Explore career change &
discover the path that's right for you
Laura’s course totally transformed my mindset and way of thinking about my career. I’ve been teaching for 12 years and this course has helped me navigate my questions and uncertainties in ways I never could have done on my own. Now I’m navigating what’s next for me with confidence, because I know what I want and what I bring to the table.
—Clare, former pre-K teacher, current Logistics Coordinator
I felt lost and alone in the process of finding the "right" job for me after "only" being an educator. The course created a community for me where I could focus on my strengths and explore jobs that were not about teaching at all! Laura and her course were a pivotal part of my healing process as I shift from educator to the next phase of my life. The course was a life changer and a life saver.
—Bernadette, former teacher, current Grief Recovery Specialist
Hey teacher, if you're at a crossroads in your career, you might be feeling:
Confused about what you want for your career. One day you feel the positive impact you're making on your students' lives, and you can't imagine anything better. The next day, you feel under-appreciated and over-worked and wonder why you're still doing this.
Disappointed that teaching might not be your forever job. You invested a lot of time and energy into training and growing as a teacher. It's a huge part of your identity. Was it all for nothing?
Guilty for even considering leaving your students. You're a good teacher, and you know the world needs strong teachers. You wonder if you should just set aside your own happiness for the “greater good.”
Stuck in the classroom with no good career alternatives. You can't imagine what else you could do with your skills and experiences. Your inner critic is loud and insistent that "You're not qualified for anything else!”
Curious about other careers beyond the classroom and whether you might enjoy doing something else!
Totally lost about how to move forward. Your process of figuring out your career feels disorganized and unproductive and is comprised mostly of worrying and fretting about your future.
Afraid of change. The unknown of another career has you frozen in your tracks.
Alone with your confusion, doubt, and uncertainty. It's hard to talk honestly about leaving teaching without "outing yourself"so it's like a dialogue between you...and you.
You don't have to navigate this crossroads alone.
Join a group of teachers on a six month journey to get crystal clear about where you want to take your career.
This career journey includes:
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A tried and true framework that takes the struggle out of your career exploration and gives you a clear roadmap to follow.
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A coach to help you answer your trickiest questions and navigate all the hard stuff like fear, overwhelm, disappointment, doubt, and guilt.
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A community of teachers to support you, hold you accountable, and offer a range of alternative perspectives.
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Permission to explore new career possibilities outside the classroom without guilt or commitment.
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Career resources customized to help teachers decide what's right for you.
All of this good stuff is packed inside...
Teachers at a Crossroads:
A course to explore career change & discover the path that's right for you
September 24, 2024 to April 8, 2025
This online group course will empower you to make decisions about your career that align with your strengths, values, personality, and what you want most for your life.
✅ Take stock of what’s important to you, what you have to offer, and what brings you joy.
✅ Explore career possibilities beyond the classroom.
✅ Connect with other teachers actively exploring a career change.
❌ Stay in the classroom because you feel scared or guilty to leave.
❌ Default to teaching because you don't know what else to do.
❌ Keep wondering "should I leave teaching or not?"
Hey there Teacher, I'm Laura!
I'm a career transformation coach for teachers feeling stuck.
I created the Teachers at a Crossroads course because I kept hearing from teachers: “I'm not sure I want to keep teaching, but what else could I even do?!”
The course is my version of shouting to the mountain tops “There’s so MUCH you could do!" You have a lot to offer and there are so many possibilities.
In the course, I'll guide you and a group of your fellow teachers through a process of taking stock of your skills, strengths, personality, values, and interests; exploring your career possibilities beyond the classroom; and transforming your career into work that feels right for you.
I've got 12 years of coaching experience, 5 successful career transitions of my own, and a passion for personal growth and fulfillment to bring to your biggest, most overwhelming career questions.
If you want work that’s going to make you happy, this course is the right place to start.
Get the quick lowdown
on Teachers at a Crossroads!
Teachers at a Crossroads is different than other career change courses
It's not a job search course
(it's a career clarity course)
There are other good career change courses for teachers out there. They're your go-to guides for conducting an effective job search.
But the job search is actually the last step of making a career transition.
Step #1 is figuring out what you want for your career. Teachers at a Crossroads will help you get this clarity.
The course gives you strategies, time, and permission to discover and explore a wide range of career possibilities beyond the classroom (there's so much out there).
It gives you space to do some guided reflection and soul-searching. Who are you at this phase of your life? What do you want? What you have to offer to the world? What's holding you back from change?
These big, important questions will invite you to think about your work and career differently and empower you to choose a path that's really right for you.
It's not a DIY course you tackle solo
(it's a cohort of teachers and a career coach walking through it with you)
Most career change courses for teachers are self-paced and self-motivated. You buy the course and then it's up to you to watch the videos and do the work. There's no one supporting you along the way or holding you accountable, except maybe a Facebook group.
In Teachers at a Crossroads, you work through the course with Laura (your coach) and a cohort of other teachers.
This support from Laura and a community of fellow teachers gives you accountability to do the work, momentum to keep moving, personalized support tailored to your needs, and a fresh outside perspective on the thoughts that have only been rattling around in your own brain.
This career change course IS for you if:
Yes!
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You are committed to figuring out your career THIS YEAR, but you don't know how to do it.
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You've tried on your own to get clarity about what you want but you just feel like you're spinning your wheels.
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Your main strategy has been doom-scrolling jobs online, and it's not working.
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You've taken other online job courses for teachers, and you still feel as stuck as ever.
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You'd like to join a cohort of other teachers for greater support, accountability, and camaraderie.
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You'd like to transform the way you think about your career, not just make a career transition.
This career change course is NOT for you if:
No!
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You aren't ready to commit your time and energy to figuring this out right now.
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You already know you want to leave teaching AND you know what you want to do next.
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You want help with your job search. Resumes, cover letters, and interviewing are not covered in this course.
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You need a job (any job) ASAP because you've left teaching and need an immediate income.
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You'd like to move through a course individually at your own pace.
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You want a quick fix to your career dissatisfaction.
This is the year you figure it out!
By the end of the Teachers at a Crossroads course...
You'll know if you want to leave the classroom
&
You'll have a clear direction for your career
You'll also have:
01.
A new way of looking at your career
that is more hopeful, positive, and effective.
04.
A community of support
to help you widen your perspective, think through your career questions, and tap into new resources and ideas.
02.
More joy in your work and life
by reconnecting with what makes you feel curious, interested, and excited.
05.
Commitment to your own well-being
by prioritizing yourself and what's important to you.
03.
Confidence in your skills and strengths
because you've identified
what they are and can see
how they relate to your work and other careers.
06.
A solid plan
for how to get what you want and the motivation & momentum to make it happen.
What teachers at a crossroads are saying about the course...
Before working with Laura and taking her course, my thoughts about teaching and my career were all over the place. Laura changed everything.
I came away from Laura’s course with clarity and a sense of calm about my career that I hadn’t felt in a long time.
She helped me clarify my career goals and identify personal strengths I could utilize in new roles. I also learned valuable networking skills, which have helped me make connections and provided me with even more inspiration and confidence in my career transition.
The best part, though, was the weekly course meetings. It felt like an act of self-care, a time just for me to be open, honest, and reflective with teachers who could relate and support me. I felt less alone and more understood.
—BA, current high school English teacher
I took Laura’s course because I was a teacher without a lot of joy. I wanted to explore other career possibilities, but I felt like I could only be a teacher, and I also felt some inner conflict about even considering leaving the classroom.
As I worked through the course, I felt the number of doors and possibilities for career alternatives begin to open! Through the strengths and personality surveys, I began to feel confident in my strengths and capable of doing something else. I found the weekly Zoom meetings with other people in my cohort to be most helpful. I no longer felt alone.
My exploration through this course brought up more joy and excitement to dream and plan for another career where I can be the best me. I would definitely recommend this course to any teacher that feels burned out, overwhelmed, helpless, or stuck in their job.
—Jan, current 5th grade teacher
I’d been teaching for 37 years and was contemplating leaving the classroom to finish out my career doing something different…but I had a lot of self-talk telling me that I couldn’t do anything else.
The course helped me rediscover and dig deep into my personality traits, strengths, and skills and gave me the confidence that I can do something different. Now I’m pursuing work opportunities outside the classroom that I know are a good fit for me.
—Tonya, current Life & Consumer Sciences teacher
What's included in the course?
PRE-RECORDED VIDEO LESSONS
Ten modules (20+ pre-recorded lessons) that guide you through a process of self-assessment and career exploration using the mindsets, strategies, assessments and tools Laura has honed over 12 years of career coaching.
HOMEWORK
Assignments for every lesson, designed to help you go deeper with the content and keep you focused and engaged in meaningful ways. This is not busy work!
WEEKLY GROUP CALLS (Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Eastern)
Zoom conversations with other teachers in your cohort, facilitated by Laura. These calls are a space to get new perspectives on the course content and connect with other teachers going through the same process of career exploration.
Former students describe the calls as "encouraging and validating" and as a place where they felt "less alone" with their questions and doubts.
SUPPORTING RESOURCES
You'll receive all the information you need to do your assignments with ease, including relevant templates, assessments, and demos.
OPTION TO ADD-ON 1:1 COACHING SESSIONS
Meet with Laura 1:1 at any point during the program for half the price of her usual coaching fees (save $100!)
POST-COURSE MONTHLY ALUMNI CALLS
Join Laura and other Teachers at a Crossroads alumni in monthly Zoom calls in order to get ongoing support and accountability to continue your career exploration.
What to expect
September - December
Reflective Self-Assessment
In months 1-3 of the course, you'll take stock of your skills, strengths, personality, values, interests, influences, fears, and joys.
All this juicy info about yourself will help you create your own "Career Compass," that you'll use now and in the future to make decisions about your career that are aligned with who you are, what you want, what you have to offer, and what's important to you at this phase of your life.
January - March
Active career exploration
In months 4-6 of the course, you'll discover and explore career possibilities beyond the classroom.
No more feeling pigeon-holed in teaching! You'll create an abundant list of career possibilities and gather accurate information about your favorite ideas. By lining up this new info with your"Career Compass," you'll have clarity about which careers are a good fit for you and confidence that you're pursuing a few pathways that are right for you.
Module
01
YOUR STARTING POINT
Tune into what you're currently thinking and feeling about your career and meet the other teachers in your cohort!
Module
02
YOUR HIDDEN OBSTACLES
Reveal what's getting in the way of positive career change by identifying your limiting beliefs, inner critic, and external influences.
Module
03
YOUR SPARK & JOY
Notice what makes you "come alive" and where you experience joy, both inside and outside the classroom.
Module
04
YOUR PERSONALITY
Discover how your personality (temperament) impacts your experience of teaching and plays a role in career fit and work satisfaction.
Module
05
YOUR SUPERPOWERS
Pinpoint what you have to offer that's relevant and unique, with a focus on using skills and strengths that bring you joy.
Module
06
YOUR VALUES
Prioritize what's most important to you at this phase of your life.
Module
07
YOUR CAREER COMPASS
Integrate all that you've learned about yourself from the course to clarify what you most want guiding you as you make career decisions going forward.
Module
08
YOUR CAREER POSSIBILITIES
Play with an abundant list of possibilities beyond the classroom and discover careers you never knew existed or didn't think were possible.
Module
09
YOUR CAREER FIT
Gather accurate, in-depth information about the career possibilities that are rising to the top as your favorites.
Module
10
YOUR NEXT STEPS
Decide which career possibilities you want to pursue or explore further and make a plan with next steps to keep you moving toward your goals after the course ends.
More from teachers at a crossroads...
I didn't know if I was ready to "give up" on teaching, so initially I hesitated to take Laura’s course. But I kept getting in my own way and allowing my negative thoughts to tell me that I couldn’t do anything else but teach.
Watching Laura's teaching videos and doing the homework assignments have taken my career re-designing process out of my head and made it much more concrete--something I could actually consider doing.
It doesn't matter where you are in the process of changing your career. You will become more aware of how your own thoughts and attitudes may limit your ideas of what's possible. Even if you decide to remain in teaching, you may think about your job in a whole new way.
—Jennifer, current elementary EAL teacher
I had doubts about teaching, but I didn’t think I could find other work so I stayed as a default.
Laura’s course guided me through an honest exploration of what I want and have to offer in my career. It gave me confidence that I CAN do something else if I choose, and so I felt empowered to ask for the things I wanted to make my current job better. These changes transformed teaching into a much better fit for me, and now I return to teaching enthusiastically, as though it were a new job, even though I have been in the field for over 20 years.
—Rob, current middle school social studies teacher
To sum it all up...
+ 6 months of guided self-reflection & career exploration
+ a community of other teachers
+ over 20 video lessons & assignments
+ face to face time with Laura during weekly group Zoom calls
+ accountability to get *%$# done
+ momentum toward something better
=
CLARITY & CONFIDENCE ABOUT YOUR CAREER
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How long do I have access to the course materials?As long as you need it! There's no time limit. You can come back to the course videos and lessons at any time after the course ends. If I ever decide to move or remove the content, I will give you a heads up so you can save anything you like for the future.
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What are the course dates?The course will run from September 24, 2024 to April 8, 2025.
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When are the weekly group Zoom calls?Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Eastern. There will be ~4 weeks when the group doesn't meet due to the election, holidays, and Laura's vacation.
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Will we cover resumes in the course?No, we don't cover resumes but I can refer you to helpful resources. The teachers in the course range from those who are trying to decide whether to quit teaching to those who know they want to leave but don't know what's next. Because teachers are at these various points in their career exploration journey, we focus on figuring out what's right for you and where you're headed next, not on the tactical job application strategies like how to create a solid resume or write a strong cover letter. These steps come later in your process, when you know what you want and you're ready to apply for jobs. For more information about why we don't cover resumes, read my blog post Leave your resume alone...until you know what you want after teaching. https://www.lauralitwiller.com/post/leave-your-resume-alone-until-you-know-what-you-want
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Who are the other teachers in the course?Teachers in the course come from across the country, teach a variety of grades and subjects, and are at different points in their teaching career. Some have taught their entire career and others have experienced different types of work. What all the teachers have in common is a desire to find or create a career that's a better fit for who they are, what they have to offer, and what they want for their life.
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Can/should I take the course if I can't attend the weekly group calls?You will get much more out of the course if you come to the weekly Zoom calls. So much of the course's value comes from the conversations and relationships you have with Laura and the other teachers in your cohort. However, there is also value in the course content, and it is structured in a way that walks you through the process of career exploration step by step. If you are disciplined enough to work through the videos and lessons on your own, you will still get plenty of value from the course.
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Can I take the course at my own pace?No, it's not a self-paced course. Meaning, I don't give you all the course content at once and expect you to complete it on your own. Because the truth is that people who take self-paced courses rarely finish them. Teachers at a Crossroads offers you structure and accountability so that you're motivated to consistently show up and do the work. I release a new course module to you and your cohort every 1-3 weeks and we meet weekly to discuss the lessons that you're currently working on. This pace gives you time to do the work but also keeps you going at a steady clip so you don't lose momentum.
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Is this course a good fit for me if I work or teach in higher education or a different capacity in K-12 education (administrator, social worker, para etc...)?It might be! Teachers at a Crossroads is designed with K-12 classroom teachers in mind. However, many of the frameworks and tools I use are relevant to a wide range of careers. One thing you'll want to keep in mind is that most of your cohort will be K-12 teachers, so the discussions in the weekly group calls will center around this particular experience. That said, career exploration is a personal journey that is unique to each individual. 10 classroom teachers will approach their career in 10 different ways, and you might relate to the journeys of other people in your cohort even if your work isn't exactly the same. The best way to find out if this course is for you is to chat with Laura. She can learn more about what you're hoping to accomplish and give you a better sense of whether you'll get what you need from the course. Schedule a quick chat with Laura here: https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/bookings/new?package_id=72578
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Do you work with people who aren't K-12 teachers?Yes, I do! I offer 1:1 coaching to a range of professionals. Send me a message to tell me more about your current work and what you're hoping to achieve through coaching.
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Do you offer support with resumes and other job search application materials?It depends. I am primarily a career clarity coach, which means I specialize in working with people who want help figuring out where to head with their career. Having this clarity makes the job search SO much easier and more effective. For existing clients who have worked with me on clarifying what they want for their work, I happily support them on their resumes, cover letters, interviews, networking, and any other part of their job search. I don't see myself as a job search coach, resume writer, LinkedIn specialist, messaging expert, etc... If this is what you're looking for, I can try to point you in the right direction.
Still not sure whether Teachers at a Crossroads is right for you?
Give this course a one month chance if any of the following resonates with you:
You're feeling pressure to make a decision
But you get stuck in your head turning over the same questions again and again without clarity.
You know change is needed
You feel it in your body. You hear your wise inner voice. "Something is not right. Make things better."
You want to enjoy more of your life
You know that your job has a huge impact on life outside of work, and you're ready to do what it takes to be happier.
Taking the course is risk free!
You're protected by a one month money-back guarantee
One month
RISK FREE!
GUARANTEE
Taking this course is an investment in your future - a more joyful, fulfilling career awaits!
All investments cost something, whether it's time, energy, or money. In this case, I believe that the course is an investment worth making, for all the clarity, confidence, and momentum you're going to get for your career. But don't just take my word for it...
"Taking this class was an investment. Every penny has been paid back to me a hundredfold in peace of mind and motivation. I wanted clarity. I got it. Way cheaper than any other midlife crisis!" - Rob, T@C Student
If you don't feel like you're getting a little more clarity, confidence, and momentum by the end of the first month of the course, let me know and you will not be charged for any additional months.
If you're not happy with teaching, let's do something about it.
Imagine waking up on a Monday morning with happy anticipation for the week!
Work you look forward to is out there. Sometimes you just need a little help making it happen.
I’ve created the roadmap you need to find your version of career happiness.
All you have to do is jump on board and enjoy being guided through a process that is clarifying, eye-opening, energizing, and effective.
I'll be with you every step of the way.
With admiration,
Laura
Stay informed about when Teachers at a Crossroads reopens for enrollment in fall 2025