There is a moment I often see with teachers at a crossroads, where the question quietly shifts from “What should I do?” to “What do I actually want?” On the surface, this sounds simple, yet in practice it can feel surprisingly difficult to answer. Many teachers are used to constantly responding to expectations, responsibilities and external pressures, so reconnecting with …
In my work helping teachers navigate their careers, I see a common misunderstanding. They think they are stuck when in fact they are afraid. For example, many teachers tell me they can’t afford to leave the profession. Sometimes that is true in very practical terms because mortgages, children, responsibilities are very real, with consequences if ignored. But often, beneath …
In a world that measures success through targets, titles and tangible outcomes, it is easy to assume that happiness is something we achieve once we have ticked enough boxes or earned enough money. I must admit that I do get a kick out of ticking boxes! But I have come to see there is another way of thinking about living …
One of the most common beliefs I hear from teachers, who are quietly considering a move beyond the classroom, goes something like this: “I’d love to leave… but I’d have to take a pay cut, so I can’t.” It sounds practical and responsible and there’s an element of common sense with this thinking too. However, let’s take a few moments …
It can feel deeply uncomfortable when you reach a crossroads in your career or life, especially if you’re used to being competent, capable, and clear on behalf of everyone around you. Teachers often tell me they feel “restless but unsure” … “tired but unable to stop” … “longing for change but afraid to make the wrong move”. What follows is …
“Hope does not need to be merely a passive wish; it can be an active force to propel us forward.” Robert Redford For many teachers, hope can feel like an unspoken emotion held quietly between challenging days, shifting priorities, and the pressure of caring for so many others. Redford’s words invite us to reimagine hope not as a feeling we …
The quickest way to sabotage our influence, quickly followed by a loss of confidence, is through hierarchical thinking. This is where we unconsciously rank people by status, money, or power. Like it or not, education runs on hierarchy. Titles, pay scales, leadership structures are all built into the system. Over time, it is easy to internalise these structures and start …
When I work with teachers who are re-evaluating their careers, they often start by wanting to focus on what’s wrong (or right) with their immediate day-to-day challenges, then want to move onto their skills, and (lack of) opportunities. They ask questions such as: Do I need a new certification? Should I apply for leadership roles? Would a different age group …
Some of the challenges that coaching clients bring to our sessions boil down to the question: “What should I do with my life?” It’s certainly a question I’ve asked myself over the years when my career seemed to be heading off track. The question can feel overwhelming because the words carry both the weight of possibility and also the burden …
For many teachers, the end of the school year brings a pause; a breath between the busyness of school life and the quiet of summer. Truth be told, it used to take me at least two weeks just to quieten my mind and to start feeling normal again! For some, the pause also brings a deeper question to the surface: …
