-time job   * Practical ways to avoid overwhelm and stay focused   If you’ve been feeling pressure to “figure everything out” before the next school year starts, this episode will help you slow down, refocus, and move forward more strategically.  Links from Episode: » Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey. [https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/masterclass-registration] » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy [https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/home3] » Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/learnworld/?mibextid=oMANbw] » Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers. [http://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/directory] » “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-classroom/id1741667553], scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. » Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-classroom/id1741667553]!