I always thought teaching would be my forever career. I went to school for it, uprooted my entire life for my first job, and even pursued a master’s degree in my discipline.
But a few years in, I started to get a sinking feeling that maybe I had made a mistake. Maybe teaching wasn’t my future. Maybe I wanted more than what this job could offer me.
I loved so many aspects of teaching, and I wouldn’t change my six years for anything, but I quickly learned that teaching was so much more than being a content-expert.
And I could have never guessed just how draining it would become.
In 2021, I started looking for a new job, but nothing seemed to fall into place. After hundreds of job applications, I started to look for other options, which is when Virtual Assistance entered my orbit.
Since 2022, I’ve been a full-time Virtual Assistant. And soon after that, I launched Educators Exit to give other teachers the blueprint I so desperately wished I had when I started.
To say that this has been the best career decision of my life is truly an understatement. Being a VA and teacher transition coach has transformed me in so many ways, and while it would be impossible to list out everything that has changed over the last few years, I wanted to share with you the six most important ones.
#1: I stopped living in a state of fight or flight
When you’re in the classroom, things can change in a second. Whether it was a student outburst, a rude parent email, or the constant disruptions throughout the day, it felt like I spent every minute playing defense. And it was exhausting.
As a Virtual Assistant and teacher transition coach, I work in a state of calm. I sip my coffee on the porch, read emails, and even when I have to put out fires here and there, I do it from a place of ease.
#2: My life no longer revolves around work
When I was teaching, every single minute of my day was planned. From when I could eat to when I could run to the bathroom, my time—and life—wasn’t my own. But beyond my workday, every other major detail of my life was dependent on my work.
Since the majority of my family lives out of state, there was so much planning that went into a visit. Now, I have the luxury to come and go as I please. If I want to take a trip home, I do it. If I want to run errands in the middle of the day, I go.
I could have never imagined this kind of freedom and balance in my life, but becoming a VA made it possible.
#3: I actually make money
During my first year of teaching, I brought home $1,800 a month.
Not biweekly.
Monthly.
I have no idea how I survived.
Even after getting my master’s, I still made an embarrassing wage. For years, I checked my bank account after every single purchase. No matter how small it was. But that’s not my reality anymore.
Since becoming a Virtual Assistant and teacher transition coach, I’ve earned over 6-figures each year, allowing my family and I to live very comfortably. And I am so unbelievably proud of that.
#4: I don’t have to wait until the summer to travel
In the last two years, I’ve traveled to five countries and 13 states. Not only can I afford more trips, but I have the luxury of being able to travel throughout the year.
As teachers, we’re sold this lie that we get two months off. In reality, we know that’s not true. By the time we wind down from the year, the last thing many of us want to do is hit the road.
In this new phase of my life, there’s no more waiting until summer to experience life. Whether I’m ticking off bucket list items or spending a random week in Michigan with my mom, I can travel when I want.
#5: I finally have the energy to do things
I would come home from work drained. My eyes stung, my feet hurt, and my body was begging for rest. The idea of cooking dinner was unfathomable some nights, and all I wanted to do was crawl into bed.
This left no time to connect with friends outside of work or to show up for my husband at home. When I think back to that time in my life, I feel so sad for the moments I lost. But I’m so grateful that this is no longer my reality.
Now, I work for a few hours each day, go on walks, hit the gym, and meet up with friends. Sometimes all in one day. A few years ago that wouldn’t have been possible.
#6: I finally feel free
When you’re a teacher, it feels like all eyes are on you. Whether it’s the students, their parents, or administration, there is very little room for error. Or at least that’s how it always felt. I constantly felt anxious and scared that if I grabbed a drink with friends or posted a picture on vacation, that someone somewhere would have something to say about it.
I was living my life for the approval of other people, all while making a meager salary and enduring days of disrespect.
Since leaving the classroom, I get to live for myself. And I’ve never been happier.
If you’re a burnt-out teacher who so deeply resonates with all of this, then I just have to tell you: You’re not alone. But here’s the even better news: You’re also not stuck.
I’ve helped hundreds of burnt-out teachers transition out of the classroom and into the world of Virtual Assistance, and I would love to help you do the same thing.
Join my FREE training to get all the details on how to go from tired to teacher to money-making Virtual Assistant.
