Teacher Career Transition Academy: Teacher Stories
Hello teacher friends!
Your story has the power to inspire and guide those who are facing the challenging decision of changing careers or joining The Academy.
We understand how tough this process can be. That's why hearing from individuals who have successfully made the change, are currently going through it, or are enrolled in The Academy can truly make a difference.
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Deiera Bennett
LinkedIn Strategist
Deiera Bennett is the owner of Career Confidence by Dee. She uses her 6+ years of marketing, writing, and education experience to teach jobseekers how to market themselves for new careers. Deiera currently works for a branding agency as a LinkedIn Strategist & Ghostwriter for CEOs. Whether you’re a teacher or a CEO, her goal is to help you confidently communicate your value to your audience.
LinkedIn Strategist
Deiera Bennett is the owner of Career Confidence by Dee. She uses her 6+ years of marketing, writing, and education experience to teach jobseekers how to market themselves for new careers. Deiera currently works for a branding agency as a LinkedIn Strategist & Ghostwriter for CEOs. Whether you’re a teacher or a CEO, her goal is to help you confidently communicate your value to your audience.
Charissa Stowers
Corporate Learning & Development Executive
Charissa Stowers is an experienced senior level Learning and Development Director. Charissa has a proven track record of development and launch of innovative, industry leading programs that help people ENJOY learning. She has experience hiring and managing teams within the L&D space. With over 15 years of career experience in the technology field, she has had many roles at various companies. She’s worked at small tech startups, and at large international companies such as Apple and Pandora/Sirius XM.
Corporate Learning & Development Executive
Charissa Stowers is an experienced senior level Learning and Development Director. Charissa has a proven track record of development and launch of innovative, industry leading programs that help people ENJOY learning. She has experience hiring and managing teams within the L&D space. With over 15 years of career experience in the technology field, she has had many roles at various companies. She’s worked at small tech startups, and at large international companies such as Apple and Pandora/Sirius XM.
Kate Hutson
Life & Career Coach
Kate Hutson is a Life & Career Coach providing trusted coaching for professional women to show up with confidence and take control of their careers. After a decade of passionate work as a business leader, teacher, and coach, Kate turned her passion for mentoring others into practical knowledge for the real world– skills that women can use in their everyday lives to achieve their long-term career goals and live with more joy, energy, and fulfillment.
Life & Career Coach
Kate Hutson is a Life & Career Coach providing trusted coaching for professional women to show up with confidence and take control of their careers. After a decade of passionate work as a business leader, teacher, and coach, Kate turned her passion for mentoring others into practical knowledge for the real world– skills that women can use in their everyday lives to achieve their long-term career goals and live with more joy, energy, and fulfillment.
Rachel Serwetz
Career Exploration Coach & CEO @WOKEN
Rachel Serwetz’ early professional experience was at Goldman Sachs in Operations and at Bridgewater Associates in HR. From there, she was trained as a coach at NYU and became a certified coach through the International Coach Federation. After this, she worked in HR Research at Aon Hewitt and attained her Technology MBA at NYU Stern. Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of professionals with career exploration and for the past 4.5 years she has been building her company, WOKEN, which is an online career exploration platform to coach professionals through the process of clarifying their ideal job and career path. She is also an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Binghamton University and has served as a Career Coach through the Flatiron School/WeWork, Columbia University, and Project Activate. Learn more about WOKEN here: iamwoken.com.
Career Exploration Coach & CEO @WOKEN
Rachel Serwetz’ early professional experience was at Goldman Sachs in Operations and at Bridgewater Associates in HR. From there, she was trained as a coach at NYU and became a certified coach through the International Coach Federation. After this, she worked in HR Research at Aon Hewitt and attained her Technology MBA at NYU Stern. Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of professionals with career exploration and for the past 4.5 years she has been building her company, WOKEN, which is an online career exploration platform to coach professionals through the process of clarifying their ideal job and career path. She is also an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Binghamton University and has served as a Career Coach through the Flatiron School/WeWork, Columbia University, and Project Activate. Learn more about WOKEN here: iamwoken.com.
Alyson Garrido
Career Coach
Alyson Garrido is passionate about supporting professionals to advance their careers and find jobs they will enjoy. As a career coach, she partners with her clients to identify their strengths and create a path toward a more fulfilling career. Alyson provides support around interview preparation, performance reviews and salary negotiations, ensuring that her clients present themselves in the best possible light. Learn more or book a session with Alyson by visiting www.alysongarrid.com.
Career Coach
Alyson Garrido is passionate about supporting professionals to advance their careers and find jobs they will enjoy. As a career coach, she partners with her clients to identify their strengths and create a path toward a more fulfilling career. Alyson provides support around interview preparation, performance reviews and salary negotiations, ensuring that her clients present themselves in the best possible light. Learn more or book a session with Alyson by visiting www.alysongarrid.com.
Annie Dean
Customer Success Executive/CEO
Annie Dean (she/her) is CEO and Cofounder of RecastSucces; working to diversify the tech industry by helping career transitioners, supporting mentorship, and Fractional Head of Success leadership for SaaS startups. She is also a Udemy for Business and Maven instructor. Previously she was a career transitioner herself. She went on to Customer Success leadership and executive roles at LinkedIn, Coursera, and several startups. She is a wife and mom living in a rural community near Yosemite.
Customer Success Executive/CEO
Annie Dean (she/her) is CEO and Cofounder of RecastSucces; working to diversify the tech industry by helping career transitioners, supporting mentorship, and Fractional Head of Success leadership for SaaS startups. She is also a Udemy for Business and Maven instructor. Previously she was a career transitioner herself. She went on to Customer Success leadership and executive roles at LinkedIn, Coursera, and several startups. She is a wife and mom living in a rural community near Yosemite.
Lisa Harding
EdTech Executive | CEO of LearnWorld
Lisa Harding is a former EdTech Executive with over 15 years of experience driving growth and innovation in the EdTech market. Most recently, Lisa served as President of SimpleK12, an online professional development company for K-12 educators. Prior to serving as the company President, Lisa held roles in product/content marketing and development, eCommerce, and sales. Lisa has dedicated her career to providing award-winning training and development to classroom teachers. She has also interviewed and hired many career changers – specifically teachers! Throughout her career in the EdTech industry, Lisa has demonstrated strong leadership, a passion for educators, and a deep commitment to providing best-in-class online courseware. Lisa now serves as Co-Founder and CEO of LearnWorld.
EdTech Executive | CEO of LearnWorld
Lisa Harding is a former EdTech Executive with over 15 years of experience driving growth and innovation in the EdTech market. Most recently, Lisa served as President of SimpleK12, an online professional development company for K-12 educators. Prior to serving as the company President, Lisa held roles in product/content marketing and development, eCommerce, and sales. Lisa has dedicated her career to providing award-winning training and development to classroom teachers. She has also interviewed and hired many career changers – specifically teachers! Throughout her career in the EdTech industry, Lisa has demonstrated strong leadership, a passion for educators, and a deep commitment to providing best-in-class online courseware. Lisa now serves as Co-Founder and CEO of LearnWorld.
Shannon Schwaebler
GCDF, CPRW
Shannon Schwaebler has over eight years of experience in career development and higher education. She has dedicated her career to supporting individuals in navigating their career paths, providing them with the necessary tools and skillset to confidently navigate their career development process.Shannon understands that career paths are not always straightforward and linear. Instead, she believes that success comes from being prepared for the unpredictable and having the ability to adapt to new situations. Her approach to career development is centered around empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen field. Shannon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, a Master’s degree in Higher Education, and multiple certifications, including Global Career Development Facilitator, Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Program Planner, and AAUW Salary Negotiation trainer.
GCDF, CPRW
Shannon Schwaebler has over eight years of experience in career development and higher education. She has dedicated her career to supporting individuals in navigating their career paths, providing them with the necessary tools and skillset to confidently navigate their career development process.Shannon understands that career paths are not always straightforward and linear. Instead, she believes that success comes from being prepared for the unpredictable and having the ability to adapt to new situations. Her approach to career development is centered around empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen field. Shannon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, a Master’s degree in Higher Education, and multiple certifications, including Global Career Development Facilitator, Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Program Planner, and AAUW Salary Negotiation trainer.
Holly Owens
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER
Holly Owens is an Instructional Designer with PillPack by Amazon Pharmacy. She has over 15 years of experience in education in various roles, including high school educator, instructional technologist, and podcast host. Holly has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in education and instructional design at various institutions, including the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Coppin State University, and Northern Virginia Community College. For the past four years, she has taught instructional design courses with the Instructional Technology Program at Touro University within the Graduate School of Technology.
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER
Holly Owens is an Instructional Designer with PillPack by Amazon Pharmacy. She has over 15 years of experience in education in various roles, including high school educator, instructional technologist, and podcast host. Holly has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in education and instructional design at various institutions, including the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Coppin State University, and Northern Virginia Community College. For the past four years, she has taught instructional design courses with the Instructional Technology Program at Touro University within the Graduate School of Technology.
Reba Gordon Matthews
Educational Consultant, Speaker
Reba Gordon Matthews is an Educational Consultant with Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt and a a Freelance Coach and Instructional Designer creating eLearning and learner experience courses. She has over 20 years of elementary teaching experience and has served as an adjunct instructor for Early Childhood Education courses. She holds a Masters in Educational Technology and a Masters in Instructional Design.
Educational Consultant, Speaker
Reba Gordon Matthews is an Educational Consultant with Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt and a a Freelance Coach and Instructional Designer creating eLearning and learner experience courses. She has over 20 years of elementary teaching experience and has served as an adjunct instructor for Early Childhood Education courses. She holds a Masters in Educational Technology and a Masters in Instructional Design.
As a way of “Paying It Forward,” Reba is also the co-founder and Executive Director of The Jamal Gordon-Hill Foundation. This small family organization supports at-risk young people with academic tutoring, technology training, and college scholarships.
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