A Teacher’s Journey into Instructional Design

Hello friends,

I want to share a story, not just about a career shift, but about finding a new way to impact education.

A Pivot Point: Teaching Meets Technology

It began quietly during the pandemic. As a high school Spanish teacher, I faced the challenge of engaging students virtually. This led to a surprising discovery: I loved creating digital lessons. This passion sparked a question – could this be more than just a part of my teaching job?

With some hesitation, I stepped into the unknown, applying for curriculum design roles during breaks and vacations. It was a gamble. A small edtech startup took a chance on me, a teacher with passion but no formal design training. They tasked me with developing Spanish courses, and eventually, I found myself designing more and more of their content.

Transitioning: Insights and Realizations

Here are some learnings from my journey:

1. Start with Short-Term Jobs: Think about taking temporary jobs in creating educational content or courses. These jobs are a good way to get your foot in the door of the edtech world and can often lead to more permanent work.
2. Use Your Classroom Work: All those great lessons and activities you’ve made for your students? They show off your skills in making educational materials. Put them together to show what you can do – it’s like your own personal showcase.
3. Take It Slow: You don’t have to leave teaching right away. Use your summer or holiday breaks to start looking into edtech jobs. This way, you can explore your options without making a big jump too quickly.
4. Stay Up-to-Date with Tech: Knowing about the latest in technology and how it’s used in education can really help. Even learning a little bit about coding can make you stand out.
5. Your Teaching Skills Are Valuable: The things you’re good at as a teacher can be really useful in other areas too. For example, being able to manage a classroom can help you work well with other people, and planning lessons is similar to planning bigger projects.
6. Talk to People in the Field: Meeting and talking with people who have already moved from teaching to edtech can give you great advice and might even lead to job opportunities. You can use websites like LinkedIn or just have casual chats over coffee to make these connections.

A New Chapter

This transition wasn’t just about changing jobs. It was a journey of shifting perspectives, understanding the broader impact I could have in education.

One of the toughest aspects was grappling with the emotional ties to teaching. The bonds formed with students and the commitment to their growth can make the decision to leave the classroom emotionally complex. It’s okay to feel a mix of excitement and guilt, a sense of loss, yet eagerness for what lies ahead.

Embracing this new path doesn’t diminish the value of our time in the classroom; rather, it expands our ability to contribute to education in diverse ways. Whether you’re exploring similar opportunities or simply curious about this transition, remember that your journey is unique. Your experiences, emotions, and aspirations are valid and important. No matter where you end up, your influence on education still goes on, just in a different way.