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Rachel Cicioni discusses the ins and outs of her entrepreneurial journey from leaving the classroom, starting her private teaching business, and what's she's learned along the way. The Private Practice Teacher® Blog Leaving the Classroom, Mindset, Community Teacher Traits That Last Long After Leaving the Classroom The quirks and habits of teaching follow us long after leaving the classroom. Some are funny, some heavy, and all worth talking about. Read More Published: October 2, 2025 3 minutes Reading time: Teacher entrepreneur; Teacher burn out; Leaving the classroom Finding Myself Again Through Teaching Freedom When I resigned, I blamed COVID. But the truth was that my job was turning me into someone I didn't recognize. Someone I didn't want to be. Read More Published: September 4, 2025 5 minutes Reading time: Private Teaching, Private Tutoring Teaching vs. Tutoring: Why It’s Time to Name—and Own—the Difference It started with a comment on one of my YouTube videos.They felt I was diminishing tutors by uplifting teachers. The exchange made me think. Read More Published: June 17, 2025 5 minutes Reading time: Education Reform Teaching, Like Medicine, Is a Science-Informed Art Both rely on science, practice, and intuition. Both are being suffocated by systems that sideline the professionals actually doing the work. Read More Published: May 22, 2025 5 minutes Reading time: Teacher entrepreneur Being a Self-Employed Teacher Costs Less Than You Think Are you yearning to break free from the confines of the traditional classroom but worry about the daunting start-up costs of launching your Read More Published: February 19, 2025 5 minutes Reading time: Mental health Beyond Tired? It Might Be Time to Rethink Your Career. October has arrived, and if you're still in the classroom, you're probably starting to feel it: that first wave of exhaustion creeping in. Read More Published: October 1, 2024 5 minutes Reading time: Teacher life The Subconscious Patterns of Teacher Life Since leaving the classroom I’m becoming increasingly aware of the subconscious patterns and coping mechanisms we develop due to the Read More Published: July 8, 2024 5 minutes Reading time: Teacher entrepreneur Life as a self-employed teacher 6 things I do, 6 things I don't, & 2 things I miss. As a self-employed teacher, I still get to do most of my favorite teacher things. .. Read More Published: May 13, 2024 3 minutes Reading time: Leaving the classroom Making the Decision to Leave the Classroom In the years leading up to my resignation from my beloved teaching position, I found myself making monthly and finally weekly pros and cons Read More Published: March 1, 2024 5 minutes Reading time: Mental health Why You Need to Connect with Your Summer Self Year Round 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 Read More Published: January 18, 2024 7 minutes Reading time: Business coaching I spent over 11K on a coaching program, and it almost killed my business. Offers for paid coaching are literally everywhere right now, & I want to have a very frank conversation about it. Personally, I have spent Read More Published: December 20, 2023 10 minutes Reading time: Self care Let's get real about wellness routines and self-care. Believe me, I get it. Balancing the classroom and home-life, the never-ending to-do lists, and the hustle and bustle of the school year..... Read More Published: October 16, 2023 7 minutes Reading time: Teacher life The Unexpected Impact Leaving the Classroom Had on my Family Maybe you can relate? I used to think that my students got the best of me and my family got the rest of me. While I hoped this wasn't ... Read More Published: August 16, 2023 7 minutes Reading time: Business coaching Personal Solution to a Teacher-Centered Movement When I started The Private Practice Teacher® in June of 2022, it was with the goals of helping other burned-out teachers enjoy the .... Read More Published: June 23, 2023 3 minutes Reading time: Teacher entrepreneur Can you be Risk-Averse AND an Entrepreneur? YES! Something you may not know about me is that I’m actually pretty conservative and kind of risk-averse. And I’m not sure that that’s from a Read More Published: May 12, 2023 3 minutes Reading time: Business coaching The Pros & Cons of Paid Business Coaching Let's talk about the elephant in the room - paid coaching. Offers for paid coaching are literally everywhere right now, & I want to have a Read More Published: April 7, 2023 3 minutes Reading time: Leaving the classroom From the classroom to my own teaching business Leaving the classroom was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I began teaching in 2011, and I loved being a high school French teacher Read More Published: February 25, 2023 3 minutes Reading time: Education Reform, Teacher Satisfaction, Teacher Burnout What Does It Mean for a School to Fail? Schools often fail teachers long before test scores dip. What if success was measured by teacher support and satisfaction? Read More Published: September 16, 2025 3 minutes Reading time: Teacher Entrepreneurship 7 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Starting My Teaching Business Practical lessons from a teacher-turned-entrepreneur: 7 things I wish I’d known before starting my private teaching business. Read More Published: August 14, 2025 6 minutes Reading time: teacher entrepreneur, teacher business Stop Undervaluing Your Teaching Expertise: You're More Than a Tutor Teachers — if you’ve ever looked at your hourly rate and wondered, “Why am I still exhausted and barely breaking even?” This is for you. Read More Published: June 12, 2025 4 minutes Reading time: Leaving the Classroom, Mindset, Business Coaching You're Not a Bad Teacher for Wanting More I want to say something you may not have heard—at least not loud enough or often enough: You're NOT a bad teacher for wanting more. Read More Published: April 4, 2025 4 minutes Reading time: self-care, mindset, entrepreneur Self-Care is Essential for Teacher-Entrepreneurs Teachers are notoriously bad at self-care. Here's why it's non-negotiable for entrepreneurs & how you CAN make it a part of your daily life. Read More Published: January 10, 2025 3 minutes Reading time: Retention Why Are Teachers Leaving, and Who’s Paying Attention? 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 ... Read More Published: August 13, 2024 5 minutes Reading time: Teacher life Would you rather? Summer Edition In my neighborhood, summer break is almost here, and it has me reflecting on the summer break after my last year in the classroom. Read More Published: June 3, 2024 5 minutes Reading time: Leaving the classroom Nothing Beats Community Teachers need each other. It's one of those careers that can also be an identity. People say, “I work in retail" but say "I'm a teacher." Read More Published: March 25, 2024 7 minutes Reading time: Self-employed teacher What are your task avoidance behaviors trying to tell you? Are you finding yourself constantly sidetracked by tasks that seem urgent but are ultimately unproductive? As a self-employed teacher, I ... Read More Published: February 9, 2024 3 minutes Reading time: Goal setting Crafting the Magic of Your Year Ahead As we stand on the threshold of a new year, there's an undeniable sense of magic in the air. But here's the secret: that enchantment..... Read More Published: January 2, 2024 3 minutes Reading time: Mental health Lessons from Fall ~ Rest, Recovery, & Productivity I am very fortunate to live near a park and every morning that the weather permits, Yeti and I take a nice long walk. Some mornings I .... Read More Published: November 9, 2023 5 minutes Reading time: Self-employed teacher How My Morning Routine Transformed My Life as a Teacher and a Parent 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... Read More Published: September 22, 2023 12 minutes Reading time: Leaving the classroom Recovering from the Classroom It’s been just over three years since I left the classroom and here are a few things I’ve encountered that I wasn't expecting. Grief Read More Published: August 2, 2023 5 min Reading time: Teacher life “Old keys won’t open new doors.” “Old keys won’t open new doors.” I’ve been meditating on variations of this idea for a couple of weeks now, both as it applies to my life... Read More Published: June 8, 2023 3 minutes Reading time: Mental health The Heartbreak of Leaving the Classroom I wish people understood how heartbreaking the decision to leave the classroom really is. All I ever really wanted to be was a teacher. Read More Published: May 2, 2023 2 minutes Reading time: Private tutor What is Private Practice Teaching®? When I tell people that I own my own teaching business as a private practice teacher, the conversation that follows usually goes something Read More Published: March 5, 2023 5 minutes Reading time: Filter by category: Business coaching Education Reform Education Reform, Teacher Satisfaction, Teacher Burnout Goal setting Leaving the Classroom, Mindset, Business Coaching Leaving the Classroom, Mindset, Community Leaving the classroom Mental health Private Teaching, Private Tutoring Private tutor Retention Self care Self-employed teacher Teacher Entrepreneurship Teacher entrepreneur Teacher entrepreneur; Teacher burn out; Leaving the classroom Teacher life self-care, mindset, entrepreneur teacher entrepreneur, teacher business

Private Practice Teachers and Tutors, Find the teacher right for you Welcome to The PPT Teacher Directory Find the independent teachers right for you & your family. The professional educators included in The PPT Directory are NOT employees of The Private Practice Teacher®. Each teacher is a private business owners and is 100% responsible for their conduct and business practices. Read Full Disclaimer Now Meet The Teachers ** Indicates a PPT® Verified Educator . These are teachers that I have personally worked with and whose teaching and business philosophies are similar to my own. Barb McCluskey ** The Reading Cube PreK, Elementary: Reading Read More Pilar Vanderstelt ** The Spanish Learning Nook PreK-Adult: Spanish, Spanish Immersion Read More Julie Mamunes ** Speaking of Russian MS, HS, Adult: Russian Read More Erica Triggs M.Ed. ** Lighthouse Learning Studio K-2: Reading & Dyslexia Read More Sue Klapec ** Lantern Literacy Elementary: Reading Read More Lara Luft Profa Lara Luft Brazilian Portuguese & ESOL Read More Hilary Farmer Adventure Learning LLC PreK-12: Math, English Read More Claudia Hall Spanish Class With Mrs. Hall PreK-HS: Spanish Read More More Teachers Can't find what you need? Our PPT Community is growing! Read More Geena James ** Foundations First Learning Elementary: Reading, Math Read More Steph Paturel ** Learn + Roam PreK-Adult: French; Elementary French Immersion Read More Beth Van Oss ** Bravo Español HS-Adult: Spanish Read More Sarah Elisabeth Rosa MSEd ** Rumba Rosa, LLC K-Adult: Spanish & ESL Read More Cathie Guillebastre My Math Mindset MS & HS: Math Read More Rose Gause Reading With Rose K-12: Reading, Literacy Read More Sheryl Uehling Tutoring with Sheryl K-8: Reading, Writing Read More Michelle Sorrells Simply Fun PreK - 5: All content areas Read More Ganaia Praema ** The Music Mentor K-Adult: Writing, Music, Art Read More Pamela Vasquez ** French Creek Language PreK-HS: French , French Copy Editing Read More Lance Green ** Green STEM Learning K-12: Science, Math, STEM, Music Read More Helen Peguero ** Aprende Con Peguero K-Adult: Span/Eng Ed, Spec. Ed Read More Demi K B.S.Ed. Education With Mrs.K 2nd-5th: Math, English Read More Danielle Hobson Dani-the-ACT-Coach ACT/SAT Test Prep Read More Rachel Cicioni M.Ed. ** MyFrenchU MS-Adult: French Read More Montrae Kornegay Kornegay Tutoring and Services K-12: Spec. Ed., English & Math Read More My Core Philosophy S tudents: 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? Click Here Click Here >> Disclaimer << Please read carefully The private practice teachers and tutors in The PPT® Directory are experienced, certified educators, & independent business owners. They have complete autonomy over both their business & teaching practice. Inclusion in this directory is voluntary and provided at no charge. * The teachers in this directory are not employed by nor pay a commission to The Private Practice Teacher®. The Private Practice Teacher® is NOT legally or morally responsible for the actions or inactions of the teachers included in the PPT® Directory. This directory serves only as a resource to help students and families find independent, private practice teachers and tutors. ** All liability resides with the independent teacher business owners and the students and families that choose to work with them.

The Private Practice Teacher® is resource hub and community for teacher business owners at all stages of their business journey and for students seeking the private educators. The Private Practice Teacher® Fall in LOVE with Teaching Again. with Rachel Cicioni MEd. Schedule Free Consultation I believe this is how we make our seat at the table. THIS is how we get OUR voices heard. There is no doubt that our current educational systems have some very serious problems! Not the least of which is the failure to include teachers in the conversations about solving those problems. That's where Private Practice Teaching comes in. Let's shift the conversation. No longer will they be talking about a "teacher shortage". There will be plenty of teachers, just not teachers willing to work in systems that do not value their input and expertise. I help classroom teachers become self-employed teachers in 90 days or less. Check out my Teacher to Entrepreneur podcast! 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!'' Schedule Free Consultation Press & Interviews Click Image Below to Read or Listen Collabs.io Mag Online Magazine Online magazine featuring solopreneurs and their stories for the purpose of collaboration, learning, and storytelling. The Teacher Story Podcast Podcast centering teachers journey and ideas about education reform. Ep.12-Rachel's Story-"Edupreneur-The Private Practice Teacher" WLCH Radio Centro Podcast How does a French teacher end up on a Spanish-speaking podcast? Because a former student asked me to, of course! 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. Get in touch First name* Last name Email* Phone Write a message Submit

< 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 From the classroom to my own teaching business Reading time 3 minutes Published February 25, 2023 Category: Leaving the classroom I loved being a high school French teacher! I worked in a small private high school and was the only French teacher. Teaching 5 levels of French was challenging, but I enjoyed that no two lessons were ever the same. Our school was a very close community. I got to know the families well, and many of my students I taught for all 4 years. It was amazing being able to witness them grow in the language and as people. When COVID hit in 2020, everything changed. Childcare became a major issue, and we decided it would be best if I found a way to work from home. Even though I knew it was the right decision, it was still very hard to leave the classroom – even after such a challenging spring. I felt guilty being away from the classroom, seeing my colleagues struggles, and feeling like I couldn’t help. I missed working with students and tried to find a job teaching part-time while my children were in school. Enter my friend, Abby, Director of Education at a local, private, secondary school. Abby approached me about creating and teaching a French program for a couple of their high school students. However, it would have to be online, and the school didn’t have enough students interested in French to hire me. The families would have to hire me themselves. Thankfully- they did. It wasn’t long before I discovered I really enjoy working with students this way, and I’m really good at it too! I made a post on social media telling my friends what I was doing, and a few of them shared my post and told their friends. A couple months later, I started working with my first adult learners. I was a little surprised how much I truly enjoy working with adults. All of my students, regardless of age, are so different, and I love designing lessons around their unique interests and learning goals. My students have been asking me when I’m ready to take on more students. I kept saying, “Wait until I finish my Masters.” Well, I just finished last month and here we go! Now I have a waitlist of students and get to help other teachers on their path to owning their own private teaching businesses too. I never thought opportunity to own my own teaching business existed. Now, I can’t wait to see where it can go from here! Previous Next

< Back What are your task avoidance behaviors trying to tell you? Reading time 3 minutes Published February 9, 2024 Category: Self-employed teacher Are you finding yourself constantly sidetracked by tasks that seem urgent but are ultimately unproductive? As a self-employed teacher, I understand the struggle of managing your own business while trying to stay focused on important goals. Let's delve into a recent realization I had and how it might resonate with your own journey. Last week, with a looming deadline for a presentation proposal, I caught myself engaging in a classic task avoidance behavior: productive procrastination. Instead of tackling the proposal head-on, I found myself engrossed in mundane tasks like transferring events between planners. Sound familiar? It was a wake-up call. I had to confront the root cause of my avoidance. Was it self-doubt? Fear of failure? Uncertainty about my abilities? As I dissected my thoughts, I realized that none of these reasons held true. I am qualified, experienced, and fully capable of delivering the presentation. So why the hesitation? The answer was fear. Fear of stepping out of my comfort zone, fear of the unknown, fear of failure despite ample evidence of success in my teaching career. Recognizing this allowed me to push past the paralysis and submit my proposal before the deadline. If you're experiencing similar challenges, know that you're not alone. Self-reflection is key to understanding and overcoming task avoidance behaviors. Remember, growth happens outside of your comfort zone. Embrace the discomfort, trust in your abilities, and go for it! Remember ... Nothing extraordinary ever happens by staying in your comfort zone. Best wishes always, Rachel Previous Next

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

< 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 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 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 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 Teaching, Like Medicine, Is a Science-Informed Art Reading time 5 minutes Published May 22, 2025 Category: Education Reform Last week, in my doctor’s office—after discussing the next phase of my care plan for some ongoing health issues—I joked, “I feel like a science experiment.” She smiled and said something that stopped me in my tracks: “Well, you kind of are. Medicine is as much science as it is art. No matter how much research and testing we do, every human body is complex and different. We never really know how a medication or treatment will affect someone until we try it. But, like art, we get better with practice. It’s a science-informed art.” “So is teaching,” I replied.“I guess it would be,” she said. “Every student is different.” Every student is different. Each one who walks into our classroom is a complex human being with unique experiences, perspectives, strengths, and challenges. That conversation stayed with me. And the next day, while walking my dog, it hit me: In both education and healthcare, the people doing the real work are trained, thoughtful, and deeply committed. But in both fields, those professionals are often silenced by systems that prioritize money and metrics over care and wisdom. I’ve experienced this in both spaces—personally and as a parent. Decisions aren’t being made by the people doing the work. They’re being made by the people funding and profiting from it. The Parallel Between Education and Health Care Doctors get overridden by insurance companies. Patients are denied medications because of cost or bureaucracy—not based on what their physician recommends. In our family, it took nearly a year to get a specific asthma medication for my daughter because the version her doctor wanted her to take wasn’t covered by insurance. The name-brand version, which would have been available through a script-sourcing channel, was discontinued, rebranded as a generic, and thus became inaccessible through that channel as well. We tried workaround after workaround and various other medications for nearly a year before finally getting what she needed. In another case, I was prescribed the only medication available to me during a pregnancy complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum. The side effects were so intense and demoralizing that I seriously questioned whether I could go through another pregnancy. There was a better alternative with significantly fewer side effects—but it was $5,000 per pill. It wasn’t covered. It wasn’t an option. In the United States, over 25% of women with hyperemesis gravidarum report suicidal thoughts, and over 6% take their lives each year, according to the NIH. The suffering is that relentless. And while better care exists, it is often completely inaccessible. What This Has to Do with Teaching In education, the dynamics are heartbreakingly similar. Teachers—the professionals doing the work, implementing research, and studying best practices—are often treated as disposable. They are rarely invited to decision-making tables. Instead, curriculum is dictated by publishing companies. Policies are influenced by testing companies. Technology platforms tell us how students should learn, regardless of how students actually learn—or how detrimental all that screen time is to the developing brain. (Both teachers and pediatricians have been sounding the alarm on that one for well over a decade.) We’re seeing more and more school districts so beholden to standardized testing and government funding benchmarks that authentic learning is getting sidelined. Teaching to the test isn’t just happening—in some places, it’s mandated. But educators know better. We know that what helps students grow isn’t endless test prep; it’s practicing the skills those tests are meant to measure, in real and relevant contexts. And yet, we’re forced to retrofit bad curriculum, limit our creativity, and ignore our professional judgment in order to meet external demands that often contradict what we know is best. So What Do We Do? We teach in spite of the system. Just like doctors who bend red tape to help their patients, teachers adapt, advocate, rewrite, intervene, push back, and resist. We do what we can for the kids in front of us. But imagine if we didn’t have to fight the system every day just to meet the actual needs of our students and patients. Imagine what education and healthcare could be if the people doing the work had the power to shape the work. Teachers are not “just teachers.” Doctors are not replaceable by software. These are professions. These are callings. These are forms of care work and craft that deserve respect, resources, and trust . We don’t need more tech. We need more trust in human expertise. We are the science-informed artists. And the longer we practice, the better we get at it—if only the system would let us. If you’re an educator seeking a way to reclaim your autonomy and build a life and business that reflect your values, check out the T2E Intensive or the Intro to Private Practice Teaching mini-course on YouTube. Let’s reimagine what’s possible—together. Previous Next