Prep Period Course Intro

Blanca

Welcome to the Prep Period course, your roadmap out of the classroom. My name is Blanca, a former high school teacher who successfully navigated my way out of the classroom. If you're tuning in, you're probably a teacher who's at least thought about what life could look like outside the classroom. Maybe you're just curious, maybe you're already halfway out the door, or maybe you're just, you know, exhausted and looking for a sign. Either way, you're in the right place.

Tim

And I’m Tim, a former teacher of twenty years who also made the leap out of the classroom. I gotta say, Blanca, it’s wild how many teachers are quietly thinking about this. I mean, I remember being in that spot, just sort of staring at the clock during a staff meeting, wondering, "Is this what I’m doing for the next twenty years?"

Blanca

Oh, totally. And honestly, it’s not just you. The system is, well, let’s just say it’s not exactly built to keep teachers thriving. I always joke it’s like we made it onto the lifeboats from the Titanic, and now we can hear everyone else yelling, "Come back! Help us!"

Tim

Yeah, and, uh, I’m not sure if that’s a metaphor or a simile—shout out to all the English teachers who are probably cringing right now. But, you know, it fits. The foundation’s sinking, and teachers are the ones getting crushed. So, if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, you’re definitely not alone.

Blanca

So, a little about us. I’ve been out of the classroom for a while now, and honestly, it’s been a journey. Reinvention is kind of my thing—I’ve done it a few times, and every time, it’s scary but also kind of exhilarating.

Tim

Yeah, and my exit’s a bit more recent. I still get texts and emails from old colleagues, and sometimes even people I barely know, just asking, "How did you do it? What’s it like on the other side?" It’s like, suddenly you’re the go-to person for escape plans.

Blanca

But let’s be real, Tim—if it weren't for me, you might still be grading essays right now. I mean, we both know it takes a village, or at least a really persistent friend, to make a big change like this.

Tim

Absolutely. Blanca’s the one who helped me see that it was possible. So, it just made sense for us to team up and share what we’ve learned.

Blanca

Alright, so what about you? What should you expect from this course? We want you to walk away with a better sense of where you are in your journey. Leaving the classroom is a huge change, and you can’t figure out where you’re going until you know where you are right now.

Tim

Yeah, and by the end, we hope you’ll find your why. Like, why do you want to leave teaching? Is it just a passing thought that pops up when you’re buried in lesson plans and emails? Or is it something deeper, something you really want to pursue? I mean, I’ve been there—sometimes it’s just a rough week, but sometimes it’s more than that.

Blanca

If you’re serious about making the leap, the next step is figuring out if you’re ready. And, look, leaving the classroom is totally doable. Hundreds of thousands of teachers do it every year. But it does take some planning, and that’s what we’re here for—to help you figure out where you are in the process and what comes next.

Tim

And, honestly, you’ll also get a clearer picture of what obstacles are in your way and how you can tackle them. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but it’s definitely possible.

Blanca

So, as we kick off this journey together, there’s one thing we want you to remember: you can do this. Seriously. Thousands of teachers have navigated this path before you, and we’re here to help you do it too.

Tim

Yeah, if you’re listening and thinking, "I don’t know if I can," just know that we’ve been there. And if we can do it, you can too. We’re excited to help you get started.

Blanca

Alright, let’s dive in. Thanks for joining us for this first episode of Prep Period Intro. We’ll be back with more, so stick around.

Tim

See you next time, Blanca.

Blanca

Bye, Tim. And bye to everyone listening—let’s get started!