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< Back Stop Undervaluing Your Teaching Expertise: You're More Than a Tutor Reading time 4 minutes Published June 12, 2025 Category: teacher entrepreneur, teacher business When I first left the classroom to start my own private teaching business, I priced my services based on what I thought was "fair." I looked around at what other tutors in my area were charging and tried to stay in that range. That led me to charge $25 per 30-minute session. And I wasn’t alone. Just the other day, I had a conversation with a teacher-turned-online-tutor who told me she did the exact same thing. Her reasoning? She was just starting out, and $20 felt like the local going rate. But here’s what I told her—and what I wish someone had told me sooner: >> Pricing too low can actually hurt your business. It may seem like a smart way to attract clients in the beginning, but undervaluing your services causes two major problems: It doesn’t communicate your value. You are not just a tutor. You’re a trained, experienced, professional educator. Pricing yourself like an entry-level peer makes it harder for potential clients to see the difference between someone who knows the content and someone who knows how to teach the content. It sets you up for burnout. Even if you fill your schedule, you can’t make enough to live sustainably—especially when you factor in prep time, communication, admin work, and taxes. You’re working hard but still stuck. That’s a recipe for frustration and exhaustion. That’s when I asked her the question that shifted everything for me: "How much are private music lessons, dance classes, or sports training in your area?" When I stopped comparing myself to Craigslist tutors and started modeling my business after my daughter’s dance studio—everything changed. The dance studio had policies, registration fees, and consistent monthly tuition. They weren’t just charging for time. They were charging for professional instruction . And that’s what you provide, too. Anyone with an aptitude for a subject can offer tutoring. But teachers? We know how to deliver transformative instruction. We know how to scaffold, differentiate, assess, and build confidence. That’s not tutoring—that’s teaching . If we want to be seen, respected, and compensated as professionals, we need to stop marketing ourselves like bargain tutors. You didn’t go through years of training, licensure, and classroom experience to compete with a high schooler or college student on a tutoring site. So stop selling yourself short. You are a teacher. Own it. Lead with it. Price like it. If you’re not sure how to do that yet, I’ve created a free Pricing Strategies Webinar to walk you through exactly how to set sustainable, ethical, and confidence-aligned pricing. 🎥 Watch it now on YouTube → Watch HERE Because when teachers take back their profession, students, families, and society win! Previous Next

< Back Why You Need to Connect with Your Summer Self Year Round Reading time 7 minutes Published January 18, 2024 Category: Mental health In the hustle and bustle of teaching, whether in a traditional classroom or as a self-employed private practice teacher, it's easy to find ourselves caught in the web of All or Nothing. We oscillate between periods of all-consuming work and moments of indulgent relaxation, both of which, in the long run, can lead to burnout or boredom. The truth is, neither extreme is sustainable, and as educators, it's crucial to strike a balance that ensures our well-being and longevity in our chosen profession. Burnout is a looming danger, regardless of our teaching setting. Whether we're managing a classroom or navigating the challenges of a private teaching business, the risk of burning out is real. It's a state where the demands and pressures of our work surpass our capacity to cope, resulting in physical and emotional exhaustion. It's a pitfall we must be vigilant about, recognizing the signs and proactively addressing them. One fundamental principle often overlooked in the pursuit of professional success is the importance of boundaries. As teachers, we are adept at setting boundaries for our students, but extending that skill to ourselves is equally crucial. However, let's take a more delightful approach to self-care – let's spoil ourselves a little every day. Not with expensive treats or indulgent meals, but by tapping into the love languages and rediscovering what brings joy to our Summer Selves. Consider what activities spark joy during the summertime – those moments when you feel most alive and connected. Whether it's a simple walk in nature, a creative endeavor, or spending quality time with loved ones, these are the things that nourish our souls. The key is to carve out just 10-20 minutes each day to indulge in activities that resonate with our Summer Selves. It's about finding balance and intent, creating a daily ritual that rejuvenates our spirit. Distinguishing between burnout and exhaustion is crucial. While burnout is a state of chronic depletion resulting from prolonged stress, exhaustion is a temporary state that can be remedied with rest. Engaging in activities that spark joy serves as a powerful antidote to both. When we prioritize our well-being and infuse our days with moments of happiness, we find ourselves recharged and better equipped to tackle even the less joyful aspects of our work. So, dear teachers, let's commit to spoiling ourselves a little every day – not as a luxury but as a necessity. By embracing a balanced approach to work and play, we not only safeguard ourselves from burnout but also cultivate the energy and resilience needed to thrive in our teaching endeavors. Here's to nurturing our inner teachers beyond the classroom and ensuring a fulfilling journey in education. Best wishes always! 💕 Previous Next

$37 Services Live Mentorship Programs The T2E Empowerment Intensive Build your unique teaching business from start to finish with a comprehensive digital course complete with printable resources; expert guidance of someone who's already done it; live weekly group meetings; and a community of like-minded teachers where you can ask questions and receive feedback. Program alumni receive lifetime access to all T2E resources and program updates, inclusion on our Teacher Directory, and lifetime membership T2E Community which includes live weekly meetings and ongoing training. This training course is offered year-round but only admits a limited number of new teachers each month. Application Required, Free Zoom consultation recommended. Rolling Admission for Approved Applicants * Three plans to choose from. ** 12 month payment plans available $1,500 ~ $2,750 (with PIF discount) Learn More T2E Mindset Module Peek inside the T2E Empowerment Intensive AND ... Transition from exhausted, burned-out teacher to inspired teacher entrepreneur and develop a vision for your own unique teaching business. Inside the Mindset Module of the T2E Empowerment Intensive, we’ll walk through: Burnout recovery + sustainable rhythms Vision + values-driven scheduling Rebuilding your self-worth before you set pricing Creating aligned and measurable short & long-term business goals Unpacking money baggage (every teacher has some) so you can feel confident sharing your pricing with others PLUS: The cost of this program will be deducted from the T2E Intensive should you decide you want to keep going. * Pending approved T2E Intensive program application. ** No application required for the T2E Mindset Module. $47 Learn More Live 1:1 Coaching 30 Minute Coaching Session 30 Minute, live 1-on-1 mentorship session. We dive deep into your private practice teaching business. Upon scheduling, you will receive a form to complete about your business & specific questions you have. Form must be completed at least 24hrs before scheduled session time for best results. Bulk pricing available upon request. Coaching available after free initial consultation. I want this! $60 per 30 minute session Customized Mentorship Package This option is ideal for teacher entrepreneurs who have already started their business but are not experiencing the success they'd hope for. After an initial free consultation, I will analyze your existing business and create a customized improvement plan designed specifically for your business. This plan will include live coaching and recommended trainings from my other programs. Price will vary. Inquire Price varies based on client's individual needs. Digital Courses Intro to Private Practice Teaching Love to have your own private teaching and tutoring business, but have no idea where to start OR what all it entails? I got you with this self-paced digital mini-course with accompanying PDF workbook. This self-paced digital mini-course outlines each of the 4 main steps of building your unique private practice teaching business. Here's what you'll receive: 4 video lessons Finding your niche Creating your business Branding, and Finding students; and Workflow systems. 20-page, printer-friendly, PDF course workbook Business Start-Up Checklist Note: There is no live component for this course, but email support is available. Now Free on YouTube Watch Now Empower YOUR Expertise Pricing can make or break your teaching or tutoring business . In this mini-course, I will teach you how to: • Calculate a base rate you feel comfortable and confident sharing • Create pricing strategies for 1:1, small groups, workshops, discounts, and more • Structure your terms and conditions of service so you can earn a consistent monthly income independent of student attendance. This product includes: 6 video lessons and the PPT® Pricing Guide ($7 value) Note : There is no live component for this course, but email support is available. Now Free on YouTube Watch Now Finding YOUR Students Love to have your own private teaching and tutoring business, but worried about how to find students?! I got you with this self-paced webinar with PDF workbook. This self-paced digital mini-course outlines each of the 4 main steps of building a strategic marketing plan. Here's what you'll receive: Video Workshop Identify your audience Clarify your messaging Define your marketing funnel & Review marketing basics Putting it all together to create your marketing plan 18-page, printer-friendly, PDF Workbook The School Email Template Bundle included! Note: There is no live component for this course, but email support is available. Now Free on YouTube Watch Now Digital Resources & Templates Business Start-Up Checklist Are you ready to start your own private practice teaching business, but don't know how or where to start? Well, not for long. Here's The Private Practice Teacher® Business Start-Up Checklist . In this printable pdf checklist, I will walk you step-by-step through the processes of: Finding your Niche Registering Your Business Name Planning Your Business Marketing (aka Finding Students) Creating Workflow Systems Free I want this Business Start-Up Bundle Want everything you need to get started and ready for your first client? Step-by-step instructions, digital resources to help you create, market, & manage your own unique teaching business. Includes : Intro to Private Practice Teaching Mini-Course ; Business Start-Up Checklist; PPT Pricing Guide; School Email Template Bundle: and PPT Business Planner. $27 I want this Teacher Biz Starter Pack Not sure which to invest in first? Kind of want it all AND for less money? Makes sense to me! Not only do you get EVERYTHING in The Business Start-Up Bundle ($25 value) you also get: Finding YOUR Students Marketing Workshop with PDF workbook ($37 value) Empower Your Expertise: Pricing Strategies for PPT to help you calculate your base rate, discount, & package pricing ($37 value) $97 I want this PPT Pricing Guide Do have or want to start your own private practice teaching business but have no idea what or how to charge? Avoid the BIGGEST mistake I see private educators make with the help of The Private Practice Teacher® Pricing Guide . In this printable pdf checklist, I will walk you step-by-step through the processes of: Finding Your Base Rate Pricing Services Using Your Base Rate Offering Discounts Creating Your Terms and Conditions of Service $7 I want this Email Template Bundle Teachers, want to let schools know you're available to help their struggling & homeschooled students? This set of 4 customizable email templates (including subject lines) will help you quickly promote your private practice teaching business and services to targeted public and private school personnel. $7 I want this

Discover your Teacher-to-Entrepreneur Archetype in just 3 minutes! Take this free quiz to find out your stage, get personalized tips, and learn your next best step to building a sustainable, joyful teaching business. Barb McCluskey Owner/founder of The Reading Cube ''Rachel, thank you for your guidance, coaching and patience with me. I love my business and my life now!'' Frequently asked questions What’s the investment? The T2E Empowerment Intensive Program is priced from $1,500 to $3,000 all inclusive with life-time access to all course resources depending on which level of live mentorship you choose and whether you decide to PIF or monthly. No hidden or additional charges. A 12-month payment plans are available for all 3 levels. Individual coaching starts at $60 per 30 minute session with discounts available for multi-session purchases. T2E Community members may schedule free 60-minute coaching session each quarter for as long as they maintain community membership. A free discovery call is recommended before any services are purchased to determine which services are right for each person. How long is the Mentorship program? The T2E Empowerment Intensive Program is designed to to have you confidently running your business in 12 weeks or less. Online group and 1:1 mentorship is ongoing as per your plan for 1 year from your enrollment date. However, we are here for you for as long as you need us. You have lifetime access to program resources and program updates. T2E Intensive Members also receive a permanent home on our Teacher Directory at no additional charge and special pricing on T2E Community Membership. Are refunds available if this is not the right fit for me? Of course. We work very hard during the initial assessment interview to ensure program compatibility and to answer all questions a potential mentee has. However should a teacher chose to leave the program within 14 days of the course open, a full refund will be issued upon written request and completion of an exit form. ** Although we have the Refund Policy stated above, not one participant has requested a refund since we began working with teacher entrepreneurs in June 2022. This is because we take the time to make sure that we are a good fit and answer all questions before any money exchanges hands. It is very important to me that NO ONE ever feels pressured into purchasing anything here. We are educators NOT salespeople. At The Private Practice Teacher®, our goal is to care for and support our teachers - NOT make as much money as possible. What about benefits? Just because you're a solo-entrepreneur doesn't mean you can't have benefits. Thanks to the ACA you can shop for affordable health care plans on the healthcare.gov (https://www.healthcare.gov/)marketplace. All of the plans on the marketplace MUST provide coverage for preventative care, life-saving care, & CANNOT discriminate because of a pre-existing condition. You can also speak with a marketplace broker for FREE if you need help deciding which plan is right for you. As for your retirement savings, I encourage you to speak with an investment advisor about your options for rolling over your retirement plans. This type of financial advising is also FREE, and I encourage you to speak with multiple institutions and an accountant before making a final decision. *** NOTE: This is NOT LEGAL or FINANCIAL ADVICE!! I am not a lawyer nor an accountant. I am a professional French teacher. The above information is from my experience starting my business. I highly recommend that all new US business owners consult a free SCORE mentor for advice on the legalities of setting up their business. What if I already have my own teacher business? If you already have an existing teacher business, than the whole T2E Empowerment Intensive may not be the best choice for you. In that case, I would encourage you to consider either À La Carte Coaching and/or becoming a member of The T2E Community. I encourage everyone to book a free strategy call to discuss which option is best for you. Are the programs live, or pre-recorded? The T2E 90-Day Intensive include pre-recorded training videos, downloadable pdfs, and resources links, so you can work at your own pace. However, they also include weekly live group Q&A sessions, guest speakers, and an online T2E community for both accountability and support. Live 1:1 coaching is purchased separately, at a discounted rate, scheduled by you as needed. There are also prerecorded, fully asynchronous courses available for free on YouTube. How much feedback and accountability do I get? It's important to me that my mentorship courses NOT sit in your inbox until you "have time to do it". In the T2E Intensive, you have a live group accountability meeting and a live workshop meeting. I, program alumni, and your fellow mentees will all "lovingly kick your butt" to make sure you are maintaining forward movement toward your goals. In the T2E Bootcamp we meet twice a week to workshop the content in the prerecorded course, so that each participant is able to get timely answers to their questions and brainstorm with me and fellow participants. We will also hold you accountable and provide support via messaging, email, and our online T2E community. I have little to no online experience, is this program for me? Yes. If you can manage an online grade book and learning management system, then I can help you set up and run all the online components of your business. Whether you want to only do in-person classes or teach 100% online, you will still need to have some online presence. This program is designed to teach you how to set up and manage your scheduling, invoicing, marketing, online learning hub, and website. Can I do this by myself? Of course you can. I did. It took me between 18-20 months to learn how to create a sustainable and profitable business. I created my courses and programs to teach other teachers everything I learned during that time in the hopes that it will ultimately save other teachers both time and money by helping you turn a profit more quickly. The bottom line is that it takes some combination of TIME and MONEY to start a business. It's up to you to decide what combination is right for you and your situation. I offer different levels of support no matter what you decide is right for you. Is this an MLM? NO! I help teachers create their own businesses completely independent of me. I'm happy to add them to my Teacher Directory and market for them, BUT those teachers are completely independent business owners. They do not work for me, nor do I take any portion of income they generate. ** I may ask some teachers if they would like to co-coach new teacher mentees. In that case, I pay them as independent contractors.

< Back Finding Myself Again Through Teaching Freedom Reading time 5 minutes Published September 4, 2025 Category: Teacher entrepreneur; Teacher burn out; Leaving the classroom I officially resigned from my full-time teaching job in July 2020. I said, “It was no longer a good fit for our family because of COVID,” but the real truth was harder: my job was turning me into someone my family and I didn’t recognize . I loved my students, my colleagues, and my content area, and still, the school system was draining the joy out of me. Worse, it was replacing it with hurt, anger, and resentment. COVID made the toxicity, hostility, and school politics impossible to ignore. During that first month of COVID teaching, I got sick, juggled online teaching with two little ones at home, and kept showing up anyway. The school had no protocol for what to do if/when a teacher got COVID. Support was minimal, subs were non-existent, appreciation was back-handed, and the mandates often worked against good teaching. When my seniors, many of whom I’d taught for five years, noticed the changes in my personality and started trying to take care of me , I knew I had to make a change. The moment I chose myself (and my family) At the end of that year, I was beyond exhausted, incredibly angry, and heartbroken. I couldn’t keep masking it at home, and I couldn’t keep pretending in class. I cried all summer and my dread grew the closer it got to August. My husband understood that I couldn't bear to go back there. But it was COVID. So much was uncertain, and we didn't know if the company he worked for would survive. I couldn't leave without having something else to go to. Finally, I landed an aide position that would allow me to get our daughters on and off the bus. It was a pay cut, but it was just barely enough. So, on the last possible day, I submitted my resignation. It was the scariest and kindest decision I’d made in years. What happened next surprised me. An opportunity that wasn't anywhere on my radar. I was approached by a very small local private school. They asked if I would teach two of their students. It wasn't enough for the school to hire me, but their parents agreed to pay me directly. I could make it whatever I wanted and charge whatever I thought was fair. Unbeknownst to me at the time, this became the beginning of my private teaching business. My first goal was simple: replace the part-time “offer” I’d received from my former employer (half the pay for the same course load). Within six months, I was earning $2,000/month in about ten hours a week. A month into the following school year, I fully replaced my former salary FT salary working approximately 20 hours a week. What changed when I stepped into private practice At home, my kids noticed first. One day, my oldest daughter said, “Mom, you’re so…happy now and proud of yourself. It's kind of annoying.” She was right. I was singing again, dancing in the kitchen, proud of myself and my work, and fully present for our day-to-day life. When I asked my littlest about what she thought about Mommy having her own business, she said that she was glad I got to take care of them now instead of Nana or Miss Kristin. Professionally, everything started to fall into place too. I stopped over-delivering and under-charging and started pricing sustainably. I learned that this model of teacher entrepreneurship works when you value your expertise, set clear terms and conditions, and build simple workflow systems. I also learned how much respect flows when families choose you directly. All of which led me to referring to myself as a private practice teacher or a teacher in private practice. Because if other highly educated and highly trained professionals have private practice models, why not teachers? Lessons you can borrow right now Whether you’re burned out or simply ready for a healthier pace, here’s what helped me build a private teaching business that felt good and paid well: Start before you’re “ready.” Share what you offer, even in a simple post. Momentum beats perfection when launching a private teaching business. Price for sustainability. If your rates require 60+ hours to pay the bills, they’re not sustainable. A private teaching business needs a margin for planning, admin, and real self-care. Design for respect and fit. Clear policies and a thoughtful intake make your business run smoothly for you and your students. Keep it human. Relationships and results are your best marketing. A values-aligned private teaching business grows through trust and results. Only take students you know you can serve well. Find a Community. Entrepreneurship can be isolating. Having a community of like-minded teacher entrepreneurs for collaboration, co-working, and support can be a game-changer. (We have one inside the T2E Intensive, but I'm working on building one for other teacher solopreneurs, too. Stay tuned.) As more of us create our own teaching/tutoring businesses, the “teacher = school employee” stops being the default. Being a private practice teacher allows us to show what’s possible when we have autonomy to teach the way we know our students learn best. Why the words matter I use the term private practice teacher rather than tutor intentionally. First, it names teachers as the educational experts we are and reframes our work alongside other professionals who are able to serve clients directly. Second, it differentiates us from other tutors who aren't teachers, like high school and college students who do it for extra money rather than as a career. When people see a private practice teacher in action, they see personalized instruction, safe learning spaces, evidence-based teaching methods, and students achieving their goals. They witness what real teaching and learning can look like without counterproductive mandates, policies, and constraints. My bigger mission After rebuilding and rebranding my teaching career, I created The Private Practice Teacher® to accomplish three main goals: Make teachers aware that this path exists and can be a viable option for those who still have a heart for teaching. Mentor those who want help building their own private teaching business. Elevate the profession of teaching so teachers are recognized as the educational experts they are. Every thriving private practice teacher is a living case study in what's possible for students when educators have agency. If this resonates You don’t have to stay stuck in a system that asks you to betray your best judgment. If you’re curious about becoming a private practice teacher or starting a private teaching business, I’d love to connect. Bring your story; I’ll bring strategy, compassion, and clear next steps. Best wishes always 💕 Previous Next

< Back Lara Luft Profa Lara Luft Profa Lara Luft offers specialized 1:1 online classes for Brazilian Portuguese and ESOL. Our Mission: To provide effective, supportive learning while embracing diverse cultures. I am flexible to meet your unique needs, ensuring you feel safe and comfortable to ask questions and make progress. My passion is learning, and I love incorporating diverse perspectives into every class. As a native Brazilian with over 10 years of experience, I specialize in teaching literate students (teenagers and adults). Services: Immersion and communication-focused classes designed to help you achieve fluency in Portuguese or English as a second language. Contact Profa Lara Luft via Instagram

< Back Would you rather? Summer Edition Reading time 5 minutes Published June 3, 2024 Category: Teacher life In my neighborhood, summer break is almost here, and it has me reflecting on the summer break after my last year in the classroom. ! It felt like a breath of fresh air after an entire year of insanity. But we all know that summer break does NOT mean a summer off. I don’t know about you, but I honestly only ever really took off 2 weeks a year. The first week of summer break and the week of our family vacation. What summer break actually meant was that I got to make my own hours. It meant that I got to work at a pace that allowed me to not feel overwhelmed while also feeling like I was “setting myself up” for a less overwhelming school year next year. (This never really happened because there was always some new something added to my plate.) And thus the cycle of The Teacher Hamster Wheel continued year after year after year. But what if I told you there's an exciting alternative? Let's dive into how much time teachers typically spend on summer prep and compare it to the mere 5 hours a week it takes to kickstart your own teaching business using The Private Practice Teacher® 90 Day Jumpstart Mentor Program. Trust me, this could be a game-changer for you! 1. Traditional Summer Preparations :The summer break turns into a whirlwind of planning, curriculum development, resource curating/creating, and professional development (all while attempting to recover, relax, and have fun). According to the National Education Association (NEA), teachers usually devote around 12 to 20 unpaid hours a week to school-related tasks during their well-deserved summer break[^1^]. It's a significant (unpaid) time commitment that eats into our precious downtime. Even though everyone tells us we don’t “have” to do it, when else are we supposed to do it? And so we do it during breaks. 2. The Private Practice Teacher® Alternative: Now, I want you to imagine reclaiming your summers and life by creating your own teaching business. With just 5 hours a week, you can make it happen! This is exactly why I created The 90-Day Jumpstart Mentor Program the way I did. This program provides everything you need to create, market, and run your teaching business. Say goodbye to the teacher hamster wheel and hello to more personal time for relaxation and enjoyment year-round. So, dear teacher friend, I believe it’s time to think outside the traditional summer prep box. Instead of sacrificing so much of your break to school-related tasks, why not invest 5 hours a week in yourself and build a career that fits your life? I and all the Jumpstart Alumni are here to guide and support you every step of the way. Best wishes always, Rachel References: [^1^] National Education Association (NEA). (n.d.). Teachers’ Summer Break: How Often and How Long? Retrieved from https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/teachers-summer-break-how-often-and-how-long Previous Next

< Back The Subconscious Patterns of Teacher Life Reading time 5 minutes Published July 8, 2024 Category: Teacher life Since leaving the classroom I’m becoming increasingly aware of the subconscious patterns and coping mechanisms we develop due to the unique stresses of teaching in a traditional school setting. Even now, four years into my life as a self-employed teacher, these patterns strongly influence how I live and work. The first pattern I noticed I call the “Due Date List”. This pattern influences my daily life and decision-making regarding how I prioritize tasks. A mentor of mine once told me that teachers need due dates. Oh, how I’ve found this to be true. A task without a due date rarely gets accomplished. We live with never-ending To-Do Lists and are in a near-constant state of overwhelm 9-10 months out of the year, therefore tasks get accomplished in order of urgency - no matter how much we want to do it or how beneficial completing the task may be. The next pattern I call the “Teacher Hamster Wheel” . This pattern is how I function during a 24-hour period for 9-10 months of the year. Here’s a snapshot of a typical day. Alarm goes off Snooze button 2-8 times depending on the level of sleep deprivation Coffee Get myself ready Get kids ready Out the door Pre-work work Work work Post-work work Pick up kids Make dinner (or at least a plan for dinner) After school activities Veg out and try to visit with my spouse until I’ve worked up enough energy to put the kids to bed Put kids to bed Pass out (or at least try to) In a nutshell, wake ➡️ triage needs/responsibilities ➡️sleep ➡️repeat. A perfect recipe for burnout, exhaustion, and mental health struggles. This is the life of a human-doing, not a human-being.The final pattern I noticed, I call the “Yearly Teacher Cycle” . This is how it goes: Back-To-School, Starting the year off excited, nervous, and hopeful. I’m excited about some of the cool new ideas you want to try. I’m excited and nervous to meet my new students. I’m hopeful and optimistic that the new self-care habits I established over the summer coupled with the new workflow procedures I created will help me to spend less time on the “Teacher Hamster Wheel” this school year. Of course, the district has some new ideas and initiatives of their own, but thankfully I have new systems in place now, so I’m confident I can handle the additional workload. Late Fall , October-November, the first wave of exhaustion hits. My self-care habits are nearly gone by now, many of your new workflow systems and procedures aren’t functioning as well as I hoped (if at all). I’m firmly on the “Teacher Hamster Wheel” and just holding on until Fall Break and then Winter Break when I can work on recovery, get caught up on work, and maybe enjoy some socializing. January . It’s only been 10-14 days, but everyone needs to relearn how to be in school, and some form of high-stakes, standardized, benchmark assessment has to be administered in two weeks. The Long Dark Slog aka mid-January through March. Things usually go fairly smoothly here except for illnesses. Everyone seems to be in some sort routine which is nice, but everyone also takes turns being sick. Sub plans are exhausting and you need to save your PTO for when my own children are sick, so I go to school anyway as long as I can drag myself out of the house. Spring Break is a breath of fresh air (and allergies), but I finally get to catch up on some sleep and some grading. The Last Push , April through the Last Day of School. The older students get, it seems the less they fully return from spring break. For this reason and because of those lovely, high-stakes, standardized spring, assessments, most of us try to get 90% of our curriculum taught by early April at the latest. That last month of school feels like straight chaos and survival as both a teacher and a parent. We’ve also started packing up our classrooms because we might get 2-3 hours of contract time to do 10-12 hours worth of work. Summer Break Part 1 is all about recovery. I’m a shell of a person at this point. I’m in full zombie mode, doom-scrolling, and binge-watching TV (usually TV shows my non-teacher friends recommended during the school year but never had time to watch). I’m only barely able to make the simplest decisions. Depending on the year, this could take 5-15 days. Summer Break Part 2 welcomes “Summer Rachel” I’m a person again, “Want to go out to lunch?” Want to meet at the pool?” In late June and July, I’m ready to be social again. I can’t wait to see all the friends and family I missed during the school year. I do fun things with my children and spouse. I develop healthy routines and healthy eating habits. I also start casually working on plans for the next school year (about 5-10 hours a week). This is my favorite version of me. The only sad part is that I really don’t love this time of year where we live. Summer Break Part 3 I start getting excited about Back To School. Late July into August, I begin moving back into my classroom. Just a few hours here and there. A couple of new projects, bulletin boards, seating styles, new organization, and maybe some new furniture. I also start getting new or updated systems in place to manage routine tasks and workflow that I’m certain will make this next year run much more smoothly. Back-To-School , ... It’s been three years since I left the classroom completely, and it’s taken that amount of time to see how much these patterns became deeply and subconsciously ingrained those patterns had become. Even being my own boss as a self-employed teacher, I accidentally recreated these patterns in my life and businesses. Now that I am aware of these patterns, I can consciously create new ones that support my vision for a more balanced and harmonious life for me and my family. I hope this post will help you do the same. Best wishes always! 💕 Previous Next

< Back Barb McCluskey ** The Reading Cube ** PPT® Verified Educator The Reading Cube Barb is a retired elementary school teacher with 20 years teaching experience. During that time she noticed that it has become an ever increasing challenge for teachers to address the individual needs of learners. Barb created The Reading Cube to do just that! For Pre-K parents looking to get their child a jumpstart in reading. For homeschooling parents who want a reading teacher. For K-2 parents looking to get their child additional reading instruction after school. For parents of children ages 8-12 that need reading remediation. For parents looking for a reading tutor to help with homework and studying for tests. Go To Website

< Back Teacher Traits That Last Long After Leaving the Classroom Reading time 3 minutes Published October 2, 2025 Category: Leaving the Classroom, Mindset, Community You can take the teacher out of the classroom, but you can’t take the classroom out of the teacher. Every teacher who has left the traditional school system knows exactly what I mean. The habits and quirks we carried for years don’t magically disappear when we hand in our keys—they follow us into our next chapters. Some are funny, some are frustrating, and some are reminders of how deeply the profession shaped us, for better and worse. The Quirks That Follow Us School dreams: recurring nightmares about forgotten lesson plans or endless stacks of grading. Speedy eating and bathroom runs: we learned to survive on lightning-fast breaks, and those patterns are hard to unlearn. The "teacher look/voice" in public: yes, it still slips out at the grocery store or the park. And, no, I don't mind that at all. These little quirks are funny, but they’re also proof of how much teaching becomes part of our way of being. Some Habits That Are Harder to Shake Some habits aren’t as lighthearted. They speak to the unhealthy coping mechanisms we pick up to make it through the day: Hiding comfort food or working while eating, watching TV, or even spending time with family 🫤 Forgetting to drink water because there’s no time for bathroom breaks Living in the burnout/recovery cycle, both daily and yearly A good work ethic is important, but teachers often take it to an unhealthy extreme. Without a calendar dictating breaks, many of us don’t know when (or even how) to rest. Years of ignoring our body’s cues train us to push past exhaustion until we no longer recognize what balance feels like. Why These Traits Stick With Us Teaching trains us to put others first, multitask constantly, and normalize exhaustion. Those patterns don’t vanish when we leave the classroom. They linger, reminding us just how much the profession asked of us—and how much we gave. Until or unless we notice them, we don't have any way to change them. Where Healing Happens But here’s the hopeful part: healing happens when we notice. When we've been out of "Survival Mode" long enough to recognize the patterns and unhealthy ways we've learned to accomplish tasks on our ever-growing to-do lists. Without awareness, we take all those exact ways of being into entrepreneurship. We accidentally re-create the very situations we're trying to leave. I’ve been sharing clips from last year’s retreat, and what struck me most wasn’t the workshops or the content—it was the power of being surrounded by people who get it. People who don’t need an explanation for why you eat fast, dream about grading, or struggle NOT to speak to a child in public. For years, I've dreamt about creating a year-round version of that community, where we can continue to lift each other up and redefine what it means to thrive as teachers-turned-entrepreneurs. A place for camaraderie, support, accountability, collaboration, and even co-working/body-doubling. A place where we can network and refer students and clients to each other’s businesses. Because when teachers support teachers, everyone wins. Your Turn What about you? Which “teacher traits” have stuck with you long after leaving the classroom? And if a community like this existed, what would you want it to look like? Best wishes always 💕 Previous Next

Want to add your teaching business to our Directory? Or having trouble finding the right teacher for yourself or your student? Fill out a request form here. Welcome to The Private Practice Teacher® Teacher Directory Resource Page Access The PPT® Directory Here Students: Can't find a teacher for yourself or your student? Teachers: Would you like to add your business to the PPT® Directory free of charge? Meet the Teachers Click Here Click Here

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Now Free on YouTube Watch Now Digital Resources & Templates Business Start-Up Checklist Are you ready to start your own private practice teaching business, but don't know how or where to start? Well, not for long. Here's The Private Practice Teacher® Business Start-Up Checklist . In this printable pdf checklist, I will walk you step-by-step through the processes of: Finding your Niche Registering Your Business Name Planning Your Business Marketing (aka Finding Students) Creating Workflow Systems Free I want this Business Start-Up Bundle Want everything you need to get started and ready for your first client? Step-by-step instructions, digital resources to help you create, market, & manage your own unique teaching business. Includes : Intro to Private Practice Teaching Mini-Course ; Business Start-Up Checklist; PPT Pricing Guide; School Email Template Bundle: and PPT Business Planner. $27 I want this Teacher Biz Starter Pack Not sure which to invest in first? 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