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< Back Why Are Teachers Leaving, and Who’s Paying Attention? Reading time 5 minutes Published August 13, 2024 Category: Retention Teacher retention is at an all-time low, and it feels as though no one is paying attention—or worse, no one cares. Our schools resemble leaky buckets, constantly losing valuable educators with little effort to retain them. Principals, who play a crucial role in fostering positive school environments, are often not evaluated effectively. In many states, neither teacher retention nor turnover rates are considered in school administrator evaluations. It’s as if we’re ignoring the problem entirely, hoping it will resolve itself. Spoiler alert: it won’t. In most professions, HR departments routinely assess and refine their retention strategies. Unfortunately, when it comes to our teachers, we seem to be stuck in a never-ending cycle of losing staff and desperately attempting to hire replacements—without ever taking the time to understand and address the reasons they’re leaving in the first place. It’s clear that we need a new approach, and we need it quickly. Consider the healthcare industry. Despite facing many of the same staffing challenges, healthcare providers are focusing on understanding and improving employee retention. In stark contrast, the education sector is often preoccupied with recruitment efforts, and, disturbingly, many states aren’t even collecting teacher retention data. We need comprehensive state programs that evaluate and support school leadership, similar to the systems in place for hospitals. For example, a simple Google search reveals a National Health Care Retention Report (listed below) that outlines the costs, details, and the urgent need to build retention capacity and understand turnover trends. Meanwhile, 22 states have not collected any teacher retention data at all in the last five years. And yet, so-called "innovative" programs and solutions are being implemented by every state in an attempt to address the teacher shortage by making the teaching profession more accessible and appealing. But how can we solve a problem if we don’t even know its full extent? It’s time we stop treating our teachers as expendable. We must truly understand why they’re leaving their schools and involve them in the problem-solving processes to address these issues. After all, the future of our children and nation depends on it. Best wishes always 💕 References: DailyPay. (2023). Employee Turnover Rates in the Healthcare Industry . Retrieved from https://www.dailypay.com/resource-center/blog/employee-turnover-rates-in-the-healthcare-industry/ Education Commission of the States. (2022). 50-State Comparison: Teacher Recruitment and Retention . Retrieved from https://reports.ecs.org/comparisons/teacher-recruitment-and-retention-2022-03 Learning Forward. (2022). How Districts and States are Addressing Teacher Turnover . Retrieved from https://learningforward.org/journal/tackling-turnover/how-districts-and-states-are-addressing-teacher-turnover/ Learning Policy Institute. (2023). Tracking State Teacher Workforce Across States . Retrieved from https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/blog/tracking-state-teacher-workforce-across-states#:~:text=Based%20on%20our%20analysis%2C%20Vermont,salaries%20and%20more%20supportive%20teaching NSI Nursing Solutions, Inc. (2023). 2023 National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report . Retrieved from https://www.nsinursingsolutions.com/Documents/Library/NSI_National_Health_Care_Retention_Report.pdf Previous Next

< Back The Heartbreak of Leaving the Classroom Reading time 2 minutes Published May 2, 2023 Category: Mental health I wish people understood how heartbreaking the decision to leave the classroom really is. All I ever really wanted to be was a teacher. The decision to leave was one that I labored over for years. I LOVED my students, coworkers, & the beautiful little corner of the world we created. BUT I couldn’t handle the micromanagement, increasing tasks, lack of respect, support, and flat-out hostility of my admin. Eventually, the dread I experienced walking into the building became insurmountable. Ultimately I left because my family deserved a better, healthier, happier version of me. But it was 2020 and times were very uncertain. I needed to earn something AND be able to get our girls on & off the bus. - At least until I figured out my next move. I took a job as a classroom aide where I could help students & teachers - but also leave work at work. The pay was crap, but I loved it and was happier. Then the unexpected happened- I was asked to teach a couple students privately, and the parents would pay me directly. I enjoyed it and was good at it, so I made a few posts letting people know I was available. I got a couple more students - then a couple more. Before long, I had to leave my aide position in order to take on more students. Now I only teach privately. I love my students, families, AND the respect, flexibility, & autonomy I have. I miss my beautiful classroom, but I love my life now. All this to say, the classroom is not the only place to impact students. Best wishes to you all, especially if you're figuring out your next steps. Previous Next

< Back Life as a self-employed teacher Reading time 3 minutes Published May 13, 2024 Category: Teacher entrepreneur As a self-employed teacher, I still get to do most of my favorite teacher things. There are also a couple of things I never had while working for a school or anyone else that I’m not sure I’m willing to give up. Here are 6 things I LOVE about being a self-employed, private practice teacher: Help my students achieve their unique learning goal Design engaging lessons customized to my learner's needs and interests Enjoy positive relationships with my students and families Make my own schedule (this one might be my favorite 🤫) Choose who I work with Decide how much I get paid Here are 6 things I LOVE that I don't do as a self-employed, private practice teacher: Sub plans Go to work when I or my children are sick Turn in lesson plans or grades Work nights or weekends Attend meetings or PD that are not useful to me or my students No other duties. I only do what I believe is in the best interests of my learners. Threats of violence, active shooter drills, bomb threats Finally, here are the only 2 things I miss from my time teaching in a school: The unscripted moments with my classes. I miss our inside jokes and celebrating milestones like prom, getting their licenses, championship wins, musical performances, etc. I also miss the way so many personalities can come together to make a special and unique community both within the classroom and the school itself. I know you know that every choice has pros and cons. For me, at this time in my and my family's life, being a self-employed teacher provides me the time and financial freedom I need to enjoy a career I love AND have energy for the rest of my life too. Best wishes always, Rachel Previous Next

< Back Demi K B.S.Ed. Education With Mrs.K 🎉 Hello, families! I’m Mrs. K! I’m so excited to officially launch Education With Mrs. K — where young learners build confidence in reading and math through fun, personalized support! 📚 I’m a certified teacher with 5+ years of classroom experience, and a passion for helping 2nd–5th graders thrive. Whether your child needs help with tricky math concepts, wants to become a stronger reader, or simply needs a boost in confidence — I’m here to help. ✨ Services: ✅ 1:1 Private Virtual Tutoring ✅ Grades 2–5 ✅ Reading fluency, comprehension, and math support ✅ Progress monitoring 👩🏫 Fun fact: I loved reading in school — but math didn’t always come easy. That’s why I’m so passionate about making learning clear, encouraging, and enjoyable for students 💕 Go to Website

< Back Steph Paturel ** Learn + Roam ** PPT® Verified Educator Lean + Roam Steph is an incredibly talented and innovative online teacher who is experienced in teaching a variety of content. As a French Immersion teacher, she teaches French, Visual Arts, Drama, Social Studies, Health, English Language Arts, and more to students in grades 1-8. (As per Ontario's curriculum standards) As a French teacher, Steph teaches grade 6-12 Core French, Conversational French, and French Pronunciation (accents from both Canada and France). Steph also offers programs for Educational Advocacy for Parents, "Bully Busting" & Self-Confidence for Kids, and "The Sex Talk". Go To Website

< Back Pilar Vanderstelt ** The Spanish Learning Nook ** PPT® Verified Educator The Spanish Learning Nook offers: • Spanish immersion instruction to learners age 4 and up. • Spanish as a foreign language tutoring and support (ages 4 and up) • Family Support for family members of students in Spanish Language immersion programs Pilar, a native Spanish-speaking, bilingual teacher who is passionate about sharing the love for my language and culture.Her teaching experience extends from preschool to college and spans over 25 years, teaching Spanish immersion for 14 years. With a multi-cultural, creative and enthusiastic approach, she provides learners with literacy-rich learning activities to develop biliteracy skills. Go To Website

< Back Sue Klapec ** Lantern Literacy ** PPT® Verified Educator Lantern Literacy was established in 2024 by Sue Klapec, certified Reading Specialist and 19 year veteran classroom teacher. Her passion is teaching struggling readers to read fluently and with confidence using an explicit, systematic, and hands-on approach. Lantern Literacy provides customized reading intervention plans designed with the specific needs of each learner. In addition to 1:1 private instruction, each enrolled student has access to a digital classroom full of engaging practice activities, parent resources, story-time read alouds, and more! Website Under Construction ~ Not Currently Taking New Students Contact Sue at @lanternliteracy on Instagram or Facebook

< Back Why Teaching Feels Impossible Right Now Reading time 4 minutes Published April 13, 2026 Category: Education, Education Reform, Teacher Burnout I had a conversation this week that I haven’t been able to shake. I was on the phone with a former student of mine who is now a high school English teacher. (And yes, before you ask, we didn’t exchange phone numbers until after she graduated. Professional boundaries have always been important to me.) We were talking about how hard it is to actually teach around these standardized tests. How much instructional time is lost to them, not just during testing windows, but all year long. She also vented about how frustrating it is that students don’t, or can’t, read for any real length of time anymore. We talked about the role of technology, both in and out of the classroom. But more than anything, we kept coming back to the same thing: It’s nearly impossible to get students to those upper levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy when everything is driven by test prep. And here’s the part that’s been bothering me… Every teacher knows this. And somehow, the system keeps pretending it’s not true. More test prep and more practice tests are NOT how we improve test scores. I learned that in one of the very first grad classes I ever took. Students who practice the skills the test measures in a variety of ways consistently outperform students who spend all their time doing practice tests. Students who interact with content in different formats, who think, who explore, who engage… they do better. And in order to reach those top two levels of Bloom’s, Evaluation and Creation, students need the two things we are giving them less and less of: Time & Space. They also need l low-pressure environments where their brains can actually play with ideas, make connections, and think critically. You know, like all the electives that keep being cut to make room for more tested subjects like math, English, and science. So what do we do? Well, the really good teachers try to force real learning into a system that prioritizes test performance above everything else and then to prepare for those tests in the least effective way possible. And it’s exhausting. It’s disheartening. It feels like pushing an ever-growing ball uphill. Add in the lack of admin support, the behavior issues, the constant data collection, and all the non-teaching tasks… and it’s no wonder so many teachers are burning out, giving up, or leaving altogether. This job used to get easier each year. Now it feels like the opposite. And here’s where things shift. As a private practice teacher, I’m no longer bound by a rigid schedule or a scripted curriculum. I get to teach in ways that actually promote critical thinking, creativity, evaluation, and exploration. I provide the structure and the guardrails, but the learning itself is much more student-led. And it’s fun. Genuinely fun. (And yes, teaching a world language helps. We can do almost anything as long as we do it in French, but I see this same shift with the teachers I work with across subjects, too.) While I do miss certain dynamics that only exist in a traditional classroom, the professional freedom, autonomy, and respect I have now are worth it. At least until classroom teachers are given the same level of trust and professional autonomy. So here’s the thought I keep coming back to: You don’t need to become a better test-prep tech. You know how to teach and, miraculously, you still want to teach. The problem is you’re barely given the opportunity to. And all those skills and knowledge you have that actually help students learn: Autonomy. Creativity. Critical thinking. The very things the system is squeezing out. They’re the same ones that make a private teaching practice thrive. If you’re still in the classroom, let this be your reminder: You are not the problem. But you also don’t have to keep forcing yourself to operate inside a system that makes good teaching feel impossible. If this resonates with you, you have lots of company. What’s one thing you wish you had the freedom to do in your classroom? Drop it in the comments or send me a message. And if you’re starting to wonder what teaching could look like outside of this system… that’s exactly the work I do with teachers inside my mentorship program. Previous Next

< Back How My Morning Routine Transformed My Life as a Teacher and a Parent Reading time 12 minutes Published September 22, 2023 Category: Self-employed teacher I want to take you on a journey through my life, comparing my morning routines as a teacher and parent. It's a story of evolution, adaptation, and most importantly, finding the balance that works best for my family and me. Before Kids: The Serene Teacher's Morning Once upon a time, in the land of pre-parenthood, my mornings were a sanctuary of calm and preparation. I'd rise early, with ample time to set up my classes for the day just the way I liked it. If a brilliant teaching idea struck me on the way to work, I had the luxury to pivot and incorporate it seamlessly. Coffee was savored, and I greeted my students refreshed and excited for the day. After the school day ended, I frequently stayed for a couple hours to plan lessons and create engaging resources. I didn't do it out of obligation but because I genuinely enjoyed it—well, except for the grading part; I've never liked grading. After Kids: The Hectic Morning Scramble Fast forward to the arrival of my little ones, and everything changed. Mornings became a chaotic race against time. Sleep became a distant memory, and the luxurious planning sessions evaporated. There was never enough time for lesson planning, grading, or even grabbing a moment of peace with a cup of now-cold-coffee. The collision of motherhood and teaching led me to navigate a new path—one that demanded a different version of me as both a teacher and a mother. Motherhood and Teaching: A Beautiful Blend Despite the overwhelming adjustments, I can't help but acknowledge how becoming a mom made me a better teacher. Seeing the world through the eyes of a parent gave me a renewed perspective on the preciousness of every student in my classroom. It deepened my empathy and love for my students and for teaching. However, it was also an exhausting juggling act that left me feeling constantly stressed and often resentful. The demands of my teaching profession seemed increasingly out of sync with the needs of my family. The Pandemic Crossroads: A Tough Decision When the pandemic struck, the ground shifted beneath my feet. Grandparents couldn't assist with childcare, and neighbors were understandably cautious. Daycare costs were so expensive (if you could even find one with opening), adding another layer of stress to an already strained situation. My husband and I had a difficult conversation, pondering the best course of action for our family and finances. A New Path Emerges: Part-Time Teacher and More After much deliberation, we settled on a solution: I would find a part-time job that allowed me to care for our kids before and after school while still contributing to our income. We made some budget adjustments and decided to take the plunge. I bid farewell to my students, families, colleagues, and the unsupportive administration that prioritized the school's needs over my family's. It was a bittersweet departure, marked by mixed emotions, a lot of tears, and a sense of liberation. Embracing a New Journey: Self-Employed Teacher In August, my new chapter began as a part-time ESL aide. I cherished the school, students, and teachers I supported. I had an amazing and supportive administration that allowed me to customize my schedule, ensuring I could be there for my children. However, the pay was less than ideal, and I yearned for more opportunities to teach. That's when a friend, a dean at a small private school, offered me a unique opportunity: to create and teach an online class for two students, setting my own fees and grading methods. I took the plunge, and by November, I had a thriving private teaching business and left my aide position. My Blissful Mornings as a Self-Employed Teacher Now, my mornings are a far cry from the chaotic rush they used to be. I wake up at six, enjoy a coffee with my spouse, have a leisurely hour with my kids, get some exercise, and then start my teaching day. My teaching day ends promptly at 3 p.m., giving me precious time for myself before my children return home. It's a schedule that finally allows me to breathe. A Fulfilling Life in Balance The most significant change is that there's time again—time to be the mother, spouse, friend, and teacher I aspire to be. The constant struggle and resentment have given way to a more fulfilling and rewarding life. My roles no longer compete with each other; they complement and support one another. As I reflect on this journey, I can't help but encourage you to find your balance, too. Whether it's a change in career, a shift in responsibilities, or simply a reevaluation of your daily routine. Take the leap if it brings you closer to a more joyful, peaceful, and fulfilling life. So, dear readers, if you find yourself at a crossroads, remember that change can lead to something beautiful. Embrace it, and may your mornings be as lovely as mine. If you have any questions or want to share your own story, please reach out. Let's connect and support each other on this journey called life. Best wishes always. Previous Next

< Back I spent over 11K on a coaching program, and it almost killed my business. Reading time 10 minutes Published December 20, 2023 Category: Business coaching Offers for paid coaching are literally everywhere right now, & I want to have a very frank conversation about it. Personally, I have spent over $20,000 in paid coaching & courses over the last 3 years. That's how I learned A LOT of what I teach my clients. I also learned a lot about what works (and doesn't work) for me both as someone being coached and as the coach I strive to be. I wish I could say that all of it has been worth the money, but sadly that wasn’t the case. In my experience, the phrase “You get what you pay for!” doesn’t apply to business coaching. When I started my first my business, MyFrenchU, it was by accident. I didn't pay for any coaching. I learned EVERYTHING as I went. It felt like a second job sorting through the constantly-changing, free advice of so-called gurus. On my own, it took me over 18 months to get my business to the point where I was consistently earning 4-figure months and my business was running smoothly. With my second business, I didn't want to take that long. There was still a lot that I didn't know, and I wanted to educate myself. That's exactly how I approached it too. I researched coaches and their programs the way I researched grad programs. I also met with them to make sure that we were philosophically aligned and someone I would enjoy working with. Finally, I met with one or two people who had been through their program and asked them my questions too. For my first business coach I paid $6,000 for a 6 month program that included a self-paced digital course with resources and live group coaching. That program was worth every penny. I made back my $6,000 investment and begin earning a profit in less than 6 months of opening The Private Practice Teacher®. I do not believe I would have been able to accomplish so much so quickly without her guidance and feedback. I was able to experience much faster growth in that businesses and with significantly more confidence. I believe in my ability to learn and put into practice what I learn. I also really appreciate having someone "lay it out" for me rather than having to do ALL the research and trial & error on my own. It was also incredibly helpful to have other people to bounce my ideas off of and to learn from. Then, about a year after starting The Private Practice Teacher®, I started looking for coaching again to help my business grow AND help me have a bigger voice when advocating for teachers and education. The algorithm heard me and started sending me ads for a coaching program co-developed by a well-known TedX speaker. I thought, “This could be perfect. I’d love to do a TedX talk about all the wonderful programs the teachers I work with have created for their students and communities.” Sadly, this time I did not do my due diligence. I researched the Ted-X speaker who acts as the face of the program, but I didn’t push for clarification about the particulars of their program during my discovery call. Nor did I meet with any of the actual coaches/trainers or ask to connect with current program members or alumni, so I could ask them my questions. My discovery call was with a masterful sales person. I trusted him and in my naivety and fear, I went for it. I spent almost $12,000 on that coaching program, and it almost killed my business. They pushed me to use sales tactics that I believe to be unethical and intrusive like “pain-point marketing”, cold DM'ing, and told me NOT to explain any of particulars of my program and what it includes - instead lean into their hopes and fears. I found myself questioning if there even is a place for transparent and ethical business practices in business coaching. Because if it’s all sales tactics, manipulation, and a “numbers-game”, than it's not for me. I don’t want to be someone who makes money that way. If it wasn’t for the wonderful teachers I’d coached up to that point and the community we created together, The Private Practice Teacher® wouldn’t still be here. They lifted me up, reminded me of who I am and why they chose to work with me instead of other teacher coaches. They also reminded me of the inspiring businesses and lives they created during our time together. Now , last but not least, the $2,000 coaching program I most recently invested in. This 9-week digital course plus live coaching and community gave me everything that the $12,000 program promised it would but failed to deliver. The least expensive coaching program I ever paid for was exactly what I and my business needed . As a result of that program, I have been able to: Make my Jumpstart program less expensive and more accessible for more teachers Create the Teacher 2 Entrepreneur Bootcamp to help teachers make the mental transition necessary to create a successful teaching business Learn marketing strategies and operating systems that allow me to work for efficiently, be more productive, and provide better service All of which is exactly what I need to grow The Private Practice Teacher® into the business I want it to become. The bottom line is this: You're going to have to invest some ratio of time and money when starting a business. Only YOU know what ratio is right for you! Before you invest any money in anyone’s programs I encourage you to do the following: Make sure you are comfortable with the person/people you will actually be working with in the program. (ie. not a sales team or onboarding member - the actual coach/coaches) Ask to preview the course or for a course outline Reach out to people who are in their program or have complete their program Familiarize yourself with their refund policy Don’t be afraid to ask “too many questions” or “dumb questions”. This is your hard-earned money. You have a right to ask as many questions as you need to in order to make an informed decision about how you spend it. Listen to your gut not your fear or self-doubt. Thank you for reading. I hope this helps. Best wishes always, Rachel Previous Next

< Back Danielle Hobson Dani-the-ACT-Coach Hello, I am a dedicated educator with extensive experience as a high school English teacher and vetted test prep coach. I provide expert instruction in all ACT and SAT subjects, in addition to problem-solving, analytical thinking, and critical thinking skills. My enthusiastic and motivational teaching style fosters a positive and productive learning environment. I look forward to seeing you in class. Go to Website

< Back Erica Triggs M.Ed. ** Lighthouse Learning Studio ** PPT Verified Educator Lighthouse Learning Studio Hi, I’m Erica — a passionate educator with over a decade of experience and personal insight into dyslexia. Through Lighthouse Learning Studio, I provide personalized, one-on-one Orton-Gillingham-based instruction, literacy intervention, and kindergarten readiness support. My mission is to nurture each child’s unique potential, empowering them to thrive academically and socially while fostering a lifelong love of learning. Go to Website