In this short but powerful session, you’ll:

✅ Get oriented with the platform and learn exactly how to ask questions and participate

✅ Meet your hosts and fellow attendees — you’re not doing this alone!

✅ Set your mindset for success and get comfortable in the space

✅ Hear important housekeeping notes so you know what to expect

✅ PLUS: A special live opportunity to enter to win a 1:1 resume review with one of our certified coaches 🎉

Think of this as your warm-up lap: we’ll shake off the nerves, get settled, and make sure you’re fully ready to learn, connect…and get the most from every session ahead.

If you’re hoping this will be your last year in the classroom—but you’re feeling stuck, unsure where to start, or worried you’re already behind—you are not alone.

In this keynote session, Lisa Harding, co-founder of the Teacher Career Transition Academy, shares what she’s learned from guiding thousands of teachers through the transition out of the classroom and into careers they love. You’ll get a clear, honest look at what it really takes to make a career change in 2026—and why so many teachers struggle to gain momentum on their own.

More than inspiration, this session offers direction: a fresh way to understand where you are right now, what’s been holding you back, and how to finally move forward with purpose this year.

This session sets the tone for the entire event—and will prepare you to get the most out of every panel, story, and strategy that follows.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• A realistic look at what the career transition process actually requires—and why it’s normal to feel overwhelmed

• The four stages of a successful teacher career transition—and how to recognize where you are right now

• The surprising reasons so many teachers stay stuck (it’s not lack of experience)

• How to begin building real momentum toward a new career in 2026

Ever wonder how former teachers actually land jobs outside the classroom—and what hiring managers are really looking for?

In this behind-the-scenes panel, four former teachers turned corporate leaders pull back the curtain on the hiring process—and what makes a former educator stand out.

You’ll hear from:

· Steven Anderson, engineering solutions for schools at PowerSchool

· Timothy Gwynn, now leading global learning at Krispy Kreme

· Nicholas Provenzano, managing training and content at SchoolAI

Together, they’ll share the lessons they’ve learned from both sides of the career transition—how they navigated the leap, what helped them succeed, and what they now look for when hiring former teachers.

If you’ve ever thought, “Could I really make a move like that?”—this session will show you the answer is yes.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• What hiring managers look for in former teachers
• How to confidently position your teaching experience on a resume or in an interview
• The biggest mistakes teachers make when applying—and how to avoid them
• Encouragement and advice from educators who have successfully made the leap—and now help others do the same

What does it really look like to leave teaching and start over?

In this honest and inspiring panel, former educators share the behind-the-scenes stories of how they made the leap—from self-doubt and identity shifts to confidence, clarity, and new careers they love.

You’ll hear from:

· Katie Fielding, Content Manager at Book Creator

· Amy Donato, Instructional Coaching and Professional Learning at Elevate K12

· Holly Owens, Instructional Designer

You’ll hear their real stories of how they navigated uncertainty, overcame imposter syndrome, explored new possibilities, and found their footing outside of education. Each panelist brings a unique path, industry, and perspective—but all share one powerful message: it’s possible, and you’re not alone.

Whether you're just beginning to explore new paths or in the thick of your job search, this session will remind you that reinvention is within reach.

💡 Key Takeaways:
· Candid stories from teachers who’ve successfully changed careers
· Insights into new and different career paths
· Confidence-building insights and mindset shifts that helped them move forward
· Real talk on the emotional side of career change—and how to navigate it
· Encouragement and practical advice from people who’ve been exactly where you are

If networking feels awkward or intimidating—you’re not alone. Most teachers think it requires special connections or extroverted energy, but in reality, it’s a learnable skill and one of the most important parts of your transition.

In this session, career coach Shannon Schwaebler breaks networking down into simple, teacher-friendly steps. You’ll learn your natural networking style, discover where to find the right people in your new industry, and understand how to start conversations—even when it feels uncomfortable. Shannon will show you what to say, how to follow up, and how to build relationships in a way that feels genuine and authentic.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• A clear breakdown of your personal networking style

• How to craft a natural, confident elevator pitch

• Where to find new connections online and offline

• Conversation starters and follow-up tips that feel authentic

• Action steps to begin expanding your network today

Wrap up your day with this high-energy closing session! We’ll celebrate your progress, give away a 1:1 resume review (a $350 value!), and share practical tips to help you keep moving forward in your career transition. If you’ve been wondering how to build on everything you learned today—this is the session you don’t want to miss.