Is Teaching the Right Career for You? A New Year’s Reflection Guide
Written By Goodbye Classrooms
Ah, the New Year—a time for fresh starts, big dreams, and promises to eat less chocolate (let’s be real, though, who’s actually doing that?). If you’re a teacher, this is also the perfect time to hit pause and ask yourself some tough but necessary questions:
Is teaching really the career for me?
And if it is, how can I stop fantasizing about running away to a tropical island every Sunday night? If it’s not, what could actually make me happy, pay the bills, and let me use my skills without constant fire drills and unannounced observations?
Let’s dive into some reflective questions to help you get clear on your path—and maybe even make 2025 your best year yet.
#1: Reflect on Your Teaching Experience
Before you make any dramatic life changes (like quitting mid-year and opening an Etsy shop), take a moment to reflect on what teaching has been like for you so far.
Understanding Your Current Experience
What lured you into teaching? Be honest. Was it the summers off, or did you genuinely dream of changing lives?
What aspects of teaching still light you up inside? Is it the "aha" moments, or is it sneaking chocolates during recess?
What parts of your job make you dread Monday mornings? Is it the endless grading, meetings that could’ve been emails, or the sheer emotional exhaustion?
How do you feel after a typical workday? Like Beyoncé after a sold-out concert, or like a zombie crawling toward your bed?
Do you feel valued by your admin and colleagues, or are you secretly plotting an exit strategy every time they mention “new initiatives”?
#2: Consider Your Passion and Fulfillment
Now let’s talk about your feels. Teaching is hard, but does it still spark joy, or are you running on fumes (and coffee)?
Does teaching excite you, or is it starting to feel like a chore you can’t escape?
Would professional development (like learning new tech tools or strategies) reignite your passion, or does that sound like more work piled onto an already full plate?
If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about your teaching job, what would it be? (Besides salary, because, duh.)
#3: Explore Life Beyond the Classroom
Let’s say teaching isn’t “the one” anymore. What does your next chapter look like? And no, “winning the lottery” isn’t a valid answer.
What hobbies or talents have you shoved to the back burner because of grading and lesson plans?
Do you dream of a different work environment? One where “team building” doesn’t mean trust falls in the cafeteria?
What kind of impact do you want to make in your career? Saving the world? Solving problems? Or maybe just working somewhere that doesn’t involve glitter glue?
#4: Identify Your Transferable Skills
Teachers are basically superheroes in disguise. Your skill set is gold, even if the world hasn’t figured that out yet.
What’s your superpower as a teacher? Communication? Problem-solving? Juggling five crises before your second cup of coffee?
Where have you used these skills outside of teaching? (Coaching, side gigs, saving family gatherings from chaos?)
How could these skills shine in a new role? Think instructional design, training, project management, or nonprofit leadership. (Translation: You’ve got options!)
#5: Define Your Ideal Career
It’s dream job time. Forget what’s “realistic” for a second and get clear on what you actually want.
What does your dream job look like? Are you working from home in sweatpants, or leading a team in a cool office with free snacks?
How important are things like salary, flexibility, and personal growth? Be honest. You deserve to prioritize what matters most to you.
What steps can you take this year to get closer to that dream? (Hint: downloading our Reflection Guide for Teachers is a great place to start.)
Ready to Take Action?
If you’re staying in teaching, figure out what you need to make it work. Whether it’s switching schools, teaching a new grade, or finding a mentor, small changes can make a big difference.
If you’re ready to move on, start exploring. Your skills are gold in other careers—you just need to know how to market them (and we’ve got tools to help).
Download the Reflection Guide for Teachers to dig deeper into these questions and create a plan that works for YOU.
Remember: This year isn’t about surviving. It’s about thriving. So go ahead, make those moves, and find a career that actually makes you excited to get out of bed.
You’ve got this—glitter glue or not.
