I remember the day in December of 2015 when I downloaded a countdown app and plugged in my retirement date: June 30, 2021.
I wasn’t sure I could make it.
There were still more than six years to go, and I was barely holding on. That school year had brought new administration to our campus, and things got off to a rocky start. After working under so many incredible principals and assistant principals over my career, I had finally hit those admins—the ones people whisper about in the breakroom and tiptoe around during observations.
I started having panic attacks in the parking lot, crying in my car before the bell rang, dreading the day ahead. I didn’t feel like I was free to teach the way I knew was best. I began gaining weight, losing sleep, and worst of all—losing my sense of purpose.
I’ll never forget being pulled out of my lunch one day and taken to the principal’s office. There, I was dressed down for something I didn’t even think was my fault. The verbal barrage was humiliating. To make matters worse, the two assistant principals stood blocking the door while it happened—preventing me from leaving.
That week, I had my first major anxiety attack.
I sank to the floor of my classroom, sobbing uncontrollably. My students would be returning from P.E. soon, but I couldn’t stop crying. I picked up the phone on the wall and called the front office: “I need someone to come to my room. Now.”
I left the building that day unsure if I’d ever come back.
But… I was just a teacher.
What else could I do? Work as a greeter at the local supercenter? Flip burgers? Tutor kids after school?
I had 24 years in. I told myself I just had to survive six more years. Then I could retire.
So, I sucked it up. I went back the next day. Still anxious. Still defeated. Still feeling unsafe.
Why It Would Have Been Okay to Leave
Looking back now, I wish I had known that it would have been okay to leave at that point—for my own mental and physical health. I was already showing signs of burnout and trauma. I had options; I just didn’t know them yet.
The truth is, I would have been financially okay even if I had left earlier. There were other paths I could have taken. I just needed to trust that life after teaching could still be stable, fulfilling, and even prosperous.
Now, I’m in a position where I’m more financially secure than I was as a teacher. I’ve built a career that not only pays the bills but allows me to invest in my next retirement. I work with purpose again—and on my terms.
The Power of Supportive Leadership
Ironically, that terrible administration left at the end of the school year. And everything changed.
They were replaced by a principal who saw me—who inspired me to be my best and helped me rediscover my passion for instructional technology. He didn’t just support me; he challenged me to step into leadership.
With his encouragement, I moved into a new role as a technology coach, and that decision reshaped the trajectory of my career. My last six years in education were some of the most rewarding of my life, and they prepared me for everything I do now.
There Is a Path Forward
If you’re in the thick of burnout, if you’re questioning whether you can make it one more year (or one more day), please hear me:
You are not “just” a teacher.
You are skilled, resilient, adaptable, and incredibly capable.
There are countless career paths where your talents will shine. I know the thought of learning new systems or earning certifications might seem overwhelming—but it’s worth the investment. And you don’t have to do it alone.
I’m now an affiliate for Teacher Transition, a platform designed specifically to help educators explore new career options in areas like training, instructional design, and edtech. They offer practical guidance, career coaching, and a supportive community that truly understands what you’re going through.
If you’re ready to take the first step—or even think about it—this is a great place to start. You’re not trapped. You’re not powerless. And you’re definitely not alone.
Interested in learning more about Teacher Transition? Use this link to find out more! Invest in yourself. Invest in your future! You are worth it! (https://teachertransition.com/become-a-member?am_id=kellie5161)
More than a Teacher 