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In this encore episode, Vanessa breaks down how learning to say no can help teachers reclaim their time, sanity, and future. If you’ve ever felt guilty turning things down or stuck in the cycle of "yes" to everything—this one’s for you.

We’ll also explore:

• A quick, elegant grading hack to save time
• Why “no” is a complete sentence (and how to say it with grace)
• Petal 5 in our What Color Is Your Parachute series: salary, benefits, and value-aligned goals
  
  

Resources Mentioned:

• What Color is Your Parachute 2024
• Parachute Budget Worksheet
• F*** No by Sarah Knight (Heads up: spicy title, wise advice!)
  
  

Have a teacher hack or story of your own to share?
Email me at Vanessa@TeachersinTransition.com—I love hearing from you.

Stay Connected

• 💬 Email: Vanessa@TeachersinTransition.com
• 📱 Text or voicemail: 512-640-9099
• 🗓️ Book a free Discovery Session: teachersintransition.com/calendar
• 💼 Connect on LinkedIn: Vanessa Jackson
• 📷 Follow on IG + Threads: @teachers.in.transition
• 🐦 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategy
• 🟦 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social
• 👍 Facebook: Teachers in Transition

And remember to send your comments, stories, and random thoughts to me at Vanessa@TeachersinTransition.com ! I can’t wait to read them.

The transcript of this podcast can be found on the Episode’s page at Buzzsprout.

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What if your job search had an engine—and you just needed to spark it?
In this episode of Teachers in Transition, host Vanessa Jackson (former middle school teacher turned career transition coach) breaks down the power of hope, the weight of shame, and the five career hacks every burned-out educator needs right now.

Whether you're exploring new paths or rewriting your résumé mid-meltdown, this episode will help you jumpstart momentum and reclaim your agency.

✨ In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why hope is your starter, momentum is your engine, and habits are your alternator
• Vanessa goes on a crusade against shame and secrecy
• Permission to call out medical gaslighting
• Why your résumé isn’t landing—and exactly how to fix it
• The 20-minute trick that kickstarts your job pivot
• A power paragraph that makes your LinkedIn and cover letters sparkle
• How to answer “Why did you leave teaching?” without the trauma dump
• Why LinkedIn isn’t a stage—it’s a hallway (and how to walk it with confidence)

🎯 This episode is especially for:

• Teachers exploring career transitions beyond the classroom
• Educators dealing with burnout, shame, or medical dismissal
• Women navigating midlife health challenges while still showing up for others
• Anyone feeling stuck and ready for a small but powerful next step

CONNECT WITH VANESSA

• 💌 Email: Vanessa@teachersintransition.com
• 📱 Call or Text: 512-640-9099
• 📅 Book a Free Discovery Call: teachersintransition.com/calendar
• 🔗 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social
• 📸 Instagram & Threads: @teachers.in.transition
• 👍 Facebook: Teachers in Transition
• 🐦 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategy

Programming Note from Vanessa’s Assistant:

Vanessa will be off the mic for the next few weeks while recovering from surgery. Tune in to some replayed favorites, and know she’ll be back soon—with updates, real talk, and new resources to keep your momentum going.

You’ve given enough. It’s time to build a future that gives back.

Teachers in Transition is an independently produced podcast created to support educators navigating burnout, change, and what comes next.

If this podcast has been helpful to you, you now have the option to support the show financially. Contributions are completely optional and help cover production costs so this resource can remain accessible.

Whether you choose to support or simply keep listening, thank you for being part of this community.

keywords:

Teachers, Career Change, burnout, hope, habits, New Year's Resolutions, shame, women's health, teachers in transition

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Are you standing at the edge of a new year wondering which way to go and how far you'll go? In this Teachers in Transition episode, Vanessa Jackson invites teachers, career changers, and dream‑seekers to discover their Word of the Year — a guiding compass that turns hope into directional momentum. Vanessa shares her word of the year and her 26-in-26 goals. This episode helps you find clarity and purpose for 2026, with real stories, practical goal‑setting tools, and a little pop culture wisdom.

🎯 Whether you’re thinking about leaving toxic school environments, redefining your life direction, or simply seeking deeper fulfillment, Vanessa shows you how to turn hope into movement — and movement into lasting change.

📬 Find your guiding word. Build the tools that help you get where you’re going.

📍 Resources Mentioned

🎙 Word of the Year Podcast Reference
👉 Happier with Gretchen Rubin Episode 563 – Need a One‑Word Theme for Next Year?
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-563-need-a-one-word-theme-for-next-year-we/id969519520?i=1000739465433

💡 Word Discovery Tools
• MyIntent Word Finder – pick your guiding word: https://myintent.org/pages/word-finder
• MyIntent “What’s Your Word?” Quiz – guided discovery: https://myintent.org/pages/whatsyourwordquiz

🎥 Pop Culture Inspiration

Moana — How Far I’ll Go (Official DisneyMusicVEVO)
🎥 https://youtu.be/cPAbx5kgCJo

Rush — Wish Them Well
🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF7ihyprGtk (YouTube)

📣 Next Steps

Tell Vanessa your Word for 2026!
1. Send a voice message or email to Vanessa@TeachersinTransition.com
2. Schedule a free Discovery Call:

👋 CONNECT WITH VANESSA

• 💌 Email: Vanessa@teachersintransition.com
• 📱 Call or Text: 512-640-9099
• 📅 Book a Free Discovery Call: teachersintransition.com/calendar
• 🔗 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social
• 📸 Instagram, Threads & TikTok: @teachers.in.transition
• 👍 Facebook: Teachers in Transition
• 🐦 X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategy

Keywords

Teacher burnout • teacher career transition • Word of the Year • goal setting • vision + momentum • hope + direction • career coaching • teacher purpose • intentional living •

The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzsprout