It’s heartbreaking to hear about all of the talented educators who are strongly considering cashing in their chips and exiting the classroom. This is not a good thing. Their students need them and quitting may not be the right move for discouraged educators. I can say this with confidence because I vamoosed from education after my 7th year. I was fortunate to be able to hightail it back into the classroom after just a 6 month hiatus. If you quit now, you may never return even if you want to. 

A few years after my rather intense exile. I had the opportunity to hear Jim Mahoney speak at a professional development. I was excited to hear him because he was the superintendent at my home school. I hadn’t met him yet, but my mom and dad knew him and they liked him. 

2 sentences into Jim Mahoney’s presentation, I was hooked. This guy was engaging, funny, and highly relevant. I vividly remember one animated part of his presentation when he was talking about teacher frustration. He clenched his fists, scrunched his face, and then he empathized. As he was clenching and scrunching, he said the following:  

When you folks (we were an audience of k12 teachers) start wondering, Why do I keep doing this?

The rest of his presentation was a powerful answer to this rhetorical question. It was a pure shot of educational areniline. I left that auditorium thinking, Man, I’m glad I’m back in the classroom. I’m not leaving again till retirement.  

Jim and I later connected. We catch up with one another at least annually. I love the guy and I’m not alone. Jim Mahoney is education royalty in Ohio. His resume is as impressive as it is diverse. But that’s not why I invited him on this show. Jim just authored a book called To Lead is to Teach. If you, or anyone you know, are considering leaving the classroom, this book will probably give you hope and will at least give you pause. If you’re not considering leaving, read it anyway and be inspired and feel great about being part of this magical calling. 

What you can do Tomorrow:

• Read Jim Mahoney’s book To Lead is to Teach.
• Share this podcast with an educator who’s struggling. 

Teaching is awesome. You’re going to have some down times, but please don’t make a hasty decision. Your students need you. 

[spreaker type=player resource=”episode_id=48338562″ width=”100%” height=”200px” theme=”light” playlist=”false” playlist-continuous=”false” chapters-image=”true” episode-image-position=”right” hide-logo=”false” hide-likes=”false” hide-comments=”false” hide-sharing=”false” hide-download=”true”]

It’s been a while since I published an episode. There’s a reason for that. I’ve been busy developing a new podcast. The Retired Teacher Coach Podcast debuted in the last week of 2021. It’s based on my coaching practice. My elevator pitch for my coaching goes as follows:

I help retired educators make awesome health and lifestyle choices.

While my niche is retired educators, I work with clients that are not educators and clients who are not retired.  Each episode of my new show follows a template similar to the Hacking Engagement Podcast. I’ll identify a problem and offer solutions. 

Please don’t worry about the Hacking Engagement Podcast. It’s not ending. There’ll be more episodes in the future.

But for today I wanted to share an episode of my new podcast. This episode has been very well received and I’ll wager that it’ll inspire you regardless of your age or your occupation status. 

If you like what you hear, please subscribe to The Retired Teacher Coach Podcast on Apple, Google, or Spotify.
[spreaker type=player resource=”episode_id=48132334″ width=”100%” height=”200px” theme=”light” playlist=”false” playlist-continuous=”false” chapters-image=”true” episode-image-position=”right” hide-logo=”false” hide-likes=”false” hide-comments=”false” hide-sharing=”false” hide-download=”true”]