Teachers in Transition

Teachers in Transition - Episode 81 - Stress Management Tools for Teachers

Teachers are more overloaded and overwhelmed than ever. They have always had a lot thrown at them, but now they are being asked to go the extra extra mile. Some are teaching remotely. Some are teaching a hybrid model. Some are teaching in-person with or without the proper precautions in place. And some are being asked to do both!!! It isn't sustainable! As teachers, you must start to take care of yourselves or you will buckle under the pressure. That is why I am offering a free webinar wor...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 80 - How to Approach a New Job Search or Career Change

If you are ready for a job or career change, the first place is in the space in your head. You need the mindset of a job seeker, and you have to believe that you can successfully navigate a job or career change if you want to be successful. Once you have developed the proper mindset, then you need to do research about the type of job you are interested in along with doing research on the companies and the industry. You don't want to switch to an industry that may be on a downward trend, for...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 79 - Dealing with Upheaval That is Outside Your Control

We have been living in unprecedented times of upheaval and stress. ALL of us. From the pandemic to economic fragility to social unrest, and here in the U. S. a high-stakes election. Regardless of which side you may be on, you feel like it's "high-stakes." All this upheaval can cause stress. So, you may need some new stress management strategies. In this episode, Kitty talks about how to deal with upheaval that is outside your control--and everything we just mentioned is. Learn some strateg...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 78 - 7 Signs of Teacher Burnout

Normally, I wouldn't be talking about teacher burnout until later in October, but this is not a normal year, is it? I know that a lot of teachers are feeling more overwhelmed than ever. They feel like hamsters on a hamster wheel. They are moving as fast as they can and not going anywhere. If you are feeling overworked and overwhelmed don't know if you can call it "burnout" or not, check out this week's free gift. Download your copy of the checklist, "7 Signs of Teacher Burnout." It's free. ...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 77 - Checklist on 10 Things You Need to Know and Do if You Want a New Job or Career

In this episode of "Teachers in Transition," Kitty talks about the new checklist she just created entitled, "10 Things You Need to Know & Do If You Want to Change Your Job or Career." This list outlines all of the considerations one should take into account when thinking of changing their job or career. To get your free checklist, click here:  https://kittyboitnott.lpages.co/10-things/ Kitty also mentioned how helpful a tool call Jobscan is in helping you tweak your resume every time you ap...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 77 - Checklist on 10 Things You Need to Know and Do if You Want a New Job or Career

In this episode of "Teachers in Transition," Kitty talks about the new checklist she just created entitled, "10 Things You Need to Know & Do If You Want to Change Your Job or Career." This list outlines all of the considerations one should take into account when thinking of changing their job or career. To get your free checklist, click here:  https://kittyboitnott.lpages.co/10-things/ Kitty also mentioned how helpful a tool call Jobscan is in helping you tweak your resume every time you ap...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 76 - Avoiding Work-from-Home Burnout

Recent information has come out about "Work From Home Burnout." I have long studied the ill effects of job burnout and the need for work-life balance in our lives, but when you are working from home, the lines start to blur and studies show more and more remote workers are working longer hours and not taking time off for a  mental--or physical--recharge. In this episode, I offer some tips on how to avoid  WFH burnout. I hope you will find them useful. I am also offering the link to the str...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 75 - 10 Must-Do's If You Are Looking for a New Job

Back in January, I wrote a blog post entitled "10 Must-Do's If You Want to Improve Your Career in 2020." I wrote it before COVID-19 hit the country like a Mack truck. Still, given that many teachers are quitting their teaching jobs rather than putting themselves at risk by going into the buildings where they might not be safe, I decided the tips are still pertinent. I talk about the ten tips you need to keep in mind if you are starting a new job search, and if you want to read the post in ...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 74 - What You Should Know about Different Types of Stress

There are three very specific types of stress:  acute, episodic, and chronic. In this episode, Kitty talks about what each type of stress entails and how you might choose to deal with each.  #stress #stressmanagement #stressrelief #acutestress #episodicstress #chronicstress

Teachers in Transition - Episode 73 - The Interview is Not about YOU!

Interviews are necessary if you wish to land a new job. They represent one of the last steps in the process, and it is disappointing when you have gone through an interview you thought went well and then you don't get the job. Unless you have a full understanding of how interviews really work, however, it is possible for you to blow it and not know it. What I mean by that is that the interview isn't really about YOU. It is about what you can do for your potential employer. And if you talk a...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 72 - Ways to Be More Mindful in Times of High Stress and Anxiety

This week's topic is stress, and in it, Kitty talks about specific ways to be more mindful at the moment. When we are stressed out and anxious, more often than not, it is the result of fretting or regretting something in the past or projecting and worrying about something the future. Neither is helpful. So, you need to learn how to pull yourself back into the present moment, and this episode offers some ways to do that. The tips offered in today's episode are from a post from Psychology Tod...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 71 - The Moving Parts of the Job Search Process

School opening has already begun in some parts of the country. And many teachers are forced to consider their options. If you are a teacher who has decided that going back to school this fall isn't an option for you, you will want to listen to this episode of "Teachers in Transition" because Kitty Boitnott, Heart-Centered Career Transition and Job Search Coach talks about the many moving parts of the average job search. In this episode, Kitty ponders the many questions and challenges facing...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 70 - Do You Decide to Go Back to School with COVID or Not?

If you are a teacher who is thinking about the wisdom of returning to your job this fall in the event that your system is going back in person or on a hybrid model, this episode is for you. Kitty Boitnott, Heart-Centered Career Transition and Job Search Coach talks about the questions that teachers are having to consider as they think about going back to school in the middle of a pandemic. If you are a teacher with an underlying health condition or you worry about the possibility of picking...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 69 - Easy and Low Cost Stress Relievers

Everyone is feeling over-stressed these days. Between the pandemic, financial pressures, and racial unrest, no one in the country is unaffected. In this week's episode, Kitty shares specific tips on how to lower stress with an eye toward free and low-cost solutions that are relatively simple to implement. The suggestions come from an article posted on Healthline. The article is entitled, "16 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress and Anxiety" by Kerri-Ann Jennings, MS, RD (August 28, 2018). Check ...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 68 - How to Network During the Pandemic

Successful job seekers or career changers need to be able to network to facilitate their search. In times of the pandemic, however, networking isn't being practiced in person. That doesn't mean it isn't being practiced, though. A substitute for in-person networking is virtual networking, and the perfect place to start that is LinkedIn. Listen to today's episode to learn how to approach LinkedIn if you aren't all that familiar with this platform. Get your profile completed and follow all the...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 67 - What Will You Do When School Starts?

Now that we are past the 4th of July, predictably, attention is being turned to schools. Do we open them this fall? When do we open them if we do? And what precautions will be taken to help mitigate the risks to students and teachers and other staff? While this is all serious business, if you want a chuckle and a relatively light-hearted take on these questions, take a look at this bit by educator and administrator, Gerry Brooks. The particular YouTube video to check out is entitled, "Class...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 66 - Managing What You Can and Cannot Control When Managing Stress

Teachers in Transition - Episode 65 - Managing Expectations During a Job Search or Career Change

Teachers in Transition - Episode 64 - How You Can Use Puzzles and Coloring to Relieve Your Stress

Lots of people are stressed these days. It's more important than ever to remember to practice self-care. This week, I talk about how coloring mandalas can be a great stress reliever. Research shows this to be true. Don't believe me? Check out this link as one example of proof that coloring can be relaxing:  https://www.beaumont.org/health-wellness/blogs/health-benefits-of-coloring-for-adults#:~:text=REDUCE%20STRESS%20AND%20ANXIETY,a%20long%20day%20at%20work. In this episode, I also offer th...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 63 - How a Vision Board May Help You Envision a New Career

Sometimes when caught up in the process of changing careers, people feel stuck. They aren't sure how or where to start. And they struggle with what they think they might be qualified to do based on their past experience and education. When I start working with a new client, I urge them to set aside practical considerations in the beginning. Focus instead on what you want, not what you think you can get or what you might have to settle for. Now, thinking about what you want can feel like a ...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 62 - How Educators Can Manage Stress During the Coronavirus and Social Unrest

We are experiencing very difficult times right now. The pandemic has offered more than enough stress for us in recent months, but now we need to add economic uncertainty and social unrest to the mix. The peaceful protests are justified if the looting and violence are not. But revolution is just about the only thing that manages to change the status quo, and we are witnessing a kind of revolution right now. The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis was, perhaps, the final straw. That said, ...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 61 - Start Thinking About What You Want to Do in a Post-Pandemic World

No one has a crystal ball that will allow them to accurately predict what the post-pandemic world is going to be like. But you don't need a crystal ball to predict that there are going to be significant changes--more in some areas than in others. Out of the millions of people who lost their jobs, how many will have jobs to go back to when things start to open up and get back to some semblance of "normal?" How many will have jobs but don't want to go back to them because this shutdown has for...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 60 - Self-Care During and After the Pandemic

During this time of high stress and uncertainty, everyone is experiencing a difficult time. We are all stressed out and in need of some extra TLC. This episode is about the need for us to tend to our self-care and that pertains to during the pandemic and after it is behind us. We need to tend to self-care in four categories:  physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. You can afford to ignore any of those areas in your life. Take care of yourself by eating well, exercising, managing your e...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 59 - The #1 Challenge of Every Job Seeker After the Pandemic

No one has been spared the consequences of COVID-19 whether you had succumbed to the virus or not. Because of the massive shutdown we all experienced as a country, as some states start to open things up and others cautiously consider their options, it occurs to me that the economy will never be quite the same. We are going to need to approach the post-pandemic world with caution and look for opportunities that may seem like challenges at first. The truth is that this is a massive upheaval t...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 58 - The Power of Positive Affirmations

We are all dealing with the challenges of COVID-19 even if the biggest challenge is cabin fever and wanting to go places that aren't open yet. In this episode, Kitty offers that sometimes using positive affirmations can help. If you start to feel yourself spiraling into negative thoughts, try to be aware enough of your thoughts to stop them in their tracks and replace them with something more positive. And to help, she is offering a free ebook on positive affirmations for success and happ...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 57 - How to Prepare for a New Job After the Pandemic Has Passed

As the weeks drag on, even though the curve may be flattening, the economic hardship that people have been feeling will continue into the coming weeks and months. Let's be honest. Some jobs are going to disappear for good. And depending on what happens with Congress and its sense of responsibility--or lack thereof--for states and localities, even more jobs may be on the chopping block. The states and localities, after all, are bearing the brunt of the shutdowns and all the social isolation. ...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 56 - Daily Practices to Help You Improve Your Mood

As the days drag on that we are self-isolating and keeping to ourselves as much as possible, we may start to experience some symptoms of cabin fever. Having a routine that limits our activities and keeps us cooped up in the house for this long (we're going on six weeks or thereabouts here in my part of the world) can make us cranky and irritable. The important thing is to avoid taking your irritability out on your family. Remember, they're cooped up, too! Your kids want to play with their ...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 55 - How to Adjust Your Job Search During the Pandemic

Job hunters and career changers are facing unique challenges during this historic period. We have been struck down by the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that has the country in its grip along with the economic fallout of closing down all non-essential services in an effort to slow the spread of the deadly virus. You don't have to stop your job search during this period, however, and in this episode of  "Teachers in Transition," Heart-Centered Career Transition and Job Search ...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 54 - Helping Our Children Manage Their Stress During This Time

During these difficult days, weeks, and months, we are all feeling the stress and strain of living with a ruthless pandemic that is also causing economic mayhem. If you think you're stressed, imagine how our children are feeling! This episode points to the importance of helping our children learn how to manage their stress because they are certainly as stressed as you are--perhaps even more so. I wrote a post recently on what you as a parent or a significant adult in a child's life can do ...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 53 - Do Not Include These Items in Your LinkedIn Profile

Whether you are working from home or you've been laid off or furloughed during the pandemic, because of the "stay at home" order that many of you have been given, you now have some extra time on your hands. Like it or not, you can't go anywhere except the grocery store and drugstore, and there's only so much Netflix one can watch. Might I suggest that you use this time to work on your LinkedIn profile? You may have a profile that now needs to be updated. Or you may have set up an account th...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 53 - Do Not Include These Items in Your LinkedIn Profile

Whether you are working from home or you've been laid off or furloughed during the pandemic, because of the "stay at home" order that many of you have been given, you now have some extra time on your hands. Like it or not, you can't go anywhere except the grocery store and drugstore, and there's only so much Netflix one can watch. Might I suggest that you use this time to work on your LinkedIn profile? You may have a profile that now needs to be updated. Or you may have set up an account th...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 52 - 5 Ways to Boost Your Mental and Emotional Wellbeing During Stressful Times

Many of us were at a point of feeling highly stressed and anxious even before this latest situation that has all of us in its grip. Part of the reason I became a stress management coach is that I wanted to help people learn how to manage and reduce their stress. Taking care of our psychological wellness is an essential part of maintaining our health overall. So when you start to feel your thoughts running away with negativity, worry, and fear, it's time to do something to stop those thought...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 51 - How to Approach Your Job Search During a Pandemic

No matter where you live or what you do, the current health crisis which has turned into an economic calamity is impacting you. You have probably been asked to stay home from work unless you are a health professional, a government worker, or a first-responder. What does all this mean if you were in the midst of a job search or an effort to change your career? The honest answer is that your job search or career change will now have to be delayed. No one is going to be hiring right now. Who k...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 50 - How to Manage Stress While There is so Much Uncertainty

We are experiencing a global phenomenon right now, and it is impacting the health and wellbeing of thousands of individuals worldwide. It is also affecting the economy because of the uncertainty around global markets. There isn't a lot the average person can do about any of it except to stay informed and do what he or she can to protect themselves and their loved ones. In this episode of "Teachers in Transition," Dr. Kitty Boitnott urges her listeners to pay attention to the medical expert...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 49 - How Do You Decide What You Want to Do Next?

When you are thinking of changing jobs or careers, the first question that comes to mind is often what you want to do and what you feel you would enjoy, not to mention what you might be qualified to do. I recommend that you take time at the beginning of the process to do a lot of self-reflection and introspection. Consider what your core strengths, abilities, and aptitudes are. Not sure? Then start by asking someone who knows you well--a spouse, sibling, or close friend--someone who knows ...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 48 - What You Should Know about Stress and Your Cortisol Level

Stress affects us in a variety of ways including mentally, physically, and emotionally. We sometimes feel the emotional and mental impact of stress, and we may be aware of some of the physical symptoms, but few people know about how stress impacts a variety of hormones. One of the hormones that stress can wreak havoc on is cortisol. We need a healthy balance of cortisol in our system for quality sleep, to maintain a healthy blood pressure and sugar level and for many other reasons. Cortiso...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 47 - How to Research Your Next Job, Company, or Industry

If you are thinking of changing your job or career, chances are you feel stuck, and one of the reasons you feel stuck is that you don't know what you would like to do instead. In fact, you don't even know what you might be qualified to do instead. That's why you need to learn how to research. You need to research different jobs that sound interesting to you. You need to research different companies you think you might like to work for. And you need to research industries. You don't need to...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 46 - Self-Care Strategies

Self-care is not selfish, but a lot of people think that it is. They think self-care is for other people. Or they convince themselves that they have to take care of other people first. You ignore your need to take care of yourself at your own peril, however. Learn why I mean by reading my newsletter article from this week at this link:  http://bit.ly/selfcarepracticestouseyourwholelife Self-care strategies can go a long way toward helping you both manage and relieve the stress in your life....

Teachers in Transition - Episode 46 - Self-Care Strategies

Self-care is not selfish, but a lot of people think that it is. They think self-care is for other people. Or they convince themselves that they have to take care of other people first. You ignore your need to take care of yourself at your own peril, however. Learn why I mean by reading my newsletter article from this week at this link:  http://bit.ly/selfcarepracticestouseyourwholelife Self-care strategies can go a long way toward helping you both manage and relieve the stress in your life....

Teachers in Transition - Episode 45 - Interview with Suzanne Klein, Former Teacher Turned Serial Entrepreneur

In today's episode, I interview Suzanne Klein, a former teacher turned serial entrepreneur. Suzanne worked as a teacher in multiple roles and different grade levels before becoming an instructor for BER (Bureau of Education And Research). She developed a writing curriculum that was so effective she was able to turn it into a million-dollar idea--literally. She started a business using the writing curriculum and eventually sold that business for 7 figures. Now she is starting a new business a...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 44 - Middle School Teachers are Feeling High Levels of Stress

A recently released study conducted by the University of Missouri indicates that 94% of middle school teachers are feeling high levels of stress. Needless to say, that is very alarming. Interestingly, the article posted in Science Daily entitled, "Nearly All Middle School Teachers are Highly Stressed" pointed to the negative effect that the high level of stress by teachers must be having on students "both academically and behaviorally." I don't doubt that stressed-out teachers in our middle...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 43 - Interview with Brittany Long of "Life After Teaching"

When thinking about changing jobs (or careers) some people would rather work for someone else as an employee and others would prefer to strike out on their own. The trouble is they don't know how or where to start. My guest today, Brittany Long of My Life After Teaching offers in my interview with her that a health scare sent her looking for something she would rather do with whatever life she might have left instead of teaching. She found the answer in starting her own business. She and ...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 42 - Stress and Some Startling Statistics

Stress is on the rise as we enter the new year and a new decade. Indeed, I learned some startling statistics as I was putting together a presentation on stress and stress management last weekend. To hear more about those startling statistics, listen in. To watch the Facebook presentation, click here:  https://www.facebook.com/kitty.boitnott/videos/10156961199070745/UzpfSTU1NjUzMDc0NDoxMDE1Njk2MTI5MjcwMDc0NQ/ To download a free eBook on stress management, click here:  http://teachersintr...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 41 - Want a New Career in 2020? Learn How to Get Started Here

We are a week into a new year and a new decade. Are you drifting along or do you have plans to make something big happen in your life this year? Do you want to lose weight? Change something about a relationship? (Maybe FIND a relationship?) Or do you want a new, more fulfilling job in 2020? Whatever you want for yourself, you should consider creating specific goals (like SMART goals) to get you where you want to go. And then you need to take action. If you have decided that this is the yea...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 40 - How Stressed Are You as You Enter 2020?

The holidays may be behind us, but that doesn't mean our stress is. In fact, as we enter a new year and a new decade, stress may still be very much part of our lives to a greater or lesser degree. If you feel stressed but you aren't sure how concerned you should be about it, why not take this opportunity to take a stress assessment? I provide this instrument for my clients and participants in workshops and seminars that I conduct on stress management. To download the free Stress Assessment...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 39 - Why Not to Slack Off Your Job Search During the Holidays

I can't tell you how many times I have heard people say, "I am going to knock off the job search over the holidays and start fresh after the New Year," They mistakenly think that everyone else is taking a break for the holidays. I say "mistakenly" because they are wrong! Many companies only take the actual holidays off...and they still have openings to fill...sometimes openings that must be filled before the end of the calendar year. You've heard the saying, "You snooze, you lose." And that...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 39 - Why Not to Slack Off Your Job Search During the Holidays

I can't tell you how many times I have heard people say, "I am going to knock off the job search over the holidays and start fresh after the New Year," They mistakenly think that everyone else is taking a break for the holidays. I say "mistakenly" because they are wrong! Many companies only take the actual holidays off...and they still have openings to fill...sometimes openings that must be filled before the end of the calendar year. You've heard the saying, "You snooze, you lose." And that...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 38 - How to Manage Your Stress During the Holidays

The holiday season is stressful for some. In fact, for some people, it brings more stress than joy. Teachers hand on to the thought that during their holiday break, they can get some rest. But there is no rest for the weary person who is responsible for decorating, baking, party planning, and attending, and Christmas shopping while working full time. If you find yourself more stressed than usual with all the holiday activities going on, you may need to take a breath (literally, take a long...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 37 - Why You Need to Ask Questions at the End of An Interview

Too many people under-appreciate the importance of preparing properly for an interview. As a result, they show up under-prepared, and it shows. If you want to wow the people who are interviewing you, you need to do your due diligence by researching everything you can find about the company or organization, their mission, their vision, their challenges, their accomplishments, and the people who work there. Also, you need to understand the job and its requirements. When asked at the end of the...

Teachers in Transition - Episode 37 - Why You Need to Ask Questions at the End of An Interview

Too many people under-appreciate the importance of preparing properly for an interview. As a result, they show up under-prepared, and it shows. If you want to wow the people who are interviewing you, you need to do your due diligence by researching everything you can find about the company or organization, their mission, their vision, their challenges, their accomplishments, and the people who work there. Also, you need to understand the job and its requirements. When asked at the end of the...