From the Classroom to Parks & Rec: A Life After the Bell Story

Episode 3: From the Classroom to Radiology

In Episode 3 of Life After the Bell, I sit down with Ron, a former high school art teacher who spent nine years in the classroom before making a complete 180 into the medical field. After funding cuts, pay reductions, and burnout pushed him to a breaking point, Ron made the bold decision to walk away from teaching and enroll in his local community college’s radiology program in his 40s. Today, he works in X-ray at a hospital, earns nearly three times his former teacher's salary, works four days a week, and finally has the work-life balance he once thought was impossible. But this conversation is not about bashing teaching. Ron still misses the classroom deeply. He talks honestly about the emotional toll of leaving, the guilt, the identity shift, and what it feels like to trade purpose for stability. He also shares practical advice for teachers who feel stuck and cannot see a path forward. If you have ever loved teaching but questioned whether you can afford to stay, this episode will resonate. Former teachers. New careers. Real stories.

Episode 2: From the Classroom to Insurance Claims | Spencer’s Story

In this episode of Life After the Bell, I sit down with Spencer to talk about his transition from the classroom to a career in insurance claims. We talk honestly about what led him to step away from teaching, the fears that come with making a career change, and what it’s really like starting over in a completely different industry. Spencer shares what surprised him most about the insurance world, the teaching skills that still serve him today, and the lessons he learned along the way. If you’re a current or former educator wondering what else might be out there, this conversation is for you. Former teachers. New careers. One story at a time.

From the Classroom to Parks & Rec: A Life After the Bell Story

Katlyn shares her journey from teaching to Parks and Recreation, including the challenges of leaving education and why she now wishes she had made the transition sooner. A behind-the-scenes look at life after the bell.

Trailer

In this trailer, you’ll hear what this podcast is all about and why it exists. Each episode features former teachers sharing honest stories about leaving the classroom, finding new careers, and navigating life after teaching. If you’ve ever wondered what else you could do with your skills as an educator, you’re in the right place.